On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Mon-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Loading...
Best little indie music store in town! I've been going since I landed in this town for college... and I hope to keep going until I'm a little old still music loving lady.
Even though you can get better "deals" at the monster shops, you will not get the music knowledge. Kimber, Lindsey and Dario definitely know what's what when it comes to indie music. I especially love when Dario points me in the right direction when I have no direction at all--it's how I got into Atlas Sound, Juana Molina and Bon Iver--for which I am eternally grateful to him for. And Lindsey led me to AA Bondy and currently has Kings of Convenience posted as her music pick! So, for all this extra "Know-How" I will GLADLY shell out a couple of dollars more for a CD in support of this little shop that could to keep on keeping on! As a music loving freak, I am still in favor of the tangible disc or record, so Stinkweeds is just the place for me! Don't get me wrong, digital has it's upside (immediacy, cheapness), but still there's something about listening to a whole record and holding the CD booklet in your hand while sifting through the lyrics and artwork. It's likened to reading the paper or reading it online. You know the difference of which I speak.
Everyone keeps talking about how cramped the store is... well, I think of it as more intimate... and REALLY intimate when there's an in-store performance. I still remember seeing The Trashcan Sinatras perform at the Tempe store... that was AWESOME!
Just yesterday, I realized I had purchased a Ticket for a show and in my haste FORGOT the ticket! I went back this morning pretty much as soon as they opened and Kimber counted the $ and sure nuff, there was an extra ticket... which now has a home in my concert stub holder till St. V comes to wow us again in an intimate set at the Rhythm Room! Can't wait.
Also, there was once a time where I took it upon myself to get a place for a little known musician to perform here in AZ. I immediately contacted Kimber and although she couldn't put him up at either Stinkweeds or Modified on such short notice, she did point me to some other leads and http://silverplatter.info posted the info for the show that I booked at Copper Star, another great local shop!
True, you can't find everything at Stinkweeds, but they can order it right up for you... we need to keep Independent stores like this thriving, so that's where my $ goes!
As a final note, don't forget to check out the Free CD bin and also the flyer rack... there, you can find not only flyers to upcoming shows but awesome deals like $5 off at Ticoz & Switch! Mmm mm! (To me, Kimber is the face and heart of the AZ Local First Movement, so I think that's why you can find great coupons there).
Hipster Mecca.
Come here for new vinyl, not for the old stuff. They have all the hip, indie stuff on brand-new, in the package, hot off the press vinyl.
Come here for indie stuff. If you want to get that look that says someone has recognized your coolness for requesting The Fireman (look it up if you don't know. I mean it) this is the place. The people who work here are super-helpful, super-knowledgable, super friendly and have super-powers (one of these things is not entirely true).
They are so in the loop that it makes you feel really cool if you stump them, like let's day you walk in and say "Hey is that Tim Seely album out yet?" and they say "Who?" and you get that look like "I got you bitch, I got you!(playfully of course)" then they give you that look like "oh man you got me!" Then you give them the Mentos smile and elaborate "The dude from Actual Tigers." On a related note I am really awesome.
They offer to order anything you can't find.
My one complaint is the way the used CDs are set up in the tiny cubbies up top makes it hard to scan them but it is a small complaint for such a charming place.
This place is really made for the collector. Tons of rare LPs and out-of-print CDs that you can't find anywhere else. This is also the place to go for lesser known bands or local artists that you'd have a hard time finding otherwise.
I've had both bad and good experiences with the clerks. Sometimes they can't be bothered with you (one woman a few years ago was on the phone the entire time we were in there and didn't even acknowledge our presence) but then the young man that was in there last night was super nice and not pretentious at all.
I've never traded (I always use Zia for that) so I don't know what kind of money you get but I'm sure you'd get a lot more for rare stuff. Don't bring your Britney or Kanye here.
This is the place to go for music lovers!
Wow. Color me surprised to find such a treasure in Phoenix. Knowledgeable staff and good inventory.
A refreshing old-school record store that reminds us, in the days of iTunes and mp3's, that music is first and foremost about friends and community. Sure it is a tad cramped, but that is because it is chock-full of indie music goodness (along with a selection of some high quality mainstream tracks).
However, in my opinion, more important that event the cd's and vinyl for sale, are the knowledgeable staff and patrons, who are sure to steer you to what you are looking for (even if you didn't know it when you walked in).
