Yeah, I dropped TOO much money on records in Vancouver last week..
what are you looking for? CDs? vinyl?
If you're coming from the U.S. and have a strong American independent rock liking, you're better off ignoring the new sections of any store (including Zulu) and just go to the used sections. New vinyl is more expensive up there than in the states.
Then again, you might be coming from the UK or Germany for all I know... so, more info pliz. :)
Used vinyl:
OTIS! I cannot stress this enough. BOTH stores on Davie street. THe one further out closer to the beach and residential part is better. Huge funk and disco section. The one closer to the active part of the strip is great, too, but more collector-ish. Still though, some great finds at both. They only take cash but will offer you mad deals.
Beat Street (off Robson near Robson/Granville): best vinyl hip hop store I've ever been too, period. Also has decent dance section as well. www.beatstreet.ca if you're curious
Active Pass records (W Hastings): if you're into new dance music, especially electro and techno, this is one of the best record stores as well. The staff is sooper nice and helpful.
Bassix (Hastings) : haven't been there in years.. apparently good house music store, but they have weird hours.
Another used funk/soul record has opened up on, i think, richards or seymour, between pender and hastings. The guy who runs it is super sweet and seems to be a recent emigrent from England.. he's looking to buy used vinyl.. (wish I could find his business card)
Audiopile (Commercial Drive): collector vinyl store. Guy who runs it is a self admitted music geek (and reminds some of Comic Book Guy). He's a nice guy. Anyway, the prices on some records aren't that inflated, and you can find some great stuff there. Also used CDs too. Commercial Drive is an easy stop from downtown via the Skytrain (Broadway exit)
Zulu (4th Ave. in Kitsilano): has good american/canadian/european indie vinyl section used.. the "collectors" section is totally inflated, and not what it used to be. They now overcharge for the most ridiculously mediocre "collector" records. Just stick to the vinyl bargain/Clearance bins on the floor there... it's in Kitsilano on 4th Ave. Easy bus ride from downtown (the 4 bus will take you there and back)
Black Swan records (on Broadway?, west into Kitsilano): totally snotty bluegrass/folk/classic rock record store.. hates anything that's "80s" or "new wave", so you can find mint Soft Cell and Duran Duran records there for really cheap, since it's obviously "shit" music.
Carson's Books (further west on Broadway): totally nice dude who runs a used book store who also has a stache of virtually untouched old records in the back. I think there's a decent section of early 90s/late 80s rave classics somewhere in his store. Again, you'll be talking to the guy who runs the store a lot as he's super helpful and friendly.
And there are a gazillion generic used CD stores EVERYWHERE In downtown.. open late too.
― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 10 June 2004 16:01 (twenty-one years ago)
I forgot to mention:
Scratch Records (richards): new punk/indie/general vinyl offered. Not huge though, and not too much used. and again, you can get new vinyl of what they offer cheaper in the states EXCEPT if it's on their Scratch record label.. so if you're into Bugskull, this is the best record store to get Bugskull records.. otherwise..
Boomtown (Burrard? just off the bridge in downtown): comprehensive dance record store. Despite its size, I could never find much I like. I think house is their main thing. Probably better than Bassix though.
― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 10 June 2004 16:07 (twenty-one years ago)
Then again, you might be coming from the UK or Germany for all I know... so, more info pliz. :)Donut,
You rock. I owe you huge for sure. I'm coming from nyc where, although stocked with plenty of amazing record stores, I've gotten bored of all of them. I'm a vinyl-hunter so cds are not what I'm looking for--but I'll be sure to waste lot's of time looking. Thanks for the advice.
Now where do you go to get OTHER substances in vancouver...?
― Vinyl Hunter Gatherer, Thursday, 10 June 2004 16:34 (twenty-one years ago)
I was going to mention Red Cat. Small selection, but I've found some rare shit in there. There's another all vinyl place on Main, down near 17th, but I forget the name.
As for the other thing, you can get it just about anywhere. Just ask some skater kid with a cell and he'll hook you up or point you in the right direction.
― minolta (minolta), Friday, 11 June 2004 06:12 (twenty-one years ago)