Street of Vinyl Dreams

A tour of Tacoma's record store row where downloading music is for wimps.

Photography by Morgain Bailey for City Arts

Buying local isn’t always easy. Grabbing a burger at the Little Holland is a major undertaking compared to swinging by McDonald’s. You have to know which days they’re open (Wednesday through Saturday). You have to know which window is for ordering, and which for picking up. You have to wait. But it’s worth it, right?

The same can be said for shopping local record stores. Sure, you can go to Borders or iTunes or Amazon, make your pick, flash your plastic and be on your merry way. But you’ll never make that rare find. You’ll never make friends with the owner. And you can’t sell your old Levi’s at the Virgin Megastore.

The five independent record stores on Tacoma’s Sixth Avenue offer local buying at its best. So park the car, hit the cash machine (yes, you will need actual paper money) and go native.

TURNTABLE TREASURES AND HOUSE OF RECORDS
2609 6th Ave, 253.627.8231

Now, if you want to be a record Jedi, you’ll have to cross to the Other Side (of the street, that is). Turntable Treasures and House of Records is dark, messy, musty and awe inspiring. Need a needle for your ’70s Marantz? Need a lurid tale from the “old” Sixth Ave? Owner and goateed guru Peter VanRosendael has you covered. Warning: You will need all your powers to successfully navigate this labyrinth. Give yourself an hour.

Niche: “We carry only vinyl.”
What’s playing: The Who, The Who Sell Out.
Don’t miss: The $1,000 record players and $2,000 tube amps in the back.

ROCKET RECORDS 
3843 6th Ave, 253.756.5186

If you walk into Rocket Records and don’t see Bruno, T-town’s most popular pooch, it might be because “Daddy’s goin’ to the Melvins tonight.” Rocket owner Steve Gaydich is as enthusiastic about music today as he was in the mid-1960s, grooving to the Sonics at the Knights of Columbus Hall. He carries new music as well as old, digs Myspace and hosts in-store performances by up-and-coming bands. “I don’t want to become a crusty old man,” says Gaydich, 54. So far, so good.

Niche: “I really like promoting the local stuff. Kids like it. Parents like it.”
What’s playing: James Hilborne and the Painkillers, Ghost Country.
Don’t miss: Gaydich’s collection of Frank Zappa beer bottles.

DRASTIC PLASTIC 
3005 6th Ave, 253.272.2886

Records. Cassettes. 8-tracks. CDs. VHS. Import posters. Incense. Hookahs. Leather. Sports cards. Beanie Babies. Hacky sacks. Ozzy T-shirts. Chances are you can buy any of the above at Drastic Plastic. And owner Chuck Rice is as colorful as his inventory. He doesn’t price his records, because the stickers leave smudges. He accepts only cash and counts change from a cardboard box. He’ll buy your faded 501s, or sell you a pair. He’ll even make you a mixed tape. Now that’s service.

Niche: “You come in, hum a few notes, and I can tell you where it is.”
What’s playing: The Troggs, Live at Max’s Kansas City.
Don’t miss: Rice’s “date shirt.” Kept behind the counter, just in case.

GOLDEN OLDIES 
3016 6th Ave, 253.581.7947

Jeff Miller, owner of Golden Oldies, will tell you he has the best deals in town, and he does. (Almost nothing is priced over $10.) But Miller is more than a merchant and music lover. He’s a curator. Over the years he’s amassed an incredible collection of rock ’n’ roll marginalia, much of which he displays in his store.

Niche: “A free museum of ’50s and ’60s rock memorabilia.”
What’s playing: Ralph DeMarco, “More Than Riches.”
Don’t miss: Hand-lettered Ventures and Sonics show posters. Paul Revere and the Raiders fan mail.

HI-VOLTAGE RECORDS  
2612 6th Ave, 253.627.4278

If you’re not a music geek that’s okay at Hi-Voltage records. As Barry, the combative record store clerk in the film High Fidelity (played by Jack Black), says, “Don’t tell anyone you don’t own Blonde on Blonde. It’s gonna be okay.” Bright, neat, hip and happy, it’s the perfect introduction to record row. Combining used with new, analogue with digital, owners Brian and Meredith Kenney cater to serious collectors and casual listeners alike. In addition to expert advice, they provide listening stations with headphones.

Niche: “We try to stay current with new releases on vinyl and CD,” says sales clerk Taiga Dinger.
What’s playing: Deadly Snakes, Porcella; or, A Bird in the Hand is Useless.
Don’t miss: The Psych/Garage/Prog section. Buy a record, double your credibility. •