It is also a great space to find out about, and buy tickets for local live music. They also have a wide selection of cool magazines (not just music oriented), t-shirts and posters.
I moved out here from Boston last October and I can't say how relieved I was to find that there was still at least one indie record store. Back home, I spent time every weekend browsing at Newbury Comics, which expanded to a chain in New England but kept the same feel to it.
It's just nice to see that iTunes, file sharing, Best Buy, etc. haven't completely shut down this type of shopping. For some, running in to grab a cd and run back out is what they're looking for. If you're like me, this is a way to unwind in a laid back, albeit cramped, environment with good music and a knowledgeable staff.
i love you stinkweeds, i really do. it may not be the biggest store, and it may not have EVERYTHING you're looking for, but it comes pretty damn close. great vinyl selection. rad cd stockpile. they've placed special orders for me on more than one occasion. the vibe is chill ... the only extremely small place i can spend hours in and never get bored. i shopped at the tempe store when i was in high school and feel nostalgic each time i step inside the "new" stinkweeds. i miss the tempe location, but the camelback location probably serves clientele better. they will order you anything you ask for. and the knowledge ... oh the knowledge. you like this? you might like this too. the staff is uber helpful. even customers have turned me on to new music there. i've fallen in love over and over again with music because of stinkweeds.
it is the kind of place i feel like a jerk for using a credit card at. i always endeavor to bring cash so i don't cut into profits with exorbitant processing fees. if we want stinkweeds to stick around so our kids can fall in love with the place we love, we all have to do our part. *stepping off my soapbox now*
This is as good as it gets for Phoenix. I've been going to Stinkweeds for over 10 years, and whenever I'm in town I try to make a trip. Phoenix needs more places like this and more people like Kimber!
Record stores that carry used stuff generally struggle with the balance of massive inventory versus organization. Stinkweeds has found a balance which I think works for them. Or at the very least, for me.
The used vinyl isn't massive, but more importantly, its right up my alley. As aging indie rock pseudo hipster, I struggled with not buying the whole store. Plus they have all the new releases I could ask for. I literally picked up 4 different albums and walked around with them, each time saying 'Yup, this is the one I want,' only to change my mind again.
Prices were great, staff friendly, and if you a burgeoning or veteran music snob, there's something here for you. Plus you can see it from the light rail! What more do you want?
This place rocks. I love Stinkweeds. They have a great selection of new and used music. I could hang out here and listen to tracks for hours. The employees are very helpful. They will throw on any CD you want to hear. Plus, any business owned by Kimber is going to attract people in the community. Buy local! Visit Stinkweeds
Simply amazing. A wealth of knowledge. Suppor this local business owned by a woman who is on fire with Phoenix love. Vote with your dollar!
I've been going to Stinkweeds for half my life now at 3 different locations and have always had great experience there. They keep up with many of my favorite English language bands and let me know when new release are out. If you have several bands you follow, you should sign up on Stinkweeds email list to receive weekly updates of new release. If you are having trouble finding something, you should definitely ask and they'll do their best to order it. They are also great with their phone list and give you calls as soon as the item comes in. There are a few other good, friendly local record stores, but Kimber and Lindsay at Stinkweeds are the best( the dudes are decent too). Parking lot and entrance are in the back, sometimes entering behing the Diary Queen on central is easier...
What is this silver disc thingy in this plastic box??
Yes, it's weird to walk into a record store these days. An actual record store how novel! I am so used to downloading music that I forgot how visceral of an experience shopping for records can be. Stinksweed's still has actual vinyl albums of new and old releases, and a good selection of CDs to make even the most avid music fan entertained.
The place is chill and has listening stations set up all over so you can hang out and check out different albums. You won't fell rushed, it's super laid back and you are able to peruse at your leisure, regardless of your musical tastes.
Overall this place is excellent, it's just hard to pay more than 9.99 for an album. I know CD quality is better than mp3 or bit torrent downloads, but still the idea of reducing the packaging and costs to ship physical disks is always a plus in this 21st century "green" economy.
I do hope places like Stinkweed's will always exist, I just can't see the record store model being supported much longer, as companies cut production costs, physical music media will go the way of VHS tapes, and 8-tracks.
