LI's indie record stores
Photo credit: | Old Westbury Gardens On the North Lawn, hear everything from big band to swing to salsa to rock at the Picnic Pops summer concert series. The gates open at 5 p.m. and the concerts start at 7. In between, secure a good seating area then set up a picnic or stroll the gardens. Admission is $10 ($8 for 62 and older & members); children 12 and under free. • See the schedule
The phone keeps ringing at Record Stop in Lake Ronkonkoma. "Yeah, that copy of 'Quadrophenia' came in the other day," proprietor Bruce Berg says into the mouthpiece. "It's behind the counter. Come in, it'll be here."
And thank goodness Record Stop is still here. And Looney Tunes. And Cop Shop. Berg's place is one of the few remaining independent record stores on the Island -- the remains of the recently shuttered Long Island Sound shop sit in plastic bins at the front of his store.
But enough of that. Here's some of Long Island's remaining record stores.
CD Island : 228 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre, 516-678-9445, cdislandny.com
With its old-time embossed walls and thousands of used CDs (30,000) and DVDs (10,000), you should stop in early and often at CD Island. The projectionist from a local movie theater does just that. "He comes in every day before work to see what new soundtracks we have in," says owner Douglas Mashkow. Used discs are $1.99 to $8.99. New releases are also stocked.
What's playing: Selections from Huey Lewis and the News' "Fore!"
Record Stop : 279 Portion Rd., Lake Ronkonkoma, 631-585-3294
Huge Beatles collection, lots of dirty-finger vinyl, CDs and collectibles. Perhaps the coolest thing at the 35-year-old store is a copy of the Rolling Stones' "Their Satanic Majesties Request" album with a special 3-D cover ($169.99).
What's playing: Doo-wop stylings of the Cardinals and some Fleetwood Mac
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Cop Shop : 77 W. Main St., Smithtown, 631-360-9700, copshophiphop.com
Growing up here, Eddie Eder was proud of Long Island's hip-hop history. His love has bloomed into a record store, a clothing line (sorry we missed the $20 De La Soul tees), a record label and more (a documentary is in the works, as is a second location in Patchogue). And once you enter the Cop Shop, Eder's first business venture, you notice how many folks - famous dudes such as KRS-One and Talib Kweli - have taken the time to stop in, meet fans and seemingly sign everything.
What's playing: Cool, unreleased tunes from local hip-hoppers Kaleber and The Asmatik
Special: Every first Friday of the month, the Cop Shop hosts Friday Night Mics open mic night, beginning at 10.
Soundtraks : 356 New York Ave., Huntington, 631-427-1313
If you don't see it in the store, chances are, Soundtraks can have it for you the next day (if you order by 5 p.m.). And if you don't know the name of the song you're looking for, hum a few bars for manager Cliff Fenster and he'll come up with it. There's new stuff, old stuff, used stuff, local stuff. Cool place, cool people.
What's playing: The "Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration"
Special: You, dear reader, are special. "You are extremely important to us," owner Bob Stanford says. And he means it.
Whirlin' Disc Records : 230 Main St., Farmingdale, 516-694-1145, whirlindisc.com
The stories Steve and Vicki Blitenthal can tell! Brian Setzer used to come in before the Stray Cats made it big and hunt down vinyl from Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent and Buddy Holly. "He'd always say, 'I'd love to play Eddie Cochran one day,' " Vicki says. "And then, years later, we were watching 'La Bamba,' and he was Eddie Cochran." Lots of vinyl here from the '50s, '60s and '70s. Coolest item in the place? Maybe it's the mint condition "butcher cover" of the Beatles' "Yesterday and Today" album from 1966. How much for this original cover of the lads covered with the decapitated baby dolls and meat? "Ten grand," Steve says. But there's a lot more in the store for much less.
What's playing: Streaming Sag Harbor oldies station WLNG 92.1 FM over the Internet
Special: Like the other remaining mom-and-pop shops, Whirlin' will take the time to help you find what you are looking for.
Mr. Cheapo CD & Record Exchange : 46 Jericho Tpke., Commack (in the Mayfair Shopping Center), 631-543-8686; 134 Jericho Tpke., Mineola, 516-742-7670, mrcheapocds.com
A sign hanging in the Commack location says, "Everything in the store is for sale." There's a lot here. It's cramped and packed with everything - T-shirts, posters, stickers, vinyl both used and new (an unopened original pressing of John Cougar's "American Fool" album was $7.99), CDs and tapes.
What's playing: Fred Locks & the Creation Steppers' "Love and Only Love" album, a laid-back dance-hall gem
Special: Mr. Cheapo repairs turntables, receivers and guitar amps
High Fidelity Records & CDs : 59B Merrick Rd., Amityville, 631-264-0524, highfidelitycds.com
Tons of cheap vinyl, discs and collectibles, but also something for the rock chick who has everything - an original Spins Album Handbag ($85), made from two old records. Owner Marc Sendik also has a growing collection of used video games and DVDs, yes, including "High Fidelity" ($6.99).
What's playing: Jethro Tull's "War Child" album
Special: High Fidelity will convert your vinyl to CD ($15), VHS to DVD ($20) and cassette to CD ($20) in about two days.
Looney Tunes : 31 Brookvale Ave., West Babylon, 631-587-7722, ltcds.com
"We try to celebrate Record Store Day 365 days a year," says Looney Tunes' co-owner Karl Groeger Jr.
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