Amoeba Music > What's in My Bag?

The Horrors (English Post-Punk/Goth/Shoegaze Band)

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:03:00 GMT

The Horrors are an English rock band that combine post-punk, goth, and shoegaze. Faris Badwan, Rhys Webb, Tom Cowan, Joshua Hayward, and Joseph Spurgeon formed the band in 2005. They released their debut album, Strange House, in 2007 and appeared on the cover of NME that same year. Their second album, Primary Colours (XL Recordings, 2009), was produced by Geoff Barrow of Portishead, Craig Silvey, and video director Chris Cunningham. Primary Colours revealed a shift for the band, featuring less of the gothic and punk influences found on Strange House and more of a droning, shoegaze sound. Primary Colours was widely praised by critics, was nominated for the 2009 Mercury Prize, and reached #25 on the UK Albums Chart.

Tortoise (Instrumental Post-Rock Band)

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:28:00 GMT

Tortoise started in Chicago in 1990 when bassist Doug McCombs and drummer John Herndon began working with John McEntire, Bundy K. Brown, and Dan Bitney. Long heralded as the poster band for post-rock, Tortoise took a daunting array of influence and crafted a unique sound that astonishingly avoids any sense of pastiche. All of Tortoise’s founding members come from punk and indie rock scenes, but by fusing together their love of '70s German psych, electric jazz, minimal composition, dub, progressive rock, hip-hop, avant-garde electronics, film music and traditional American music, the band deftly crafts a sound that is hugely unique and instantly recognizable.

They released their debut album, Tortoise (Thrill Jockey), in 1994. Soon after Tortoise was released, the band enlisted friends and its own members to remix songs from the record. The result is the out of print Rhythms, Resolutions And Clusters (1995 Thrill Jockey) and the beginning of their long relationship with remixing. Before the recording of their second full-length, Millions Now Living Will Never Die (1996 Thrill Jockey), Bundy K. Brown left the band and was replaced by guitarist David Pajo. Pajo left the band during the recording of their third album, TNT (1998 Thrill Jockey), and was replaced by long-time friend and improvisational jazz guitarist Jeff Parker. Tortoise’s sixth full-length release, Beacons of Ancestorship, was released in June 2009 on Thrill Jockey.

DJ Qbert (Turntablist / Composer)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:53:00 GMT

Known as the Jimi Hendrix of turntables, DJ Qbert is a turntablist from the San Francisco Bay Area who is widely respected for his masterful skills and his ability to use the turntable as an instrument. He began DJing competively in 1991. DJ Qbert, Mixmaster Mike and DJ Apollo became the Rock Steady Crew DJs, going on to win the 1992 Disco Mix Club (DMC) DJ World Championships together. Qbert also won that title with Mixmaster Mike in 1993 and 1994 and he has since been inducted into the DMC Hall of Fame. Qbert was one of the founding members of the Invisbl Skratch Piklz, a band that used turntables as their instruments and were asked to stop entering the DMC championships because it discouraged other people from competing. DJ Qbert released his first album in 1998, Wave Twisters, upon which an animated film was then created. That film, Wave Twisters (2001), was the first turntablism-based musical and it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, won the SXSW award for best use of music in film, and was selected at over 30 other international film festivals. Qbert also created a DJ school called the Qbert Skratch University and was recently chosen to be featured in the video game DJ Hero 2.

Gabby (Hip Hop Floor Staff)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:30:00 GMT

Hip Hop floor person.

Hollywood Superman (Christopher Dennis)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:34:00 GMT

Christopher Dennis is an actor and Christopher Reeves look-alike. He has been portraying Superman in Hollywood, CA for 12 years. He was featured in the 2007 documentary Confessions of a Superhero, which follows four people who make their living as superhero impersonators on Hollywood Blvd.

Gabriela Petrova (DVD Floor Staff)

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:13:00 GMT

I love movies. I love movies so much that when I was a little girl, I disappeared for a while and my parents found me inside a bar watching cartoons on the big screen. My mom said I didn't need dolls or toys if I had a TV with a movie on. I just grew up with movies. I moved to the US from Eastern Europe in 2000. I've been working for Amoeba for five years and I worked for Virgin before that in the DVD department. Even at home, before I moved to the States, I would watch the Academy Awards live on television, even when it was in the middle of the night. To me, movies are the best form of art.

Peaches Christ (Filmmaker, Cult Leader)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:32:00 GMT

Peaches Christ is a cult filmmaker, actor, and hostess of the Midnight Mass movie events in San Francisco, which became famous for their pre-show stage productions, special guests, and drag spectacles. Her alter-ego, Joshua Grannell, has written and directed short films. Ms. Christ also co-produces the SF Underground Short Film Festival. Her Midnight Mass road-show and Short Film Retrospective have been on tour and appeared in Seattle, Berkeley, New York City, and Brussels, Belgium. She appeared in the film Milk as a protesting drag queen and she's been featured on national television including VH1’s Totally Gay, AMC’s Movies That Shook the World: Pink Flamingos, and IFC’s Cult Movie pilot.

Amanda Blank & Spank Rock (Hip Hop MCs)

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:28:00 GMT

Amanda Blank is a rapper and singer from Philadelphia. Spank Rock is an MC originally from Baltimore and part of the Baltimore Bass Connection. His group, also called Spank Rock, released their debut album in 2006, YoYoYoYoYo (Big Dada), and featured Amanda Blank on the song "Bump." He returned the favor on Amanda Blank's debut album, I Love You (2009, Downtown). They have collaborated together over the years, appearing on various singles with each other and sometimes participating individually on the same projects, including N.A.S.A.'s The Spirit of Apollo and Bmore Gutter Music.

Duran Duran (Simon Le Bon & John Taylor)

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:45:00 GMT

Duran Duran is one of the most iconic and successful rock bands from the '80s. Formed in England in 1978, Duran Duran is John Taylor (bass), Simon Le Bon (vocals), Nick Rhodes (keyboards), and Roger Taylor (drums). They have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, have had 14 songs in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart and 21 songs in the Billboard Top 100 Chart, and were pioneers in the evolution of the music video with their use of professional directors and 35mm film (not to mention their fashion). In the mid-'80s, members of Duran Duran also participated in two side projects, Power Station and Arcadia. The band has released 12 studio albums since their 1981 self-titled debut, including Rio (which was named one of NME's 100 Greatest Albums Of All Time). They are currently working on their 13th album with producer Mark Ronson, hopefully to be released in 2010.

Sune Rose Wagner (The Raveonettes)

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:36:00 GMT

Sune Rose Wagner is half of the Danish rock duo The Raveonettes. Wagner and Sharin Foo met in Copenhagen and began recording together in 2001. Combining two-part vocal harmonies with electric instrumentation, The Raveonettes draw upon the sounds of their '50s and '60s influences (like The Ronettes and Buddy Holly), as well as their modern rock influences (like the Velvet Underground). They released their first full-length album, Chain Gang of Love (Sony), in 2003. Their sophomore album, Pretty In Black (Columbia, 2005), featured Ronnie Spector (The Ronettes) and Maureen Tucker (Velvet Underground). They are releasing their fourth studio album, In & Out of Control (Vice), on October 6, 2009.

