April Record Shopping at Amoeba in Hollywood, Part One.

I didn't make it to Amoeba last year, after somehow ending up there for what must have been three years in a row. So, you know, I broke my sad little streak. I was very excited to get back there this year, and apparently used my absence as an excuse to go nuts. I'll start with the 7"s.

Psychotic Turnbuckles - "Crazy Times Ahead" 7" (1993)

I bought this like, "Oh, guitar-rock dudes with a wrestling gimmick." Turns out they're all actual Australian ex-wrestlers. Even better. Sympathy for the Record Industry. Just one of many two-dollar 7" records I picked up on this trip.

Kurt Vile - "It's Alright" 7" (2009)

Early-ish Kurt Vile single that features two non-album tracks on the B-side that are both just OK.

Maximum Balloon - "Tiger" 7" (2010)

Got a sealed copy of this for one dollar, so these must be floating around everywhere. B-side's not on the album, though, so worth it to me. Dave Sitek from TV on the Radio's other project.

Oswald Five-O - "Blue T.V." 7" (1995)

Fittingly enough, this was in the 50-cent bin. Eugene's finest! Early release for the UP label.

Built to Spill - "Don't Try" 7" (2008)

Live single on the Warner Bros. label that keeps it cool by including a noisy take on "The Source" on the flip. Very unrare and unsought-after by collectors.

Tomahawk - "Stone Letter" 7" (2012)

I always wish I was more of a Tomahawk fan. This song is pretty solid. B-side on this one is a crazy etching.

Urge Overkill - "Ticket to L.A." 7" (1990)

I somehow didn't already have this. B-side is "(I'm on a) Drunk," which sounds really familiar to me but I guess I've never heard it before because it seems to be exclusive to this single.

Captain Howdy - "The Best Song Ever Written" 7" (1993)

No, not Dee Snider in Strangeland. This is a band that Penn Jillette and Kramer from Bongwater apparently had during the 90's. Penn on vocals. Absolutely as weird as you would think. Shimmy Disc, clear red vinyl.

Tribe 8 - Pig Bitch 7" (1992)

One of my oldest and best friend's late sister had a record label briefly in the early 90's, and this was one of their first releases, and I think the first release from Tribe 8, which went on to be a notable queercore band. I was roommates with my pal when this came out and we used to get drunk and rock out to "Frat Pig." Been looking for this one for a while.

Ween - "I'm Fat" 7" (1994)

I'm not sure if this is a bootleg or what. High-brow 90's Ween on white vinyl.

V/A - Teriyaki Asthma Vol. VI (1991)

Still plenty of these for me to track down. Apparently I didn't have this one. Got the black vinyl version. Highly melodic music from The Thrown Ups, plus songs from Olivelawn, Pain Teens, and Unrest.

Kostars - "Hey Cowboy" 7" (1995)

Oh, Vivian Trimble. You can call me "cowboy" whenever you feel like it. Clear red vinyl, Grand Royal.

Blag Dahlia - "Let's Take a Ride" 7" (1994)

This record is a perfect example of why Amoeba is the best. It's a 7" that's not particularly rare, but you don't see it all the time. I've seen stores in Portland trying to get $8 for this record. Amoeba had it for 2. So noble.

Gas Huffer - "Mole" 7" (1992)

I have the white vinyl version with the pink sleeve. This is the clear green vinyl version with a green sleeve. Apparently there are a ton of these. Again: two bucks.







And that's where I left it with the 7" singles. Here's where some of them came from:

Next up: I buy a ton of sweet rap records.