Waterloo Records, Cheapo Disc
& Antone's Records: Reviewed Here
Austin's best record store? Photo/Beard Papa
Waterloo Records has been the best record store in Austin since the day it opened. A Texas music legend in its own right. Opened April 1, 1982, the Austin Chronicle awarded them Best Record Store title and they've won the same category ever year since. Considered one of the top independent record stores in the US. An active player in the Austin Record Convention and SXSW. Waterloo is more than a record store. My #1 Pick of all Austin music stores. Here's why… The staff is knowledgeable and they stop whatever they're doing to assist you. Seriously, the staff is exceptional. Perfect 10. Location is convenient and the store is large. CDs are easily accessible and displayed in racks alphabetically. The various styles and genres offered cover every kind of music I am aware of. Most comprehensive selection of any record store I've visited. Waterloo Records features local talent, prominently displaying CDs of all kinds of Texas music from conjunto to Pantera, Van Cliburn and the Flatlanders. Prices are reasonable. You can listen to any CD before you buy it. The best part is you get ten days to exchange it. Don't like it for any reason, just take it back in new condition. Exchange it for a CD you like. AWESOME! This place is in the running for my Best Austin Business award. Folks who shop here are music junkies. They love it. They have monthly Waterloo budgets.
Architecture In Helsinki performing at an in-store show. Photo/33mhz
Waterloo Records is fun. The free in-store shows are legendary. Packed during SXSW from the time they open until they close every day of the festival. The parking lot is shared with next door neighbor and beloved watering hole, the Waterloo Ice House. Parking can get sportin' when it's busy. Try the off street parking in the neighborhood but don't block driveways. Try this, ask the staff at Waterloo Records if they have Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators 1966 release, Psychedelic Sounds. I'll bet if they don't have this rare classic they will offer to find it for you. A must for any Austin, Texas music vacation. My highest recommendation. 600 A. NORTH LAMAR
(512) 474-2500 :: www.waterloorecords.com
Cheapo Disc - Austin Texas' Largest CD Selection
Cheapo Disc is a good place if you're looking for a rummage sale kind of experience. They buy used CDs and have a massive selection to choose from with prices that go all over the map. Big selection of Texas music with every major genre represented. New CDs and DVDs at essentially what you pay at a Best Buy store. As far as the used CDs go, I found the same used CDs from Amazon for 50% of what Cheapo charged. That said, you can waste away hours going through their vast selection of used Texas music. Not Waterloo Records and doesn't try to be. If you're on a music hunt, checking out Austin music stores, then this should be on your short list. Cheapo has a whole lot of CDs to choose from. TENTH AND LAMAR
(512) 477-4499 :: www.cheapotexas.com
Antones Record Shop
Antone's Records has been here a long time. Photo/That Other Paper
Clifford Antone opened Antone's Records in 1987 across the street from the old Antone's club on Guadalupe Street. One of my favorite record stores of all time. If you like vinyl, Antone's is hard to beat. LPs, 45s, 78s, cassettes and 8-tracks. Blues, jazz, soul, R&B, rockabilly, country, bluegrass, roots and a great collection of Texas music. There's a lot of unique stuff going on in the store. One dollar specials, old posters, books and hard to find old music magazines. It's anything but a big box Austin music store. Exactly the opposite. Not much emphasis on what's new or the current pop flavor of the month, but genuine old time sounds. Clifford wouldn't allow BS music in his store. If they started carrying it, CJ would rise from the grave and take his name off the building. Stop by Antone's Record Shop. A real remnant of the golden age of Austin live music. It hasn't really changed since Clifford opened it. Like Waterloo Records, a don't miss for any serious Austin music fan. 2928 GUADALUPE
(512) 322-0660 :: www.antonesrecordshop.homestead.com
SIXTH STREET CLUBS
Maggie Mae’s :: Momo’s :: The Parish WAREHOUSE & DOWNTOWN CLUBS
Antone’s :: La Zona Rosa :: Austin Music Hall :: Elephant Room :: Paramount Theatre RED RIVER CLUBS
Stubb’s Waller Creek Ampitheatre :: Emo’s :: Beerland UNIVERSITY CLUBS
Cactus Cafe :: Hole In The Wall SOUTH AUSTIN CLUBS
Continental Club :: Threadgill’s :: Jovita’s :: Broken Spoke :: Saxon Pub :: Evangeline Cafe :: Artz Rib House :: Hill’s Cafe EAST SIDE CLUBS
Victory Grill AUSTIN ANGELS & HALLOWED GROUND
Stevie Ray Vaughan :: Townes Van Zandt :: Jesse Taylor :: Doug Sahm :: Keith Ferguson :: Don Walser :: Clifford Antone :: Soap Creek Saloon :: Liberty Lunch :: The Vulcan Gas Co. :: Armadillo World Headquarters :: Raul’s :: Austin Opera House MORE
Austin City Limits :: Austin Record Stores :: Music Stores :: Austin Chronicle
Leave
WATERLOO RECORDS, CHEAPO, ANTONE'S RECORDS and go to AUSTIN MUSIC.
Click here to go to Austin, Texas
HOME.
|
