Egg Records
What are you looking for in a record store?
Funny albums hanging on the walls? Check.
An elaborate display of the monochromatic Smiths 7" and LP covers? Yes.
Wacky rock 'n' roll memorabilia like Kiss dolls? Got it.
Cool band T-shirts declaring your undying love for The Modern Lovers, The Byrds, or The Replacements? Affirmative.
Mint Condition Records
It's a strange paradox when your nan has a better mobile than you do. While she surfs the net downloading tunes to her iPod - she is a true ‘silver surfer' - you rummage through her garage looking for old vinyl.
Old makes way for new right? And ironically, older items become more coveted with that exchange.
Electric Wizard at Bravery Repetition & Noise
Down the South end of King Street is friendly Justin and the shop he co-runs - Bravery Repetition and Noise. The store is named after what we thought was the best Brian Jonestown record (until we bought the new one last week. Frankly, we are stunned at how much we love it and might have to re-think the rating).
Stray Cat
Stray cats are an odd breed. They're either all nice and purring and winding around your leg looking for some attention, or they snarl and hiss and stare at you suspiciously from under a car. You never know what to expect, so inevitably you end up making that ‘sswwsh sswwsh' sound on the off-chance you'll get some reciprocated affection.
Recycled
The term "mom and pop shop" gets thrown around a lot. But how often do you rock-up to a shop actually owned by a ‘mom' and a ‘pop'?
Vera and Lee Ross have run Recycled for over 30 years, they're ‘mom and pop' to Millie Ross, (whose fantastic Lilac Menace zine they still stock), and their shop is chock-a-block with great stock (including T-shirts from Upper Playground).
MOJO MUSIC
If, like me, you still wander down York Street hoping that Waterfront Records will suddenly reappear like Brigadoon, you need to look over at the sunny side of the street. Just down the block, Mojo Music is tucked away at basement level. Frank, who co-ran Waterfront (and helped me make my musical choices in the ‘90s) is still keeping things aside and pointing me in the right direction with claims such as "if this doesn't blow your mind you can bring it back".
Bravery Repetition & Noise Records
Shopping is like dating. Before you find a winner, you have to wade through a whole lot of losers. Wouldn't it be great if there was like, some bar where every guy was totally hot, didn't have "mummy" issues, and could dance like the lead singer of CHK CHK CHK?
Walking into Bravery, Repetition and Noise is kinda like that blessed bar of your dreams: you're surrounded by choice cuts, and you're guaranteed to take home a winner.
Random Entries:
Search our guide to Sydney
Browse our guide to Sydney by interest
Browse our guide to Sydney by keyword
Sydney Events Calendar
Select a date to see what's on in Sydney
Browse our guide to Sydney by weekly issue
Working