Mario Rubalcaba has been in a ton of bands you like, such as Hot Snakes, Earthless, and Rocket from the Crypt. He was a professional skateboarder in the 80s and 90s and is from San Diego, too. If you haven’t caught on yet, this is an entire guide devoted to everything that happens in the southern region of California. Being an authority on the subject, we politely asked Mario for a list of his top five record stores in San Diego. Sure, his first pick is a shop that he had a little something to do with, but he’s not being a dick. It’s called marketing.
Thirsty Moon Photo: Elliot HathawayThirsty Mon Records - OK, OK… I am going to be biased here because, yes, this is a store that I had a hand in starting with my fellow shred brother in Earthless, Mr. Mike “the Egg” Eginton. I don’t work there no mo’ but the Egg holds it down pretty heavy all day long. This is THE BEST shop in San Diego. Awesome reissues of insane and obscure primitive punk slop, brain-skillet-fried psychedelic, big-ass butt funk, reggae as heavy as a pound of green, lascivious 60s thumpandbump garage, only the most satanic and unholy goat-worthy speed, thrash, death, and black metal, and the best selection of “three tabs o’ ’cid” krautrock around. There is no attitude here either. It’s all about getting turned on to new “old” sounds that have been hidden for far too long. We want to share and not bury.
525 Evans Pl., 619-542-1500. Record City - This store is literally right across the street from “th‘ Moon.” Record Shitty (it’s not really shitty, it just sounds funny) has by far the best used LPs and CDs in San Diego. Thousands of ’em, and the dollar bin is chock-full of great stuff if you like to get your hoofs all dusty. They are priced very creep-friendly too. Just don’t piss off the 80s dude that works there. He will ban you!
3757 6th Ave., 619-291-5313.
Thirsty Moon Photo: Elliot HathawayTaang! Records - Longtime punk nerd Curtis of Taang! Records came out here some 13 years ago to run his label and open up his storefront. He recently moved within skudsmokin’ distance from the Moon and the Shitty, so now you got a triangle of great record shops. If you’re not broke yet, after you’re done with Taang! you will be. They’ve got some of the rarest punk, OI!, skin, and hardcore collectable records around. The prices on these rarities ain’t for us poor creeps! If you look thoroughly, though, you will find a lot of good-priced stuff, and they have a grip of cool shirts and stickers and DVDs too.
3830 5th Ave., 619-296-4015. M-Theory - This store is great for all types of music. They specialize in the most current indie-rock stuff but also have a great selection of jazz, electro, soul, and a good selection of used LPs and CDs too. Cool knickknacks, turntables, mini guitar amps… They really should start serving coffee too, while they’re at it. Home-slicers also have their very own label… What the fugg is it called again? OnSpeed Records? Hi-Speed? Bad Speed? Shit… Whatever, go check it out—you will be stoked and chuffed.
915 W. Washington St., 619-220-0485. Lou’s Records - Legendary record store that has been around forever and is the granddaddy of all independent record stores here in SD. Located up in Leucadia/Encinitas, it is a tad north but well worth it. There’s a new side for LPs, CDs, DVDs, books, and assorted other crap. Also a separate used-record and -CD side, as well as tons more shit to fingerbang through.
434 N. Coast Hwy. 101, 760-753-1382.
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525 Evans Pl., 619-542-1500. Record City - This store is literally right across the street from “th‘ Moon.” Record Shitty (it’s not really shitty, it just sounds funny) has by far the best used LPs and CDs in San Diego. Thousands of ’em, and the dollar bin is chock-full of great stuff if you like to get your hoofs all dusty. They are priced very creep-friendly too. Just don’t piss off the 80s dude that works there. He will ban you!
3757 6th Ave., 619-291-5313.
3830 5th Ave., 619-296-4015. M-Theory - This store is great for all types of music. They specialize in the most current indie-rock stuff but also have a great selection of jazz, electro, soul, and a good selection of used LPs and CDs too. Cool knickknacks, turntables, mini guitar amps… They really should start serving coffee too, while they’re at it. Home-slicers also have their very own label… What the fugg is it called again? OnSpeed Records? Hi-Speed? Bad Speed? Shit… Whatever, go check it out—you will be stoked and chuffed.
915 W. Washington St., 619-220-0485. Lou’s Records - Legendary record store that has been around forever and is the granddaddy of all independent record stores here in SD. Located up in Leucadia/Encinitas, it is a tad north but well worth it. There’s a new side for LPs, CDs, DVDs, books, and assorted other crap. Also a separate used-record and -CD side, as well as tons more shit to fingerbang through.
434 N. Coast Hwy. 101, 760-753-1382.