Gaslamp Killer (LA DJ & Beatmaker)

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:36:00 GMT

The Gaslamp Killer is a beatmaker and resident DJ at the Low End Theory, a club night every Wednesday in Los Angeles. He released his debut EP, My Troubled Mind, on August 4, 2009 on Flying Lotus' imprint Brainfeeder.

Matt O. (Customer & Photographer)

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:39:00 GMT

4 eyes
3 Edsels
2 left feet
1 too many records

D from CT (Jazz Floor Person & Dance Music Pricer)

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:38:00 GMT

I am an island I am a stone I am the dreamer whose name is never known.

White Lies (English Post-Punk Band)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:27:00 GMT

White Lies are an English post-punk band made up of Harry McVeigh (vocals, guitar), Charles Cave (bass & backing vocals), and Jack Lawrence-Brown (drums). Meeting at school, they formed a band called Fear of Flying, but disbanded it in order to writer darker, more personal songs under the name White Lies. Their first album, To Lose My Life (Geffen), was released in March 2009 in the US and debuted at number one in England. White Lies have been touring practically non-stop since the summer of 2008, including playing with Friendly Fires, Kings of Leon, Glasvegas, and Coldplay. They were nominated for Best New Band at the 2009 NME Awards and won the 2009 MOJO Breakthrough Award.

Paul Shirley (ESPN.com Columnist, Author & Basketball Player)

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:26:00 GMT

Paul Shirley is an American basketball player, author, and music columnist for ESPN.com. He is a regular contributor to ESPN.com, writing primarily about music. He released his first book, Can I Keep My Jersey?: 11 Teams, 5 Countries, and 4 Years in My Life as a Basketball Vagabond, in 2007. He has played basketball for the Chicago Bulls and the Phoenix Suns, and most recently played for Spain's Unicaja Málaga team.

Gregg Araki (American Filmmaker)

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:52:00 GMT

Gregg Araki is an American filmmaker and avid CD collector. In many of his films, he serves as director, writer, producer, and often editor, and he has consistently featured shoegaze music heavily in their soundtracks. He has directed nine films since his directorial debut in 1987 with Three Bewildered People in the Night. He created the "Teenage Apocalypse Trilogy" with his films Totally Fucked Up (1993), The Doom Generation (1995), and Nowhere (1997). Araki's eighth film, Mysterious Skin (2004), received extensive critical acclaim, including a nomination for Best Director from the Independent Spirit Awards and a win for the Jury Prize at the Bergen International Film Fest. His most recent film, Smiley Face (2007), was a stoner comedy starring Ana Farris.

Aterciopelados (Colombian Rock Duo)

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:50:00 GMT

Aterciopelados is Andrea Echeverri (vocals, guitar) and Héctor Buitrago (bass, producer/arranger). They formed in Bogota, Colombia in the early 1990s, releasing their first album, Con el Corazón en la Mano, in 1994. Aterciopelados combines rock with electronic elements and traditional Colombian and Latin American music, and often features politically, socially, and environmentally conscious messages.

They have released eight albums to date, including Oye (Nacional, 2006), which featured the song "Canción Protesta" ("Protest Song"). The song was re-worked for Amnesty International for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is now called "The Price of Silence." Their latest album, Rio (Nacional, 2008), drew attention to the issue of water rights in Colombia. They won a Latin Grammy in 2001 for Best Rock Group and won another in 2007 for Best Alternative Album (Oye), garnered Grammy nominations, and were named one of the top 10 contemporary global bands by Time Magazine. They have also released individual solo albums (Andrea Echeverri in 2005 and Buitrago's Conector in 2006).

Erin Hurley (Rock Floor Person & Cashier)

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:05:00 GMT

I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio!

Barry Zito (Pitcher for San Francisco Giants)

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:33:00 GMT

Barry Zito is the starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. Prior to joining the Giants, he played for the Oakland A's for seven seasons. He earned the 2002 American League Cy Young Award and has played in three All-Star games. He created the charity Strikeout for Troops, a foundation for soldiers wounded in military activity, to which he donates $400 for every strikeout he throws. Born to musicians (his father is a composer and his mother is a singer, both of whom worked with Nat King Cole), Zito also sings and plays guitar. Although he is known for his left-handed curveball, Zito plays guitar with his right. He is currently in the process of writing and recording an album.

Friendly Fires (English Dance/Rock Band)

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:46:00 GMT

Friendly Fires is an English dance/rock band consisting of three lads (plus a fourth during live shows) who met at school: Ed MacFarlane, Jack Savidge, Edd Gibson, and Rob Lee. Their debut album, Friendly Fires (XL Recordings), was released September 1, 2008, has been certified silver in the UK, and is on the shortlist of twelve albums nominated for the 2009 Mercury Prize. They've been touring extensively since their album was released, including playing Coachella in April 2009 and the NME Awards Tour 2009. Friendly Fires is being re-released on September 1, 2009 with the addition of a double-sided bonus disc, including new songs, remixes, and videos.

Daren (Regular Customer)

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:26:00 GMT

Self-employed. Enjoy taking photos and camping. Listening to mostly ambient music and reggae these days.

Steven Gizicki (Music Supervisor)

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:02:00 GMT

Steven's resume includes lengthy stints as a record label marketing and soundtrack executive, club DJ, music journalist and music supervisor for film & TV. As part of his many job duties, he has toured with David Bowie, partied in Cabo with Sammy Hagar, and escorted Trent Reznor to an S&M club (that last one is not nearly as provocative as one might think). He now runs his own music supervision and clearance company and makes sure to listen to Echo & The Bunnymen's Ocean Rain album as often as possible.

Eli Roth (Director/Producer/Screenwriter/Actor)

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:50:00 GMT

Eli Roth is an American director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. Roth co-stars in the 2009 film Inglourious Basterds, directed by Quentin Tarantino, which includes a Nazi propaganda film-within-a-film called Nation's Pride, which he guest directed. He is best known for creating low-budget, highly successful horror films like Cabin Fever (2002), Hostel (2005), and Hostel II (2007). He also wrote, directed, produced, and voiced two animated series, Chowdaheads (1999) and The Rotten Fruit (2000).

Roth attended film school at NYU and moved to Los Angeles in 1999. In 2001, Roth directed and produced Cabin Fever, a film he co-wrote in 1995 with a friend from film school. They struggled with financing during production of the film, ultimately making it on a $1.5 million budget. It was bought for $3.5 million dollars by Lions Gate and went on to make $34.5 million upon its release, making it the most profitable horror movie released that year. Roth's second feature film, Hostel, was made on a similar small budget ($4 million this time), opened at #1 at the box office, and went on to gross $80 million worldwide. Hostel has been voted one of the ten scariest films of all time (Empire Magazine) and voted the #1 scariest movie moment by Bravo.

