i just moved to LA and know there are a gazillion record shops in the area, does anyone have any recommendations?

Try Poobah's in Pasadena. (Not sure if I spelled that right). It's right next door to the Pasedena guitar center.

Also, the Pasadena College Swap meet has a whole parking lot dedicated to record collectors. It occurs on the first Sunday of each month. So the next one is this coming Sunday.

Robert Greene said:

For punk I go to Headline and I did work there in 02.Freakbeat is a great store also. But now a days it's getting harder to find good underground R 'n' R vinyl in store so I have been buying more on line.bo!

headline is my favorite record shop in l.a. even if it's fucking 2000 degrees in there in the summertime... Hank Cockpit said:

Amoeba blows. Headline Records on Melrose is pretty great.

The Vinyl/BBQ place is called Territory. its @ 534 N Hoover. Can't believe I haven't checked it out yet, but I will real soon. & yes Origami sucks. not only overpriced, but I found the selection lacking.

Most record shops in LA suck now. There are a few gems still out there:

Freakbeat Records in Studio City
Bagatelle Records in Long Beach
Penny Lane in Pasadena
Vinyl Records on Adams and Fairfax (mostly soul stuff)

The place next to the Echo sucks as does Vacation. Overpriced stuff.

Torrance is off the beaten path, but there is a store called Record Recycler that is freeway adjacent. Dirt fucking cheap used records.

Another great one is Bagatelle Records in Long Beach.

These are the kind of places where you have to do some digging, and frequent regularly if you want to score good shit. There are some great finds to be had at these spots.

Headline is my favorite place to by new records.

i don't even eat meat and i can still appreciate how amazing a record store/barbecue place is...i'll definitely check out all of those places. thanks for the recommendations howie and switch blade.

hank i went to headline last week and it was awesome. the guy who runs the place is so nice too.

Amoeba blows. Headline Records on Melrose is pretty great.

Try Radiation Records in Fullerton I now thats not L.A but its worth the trip. Overflowing with vinyl new and old at good prices. Im doing a record swap on Nov. 7th if ya wanna stop by heres the info Record Swap @ The Montebello Library 1550 w Beverly Blvd. Saturday Nov. 7th 12-5pm Free admission

there's also a new place up the block from wacko on hollywood blvd near vermont called vacation i think, but i haven't been there plus there's a record store/barbecue place in echo park somewhere! ask around...

thanks! is the place you're thinking of that's next to the echo called origami? i asked the same question on a blog and someone mentioned that place...i'll definitely check out amoeba though, i've heard a lot about it but never been. Carlos said:

The obvious answer is Amoeba, but it really is the best. It's even better than the other two Amoebas in the Bay Area. If you got time to spare, you WILL find awesome stuff in their dollar bins. I also like Freakbeat in Sherman Oaks. There's a little vinyl shop that just opened right next door to the Echo on Sunset, but I think it's overpriced.