A Tale of Two Record Stores
If somebody told me as a kid that record stores would be in danger of going extinct, I’d have thought they were flat-out nuts. But sadly, record stores, along with book stores, are being greatly hurt by the internet. The majority of young kids would rather download their music and listen to their iPods rather than going out and graze through records and compact discs at a store. I can’t begin to tell you the number of hours I’ve logged in at record stores throughout my life, flipping through albums, looking at covers, reading liner notes and talking to the people that work there. Record stores can be a real social experience of finding new and old music and meeting like-minded people. So it’s sad to see record stores shrinking.
In the last couple weeks there’s been news that two well-known record stores were leaving their retail spaces. On January 26th Ken Mac reported from his great photo blog, GVDP, that the word on the street was saying that iconic record store, Bleecker Bob’s was closing and that a Starbucks was moving in. Luckily, this turned out to be somewhat wrong. What is happening is Bleecker Bob’s is looking for a place in the East Village due to the crazy-ass rents in the West Village. They’re not planning on closing, but they are definitely moving out of this space that they’ve inhabited for over thirty years.
After that news, Jeremiah Moss reported four days later that East Village Rockit Scientist Records was closing it’s location on St. Marks, where they’ve been since 2002 (the shop was first opened on Carmine St. in 1996.) Their lease is ending and owner John Kioussis tried for a rent reduction, but the landlord won’t budge. So it’s closing on March 31st. John’s going to mail order for awhile and continue to look for a new spot for his fine record store.
So, hopefully these two places will live on, but I wanted to get photos and document both of them before they left the spaces they were in. And so, it’s off we go.
I thought we'd first travel over to the East Village and check out Rockit Scientist Records. I've always loved the name of that shop. The gate is open, let's go inside.
As you can see, it's a long narrow railroad space in here.
Here's the front counter, Aaron was showing long-time customer John an album.
As you can see, the store has a great selection of compact discs, one's you won't find on Amazon or at a Barnes and Noble.
And there's also a lot of albums in here, definitely something you won't find at Barnes & Noble or at a Best Buy. One of my favorite things to do in record stores is to look at album covers, let's check out a few.
A classic cover, The New York Dolls first album. I remember listening to this in Peoria when I was in high school. Never dreamed I'd be looking at it in New York City decades later.
The Immortal Otis Redding. That says it all.
I've never seen this Bo Diddley record before. That's what's so fun about going to record shops, you always see something you've never seen before. Now I'm thinking about the New York Doll's cover of "Pills."
Here's the Rolling Stones "Satanic Majesties Request" with the original 3-D cover. I had this as a kid and traded it for a bag of pot when I was around 15-years-old. This one's going for 75 bucks! I should've held on to it, as I remember it was kind of shitty weed that I got for it!
I love the hand-lettered record dividers in here!
Owner John Kioussis holds up my purchase of the Dave Clark Five to shield himself from the TMW camera! The first 45 I ever got was "Catch Us If You Can," by the Dave Clark Five and it's on this album. I never got it back when I was a kid, but I have it now. Thanks to John for letting me come in and take photos. He's a great guy and has a lot of entertaining stories about owning a record store in New York. I told him he should pitch it as a movie idea. If you want to check out and find some cool records and compact discs here, the clock is running, Rockit Scientist Records is closing on March 31st. Stop in and make a purchase while you can.
Joey sells records out in front of the store. He's a nice, soft-spoken fellow who says he's been doing this for 22 years. I asked him what he thought about what was happening to the neighborhood and he thought about it and then said with a shake of his head, "It sure is changing." Those four words pretty much sum it all up. Okay over to Bleecker Bob's.
And here we are at Bleecker Bob's on Third Street in the West Village.
Bleecker Bob opened his first record store here in New York in 1968 on Bleecker St. It's been in this location for over thirty years.
I love old cash registers and this one's a beauty.
Here's something you don't see much of these days, vintage vinyl 45's.
And here's something you pretty much only see in Bleecker Bob's, 8 track tapes!
A poster of The Ramones from the late '70's. Hard to believe that Tommy Ramone is the only one still alive.
There's a huge selection of CD's available here.
And row after row of vinyl to peruse.
Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks. The Hawks later evolved into The Band.
More hand-lettered dividers in here. Hey, The Yardbirds are in the back.
