Revolution Records LA

Like many of the other reviewers, I had an incredibly uncomfortable experience. The owner closely followed me around the store, adjusting the stacks of records right after I finished looking through them mumbling «Jesus Christ» under his breath. Everything in the store is grossly overpriced.

the main guy who works here is a fucking asshole seriously. i bought a lou reed cassette and it took the manager like a good 3 minutes to pay attention to me and finish his text. then the next time i came the same dude who i think is the manager got mad at me for checking out a shirt and putting it back. plus whenever i come here its the same guy managing the shop he always looks really angry no matter what. seriously dude get a fucking grip and stop being so mad.

This place is a perfect example of how not to treat potential customers. Today was my first visit to this cesspool of negative energy. This place is the epitome of rude, arrogant, pretentious, shitty record store culture at its finest. Joey was totally unwelcoming from the second I walked in. Naturally, I had to say hello first. The guy seemed super unsure of himself, his energy was totally off putting. I asked right away to set my bag down and he responded with the most smug, disdainful excuse for a response, «yeah…» I went even further to break the awkward tension and put my hand out to introduce myself. Then I asked him if he knew where I could get a turntable worked on and his response couldn’t have been more dismal and indifferent. I let him know his attitude sucked and I left. If you’re into overpaying for beat up records, being talked down to, and dealing with some dude’s mid-​life crisis, this is the record store for you! With this dude’s horrible attitude, the accessibility of purchasing online, or from other competitors, I highly recommend any of those options over going into this «business» I curse your business Joey.

Love this place. Been buying from the owner, Joey, for a few years at his stand at the Melrose Flea Market, where he had by far the most interesting selection of records I’ve seen at any stand. His store is no different. I see original or early editions of records I don’t see anywhere else. Especially if you’re into non-​reissue Punk/Post-Punk/90’s Indie/​New Wave records, this is the spot.

Yeah, no sorry. I have to agree with the other negative reviews on here. I thought mine was maybe an isolated incident but after reading the other experiences it seems that I am not the only customer who has felt alienated in this store. I have stopped in a couple times (once on my own and once with my girlfriend), excited to see a new shop and potentially support a new business. I am not sure if it was the owner or an employee but the person working (older, maybe 45ish?, dark hair and glasses) never once acknowledged my existence (either time) and granted it is a small space… not really sure how that is possible. I only hope that the owner is able to take these reviews to heart and change his outlook on customer service. You can’t really be selective about who you are polite to and expect to run a successful business. Just my two cents.

No, no and no is all I have to say about this store. Owner is incredibly rude and unfriendly, he acts put off about having to «deal» with customers and by deal I mean saying hello. I came in over the week and was not greeted with as much as a head nod. The owner was wayyyyy too busy taking photos for Ebay or some other type of online marketplace and acted completely put off that I was in his store. I asked around a few other record stores to see if this was an isolated incident, perhaps I pissed him off without realizing? Nope, not at all — I heard another owner say verbatim «yeah he is pretty much known for being a total jerk». A quick check on Unilocal shows that others had the same experience as well — I am convinced that the good reviews are friends of his trying to boost the rating. Look, if you are only interested in selling records online DO IT IN YOUR MOTHER’S BASEMENT! Why even bother opening a store where you have to interact (or not interact in this case) with the public? On Melrose no less! There are seriously sooooo many other record stores in LA to support. I am all for supporting small business and local economy even if it means paying a slightly higher price but in this case no no way do not give this guy your money.

I visit about 40 independently owned record shops around the country a year and buy about 50+ records a year. Unfortunately this one was the worst experience I’ve ever had. First, the prices are high — maybe 20−30%. I wouldn’t mind that normally because I will pay more for a well curated selection with clean used vinyl and decent customer service. This was none of those things. The used vinyl is, for the most part, dirty, in less than average condition, and the selection is just so-​so. Nothing you can’t find someplace else where the people are decent.
But the worst part was the «service» of the guy working there who I think is the owner. We walked around the store and checked a few bins. My wife was interested in a shirt, I saw a few records that piqued my curiosity but the owner could not be bothered to acknowledge our presence. Then he got rude.
As we left my adult daughter thanked him for letting us browse. I was outside the door on the sidewalk taking a picture of their sign — because I always try to snap a pic of record stores to post online as I travel so I remember them for next time. As I finished the owner yelled out the door «PUT YOIR PHONE AWAY.» I was outside on the sidewalk mind you. I looked in and said «what?» and he said «NO PHOTOS.» I said, «it’s a sign on the sidewalk. What do you mean?» He said «you can’t take photos.» At this point I got chippy.
I said «actually I can take pictures on a public sidewalk all day long and if you want to call the police I’ll wait here for them.» He told me it’s rude to take a picture of a sign on the sidewalk.
So, that’s the kind of guy you’re dealing with. He’s such a brilliant businessman that he doesn’t want you spreading his signage around social media. Which is probably why his store was empty on a sunny Spring afternoon in one of the busiest shopping districts in LA. That and he’s doesn’t care about customers.
There are many better options out there and places who treat you like they want your business.