No Age (Indie Rock Duo)

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:47:00 GMT

No Age is indie rock duo Dean Spunt and Randy Randall. Formed in Los Angeles after the demise of Wives, No Age purvey a stripped, essential, life-affirming skewed take on pop delivered via a clearly defined punk rock aesthetic, taking in noise, energy and melody in equal measure.

The band has been a mainstay of The Smell (as volunteers and performers), a music venue in downtown Los Angeles known for its DIY ethic. No Age personifies DIY, touring as frequently as possible, playing untraditional venues (such as the LA River, a vegan grocery store, and a library), and doing everything on their own terms. On March 26, 2007, the band released five different limited edition 7"s on five different labels. Those singles went on to form their first full-length album Weirdo Rippers (Fat Cat). No Age was signed to Sub Pop and released its second album, Nouns, on May 6, 2008. On October 6, 2009 No Age will release a new 4-song EP entitled Losing Feeling.

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (Latin Rock Band)

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:37:00 GMT

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs hail from Buenos Aires, Argentina and are one of the most influential Latin rock bands today. Los Fabulosos Cadillacs formed in 1985 as a nine piece band. Today, Los Cadillacs are Vicentico (vocals), Señor Flavio (Bajo), Sergio Rotman (Saxo), Dany Lozano (Trompeta), Mario Siperman (Teclados), and Fernando Ricciardi (Batería). Over the last 20+ years, Los Cadillacs have been celebrated for their fusion of rock, ska, reggae, tropical, and Latin rhythms (along with any other style of music they liked). In 1998, they won a Grammy for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album for Fabulosos Calavera and in 2000, they were nominated for two Latin Grammy Awards for Best Band and Best Music Video. They have released 15 albums, including 2009's La Luz del Ritmo (Nacional), their first studio album in 7 years.

_______________________

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, creadores de éxitos como “Vasos Vacíos,” “Matador,” “Demasiada Presión” y “Mal Bicho," están definitivamente entre las bandas más célebres del rock en español. Tienen 25 años de trayectoria, 11 álbumes de estudio sin contar recopilaciones y ediciones en vivo (Bares y Fondas, Yo te avisé, El ritmo mundial, El Satánico Dr Cadillac, Volumen 5, Sopa de Caracol, El león, Vasos Vacíos, Rey Azúcar, Fabulosos Calavera y La marcha del Golazo Solitario), múltiples discos de Oro y Platino (incluyendo un galardón de Séptuple platino), casi 3 millones de discos vendidos y más de 1200 shows presentados alrededor del mundo.

Cuentan en su haber con premios Grammy (fueron la primera banda en ganar la categoría Best Latin Rock/Alternative Performance, creada en 1998), MTV, Billboard, ASCAP, Gardel, ACE, ACE de Oro y SONY MUSIC al millón de discos vendidos.

Dead Weather (Rock Super-Group)

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:55:00 GMT

The Dead Weather is a rock super-group made up of Alison Mosshart (The Kills), Jack White (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs), Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age), and Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs, The Greenhornes). Their debut album Horehound was released on July 14, 2009.

Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys)

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:13:00 GMT

Dan Auerbach is the singer and guitarist for The Black Keys, a blues-rock band from Ohio. Dan and drummer Patrick Carney formed The Black Keys in 2001, releasing five albums together to date, including Attack & Release (Nonesuch, 2008) which was produced by Danger Mouse. In February 2009, Dan released his first solo record, Keep It Hid (Nonesuch), which was recorded in his own Akron Analog studios.

Ben Tuttle (Sound Controller Extraordinaire & Drummer)

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:56:00 GMT

I see sound.

Juan MacLean (DJ, DFA Records)

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:25:00 GMT

Juan MacLean is an American DJ and DFA club music maestro who performs under the name The Juan MacLean. The Juan MacLean has been a part of the DFA family, a record label and production team based out of New York, since its inception. In fact, The Juan MacLean's single “By The Time I Get to Venus” (2002) was one of the first singles to be released on the DFA label. In 2005, Juan MacLean released his first full-length (Less Than Human, DFA). His second full-length, The Future Will Come (DFA), was released in April 2009. In addition to his own material, he has also done remixes for Air, Chicken Lips, Daft Punk, David Gahan, and Matthew Dear. He has toured internationally with Cut Copy and Shocking Pinks and DJed across the globe.

Guy Pinhas (Bass Player - The Obsessed & Goatsnake)

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:31:00 GMT

Born in Paris, France, Guy Pinhas started playing bass when he was 17. Guy has played in No Pigs, Beaver, The Obsessed, Goatsnake, and Acid King. He has also done stints with The Melvins, Scream (Washington DC) and B.A.L.L. (New York City).

Guy's career with the Obsessed, a metal band from Maryland, began as their roadie in Europe before he graduated to become their bass player in 1991. Although the Obsessed had broken up in the late '80s, they reformed again after Hellhound records released a collection of archived Obsessed recordings in 1990. Guy joined the band in 1991. They were signed to Hellhound and then to Columbia who released their third album, The Church Within (1994). After Columbia dropped the band from its roster, they broke up in 1995. Guy then formed Goatsnake in Los Angeles in 1996 and they released two albums on Man's Ruin records. In 2000, Guy joined Acid King, a stoner metal band from San Francisco.

Tim Burgess (Charlatans UK)

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:34:00 GMT

Tim Burgess is the singer for the British rock band The Charlatans (known as The Charlatans UK in the United States because of a garage rock band from the '60s who also went by The Charlatans).

Formed in the West Midlands region of Britain in 1989, The Charlatans began during the Madchester music scene in Manchester, England in the late '80s and early '90s. Their first single, "Indian Rope," was self-released in 1990 and its success led them to be signed by Beggars Banquet. Their second single, "The Only One I Know," was an enormous hit, eventually landing in the top ten of the pop charts. The debut full-length, Some Friendly (1990 Beggars Banquet) was released that fall and debuted at number one. Despite lineup changes and challenges over the years, The Charlatans have released ten albums to date, including 2008's You Cross My Path, and they remain the only Madchester band still releasing new material.

Tim Burgess has also lent his vocals to Saint Etienne, The Chemical Brothers, and Zoé. He released a solo album, I Believe, in 2003 and is working on its follow up. In 2009, he curated a stage for the Isle of Wight festival, which featured the Horrors, Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Black Lips, S.C.U.M., Killing Joke, and others. He also produced the debut album from Hatcham Social, You Dig The Tunnel And I'll Hide The Soil (2009).

Alex Winter (Actor, Director & Screenwriter)

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:50:00 GMT

Alex Winter is an actor, director, and screenwriter. Winter has worked extensively in television as an actor, writer, voice artist, producer, and director. He is best known for his work in films such as Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, The Lost Boys, Rosalie Goes Shopping, and Freaked.