I've never seen this Yardbirds compilation, so that's my purchase from Bleecker Bob's for the day. I've always loved them and I traveled to Memphis with their drummer, Jim McCarty back in the early '90's. A story I need to write up one of these days.
There's a place in Bleecker Bob's where you can leave flyers and cards...hey, looky there! If you know of a space in the East Village, feel free to call Bleecker Bob's and let them know, the phone number is below. I wish them good luck with the move and will be anxious to see the new store. For now, I'm glad the old one is still there, you should check it out while you can.
Rockit Scientist Records
33 St. Marks Place (Near Second Ave.)
212-242-0066
Bleecker Bob’s
118 W. 3rd St (Between Sixth Ave. and MacDougal St.)
212-475-9677
Further Reading: EV Grieve, Racked and Record Store Day.
High fidelity,
Can you hear me?
Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!
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Bonus Photo!
I saw this on my way home from Bleecker Bob's. I think I'll call it: "Irony."
Bleecker Bob's, Record Stores, Rockit Scientist Records Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:10AM
Reader Comments (52)
Thanks for posting these ... it's the next best thing to being there. Great pics.
Sadly, I think my first 45 purchase was "Shadow Dancing" by Andy Gibb. Not the proudest musical moment of my life ... but much better than future girls should feel about Justin Bieber.
On the other hand, I think my first album was either Ace Frehley's solo album or Cheap Trick at Budokan. Pretty cool for a little girl, I think :)
Those oldies but goodies...do wop do wop... I still remember 45's with little record players you took with you everywhere went. Damn, how old am I? Shit!...Oh well, life goes on, just am lucky I'm still kicking ;)
Man, I've always loved record stores...the way they look, the way they smell. I think we've discussed inventing a car air freshener that smells like the albums when you first open that shrink-wrap. Anyhoo, thanks for taking us to these two and showing us around. I hope they both find new spaces and live on for another few decades at least. TO: VINYL!
@roadsidewonders: Glad you enjoyed the tour! And Ace's first solo album or Cheap Trick are excellent first album purchases! My first album was "The Best of Herman's Hermits."
@Mykola Mick Demetiiuk: I remember those too! Ah, the good old days! Much better than downloading an MP3!
@Biff: I love that shrink wrap smell and I too, love record stores! People should support them and keep them in business! TO: VINYL!
We used to drive into Miracle Mart in the south end of Peoria from Bartonville to buy every new Stones album. Had every early one, but not the 3D Magical cover. Had to play them on an old record player with a coin taped to keep the needle down and of course they got scratched to hell. They didn't last long. Got to U of I in 67 and a guy had fancy turntable and thought he was gay. That's my Bartonville greaser/album wrecker story. The end.
While I was at NYU, I would go to every record shop in the village EXCEPT Bleecker Bob's, their prices were always too high
@Jmcd: I remember that Miracle Mart well! And I too used to do the taping of the coin on the needle to keep it from skipping, I had forgotten all about that! Good memories from the past!
@spotcolors: Well now that you're making the big money, you can afford Bleecker Bob's! Stop by and check them out sometime!
@Tripping With Marty: I don't know, my limo might not fit through West 3rd Street
Dam, Bleeker Bobs. I bought all my 7 inch punk 45's at Bleeker Bob's. He was a real dick, Always trying to throw me & my friend out of the store if we weren't buying records, Ok I was 17 & a Punk. I still have all my British Sex Pistol 45's with great picture sleeves & an amazing Ramones ( Blitzkrieg Bop) 45 that I got autographed by all 4 original Ramones at Freebeing Records.
I bought a rare Keith Richards - Talk is Cheap (Keith in a Can) at Rockit Scientist Records a while back. They had some great collectables there.
@spotcolors: Maybe you can just park on 6th Ave. and call them and have them bring the records to you!
@Danny the Freelancer: Sounds like you've got a great collection! That Ramones 45 could probably fetch some decent money on eBay!
