Now i know this is regarded as a music and vinyl shop, and that's totally correct they have a ton…read moreof vinyls. But my review is going to be about all the other "stuff" they have. So my hunt of a life size penguin outfit had run dry and we needed a new character to star at the end of our music video. My best buddie Andy suggest "Yo lets go to Mr T's" I'm all like what the hell man, the record shop? They wont have anything for us right? I WAS SO WRONG The biggest question is what does Mr T not have? a vacuum and quality control that's what But who cares if this shop is a bomb site, that's half the fun. Anyways so we arrive in Into the shop was my first thought was "is this even a shop?" followed by " People must steal from this place every day". So back to the story, turns out this place has a costume section, behind a curtain No costumes were complete and alot of them were on the floor. We dug about in the mess for awhile and found the most messed up bear costume you've ever seen in your life, like it had been run over and sat on hard. The staff are old school and didn't give a damn about us until we were literally rolling around the floor picking things up. But that's what you expect/want in a place like this. That same suit is now immortalised in a music video, all thanks to Mister Tees.

This review is based on the one and only time I visited this hellhole a few years back so please…read moredisregard if the shop has changed, which i doubt. I have been record shopping since the late 70s and this is far and away the worst record shop I have ever been in. Everything is filthy, nothing is priced and when i took a large pile (couple of hundred LPs) the miserable bloke behind the counter meticulously went through everything (checking online) quoting prices at the highest level they have sold for online. Every now and again he would pull out a record and say "I'm not selling that to you - I can get more online" and put it aside. After he had done this to a dozen records and refusing to haggle on prices (£20 for smiths 12"s in VG+ condition??? I think not!). I just walked out and left him to it with the large pile on his counter. And wiped my feet on the way out. I imagine that pile is still there.

Hmv in Stratford is easy to find and as usual as with all their stores they sell music,games, dvds…read moreand other bits and bobs. This store is very very narrow which is for the size of other stores a bit dissappointing. But never the less it still holds up quite well. Being narrow means if two people want to pas each other you quite literally have to turn sideways to pass its that small. Once past that problem its clear the store requires more room. The tills are set back to aid with room on the left of the store on the way in. Recent releases of cd etc are at the fron of the store. And as you go further back you find more music, dvds and the game section. Right at the back of the store you will find an area which sells headphones and speakers from makes such as Bose, Sony and philips. I pod accessories are also available too. The store gets 4 out of 5 as the staff being helpful and the amazing amount of stock they cram in makes up for the store being stupidly small.

Great music shop with a good range of music and extremely friendly staff. Also sells many DVDs and…read morevideo games at reasonable prices.

This shop is just the best cd shop in Hereford! Sells most cds, dvd etc. Staff helpful and shop is…read morewell layed out. This is the place to go if you are needing a cd!

Rock A Boom is my favourite independent music shop in Leicester. It is located in ST. Martin's…read moresquare which is about 5 minutes away from Highcross shopping centre - Firebug bar and McDonalds are nearby. Rock A Boom is only a small shop and can't compete with HMV for sheer physical space. What it can offer though is very good value on cd's and a small selection of vinyl. They cater to alternative music fans, so you can find some right gems searching through the racks on everything from punk rock to drum 'n' bass. The reason I come back here is because the staff are incredibly friendly and chatty. I don't just come here to buy a record, I come here to have a natter. The attendant will often talk to me about what he's been listening to and recommend things to try. This is the sort of banter and experience you just can't get at bigger corporate record stores.

A Leicester institution, and rightly so. For those looking away from the mainstream for their…read moremusical thrills, this is the best little shop in the city, jam packed with musical obscurities and latest releases. The staff know their stuff, and you can get gig tickets for anything that's going on in Leicester, which is extremely handy. Prices were a little on the steep side before, but I have been informed that they're now extremely competitive. Plus, with certain albums, they occasionally give away free posters and stuff too. Lovely.

In the age of digital music, internet shopping and supermarkets undercutting everybody there will…read morealways be a place for an independent record store where you can guarantee the staff know there stuff, can make recommendations, get you hard to find Record Store Day vinyl without the need to trek to Rough Trade in London. If you like your Punk, Metal, Emo, Screamo, Hardcore and any other sub-genre of this ilk you can think of then you need to visit this little store tucked away in the Oasis centre. Rich at Ignite has been a long time face on the music scene in Brum. He champions local bands and puts out his own releases through his own indie label Speedowax. As a long time customer from his days working at Tempest before embarking on his own little operation he can soon help you part with your money as he soon gets to know your musical tastes and he caters to his customers. Support your local independent sellers, and sometimes it may cost you a pound more but its a shiny, actual object you can touch and read the lyrics and see pretty artwork and have in your hands there and then, knowing its been stocked with love and attention just for you.

Dropping in to ignite is always a pleasure to have a catch up with Rich and check for any new…read morestock. Having been a regular for many years of both tempest and ignite dealing with Rich is always great, he learns your taste in music and the specific bands you like, from which he will always find a new recommendation for you, specialising in all forms of alternative music. Rich is always happy to try and order those rare to find, limited editions and imports you can't get on the high street. Anything he does have in stock he will happily play for you to get an idea if it's up your street! Vinyl is a speciality at ignite with promising stock for every record day as well, he even recently took part in the first tape day stocking a limited number of new and re-release tape albums and EPs. Rich also runs a local record label Speedowax with which he helps promote and sell new and upcoming talent! I would always recommend shopping here for music over highstreet stores (support your local businesses!) even though some purchases may cost an extra pound or two, you may find some real talent you would otherwise never be exposed to...

Visited this place for the first time last week very impressed. Housed in a beautiful building, it…read morehas been decorated by Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen to a very high standard. Sound quality was excellent, and there was plenty of room for punters. Drink prices were pretty steep over £5 for a pint and a soft drink, a full pound more expensive that the gig I went to in Cambridge 2 days later. One excellent service was provided by the wandering bar staff, collecting empties all evening, so no stray glasses or bottles were ever left on the floor. Plenty of loos in the ladies. Bit of a scrum to try and get out, exit is down a relatively narrow spiral staircase

With an unparalleled selection of vinyl and DJ toys, Seismic has grown to become one of the best…read morerecord shops in the whole country - even the Observer says so! Situated sneakily above Kong, a lovely fashion store in its own right, staff are always friendly and extremely knowledgeable. As it is mail order too there is an almost exhaustive selection of DnB, Breaks, House, Hip Hop etc vinyl with loads of rareties and white labels to discover! The shop itself is bright, comfortable and the perfect way to waste away an afternoon. Unmissable for DJ's

Fantastic selection of records, the owner is extremely friendly and helpful. If there is a record…read moreyou want that isn't in stock, he will order it in for you. Pricing is also very competitive.

Based right in the centre of town Musical Goods and Exchange is a no frills vinyl seller/buyer…read more They are close to nostalgia and comics; however the music store is a little smaller in size. I came in here with a tonne of vinyl that I wanted to sell and they took every item and gave me a fairly decent price on what I had. These were the records that I couldn't manage to sell online so I was happy to get rid of them. The staff are not very friendly or helpful; they just keep an eye out for shoplifters and little else. But if you do have a serious question they will give you a serious answer. This place is a must for all vinyl collectors out there and for those that are looking to offload a few records in exchange for cash.

The Music and Video exchange on Smallbrook Queensway is fantastic for any DJ or Vinyl collector…read more They have a huge range of vinyl and it is categorised very well so it is easy to find what you are looking for. A great place to pick up bargains or find those gems you have always been looking for. I recently bought a very rare DJ Sneak vinyl for £3, probably worth over £20. Very recommended.