Alex Winter was born in London, England and moved to the US when he was five (first to Missouri, then to New York in 1978). In New York, Winter acted on and off Broadway and attended the Film School at New York University, after which he moved to Los Angeles with his writing partner Tom Stern. After the highly successful Bill & Ted films, Winter and Tom Stern created The Idiot Box, a sketch comedy show for MTV, and wrote, directed cult-favorite Freaked (1993), in which Winter also starred. In 1999, Winter directed the film Fever which received the Official Selection in the Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival. Winter then began directing music videos and television commercials. Winter has also lent his voice to the Adult Swim TV show Saul of the Molemen (2007) for the character 'King Mole Man,' and he directed and executive produced the live-action adaption of Ben 10 (2007, 2009) for Cartoon Network.

Lady Sovereign (Rapper)

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:08:00 GMT

Lady Sovereign, who dubbed herself the "biggest midget in the game," is an English rapper and the first woman to be signed to Def Jam Recordings.

Born in 1985 and standing 5'1", Lady Sovereign began rapping at 14. In 2003, she appeared in a film called The Battle about a 16 year old high school dropout turned rapper and landed a few songs on its soundtrack. Those songs, along with several other songs she released online, eventually became her first album, the Vertically Challenged EP (2005).

Jay-Z signed Lady Sovereign to Def Jam in 2005 after asking her for an on-the-spot freestyle. Def Jam released her first full-length album, Public Warning, in 2006. Her satirical lyrics and fast style, including the success of her single "Love Me or Hate Me," led to tours with Gwen Stefani and The Streets.

"Love me or hate me, it's still an obsession. Love me or hate me, that is the question. If you love me, then thank you. If you hate me, then f*** you!"

In April 2009, Lady Sovereign released her second full-length album, Jigsaw, on her own label, Midget Records.

Connell (Buyer)

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:17:00 GMT

Connell is a buyer at Amoeba.

Scott Carlson (Bass Player - Repulsion, Cathedral, Superbees)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:30:00 GMT

Scott Carlson is best known as the singer and bass player for the band Repulsion, from Flint, Michigan. Repulsion is one of the originators - some books/people/bands (Napalm Death for example) say the originators - of Death Metal. Scott has also played in Cathedral and Death, and he still occasionally plays in The Superbees, a local L.A. garage rock band. A serious record lover and collector of all things rock & roll, Carlson's always in search of that missing LP for his collection.

Ben Stiller (Actor / Director / Producer)

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:45:00 GMT

Ben Stiller is a comedian, actor, director, and producer. He has starred in films like There's Something About Mary, Zoolander, Meet the Parents, and Tropic Thunder, to name a few.

Stiller began acting as a child and showed an early interest in sketch comedy that he has maintained throughout his career. He began creating mockumentaries, including one called The Hustler of Money (a parody of The Color of Money) which led to a position as a writer for Saturday Night Live. He then created a film and a television show for MTV, The Ben Stiller Show, which was a mix of sketch comedy and music videos. In 1996, he created a short film for the VH1 Fashion Awards about a male model named Derek Zoolander. It was so well-received he created another short for the 1997 VH1 Fashion Awards and eventually wrote, directed and acted in the 2001 feature film based on the same character, Zoolander. Stiller created another memorable short for MTV with his 2000 parody of Tom Cruise in Mission: Improbable.

Stiller is also known for his feature film career. He made his directorial debut in 1994 with Reality Bites. His comedic chops have shone in films like There's Something About Mary (1998), Meet the Parents (2000), Zoolander (2001), Meet the Fokkers (2004), and Tropic Thunder (2008), which he co-wrote, co-produced, and directed. He has also appeared in children's films like Madagascar (2005, voice of Alex) and Night at the Museum (2006), and, most recently, Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian (2009).

Greg Saunier (Deerhoof)

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:55:00 GMT

Greg Saunier is the drummer and founding member of San Francisco-based band Deerhoof, which is known for its prodigious musical output and ever-shifting, off-kilter sound. While Deerhoof's sound has changed dramatically since their beginnings in 1994, the band has become influential and is widely respected in independent and underground rock circles.

Greg Saunier moved to San Francisco after graduating from a music conservatory in 1991. After arriving in the city, he joined a short-lived four piece goth/metal group called Nitre Pit as their drummer. When that band suddenly broke up, Saunier and then-bassist Rob Fisk formed an ad-hoc duo, named Deerhoof by Fisk. Their style was improvisatory, loud, aggressive and stark.

In 1995, the duo played at the Yo Yo A Go Go Festival in Olympia, Washington, an annual festival showcasing independent bands. The band caught the attention of Kill Rock Stars label founder, Slim Moon, who signed them to release a 7” single. The debut 7” would mark the beginning of the band's long-standing relationship with Kill Rock Stars, with the group eventually becoming the best-selling and longest-running band on the label's roster.

In 1996, through mutual friends, the pair met Japanese film student Satomi Matsuzaki, who had just moved to the Bay Area from Tokyo. Though she had no previous musical experience, the members of Deerhoof hit it off with her right away and liked the calm, untrained singing style she possessed. The group created a unique sound, featuring Saunier and Fisk's noisy improvisatory playing, mixed with a simple melodic sense and Matsuzaki's vocals over the top. The trio released their self-recorded debut album The Man, The King, The Girl on Kill Rock Stars in 1997.

By 1998, the trio expanded to a quartet by adding keyboardist Kelly Goode to the band. In late 1999, Fisk and Goode left the band and the remaining duo of Matsuzaki and Saunier quickly found a new member in self-taught guitarist John Dieterich, and spent the next couple of years crafting a new approach to writing and recording their music. During 2002 the members of Deerhoof had forged a close relationship with Chris Cohen and his band, The Curtains. Cohen was asked to join Deerhoof, primarily as a second guitarist, and Saunier joined The Curtains for several years. In 1006, Cohen decided he wanted to devote more time to The Curtains, and left Deerhoof amicably.

Deerhoof released Friend Opportunity (Kill Rock Stars) in early 2007. The album was recorded between two legs of a tour when the band was opening for Radiohead, and much of the material on the album was mixed while they were on the road. The result was an album that may seem more pop-oriented than some of their previous material, but that has just as many, if not more, stylistic shifts within and between songs and features a clearer yet even more dense sound. The album sounds like an excellent mix of all of the band's sounds and incarnations brought together in a shinier package. So far the album has proved to be the band's most commercially successful release.

In early 2008, it was announced that guitarist Ed Rodriguez was joining Deerhoof as full-time member. Deerhoof released their tenth album, Offend Maggie in October of 2008 (Kill Rock Stars).

Rosanna Arquette (Actress, Director, Producer)

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:22:00 GMT

Rosanna Arquette is an actress, director, and producer. She has been acting for 30 years, appearing in films such as Desperately Seeking Susan, New York Stories, Pulp Fiction, and Crash, and on television including Will & Grace, The L Word, Grey's Anatomy, and Medium. She has also directed and produced the documentaries Searching for Debra Winger (2002) and All We Are Saying (2005).

Paul Vasquez (World Floor Staff / Star Trek Aficionado)

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:15:00 GMT

Paul works in the World music section at Amoeba. He loves Disneyland, vintage clothing, Battlestar Galactica, and Star Trek!