I try to pretend, when looking at a record in it's pristine sleeve, what it was like to walk into a record store in the 60's and see the new Beatles or Velvet Underground or to finally get the British release of Joy Division's Closer in the US markets in the early 80s. It was a simplistic time where shopping for music was more personal, and the music store was a place to hang out like any other bar, coffee shop, or local cafe.
Being part of Gen X, I remember record stores, and I miss them.
Long live the record store!
I like this store quite a bit. It is cramped, but then, so are most good local stores. It's part of their charm. I recently attempted to buy Merriweather Post Pavilion on LP soon after its release. They were sold out, but called me as soon as their next shipment came in, just a few days later. The employees here are friendly and helpful. Hipsters to be sure, but not the type that would give you attitude if you asked for the new Nickelback (probably). Actually, I wouldn't know. I have impeccable taste, you see.
Stinkweeds has made like a tumbleweed and rolled into Central Phoenix. And quite some time ago it appears, as I didn't even know they moved out of Tempe.
The store is much smaller than the old location and a bit claustrophobic with CDs and vinyl plastering every square inch of the store. This is "the spot" to pick up show fliers in every color of the rainbow.
The prices are a bit steep for some of the product, and always have been, but good service and friendly staff make it worth it for many.
The main pull here is for indie music-anything else and it's a longshot.
So let's review: small independent record store with average pricing and great service for hipster indie loving people=Stinkweeds.
I've known Kimber for nearly 20 years now - I've been shopping at Stinkweeds forever... started at the Mesa location and then followed it to Tempe. I've been introduced to all sorts of music here. This store will always be a part of my growing up. I had a live show at the Tempe location once (sang for Seven Storey Mountain)... I was nervous as hell and even forgot some of the words. It was like performing for family.
It has been ages since I've been to the Phoenix location, but I still feel like it's a distant relative of mine... like a really cool eccentric young aunt that had me stay over at her place for a weekend and taught me about life and gave me beer when I was still too young. Knowing the people who own it and work there, I'm sure it's just as clean and cool and awesome as the other locations have been.
Thank god for all the independent record stores of the world. Thank god for Stinkweeds. This is the sort of place that gets young people interested in music. This is the sort of place that inspires and creates new musicians. Without independent music stores like this supporting independent musicians and independent publications and independent shows and independent thought, music would simply be a corporate product meant to fill space between commercials.
If your interest in music is more of a passing fancy than a passion, then this place may not be for you. If you like shit that isn't typically on the radio, then you'll love this place.
On a side note - Dave B's review was amusing, but linking to a site suggesting people steal music instead of buy it is bad form. Independent music exists in part because of stores like this. I'm my parents and it's better to shop at Best Buy or iTunes or to steal music than to shop at a cozy little friendly non-chain record store?
Stinkweeds is always a welcome mental retreat.... Takes me back to the
'old days'...Searching through the bins...a real '"record store".
You know what I mean!
I've been a long time customer and friend of Stinkweeds. I think Kimber Lanning is an amazing person. Truly genuine! I played some of my first shows (back when I played in local bands) at the old Tempe location.
I love this place.
Weird location and hard to see just driving by, but really cool place. Small and cozy. I especially like the listening stations. I have been introduced to a few artists now just from hearing them for the first time on Stinkweeds' headphones. :)
Get a piercing while you're there--at the store next door! haha
I'll continue the broken record (get it? BROKEN RECORD. MUSIC STORE. I suck.) and shamelessly laud this place. Being consistently behind the times, I only found Stinkweeds last week (and that was only due to Yelp- Thanks Yelp!). I'd been quite frustrated going into big box stores only to find copy after copy of Fergalicious, but no indie rock to speak of. Stinkweeds is a fresh breath of musical air. Lesser known bands, discount used copies, workers with great suggestions.
I'll drive the 30 minutes to go here.
This place is kinda cute! With all the reverence of the $100 calculator, the Trapper Keeper, Ronald Reagan, and the 18 year old drinking age ... Stinkweeds carries on.
*** begin wavy dream sequence*** Mom please take me to that ONE record store in that big city. You know the one! The store that has: Josie Cotton, The Waitresses, The Flying Lizards, Dead Kennedys and Black Flag. And look! There's that checkerboard shirt that Ric Ocasek wears! And all of those I Hate Ronald Reagan buttons! (but Mom! You love Ronald Reagan!) *** end dream sequence
Please don't take your kids to the museum, take them to Stinkweeds.
