Stinkweeds Record Exchange

 

3

29

Annie P.

Phoenix, AZ

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

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Elite '08

175

262

L'aura L.

Los Angeles, CA

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.

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Elite '08

37

187

Max A.

Scottsdale, AZ

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?

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3

18

liz p.

Phoenix, AZ

The best place for music in arizona! They have been around for years and I was super happy when they came to central phoenix. They are knowledgeable and friendly.

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Elite '08

52

122

Dave B.

Phoenix, AZ

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/

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Elite '08

47

87

Sean M.

Tempe, AZ

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.

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Elite '08

31

90

Jack T.

Phoenix, AZ

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.

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6

59

Tim J.

Phoenix, AZ

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.

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Elite '08

52

129

Norma R.

Aspen, CO

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!

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Elite '08

158

210

Michael C.

Scottsdale, AZ

The best new/used music store in Phoenix period! You MUST check this out...

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92

302

Mr K.

Phoenix, AZ

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.

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5

19

britttany s.

Phoenix, AZ

best record store in phoenix.

although the selection is small it is quality. i am so impressed by the things i am able to find here.

as far as new vinal is concerned, this is the only place i have found that has a selection worth looking through.

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8

17

Christopher H.

Scottsdale, AZ

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.

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Elite '08

103

401

sarah k.

Phoenix, AZ

Holy sh*t!   *#!@!!*#???  F**K !!!! Sorry, I'm not prone to using profanity, but that's how upset I am that today was my first visit to Stinkweeds.  I have wasted countless hours surfing iTunes listening to 20 second clips of music, when I simply needed to walk into Stinkweeds and say, "Hi, tell me about some cool music."  I am completely outsourcing my music shopping to the staff of this store.  Let me tell you about my first time.  I walked in the door. I am sure I looked disoriented.  I had not been inside a true record store in years.  The fact that the shelves were filled with an overwhelmingly large number of albums with unrecognizable band names amplified my disorientation.  A member of the staff approached me. "Do you need help?"  I hesitated, thinking to myself, I am so not cool,  I am about to be exposed.  I must have nodded in the affirmative because he quickly followed up with  "What kind of music do you like?"  This is the most perilous question to be asked by a record store guy. Visions of High Fidelity flashing through my mind, I mumbled, "Uh, I don't know."   "Yes, you do.  Tell me."  I managed to rattle off the names of a few non-mainstream bands that I actually really love.  I waited for a respond.  "Cool.  Let me play you something."  He proceeded to switch the music being played in the store to his pick for me.  Within minutes I was sold.  We repeated this process until I had selected 3 absolutely amazing albums that I would have never found on my own.  After wandering around the store for a while on my own, admiring the wide selection of stellar music, I decided it was time to pay and get on with my day.  Record store guy paused a moment before ringing up my purchase.  "Wait a second, I think we have used copies of all 3 of these albums. I'm going to save you some money."  Sure enough, after some searching, he returned with the promised goods.  Total price for 3 amazingly good albums?  $24 including tax.  I'm hooked.  Awesome music selection, friendly non-threatening staff (yes, I know that's redundant), lots of used CDs...  you know where to find me next weekend.

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1

3

Derek H.

Phoenix, AZ

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.

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Elite '08

35

485

Calamari F.

Phoenix, AZ

Love is being able to walk into a used-CD store in the complete faith that they will have one particular album by an alternative band that folded over a decade ago.

Stinkweeds also has everything else required to convince oneself that one is an edgy 26-year-old of great local and indie musical sophistication FOREVER. Shopping here is the next best thing to having a torrid affair with a tattooed bass player.

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3

10

Tomcat T.

Phoenix, AZ

We love Stinkweeds. They always have exactly what we're looking for. On the rare occasion they don't, they are more than happy to order it for you!

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7

50

Robert A.

Phoenix, AZ

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!

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3

9

owen t.

Oakland, CA

Stinkweeds is what quintessentially a Small Indie Record Store should be. Plain and Simple. Great underground selection, knowledgeable staff with just enough record store attitude (I kid Lindsay, I kid), and i can't go in there without finding at least ten things i absolutely have to have.  I'm in record and book stores so much that i constantly have titles and bands and weird EPs fluctuating in my head, and it'll just so happen that I'm looking for something obscure in the used CD section, and bam, they've got like three different titles to choose from for that artist and usually one of them is something i've never even heard of.  Word to the wise, if you're gonna sell them stuff, make sure the vinyl is in excellent condition, they only believe in selling high quality used merchandise at what is more often than not, very reasonably priced.  That and they have the best selection of magazines too. Big Ups!!

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Elite '08

30

74

Curtis H.

Centralia, WA

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.

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61

33

Aaron A.

Phoenix, AZ

Best shop in town for your indie rawkin needs! Kimber and her staff know their music and are aware of their customers preferences. I dare you to leave this store without something interesting and exciting

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Elite '08

31

379

Kristin C.

Phoenix, AZ

I've been meaning to go here for a LONG time.  Finally made it this week and I took along my little brother who is a keen aficionado of all that is new, hip, cool and whatever other term kids are saying now days.  At 18 the world is his oyster and music is his thing.  That said, Stinkweeds was a big juicy slice of heaven.  Great for him, and extra "cool big sister" points for me.  

Entry to the place is from the back - which gives a pleasantly different impression than the front.  When we went it was a bit of a problem to get back there as the opening in the construction for "Business access" had been blocked a bit more than it should have been.  Word to the wise - if you miss it, just park next door and walk on over.  While you are walking, relish the fact that not too terribly long from now there will be a light rail stop across the street. My brother was quite excited by the prospect.  

Entering Stinkweeds I was immediately shocked by how small it was.  Really shocked.  But then ya look around and realize they have almost an entire wall of listening stations.  For a spot this small to invest in that is really a testament to how they value and know their customers.  In the hour or so while we were there we saw several groups of people go right to them listen to several selections and then walk up to the register with their purchases.  My brother and I meandered around the place. He went in alphabetical order, front to back.  I went right for the Paste station.  Stinkweeds in the only spot in Phoenix with a Paste station, and as I am a huge fan of Paste magazine, I was really excited.  (Review within a review: Paste is an awesome magazine about music, movies, pop culture, video games, books etc and in each edition they include a cd with new and cool music.  The Paste listening station allows you to hear more by the same artists that are covered in that month's cd.  And the cd's always rock.  Stinkweeds also sells the magazines, including those cds, in the back. They even had some old editions which really helped me when looking for some cds.)  

I couldn't find an artist I was looking for, went to the counter to ask about it and I was told how easy it was to get.  She took down my name and number and said she'd give me a call Wednesday when it came in.  Presto.  She was very nice.

I left with 2 cd's, and one on the way.  My brother left with 4 - but he wanted even more.  He was excited for some used Spoon he found.  Used Spoon.  Reminds me of an old Korn joke.  Anyhow, I highly suggest the place.  Visit regularly, visit often.

Update:  She called when the CD came in and left a message.  I never returned her call because I got busy, or always forgot, or some other lame excuse.  Almost a week later I finally made it there.  The CD was still behind the counter with my name on it. Oh yea.....

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90

117

Cyan C.

San Francisco, CA

Another great Arizona Indie record/cd store.  Fantastic selection.  A bit on the expensive side but I can often find things here that I can't find anywhere else.  Great 7" collection!

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