Freakbeat Records – 13616 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles Ca. 91423
I recently took a trip to Los Angeles and, guided by an August 26, 2016 article in LA Weekly The 20 Best Record Stores in Los Angeles and Beyond took a tour of some of the areas finer record stores. While I didn’t visit any of these record stores while I lived in LA, each was worthy. First up was a trip to the Valley and Freakbeat Records, which was my personal favorite. How could it not be with a name like Freakbeat? As you would expect some old (and valuable) 60s records could be had (look up young man) and three listening stations provided so you could check before you buy. As they say on their website “We may not have everything you want, but we always have something you need.” My kind of store.
Wanna go? You can find Freakbeat Records on our Record Stores Map
Got some nice 45 picture sleeves (nothing too pricey) and a 60s garage record of covers by the Knights.
Here’s a video tour of Freakbeat Records from the Vinyl Guide published in November 2016.
And here’s an article from Patch.com (Sherman Oaks California edition) from 2012 Freakbeat Thrives Through Loyalty, Unconventionality interviewing the owners about the store and its history. I have also seen them show up at WFMU’s great record fair (now annually in Brooklyn at the Expo Center in Greenpoint) with an offering of truly rare and great vinyl. And I mean truly rare.
The store is named for a short-lived style of music circa 1965 known as Freakbeat. Originating in England, it is a combination of mod and r&b. Some of my favorite Freakbeat records are The Smoke – My Friend Jack (about LSD), Les Fleur De Lys – Circles and the Action – I’ll Keep On Holding On (an excellent Marvelettes cover). For more on Freakbeat, here’s a nice article from Vinyl Me Please the 10 Best Freakbeat Albums to Own on Vinyl.