It's here at Stinkweeds that you can try explain to your child about how cool places like this are. And it's here that your child will look at you and fully realize that your about as hip as Mitt Romney, Mike Hucklabee or George Bush. And it's right here, at this very moment, that your child will contemplate their first hit of Crystal Meth.
Sadly, if you still shop here (or any place like this), you have already become your parents.
But that's kinda cute, just like Stinkweeds.
Note: This record store has far better prices and a much better selection: http://thepiratebay.org/
Lots already written here, so I'll cut right to the chase.
You want music? You want Stinkweeds.
Kimber is awesome! And, that's the way she runs her store.
The only reason I dropped it a star is the funky road to the entrance.
Awesome little record store. I could easily spend an hour perusing their new and used selections. I could spend another hour (at least) exploring their various listening stations. I could then spend an additional half-hour finding little neon-colored stickers that tell of upcoming local shows.
I agree with John V. Long live the record store!
How cute! Stinkweeds is a tiny record store with a filthy bathroom and a collection of college-radio indie cds and records (think: Animal Collective, Deerhoof, Belle and Sebastian, etc.). I was able to get two Charlie Parker records for $3.99 each! Whoo!
I want all of Stinkweeds in my pipe dream 100 terabyte iPod.
ACHTUNG: Venturing into this store will make you buy CDs of bands you'd never even heard of. You have been warned.
I like Stinkweeds. The rare instances I actually buy an album, I go here. The staff is knowledgeable and can recommend a slew of new music if you fess up your preferences (unless your preferences are boy bands or Yanni, then you -might- be out of luck...but one never knows the dark secrets harbored by others). They're not judgmental or snobby. It's hip, it's cozy, and you can get some weird zines and DVDs, too.
P.S., this review was "inspired" by Dave B.'s.
Do you fancy yourself a music snob? Then this is the place for you! If you can find it at Target, you probably won't find it here, which is why I love it. Within the confines of the four tiny walls lies a treasure trove full of obscure, independent and local bands that you won't find anywhere else.
The listening stations are great- i've fallen in love with many new bands this way.
I love Stinkweeds. If I visited as often as i'd like to, I'd be living in a box. But hey, I'd be in a box with a kick-ass music collection.
I can't say enough good things about Stinkweeds.
As an indie music nut, it really is the best place to find limited release CD's, EP's and albums that I couldn't find anywhere else. If they don't have it, they'll order it.
Walking in, you really get the sense that this is a shrine for music. The staff is knowledgable and helpful. It's like you're talking to one of your friends who listened to way too much music in high school.
I'd hate to think what the lightrail construction is doing for their business. I do my part by buying all my music there. And, hey, you should too.
Stinkweeds shaped my formative years. Really.
I started shopping at the (now gone) Tempe location when I was 15. I had a few older friends into independent music who introduced me to this record store. I begged my parents for rides and, when that wasn't happening, hopped on the bus for the hour-long trek. Totally worth it. 100%. I can't tell you how many awesome bands I began listening to just because I would browse the selection endlessly for something that looked interesting. If I needed something specifically, Stinkweeds would order it for me if they didn't already have it in stock. The staff was always welcoming and helpful, sometimes offering their own suggestions.
But it's just a record store, right? Wrong. Stinkweeds is the jewel of Phoenix, as far as I am concerned. Now that it's out in central Phoenix, I make it in far less. Total bummer!
I feel kind of badly for going against the grain, and maybe I had the cashier whose cat was run over that morning, but I felt a little off here, like, not worthy.
I did end up getting hooked on Feist thanks to the killer and easily-browsable selection, and now she's a dirty Apple sell-out! Woo hoo!
A great little independent record store. Anything that is not a chain I can stand behind. They have a decent selection, especially the college/indie stuff. Not a lot in the way of hip-hop or rap or other genres and imports. They carry both new and used as well as DVDs and videos.
The staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
I do have a hard time finding things I am looking for there sometimes, but more often than not they have what I seek.
Great selection for the size of the store (very small). This is the place to go for independent music in the PHX area.
As others have said, getting there is a bit tricky.