Whether you blame it on digital downloads, piracy, or a consumer revolt; the old corporate media profit machine and the big box music stores failed. This, coupled with a resurgence in the popularity in vinyl amongst audiophiles, hipsters, and DJ type culture; you would think the small independent shops would be poised to do at least OK. Well, you would be wrong. Between declining real wages, and more importantly, skyrocketing rents, it's generally unfeasible to run a successful record store in Manhattan. If you look to Brooklyn, you'll find not a thriving, but still, a much higher amount of record stores per capita then in Manhattan. This is what makes Manhattan a frustrating anomaly. Manhattan has the largest potential market for vinyl records and yet it's fiscally near impossible to operate a record store in Manhattan. If anything, it makes you scratch your head and wonder if there is something amiss with the system. All soap-boxing aside, don;t forget the D4, clean your vinyl.
Man, I hate that Bleecker Bob's is closing. Is Sounds still on St. Mark's? That was my go-to spot.
I always liked the great Artwork & photography,the free stickers & posters. Now all you have is a tiny icon in i-Tunes.
@csp: You're right, the bottom line in Manhattan is the rent. Small businesses are dying and the only ones that can afford the rent are the chains. EV Grieve reported yesterday that the 8th Subway "sandwich" place has opened in the East Village. Ugh! Thanks for the D4 alert!
@Fat Al: Hopefully they won't close and just move, time will tell. I'm pretty sure Sounds is still there.
@Danny: I love album cover art and when you opened it and there was free stickers or a poster, it was like getting a treasure. I've never downloaded anything from i-Tunes and probably never will.
I miss doing lines of blow off of records.
Back in the day, the Electric Fetus was the place to go in Minneapolis for the latest album, 45, bong or one hitter. Ah memories...at least the ones that aren't completely fogged over....
The Yardbirds, one of the best...remember we saw Jeff Beck open for Fleetwood Mac @Glen Oak park 100 years ago...I went up tp CO-OP records the next day and bought Jeff Becks Blow By Blow...Great post Martin
@Reggie Thistleton: Ha! Don't we all!
@Jaws: Ah, the combination record store/head shop! A one-stop shop back in the day! Love the name, Electric Fetus!
@tehennessey: I remember that concert, that was 100 years ago! That was a great concert, I remember standing right up at the stage, smoking a joint and staring at Stevie Nicks!
Five bucks for an eight-track tape? Wow. Cost him maybe a quarter, tops,
A great look at these two stores, thanks Marty! I hope they both can find new homes and thrive or at least survive as long as they want! I bought a record player again 2 years ago after going vinyl-less for 20 years. Thankfully my folks had kept all my records in the basement so I shipped em here, now I'm knee deep in Pink Floyd, the Who and the Stones again and they're all in great condition still. Listening to LP's is a much richer experience. You really think about the music, and listen more intently. Now I just need more space in my apartment to store the collection!
Glad I got it somewhat wrong! Great pics Marty.
If these two stores are looking for spots - there are 2 newly vacated store fronts on e 4th Street. One just across the street from the other, between 1st and 2nd ave. One was a barbershop and the other was Social Tees, a pet rescue. It would be a good block for a pair of record stores!
What a great show here today,,,,,thanks Marty, record stores, bookstores, kept me out of gangs in LA when I was growing up. I could hang and hang for hours a day. When I saw the Dutch/Psych section at Rockit, I flashed back to "The Tee Set" with that hit "Ma belle amie", bet anything they had that there, you will never find that album anywhere but at those places. Lead singer sounded like John Lennon. St Marks Place is gonna get unaffordable for the young to hang out. I can only imagine what the new Holiday Cocktail Bar reincarnation will be like,,,,14 dollar cocktails?
Uh, Reggie, where exactly was the "Doing Lines Of Blow Off Of" record store.....you SURE that wasn't out in Jersey?!?!?
Marty, EXCELLENT post! As I have lived in over 20 North American cities during my lifetime, I always used two things to quickly understand where a city "was at" :
1) Find out where tha afternoon/overnight cab drivers ate their lunches/dinners, and not only would you be discovering some of the BEST (and usually cheapest) grub in town, but they could also clue you in real quick on the power bases, souces of nefarious goods, and the "best places to _____" (i.e, find babes, hide out, best beer and liquor stores , best blow [hi Reggie], pot, etc., etc., etc.). Luckily they could also let you know that..... "you DON"T want to go there!", which is always handy, eh? Naturally, they also knew the quickest way to get from point A to point Z with the least amount of red lights or stop signs (ahh, memories of Montreal).