Jimmy Robson (Cashier)

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:09:00 GMT

Jimmy is a cashier at Amoeba.

Vivian Girls (Brooklyn's All Girl Indie Band)

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:16:00 GMT

Formed in Brooklyn in 2007, Vivian Girls are Cassie Ramone, Kickball Katy, and Ali Koehler (who replaced original drummer Frankie Rose in 2008). With only a demo CD, the Vivian Girls began playing around Brooklyn and New Jersey, opening for bands like Jay Reatard, King Khan, the Crystal Stilts, and others. Their debut LP Vivian Girls was originally released on Mauled by Tigers and it sold out in ten days. They then signed to In The Red Records who re-released Vivian Girls on September 30, 2008.

Ace Frehley (KISS / Frehley's Comet)

Mon, 25 May 2009 20:56:00 GMT

Win What's In Ace Frehley's Bag! Enter here to win all six of his picks, a SIGNED Ace Frehley racing car, an Ace bobble head, and other Amoeba & Ace swag.

Ask a modern day rock guitarist who his influences were, and more often than not the name Ace Frehley is on the list.

Considered by those in the know to be the musical genius behind KISS, Ace “Space Ace” Frehley was an original member of the band when it formed in 1973, and was a mainstay of the group until his departure in 1982 to pursue a solo career.

Having written and recorded some of KISS’s most identifiable tunes such as "Cold Gin," "Shock Me," "Parasite," "Rocket Ride" and "New York Groove," Ace was more known for his blistering guitar licks and his patented smoking guitar that added to the band’s over the top stage antics.

After leaving KISS, Ace formed the band Frehley’s Comet with Anton Fig, John Regan and Tod Howarth, and performed together beginning in 1986 and continuing through 1990. Ace remained popular with fans and critics alike, and continued to be respected in music’s inner circle as the musical force that drove the KISS machine. To this day, those in the music industry acknowledge that KISS was never the same after Ace moved on.

Ace reunited with the original members of KISS in 1996, and toured throughout the world until his departure in 2002. His last appearance with KISS was the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ace continues to make music, and is currently putting the finishing touches on Anomaly which is scheduled for release in 2009. Those who have heard the new album likened it to the early days of Ace’s career, with the notable difference being that Ace brings to the table a legacy of songwriting, musical maturity, and youthful exuberance that when combined, form a mixture that longtime fans are sure to embrace.

Ace Frehley stopped by Amoeba Hollywood on Record Store Day to do a signing and preview his new album for his fans.

Evidence & Alchemist (Dilated Peoples / Stepbrothers)

Mon, 25 May 2009 20:23:00 GMT

Hip hop MCs, producers, and longtime friends Evidence and Alchemist are joining forces under the name Stepbrothers.

Michael “Evidence” Perretta is a Grammy-winning rapper and producer and member of Dilated Peoples. Dilated Peoples has transcended, excelled within and ignored labels to become one of the world’s most reliable and revered hip-hop acts. Over the course of five well-received studio albums, the group has become renown for their dynamic stage performances, engaging musical tracks and unyielding battle raps. Their music is self-described as “educated animal rap,” a characterization which acknowledges the lyrical explosive devices they construct—complex yet straightforward, cocky but respecting, always outspoken. In November 2008, Evidence released his second official solo record, The Layover EP.

The Alchemist (Alan Daniel Maman) is a producer and MC from California. He began his hip hop career as an MC for a short-lived group called The Whooliganz. Alchemist then began learning how to produce with DJ Muggs. He has gone on to produce for Dilated Peoples, Defari, Mobb Deep, Nas, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Ghostface Killah, Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg, and many others. In 2004, Alchemist released his debut album, 1st Infantry. Alchemist is releasing his third studio album, Chemical Warfare, in June 2009.

Kelly Sweeney (Floor Staff, Japanese Pop & Underground Rock)

Fri, 22 May 2009 02:02:00 GMT

My tastes of late have been runnin’ along the lines of a rocker with a serious case of summer fun induced senioritis. To quote from Poison, “I ain’t lookin’ for nothin’ but a good time.” I work in Japanese Pop and Underground Rock and stuff.

John Vanderslice (Singer/Songwriter & Producer)

Mon, 18 May 2009 20:29:00 GMT

John Vanderslice is a singer, songwriter, musician, and engineer who has cultivated a devoted following among fans of American independent music with his albums that combine sharp lyrical content with a warm, analog-based sound. That sound comes from the studio he founded in San Francisco in 1997, Tiny Telephone, which has played host to numerous other bands, some of which Vanderslice has produced or played with, including Okkervil River, Spoon, Death Cab For Cutie, Beulah, and The Mountain Goats.

Vanderslice grew up in Florida, Georgia, and Michigan before evntually moving to the San Francisco Bay area where he met up with bassist/vocalist Dan Carr, drummer/vocalist Matt Torrey, and guitarist/vocalist John Tyner, and formed the band Mk Ultra in 1994. The group's brand of brainy rock music gained the group a sizable local following, and the group released three independently released albums during the course of the 1990s, Mk Ultra (1994), Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1996), and The Dream Is Over (1999), before splitting up in 1999 after Tyner decided to leave the band.

After the break-up of Mk Ultra, Vanderslice started work on his solo debut, 2000's Mass Suicide Occult Figurines (Barsuk). Vanderslice toured in support of his album, and kept up a busy pace of recording and releasing albums over the next few years, while also helping to produce the 2005 Spoon album Gimme Fiction (Merge) and two Mountain Goats albums, We Shall All Be Healed (4AD, 2004), and Heretic Pride (4AD, 2008).

Vanderslice released six albums on Barsuk between 2000 and 2007. On his 2004 release Cellar Door (Barsuk), Vanderslice took on the voice of a whole host of fictional characters, and further refined his brand of indie-rock bliss; pairing over-amped drums up with jangling guitars, buzzing, ancient-sounding keyboards up against tinkling bells, and the tasteful use of strings. In 2009, he signed to Dead Oceans (a label associated with the Secretly Canadian and Jagjaguwar labels) and released Romanian Names, his seventh album.

Joe Matt (Comic Book Artist & Writer)

Mon, 18 May 2009 20:24:00 GMT

Joe Matt is an autobiographical comic book artist and writer. For over ten years Joe Matt has been notorious in cult circles for the embarrassing frankness with which he reveals his distressing habits and predilections. Utterly unabashed and completely self-absorbed, he writes with an exhibitionist's enthusiasm for his favorite subject, himself.

Matt was born in Philadelphia in 1963. By his own account (collected in the graphic novel Fair Weather in 2002) he was a spoiled, selfish, and unpleasant child with a bedwetting problem, who also happened to be obsessed with collecting comics.

In the early '80s, Joe Matt studied at the Philadelphia College of Art and worked in a broom factory. In 1987, he started drawing the dense single-page confessional strips that made him a comics hero when they were collected in 1992 by Kitchen Sink Press and published as Peepshow: The Cartoon Diary of Joe Matt. He began his ongoing comic book series Peepshow that same year with Drawn & Quarterly, the first six issues of which were collected as The Poor Bastard in 1997. His most recent book, Spent, was released in 2007.