For such a small space, Stinkweeds definitely does a good job of packing as much variety as they can in their store. As far as record stores go, they've got a pretty decent collection in both CD's and vinyl. My only qualm with this place is that they tend to only carry newer stuff or the more popular titles of indie genres. If you're like me and like to peruse through older and hard-to-find collections, be sure to check out Tracks in Wax a few blocks down the street on Central. That being said, this is definitely a place you'll want to drop into. Their selection of concert/music video DVD's is pretty solid as is what their magazine stand has to offer. Sure, it's no Amoeba but it's the next best thing.
Great place for vinyl records and cd's. Don't waste your money in a best buy or Fry's come to stinkweeds and help out your local PHX record store.
What a fantastic record store. It's a great place for anyone who likes indie music and wants to discover new bands. Listen to a bunch of artists and talk to the knowledgeable staff. Well priced, and very cool atmosphere.
My best experience there was a free acoustic concert by the format out back. They played an hour long set for a small crowd completely for free. Then they signed posters and gave them away. Afterwards I stuck around and shopped around for some music. When the band was done signing stuff they came into the store and started looking for records and talking to all of the patrons. What a great place. Make sure to check it out when you are in the valley.
This independently owned and operated music store packs a lot into their intimate space. The selection focuses predominantly on independent and local artists with a few mainstream acts thrown in for good measure.
I told myself I wasn't going to buy anything when I walked in but dammit, I wound up buying 2 CDs that had been eluding me for some time. They were both used so I couldn't pass them up at the discounted price. I've never been a good listener when it comes to me. Many import albums and CD singles can be found here too. Music magazines such as Paste are available along with music DVDs and T-shirts. A very large vinyl section takes up an entire wall.
Tickets to concerts for some of these indie artists who blow through Phoenix at smaller venues are usually available for purchase via Stinkweeds. Overall, this little shop is an excellent choice when you can't find those indie acts that big chain stores won't carry. Buying music at Stinkweeds also keeps a local business running and more importantly, keeps more money here in Phoenix. Definitely check it out.
I love me some Stinkweeds! A small store that I can spend so much time in. Its the small local places like Stinkweeds that can give a girl some sanity when living in this hot desert.
I LOVE Stinkweeds and I miss it so much since I moved to Portland last summer. I know, I know, Portland is supposed to be a great city for indie music and record stores, and that's true...to an extent. There are some cool stores with good selection, but the used CD's are overpriced and the clerks are often rude, which is never the case at Stinkweeds.
I know people think record stores are on their way out, but as long as there are people who appreciate the higher audio quality of CD's and the wonderful tactile experience of an actual product in their hands, places like Stinkweeds will have a bright future.
P.S. - as I write this, I'm back in Phoenix for the holidays, and I can't wait to spend some of my gift money at Stinkweeds!
Could this store BE any smaller (said in my best Chandler Bing voice)? I seriously walked in with Rickie, stayed 90 seconds, and said "Dude, I gotta git outta here!" Fortunately they had a guitarist/singer on the back patio with a coffee pot full of java and some cookies. How cool is that? Said musician was eventually joined by a little girl who played her clarinet. Played is being kind. Poor thing. That clarinet squeaked more than the brakes on my 95 ghetto beemer. More than Peter Brady's voice during puberty. But how cute it was. How very Bohemian. Rickie scored The Knife CD he's been looking for and the staff was VERY helpful and not all weird slacker don't bother me cuz I'm too cool to move from behind the counter cuz I just know you two queers are looking for Brittney Spears or Madonna crap and that is so lame...NO...not at all. Nicest of nice. And we were cool. Besides. I'd never heard of The Knife. That was always my nickname for OJ. And he WAS not there. Oh. Cuz he's in jail! HA HA! Anyway, I digress. Stinkweeds! Neither stinky. Nor weedy! Check it 08 my yelpitas. Love you!!!!!
This place is WONDERFUL. Cute and small, but packed with great stuff. There are so many listening stations, too! It's great! I'm bummed it's not in Tucson!
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Music & DVD's
Tempe, AZ
Category: Music & DVD's
Tempe, AZ
Category: Music & DVD's
Tempe, AZ
Category: Music & DVD's
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Music & DVD's
Some amazing places that you may not know about or…
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
if we've got visitors, we like to show them why we…
And so do you Phoenix yelpers. You are simply the…
I quick trip to hang with Ayesha for Valentimes.…
A list of choice places that are within a mile…