2) The used record stores, mostly downtown, but sometimes in 'da boibs too. THE best source of what was goin' down as far as live music, studios, DANCIN', sometimes babes, and those nefarious goods mentioned above. The thing was, however, sometimes the owners were a bit....hmmmm, how to put this nicely......RIGHT OUTTA THEIR F*CKIN" GOURDS!!! I remember a GREAT deal of mumbling in answer to questions ; a certains reticence to EVER look you in the eyes ; and a few who were just TOO COOL to communicate with anyone who didn't think that one of The Doors, Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, Velvet Underground (or John Cale), or some other group you never heard of, was the ONLY (and I repeat THE ONLY) music worth listening to. So, if your first question to them was "Do you have the latest Jeff Beck?", they went into their own personal Twilight Zone, and good luck for getting a word out of them.
However, this was ALL part of the MAGIC of these stores. Sometimes things that are easily come by just isn't as worthy as that which takes some digging.....and isn't THAT what record stores are ALL about,,,,,,DIGGIN" thru the bins and DIGGIN' on the tunes and (sometimes) DIGGIN' on the vibes. It also made you REALLY appreciate it when you ran into an owner/employee who was as excited about music as you were......a really good experience could make your whole month!
AND NOW.......How about a challenge to the other TWM followers out there in NetLandia :
COOLEST NAME OF A RECORD STORE......EVAAAHHHHH ???
My vote is for one in Kingston, Ontario, Canada = USED GROOVES.
Keep on chooglin"!
@BabyDave: What I want to know is who has an eight track player these days!
@Spike: "Listening to LP's is a much richer experience." I agree totally! Nothing like laying on the couch, looking at the album cover, reading the lyrics and listening to an album. Add beer and it's the perfect way to spend a day!
@Ken Mac: Me too! I love the Bleecker Bob's photo you took and posted at your blog. You're a great photographer!
@The Stunner: Thanks for the information, hopefully they'll look into them!
@Al: Thanks and I hear you about hanging out in record stores as a kid, I loved it and still do! I forgot all about that My Bell Amie song! I dread thinking about what the Holiday will become!
@DrBop: Great points and comment! Love it! My favorite name for a record store is the first one I visited, "Rockit Scientist Records!" Loved it from the moment they opened on Carmine Street back in '96!
The Groove Yard (Oakland CA), Mod Lang (formerly in Berkeley, now in El Cerrito)
Love these two stores. Thanks for the lovely tour and your deep appreciation for them shines through.
Oh Man! I miss those days! I spent half of my young life in record stores! I had better relationships with record stores than with any human....almost! When Vinyl died, the record stores began to die as well. I spent 2 weeks going to the same store every day after school ttrying to rip the plastic off of freak out by the Mothers because i was dying to know what was inside the inner sleeve! I used to spend hours listening to my new purchase while laying on my bed....reading every liner note and writing credit! Everything was heard on a good stereo......no earplugs! Damn....i feel like weeping! Now.......Write that Jim Mccarty story.....i've been waiting for years to see it!
What a shame, Starbucks is the biggest waste of real estate outside of golf courses and cemeteries.
I have been to Bleeker Bobs a few times. spent too much money.
then i'd hit a few in jersey too..
well 2 in particular that are now gone.
it's a sad state of affairs that we get old and things like vinyl changes. makes me feel old and unneeded:(
I wish I hadn't needed to pay the rent in the eighties and nineties. I'd have more vinyl now.. but I still have a good collection.
Speaking of liner notes & such. Do kids these days even know what session musicians played on their favorite mp3s?!? I remember thinking how cool it was when I read Anton Fig had played on the Rolling Stones "Dirty Work" album. Being a huge Letterman fan as a teenager, I always had hoped he would interview Anton, Will Lee or Sid McGinnis one day. They were more important to me then some crappy movie actor!
Marty, great post. By the way, Beck, not Clapton, is God..
@spotcolors: Love those record store names, thanks for sending them in!
@Melanie: Two great record stores in Manhattan, indeed! Glad you enjoyed the tour!
@Professor Dungpie: We're from the same era and mentality, I couldn't wait to see what was inside of Freak Out too and then the Mothers changed the whole way I listened to music, much like the Ramones did years later. And I'm working on that Jim McCarty story!