He currently lives and avoids work in Los Angeles.

Boots Riley (The Coup / Street Sweeper Social Club)

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:30:00 GMT

Boots Riley is best known as the MC for The Coup, a hip-hop group from Oakland, California whose songs often call for social activism and speak to socioeconomic and political issues. Boots often uses humor to convey his politial messages, something that separates him from other politically-minded groups.

The Coup formed in 1992, originally with three members (Boots Riley, DJ Pam The Funkstress, and E-Roc). In 1993, they released their debut album Kill My Landlord. To date, The Coup has released five albums, including Genocide and Juice (1994), Steal This Album (1998), Party Music (2001), and Pick A Bigger Weapon (2006).

Boots recently joined forces with Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) to form Street Sweeper Social Club.

Bochum Welt (Rephlex Records/Sony Music Japan Composer)

Sat, 09 May 2009 00:19:00 GMT

Bochum Welt (aka Gianluigi Di Costanzo) is an Italian electronic/techno music producer. He has a fascination for technology and videogames, and has worked with Thomas Dolby's California-based companies, Beatnik and Headspace Inc. The latest Bochum Welt album, R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy), was released on Aphex Twin's record label, Rephlex Records, in March 2008. Bochum Welt joined also the Rephlex Australian and European tour as an opening act for Aphex Twin, and recently opened for Thomas Dolby.

Mexican Institute of Sound (DJ / Producer)

Tue, 05 May 2009 01:14:00 GMT

Mexican Institute of Sound (or MIS) is the moniker for Mexico City's Camilo Lara, the head of a major record label by day and a DJ/Producer by night. Lara began his musical career by sending his friends an annual Christmas compilation of the year’s best tracks and unreleased MIS tracks. This hobby led Lara to collaborate on remixes under the name Mexican Institute of Sound for bands and friends like Placebo, Le Hammond Inferno, Gecko Turner, and Babasónicos.

MIS is part of a movement within Mexico that incorporates traditional latin sounds with electronica, folk, hip hop, and anything else that inspires him. As Mexican Institute of Sound, Lara has released three albums: Méjico Máxico (2006), Piñata (2007), and Soy Sauce (2009). While early MIS songs combined vintage samples into instrumental tracks, Soy Sauce differs from its predecessors by featuring almost entirely original songs recorded with a live band and vocals.

Fantasma (Brujeria)

Tue, 05 May 2009 01:01:00 GMT

Fantasma is the bass player & vocalist for Brujeria, a band of self-proclaimed Satanic, murderous drug dealers who created their own brand of "machete metal," perform in masks, use pseudonyms, and whose lyrics are sung entirely in Spanish. The name "Brujeria," which literally means witchcraft in Spanish, comes from the black magic used by some Mexican drug dealers to inspire fear in religious locals.

Brujeria has emerged at the forefront of underground Latin music and has become well known worldwide. What's even more impressive is that their success comes despite their refusal to tour, use real names, take photos unmasked, or do interviews. This peek into Fantasma's bag is a rare occurance!

While they remain an enigma, some say that Brujeria is made up of members from such metal stalwarts as Fear Factory, Napalm Death, Cradle of Filth, the late great Faith No More and Dimmu Borgir. Others believe it to be a creation of an underground political organization. Who knows what is true? Regardless of who they are or what they stand for, Brujeria remains a true force of nature. The very nature of man that is evil, angy and in your face!

Leslie Hall (Crafter / Rapper / Midwest Diva)

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:14:00 GMT

Leslie Hall initially caught the hearts & eyes of America's children when she began uploading images of her world famous gem sweater collection on the internet. Word of mouth quickly grew and within one month Leslie received over 2 million unique hits to her website, which left her with an $800 bill for exceeding her bandwidth.

In order to raise money to pay back her mother, Leslie did what any 200 lb. plus girl from Iowa would do. She became a rapper. Leslie's star has risen quickly with such viral video music hits as "Gold Pants," "Beatdazzler," "Zombie Killer," and "How We Go Out."

Her stage show is like nothing you've seen before. Complete with video projection & 3-6 costume changes (all lovingly hand sewn by her mother), you can expect to be "beat" dazzled. Leslie's laserbeam dance moves have been known to cause near blindness in the fans who gather at her shows. You can be sure that gay men will squeal with delight when she tumbles and triumphs across the stage. If you are lucky, it is possible that a bead of perspiration may ripple down her brow and land upon your flesh.

Esperanza Spalding (Jazz Bassist / Singer)

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

If "esperanza" is the Spanish word for hope, then bassist, vocalist and composer Esperanza Spalding could not have been given a more fitting name at birth. Blessed with uncanny instrumental chops, a multi-lingual voice that is part angel and part siren, and a natural beauty that borders on the hypnotic, the 23-year-old prodigy-turned-pro might well be the hope for the future of jazz and instrumental music.

Adam Freeland (DJ/Producer)

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:51:00 GMT

Adam Freeland is a Grammy-nominated DJ and producer. He is considered to be the originator of nu-skool breaks, a sub-genre of breakbeat electronic music. With his 1996 album Coastal Breaks Vol. 1, he introduced nu-skool breaks to the world. He has released nine albums, including his newest album Cope TM, which is coming out in June 2009 under the name Freeland. Cope TM is not just another electronic record, but is built around Adam's band, Freeland, and features Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Twiggy Ramirez, Joey Santiago (Pixies), Tony Bevilacqua (Distillers/Spinerette), Brody Dalle, and Jerry Casale (DEVO).

Kim Ann Foxman (Hercules & Love Affair)

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:37:00 GMT

Kim Ann Foxman is a vocalist for Hercules and Love Affair, a DJ, and jewelry designer. Hercules and Love Affair is a collaboration between NY producers Andrew Butler and Tim Goldsworthy (DFA Records), and vocalists Kim Ann Foxman, Nomi Ruiz, and Antony Hegarty (of Antony & The Johnsons). Hercules and Love Affair released their self-titled debut album in March 2008, an album of modern disco-inspired dancefloor-ready songs.

Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters / Nirvana)

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:02:00 GMT

Dave Grohl was the drummer for Nirvana and is the driving force behind Foo Fighters. After Kurt Cobain's death, Grohl formed the Foo Fighters, one of many post-grunge bands to pop up in the mid-‘90s and one of the few who became a lasting, successful band.

In the late ‘80s, Grohl began playing drums for Washington DC hardcore band, Scream, after drumming for a slew of bands that rocked to varying degrees. Unsure of what his next move would be upon the sudden demise of Scream, Grohl, whose drumming had been witnessed by both Krist Novoselic and Kurt Cobain at a recent west coast show, was invited to Seattle by Novoselic to watch Nirvana play. Shortly thereafter, he became the band's drummer.

