Scratch Records

Store is now closed, however, you can still order by mail. Prices are hit and miss, however, on the occasion that I needed something, it was there, especially indie new releases. I miss the physical store as I’ve been in there a few times during the year. Thankfully there are still some record stores still standing.

Scratch is sadly, officially closed as a shop. You can order from them through mail, but there’s no longer a store front. :(
This place was one of my faves for vinyl, as well as a place to pick up tickets for local shows, so I’m sad to see it go…

Other than the fact that they too carry vinyl and tickets, I have no idea why this place is consistently compared to Zulu in these other reviews. So on that note, this place is not Zulu Records. There, moving on.
Scratch is a great place to find local records and information about the shows happening in Vancouver soon (most of the staff are in pretty great bands themselves). Their entrance is littered in posters and flyers of things happening in this city in the next few weeks, along with the usual plethora of throw away free magazines and newsprint. The counter has a list of local shows happening along with their prices if you ever decide on a whim that youre going to bring a date to a concert of sorts.
This place makes it pretty clear what theyre selling. They have a CD selection, but its dwarfed by the amount of vinyl on the shelves and walls. They sell used and new records at decent prices, and also have a discount section that seems much more heavily based on taste than condition. With all this dedicated space, Ive found many amazing records here that no one else would carry, and usually at a great price!
They also have goofy contests, like the mystery box of 25 CDs they sold my pal for $ 10. Turned out to be all bad pop punk compilations, but at least it was no longer mysterious!
So to summarize, great location, great stock, great staff, and a layout that ensures youll be hip to the local scene in no time.

Need tickets to the coolest shows?
Don’t want to give Ticket Master your first born child? (aka $$$ due to «service fees»)
Then head to Scratch. The helpful staff will let you know what’s new and what is worth seeing.
Don’t have a clue? They can help you as well. Plus, they have a nice music selection (including vinyl) without the arrogance of Zulu (sorry had to say it).

i like this place.
its small, no frills and the staff are cool and helpful.
its a bit pricey but i’d shop here before zulu any day.

Scratch is for people who like to scratch as in records, vinyl the old school way. It’s a hole-​in-​the-​wall place right on Richards, close to BCIT and SFU Harbour Centre, but it’s almost easy to miss. Lots of vinyl selections and special tickets to independent or less known acts are available here. The place is a bit dingy and not glamourous, it reminds me of the Lower Eastside or something, totally neat though for Vancouver. Find Europe’s latest or up-​and-​comer that we haven’t heard of yet or independent bands, totally obscure one offs or very old music.

Talk about a hole in the wall. There’s a cute sign hanging above the sidewalk, but for a while I assumed the place was out of business. The sign shows a bit of age, and when you look– there’s no obvious store front.
But look a little closer and you’ll be rewarded. You go through the door, and down the hallway, and then you’re at the record shop. Interesting… but it works.
So, please go here. Stop going to HMV and Best Buy, support the little guys. These places add some local flavor, and it’s always great to talk music with them. (I went to a show at the Media Club– and they had a drummer filling in for them, who they announced as the owner of Scratch– how cool is that!)
I’m not as into imports as I used to be. I’ve proven myself to be very bad at maintaining my CDs. Apparently throwing them in my bag, stacking them on top of each other, putting my drink on them like a coaster, letting my dog chew on them, etc. does not keep them in great shape. Who knew? So I don’t buy nearly the amount of CDs that I used to. However, I always go here to buy advance tickets (if you can save a few bucks, why not!), and whenever I’m here I love to browse.

I have a borderline unhealthy obsession with a deactivated Portland band called the Epoxies. Their former lead singer/​android, Roxy, recently put out her first solo record on a German label which might be familiar to a very small subset of fans of the Pacific Northwest punk/​New Wave scene, Drunk’n’Roll. I need this record as quickly as possible. Who knew that in this age of the internet it would be so difficult to get my hands on a record printed on a different continent.
Enter Scratch Records. I make a bee-​line down there immediately after finding out Roxy’s single is out and that Drunk’n’Roll’s online order form isn’t built for international customers. I only know of this place because the owner of my absolute favourite record store in the universe (Green Noise in Portland) recommended it. I take a quick gander at the store then pounce on the first employee I find to get the skinny on this international order business. He goes into the back to talk to the guy who actually does the ordering and returns a few minutes later with a definite negative. Bummer! He does, however, make a valiant attempt to suggest a place where I can order it: HMV… Apparently since they’re a European company they might be able to get their mitts on it. No luck there either, turns out, but the man at Scratch gets top marks for trying to hook me up.
The selection here is pretty limited in scope, but if you’re looking for independent punk rock and the ilk, they probably have it or can get it (obscure American artists on obscure German labels aside). They do a large amount of mail order, so if your town doesn’t have something comparable Scratch is the place to get your fix. As for the record, I guess I’m trying to contact the Germans directly.

If my memory serves me correctly, Scratch Records has been around a real long time. And for as long as it’s been operating, it’s been one of the premier places in Vancouver to go for albums and artists you won’t find at the big-​box music stores. Be prepared to pay a pretty penny for your find, though; titles at Scratch don’t always run cheap.
Scratch is also a great place to buy tickets to various Vancouver shows and concerts; the service charge is just $ 1, often much better than what Ticketmaster charges. Just check out the posters on the store’s walls to find out what events are coming to town.