This place is so proper. Only the choice cuts! The record selection is custom picked to represent each of the genres. The Punk section is top notch and even the Soundtrack section had some great digs. A+

Wow, what a sad experience! I brought my daughter and her best friend down to Melrose Blvd and stepped into Revolution Records. I was happy to see a «new» record store here as this use to be the location of the old Vinyl Fetish Records back in the 1980’s where I spent much of youth and much of my hard earned money. When we walked in we were greeted by the usual «may I help you look for something». I replied «just browsing». I spotted a lot of cool vintage cassettes, t-​shirts and went straight to the vinyl as my daughter and her friend looked at the t-​shirts and posters. I got as far as the Bauhaus section where I spotted this extremely rare vinyl boot which by coincidence I had purchased at Vinyl Fetish nearly 30 years ago! I was telling the owner this and asked him if it was on «green or red vinyl» as my pressing was on RED and I’ve always wanted the GREEN vinyl pressing. He had it priced at $ 75.00 which is pretty pricey but still I had not seen this record in nearly 30 years (I paid $ 25.00 for my copy back in ’87-’88). The owner shrugged his shoulders and kept looking around nervously over his shoulders as if he were expecting my daughter or her friend to do some shoplifting. I asked him if I could open the LP to verify the color of vinyl and once again he shrugged and muttered something and gave me a dirty look. I replied «that I knew how to handle vinyl and would not scratch his precious record». At this point he was no longer acknowledging me and kept looking nervously over at my daughter and her friend. At this point I had had enough and called to my daughter and her friend that it was time for us to leave. Sadly, I don’t care to see this record store to succeed and flourish. I recommend saving your money and time and heading over to Amoeba Records in Hollywood where they provide free parking, a wide variety of vinyl, and a staff that’s willing to answer your questions. There’s also Rockaway Records in Silver Lake that has an excellent friendly staff that are always there to answer any questions. I will make sure to let all my fellow record collector friends that don’t use Unilocal to know about this experience. 30+ years of collecting records and I’v never experienced anything like this before. Simply baffling!

Surprisingly good record selection for a small shop. Found a few gems during my 30 minute visit. Also, Joey is awesome! Very knowledgeable and kind. Can’t wait to go back and have another great conversation with him.

I agree with the other negative reviews. I’ve ducked in a few times over the last several months and wanted to like this place but the owner is extremely rude and embarrassingly cliché. He’s too cool for school and would rather pet his cat than pay attention to his patrons (I think he’s watched «High Fidelity» one too many times). He clearly knows his business and carries a decent inventory but so what, that should be a given. His motto seems to be «the customer is never right». If you like being treated like dirt while shopping overpriced vinyl covered in cat hair or paying $ 250 on «vintage» Iron Maiden concert T’s, this is the store for you. If not, do yourself a favor and go anywhere else.

Joey is awesome an so helpful!!! Got some great new stuff from him — some real rarities. And a ton of great info about record players for us to consider! and it’s a great space!!!

I hesitate to write this review only because I want to horde all this vinyl goodness to myself. Alas, I shall divulge the secrets of this absolutely fantastic little shop on Melrose Blvd. This place is a treasure trove of vinyl, cassettes, clothing, equipment and more. Like meticulously scouring the bins for that hidden gem? Welcome to Revolution Records.

The man who was working was extremely rude to me and my two siblings who were the only people in the small store mind you. when we walked in the store my sister had to say hello to him and he didn’t even reply back with a hello or welcome… he said nothing to us. While we were browsing he got up to huff and puff and whisper «Jesus Christ» under his breath as he pushed the records back to his liking? Lastly he also had a rude tone when he finally spoke to us when we asked about form of payment. Bad attitude or bad day? RUUUUDEEEEEE!

Wow, what a great selection! Way up my alley and taste and not to mention Joey (owner) helped me listen to the records j wanted and aid in the process of my final decisions. I love a good record store and will be making a trip every month… loved it!

Do you like looking for records while being uncomfortable? the owner has the social skills of a porcupine. Ask for a vinyl? Get a condescending response. dont go here if you have daddy issues or dreams. Go to Amoeba instead. Bigger selection and you don’t have to deal with Grandpa Nixon.

An amazing record selection. Not a huge record selection, but the rarities they have are in the best condition you’ll ever see them if its not a brand new pressing. Snagged a couple things, and oh yes, I’ll be back for a lot more! Head here for a great record selection in phenomenal condition.

Excellent selection of really hard to find stuff. Joey had an wide variety of genres but I really enjoyed the punk/​new wave and rock sections. Found a great Bikini Kill cassette tape, a couple of 90s 7″ records and an LP. Some of the prices are a little high in my opinion, but the quality certainly makes up for that. It was great to see the vintage T shirts included. If you don’t see what you are looking for, ask since a lot of his stuff seems to be tucked away. I will definitely be back.

I have been collecting record since 1985. Moved Southern California in 1991. Most of the great record shops went away in Hollywood during the 90s. I truly miss Prime Cuts. Nice to see a real record shop back on melrose. It’s location will be familiar to older LA record collectors. No hipster prices. Your not gonna find a gem here in the dollar bin. The owner is far too knowledgeable for that. You will find things you need here. It’s a must stop if your record shopping in Hollywood. It’s gonna be in my monthly rotation. Vintage Rock T-​shirts and audio equipment as well.

I’ll be blunt: this is the best collection of records I’ve seen week in and week out in L.A. Period. Joey has hand picked a selection of all the vinyl gems you could ever ask for — not to mention vintage T-​shirts, posters, cassettes and anything else a music nerd like myself could want. Come check out his new digs where the old Vinyl Fetish was!
If you live in West Hollywood, you know Joey’s collection from the Fairfax flea market on Sunday. If you don’t, you’re blowing it. Hell, every time I go there I tell myself I’m not gonna spend money — $ 150 dollars later I’m the proud owner of a Replacements 1^st press, or a Tom Waits this, or an original, non reissued Smiths that. Did I mention all the original Nick Cave albums he’s got? Jesus Christ. My girlfriend hates this guy because I give him all my hard earned dough.
I’m hesitant to write this because all you poseurs will start shopping here, but whatever! I’m a good dude.
Finally, I live to negotiate with Joey, the owner. He is hysterical! Like a fish monger in 1920’s NYC, or the proprietor of a Berlin whore house, this guy makes spending money fun.
Check out Revolution Records, ya dingus.