Grohl had recorded a cassette in 1994 on which he played every instrument on every track, except a guitar part on “X-Static” which was played by Greg Dulli of the Afghan Whigs. After Kurt Cobain's death, Grohl began generating a quiet buzz for the cassette, only making 100 copies for friends. Things quickly caught fire, however, and his new project was fought over by record companies. Not wanting to record as a solo artist, he went about assembling a band which consisted of Nate Mendel (Sunny Day Real Estate), guitarist William Goldsmith, and former Nirvana and Germs guitarist Pat Smear. Naming themselves after unexplained World War II era aerial phenomena, Foo Fighters were officially born.

The presence and leadership of ex-Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl is no doubt what gave the Foos their footing, which initially made it difficult to view the Foo Fighters as anything but a Dave Grohl solo project. The lineup has changed over the years and Grohl is the only musician present on their first LP. However, once Grohl found a drummer he respected in Taylor Hawkins, the group started to take on a team-minded mentality and released a truly collaborative third album, There is Nothing Left to Lose (1999, RCA). Their most recent studio album (their seventh record), Echoes, Silence, Patience, and Grace (RCA), was released in 2007. In late 2008, the band released Live at Wembley Stadium, a DVD that showcased the performance at one of their biggest concerts to date to an audience of over 160,000 fans.

Lyndxe (Photo Editor / Record Slinger)

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:13:00 GMT

Lyndxe is a photographer & photo editor at Amoeba Hollywood. Lyndxe is the perfect combination of fresh northwestern heroin grunge rock and cherry cola mixed together and fermented for a 22-year vintage appeal. Encased in narcissistic faux jadedness with a provocatively innocent yet surprisingly misleading label, she is most well known for her love of taking pictures, making music, baking cupcakes, and drinking rootbeer floats.

Dan The Automator (Hip Hop Producer)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:37:00 GMT

Dan The Automator is a groundbreaking, platinum-selling hip-hop producer, remixer, and composer. Born Daniel M. Nakamura in San Francisco in 196, he has played pivotal roles in such eclectic hip-hop classics as Dr. Octagon: Ecologist, Deltron 3030, and Gorillaz. With influences as varied as Serge Gainsbourg, Brian Wilson, Q-bert and The Simpsons, his collaborators have included DJ Shadow, Mike Patton, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Prince Paul, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Damon Albarn, Mos Def, Blink-182 and hundreds more. An essentially soft-spoken, well-mannered, NBA-addicted Japanese-American, Dan The Automator found his strength in assembling diverse, divergent ensembles for high-concept projects, a talent he continues to exercise to this day by curating the NBA2K7 video game soundtrack, as well as working on other projects with Del tha Funkee Homosapien and Mike Patton.

DJ TLR (Founder, Creme Organization)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:29:00 GMT

DJ TLR (Jeroen Callan) started the Creme Organization label in 2001 as a minimal-disco-electro offshoot from the Dutch electro label Bunker Records. Since then, Creme Organization has become an independent label with a strong reputation in the Electro/Disco/Jakking underground by releasing records from Bangkok Impact, Legowelt, Lolita Strap, Orgue Electronique, Alexander Robotnick, Aux 88, Rude 66 and more! DJ TLR (a.k.a. Mr. Clavio) also created the website www.globaldarkness.com.

DJ Lance Rock (Yo Gabba Gabba!)

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:31:00 GMT

DJ Lance Rock is the host of Yo Gabba Gabba!, a live-action TV show on Nick Jr geared towards young children (but the adults like it a lot too!). DJ Lance Rock starts each episode with the magic words, "Yo Gabba Gabba!" and we are transported to a special land full of friendly toy monsters, music, dance, colorful cartoons, and simple life lessons that get the little ones off the floor to learn and dance along. The show also regularly features guests like Biz Markie, Leslie Hall, Elijah Wood, the Shins, and Mark Mothersbaugh. Just say the magic words! YO GABBA GABBA!!

DJ Lance Rock goes shopping at Amoeba for presents for Toodee, Foofa, Muno, Plex and Brobee.

Steve Chack (DVD Floor Staff)

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:30:00 GMT

Steve works in the DVD room at Amoeba San Francisco. He talks about a few of his favorite films, including the only film that he likes that features a mime...

Look Daggers (Hip Hop Band)

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:14:00 GMT

Ikey Owens (The Mars Volta) & 2Mex (Visionaries/SonGodSuns) are Look Daggers, a California Hip Hop band. Yes, band. The initial idea for the collaboration between 2Mex and Ikey Owens came from The Brand New Heavies album Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1. The concept was simple: a Hip Hop album performed by human beings. Their debut album Suffer In Style was released in Fall 2008.

August Kleinzahler (American Poet)

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:38:00 GMT

August Kleinzahler is a poet originally from New Jersey and now living in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the author of ten books of poetry, including "The Strange Hours Travelers Keep," and of one prose book, the meditative memoir "Cutty, One Rock: Low Characters and Strange Places, Gently Explained." Allen Ginsberg wrote of him: "August Kleinzahler's verse line is always precise, concrete, intelligent and rare—that quality of 'chiseled' verse memorable in Basil Bunting's and Ezra Pound's work. A loner, a genius."

Robyn (Swedish Singer/Songwriter)

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:09:00 GMT

Robyn is a Swedish pop singer-songwriter who was discovered at the age of 13 by another Swedish pop singer, Meja. Her debut album of R&B-influenced pop was released in 1995 when she was 16 years old. On that album, she worked with future Britney Spears hit machine Max Martin and had massive success with the single "Show Me Love." Seeking more artistic control, Robyn switched labels a few times before finally opting to start her own in 2005, Konichiwa Records. In 2007, she released her fourth album Robyn.

People Under the Stairs (Los Angeles Hip Hop Group)

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:00:00 GMT

People Under the Stairs is rapper/producers Thes One and Double K. In September 2008, they released their 6th album, Fun DMC. As longtime fans know, though, when you hear a PUTS record, all the work, from the beats to the rhymes to the scratching to the artwork (Fun comes with a comic book written by the rappers themselves), is almost inevitably done strictly by the duo themselves. Instead of cashing in on hot outside producers or of-the-moment emcees, the pair has always been fiercely independent.

A major part of their longevity, Thes One and Double K have never tried to be anything they weren’t, choosing to rhyme about the realities of their lives over the fantasies some of their peers like to employ.

Thes agrees. “Every record we’ve made, we’ve tried to be as real and age-appropriate about what’s happening in our lives. On our first album, we’re rapping about fake IDs and trying to get beer. We’re getting older now, so on this album, I’m rapping about anxiety about my wife being pregnant, but still keeping the overall vibe fun.”

Looking back on ten years - a lifetime - in the industry, Thes One succinctly sums up the group’s mentality:

“We’ve never been the darling of any era or publication,” he notes. “We were never the hot boys for any given period of time. We just roll with the punches and not get hung up in an era, cause those are the people that get dated and are gone.”

Markus Acher & Odd Nosdam (The Notwist / Anticon Records)

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Odd Nosdam is a musician, DJ and co-founder of Bay Area label/collective Anticon. Odd Nosdam has released albums under his name and as a member of cLOUDDEAD, worked with artists like Mike Patton and TV on the Radio, and remixed bands including The Notwist.