@Al Cervik: Supposedly there's not a Starbucks moving in there after all, time will tell, though!
@Gidget: Someday I'd love to see your vinyl collection, I bet it rules!
@Spike: I was always interested in the session musicians too. One standout was Glen Campbell, played on everything from Frank Sinatra to the Beach Boys, a great musician!
@Duncester: Thanks and I'll take your word on that about who's God!
This summer I scored a Fisher Price record player for $1. Works awesome and I've loved reliving childhood with the vinyl. I even picked up a stack of the turn-the-page-at-the-chime books for my girls. They love them! Of course I still use my mp3 player all the time too. Nice to have something portable.
Awesome posts and comments. I have nothing else to add -- except that Van Halen's new album is my 2nd favorite of their albums - only behind Fair Warning :)
Great idea for a Day Trip! Thanks for showing us these places before they are gone : )
I love that Stones Album - I think my mom still has a copy of it, although I don't know that it has a 3-D cover, I'll have to look next time I visit.
I'll always do what I can to keep record shops alive - every Xmas and birthday I ask for albums!
@Britta: Too cool that you got a Fisher Price record player and for a buck no less! I bet your daughters love it! I remember them from my childhood!
@GENE: Thanks! And thanks for the hat tip about the new Van Halen record, I'll check it out for sure!
@Isabella: Thanks, it was a fun day indeed, although a little bittersweet knowing that these places will be gone soon. Keep asking for albums, that's cool!
Never saw that Bo Diddley album either.
"White man steal Bo Diddley beat, now Bo don't got no... shoes... for his... feet."
"I feel llke an idiot doing this."
- Howard Stern attempting to ad lib to Bo's guitar playing and Mr. DIddley's response.
@DaveW: I saw Bo Diddley in concert with Ron Wood years ago in Bloomington, Illinois. At the opening Bo Diddley said to Ronnie Wood, "I remember meeting you when you first came to the states." Ronnie Wood then reminded Bo that he wasn't in the Stones back then. Whoops!
ahh...well...
I don't think nostalgia has to be negative.
Van Morrison
rr
@rr: Too true, as always thanks!
Great blog today Daddio! You know me, and my affinity for records!
Like I say "You can have my vinyl, when you can pry it from my cold, dead fingers."
Here's to all the record stores, may they live on forever.
Thank God for college towns, I have found a few recently, with vinyl, and lots of it.
It's also a great breed of people that own and run them/work there too.
I spend countless hours in them, swapping stories, and at times some vinyl.
@"Boris:" Thanks, Daddio! I agree and I respect those who own and/or work in a record store! Great places to hang out in and socialize!
A friend, with whom I have spent many many hours talking music and scouring record stores, and I were talking the other day and were saying that we don't really lament the loss of used record stores. What we do miss though, and what kids of this generation are missing out on, is the liner notes on albums bought online. Any fan of music fan of the new generation is at a loss by not having these to read through and their musical education will be no where as complete as if Itunes or whatever actually included all of the notes that go along with an album. But I guess if music is just viewed as a consumable product, it doesn't really even matter.
@randall: I agree about the liner notes and also album cover art. It's another loss that kids today don't even realize they're missing out on. If you've never had it, I guess you can't miss it. Too bad for them!
Marty - Recently, after finishing a few Genny's at the International Bar, I stumbled into some sort of record store. I believe it was only a few doors from the International (but I did have a few Genny;s) and I remember it being just crammed full of albums stacked seemingly haphazard into piles that seemed to be in imminent danger of falling over. I was actually looking for Eddie Murphy's 1st album at the time so when an older man stepped out from the back of the room I asked if he knew if he had such record. After he gave me a gruff no, I decided it was best to leave, being very careful not to touch any of the piles of albums lest they fall and block my exit. Anyway, in my fog and haste, I did not get the name of the store or the exact location and was hoping that you or one of your readers may be able to provide this information. Keep up the great work!
@Art: Check out this MAD post, I think it's the place! http://ow.ly/90saD
That's it, just like I (kind of) remember. I knew you'd know. Excellent, thanks
@Art: You're welcome, you should go back, it's a really crazy store!
Re: The Pint of No Return. This one's for you Marty:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX-Y5cuYs5Y
Here's to vinyl!