Germany's The Notwist began in 1989 as hardcore, dreadlocked punks, similar to the grunge bands who were gaining so much notoriety in the US. Over time, however, they began experimenting with electronic elements. By 2002, their release Neon Golden showcased a classic sense of melody that was set apart from the pack because of its omnipresent and meticulously-honed electronic textures. The Notwist that appears on their 1990 debut could not be more different that the Notwist of Neon Golden.

In the town of Weilheim in Oberbayern, Germany (near Munich), brothers Markus (vocals, guitar) and Micah (bass) Acher formed The Notwist with drummer Martin Messerschmidt. Their self-titled debut came out in 1990 on Subway Records. Their third album, 12 (1995, Big Store), was the first time they flirted with electronics, but they were most certainly more of an alternative band, thanks to the songwriting styles of Marcus Acher.

In 1997, The Notwist acquired a new member, keyboardist and programming wizard Martin Gretschmann, aka Console. A fourth full-length, Shrink, surfaced in 1998 and was even more infused with electronic textures, thanks to the presence of Gretschmann. After some side project work, the group came together for the painstaking recording process that would produce Neon Golden. The album would take 15 months to record.

Neon Golden was released in 2002 on Domino. Reviews for the album were unlike anything the band had experienced before. Marcus' lyrics and gentle singing style earned praise for how well they complimented the fragmented, and often unsettling compositions. In other places, the music would be pleasant, perhaps even triumphant, and Marcus would kill the momentum with sad, mournful lyrics. Critics raved about these juxtapositions, but what really stands out about the album is the way Gretschmann adds flourishes that crop up in the mix, then fade away, never to reappear in the song. A table scratch here, a heavily distorted drum sequence there, and throughout it all, there are his subtle landscapes, which enhance and highlight the work of Messerschmidt and the Acher brothers.

The band toured for about a year and a half after Neon Golden. They then spent two years on a break from The Notwist, working on other projects. The new album would ultimately take two years to record, an even longer amount of time than its predecessor. In June, they put out their long-awaited, long-labored over sixth album, The Devil, You + Me (2008, Domino).

Martin Gretschmann (The Notwist / Console)

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:05:00 GMT

Germany's The Notwist began in 1989 as hardcore, dreadlocked punks, similar to the grunge bands who were gaining so much notoriety in the US. Over time, however, they began experimenting with electronic elements. By 2002, their release Neon Golden showcased a classic sense of melody that was set apart from the pack because of its omnipresent and meticulously-honed electronic textures. The Notwist that appears on their 1990 debut could not be more different that the Notwist of Neon Golden.

In the town of Weilheim in Oberbayern, Germany (near Munich), brothers Markus (vocals, guitar) and Micah (bass) Acher formed The Notwist with drummer Martin Messerschmidt. Their self-titled debut came out in 1990 on Subway Records. Their third album, 12 (1995, Big Store), was the first time they flirted with electronics, but they were most certainly more of an alternative band, thanks to the songwriting styles of Marcus Acher.

In 1997, The Notwist acquired a new member, keyboardist and programming wizard Martin Gretschmann, aka Console. A fourth full-length, Shrink, surfaced in 1998 and was even more infused with electronic textures, thanks to the presence of Gretschmann. After some side project work, the group came together for the painstaking recording process that would produce Neon Golden. The album would take 15 months to record.

Neon Golden was released in 2002 on Domino. Reviews for the album were unlike anything the band had experienced before. Marcus' lyrics and gentle singing style earned praise for how well they complimented the fragmented, and often unsettling compositions. In other places, the music would be pleasant, perhaps even triumphant, and Marcus would kill the momentum with sad, mournful lyrics. Critics raved about these juxtapositions, but what really stands out about the album is the way Gretschmann adds flourishes that crop up in the mix, then fade away, never to reappear in the song. A table scratch here, a heavily distorted drum sequence there, and throughout it all, there are his subtle landscapes, which enhance and highlight the work of Messerschmidt and the Acher brothers.

The band toured for about a year and a half after Neon Golden. They then spent two years on a break from The Notwist, working on other projects. The new album would ultimately take two years to record, an even longer amount of time than its predecessor. In June, they put out their long-awaited, long-labored over sixth album, The Devil, You + Me (2008, Domino).

Mike B. (SF Electronica Buyer)

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:51:00 GMT

I'm Mike B. aka Battags. I'm the Electrnoica section buyer and I maintain the Electronic and Dance section at Amoeba San Francisco. I buy music every week so I'm just as much a customer as I am an employee here.

Read Mike B's Amoeblog here.

Scott Tarasco (Regular Customer)

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:30:00 GMT

Scott is a regular customer and a big collector. He goes right to the records - rock, reggae, oldies - looking for stuff he doesn't have. He likes to take chances on things he finds in the bins. "Sometimes I lose out and sometimes I'm really stoked."

Noel Gallagher (Oasis)

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 04:37:00 GMT

Noel Gallagher, contrary to what he says, is not the bass player for Coldplay. He is the guitarist and songwriter for Oasis. Oasis formed in 1991 in Manchester, England and became one of England's - and the world's - biggest rock bands. Noel and his brother Liam Gallagher are the creative center of the band and their intense relationship has been notoriously tumultuous. Out of that relationship, or perhaps in spite of it, Oasis has released 7 studio albums and created enduring songs like "Wonderwall," "Champagne Supernova," "Live Forever," and "Slide Away," among many, many others.

Girl In A Coma (San Antonio Rock Trio)

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 03:11:00 GMT

Girl In A Coma is a rock band from San Antonio, Texas. High school best friends Jenn Alva and Phanie Diaz and Phanie's sister Nina caught the eye of Joan Jett in 2006 and were immediately signed to Blackheart Records. They released their debut record Both Before I'm Gone in 2007 and toured with Tegan and Sara in 2008. Check out the photos from their in-store performance at Amoeba Hollywood on October 20, 2008 here.

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova (Oscar-Winning Musicians, Once Soundtrack)

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:10:00 GMT

2 days after winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song from the film Once, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova stopped by Amoeba to pick up some movies to provide some much needed entertainment and relaxation after the Oscar whirlwind. Glen Hansard is an Irish singer/songwriter from the band The Frames. In 2006, he formed The Swell Season with Czech singer Marketa Irglova. In 2007, the duo made the movie Once, in which they acted, sang, and fell in love (in real life too!).

Read our review of Once from our Movies We Like section here.

J-Boogie (Bay Area DJ/Producer)

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:24:00 GMT

For over 10 years, J–Boogie has honed his craft as an artist in the Bay Area music scene, both in clubs & on the radio with the award–winning program "Beatsauce" on KUSF 90.3fm. Voted "San Francisco´s Best Radio & Club DJ" by citysearch.com and "Best Hip–Hop Radio Show" by SF Bay Guardian, J–Boogie consistently delivers the goods with smokin, sexy, party–rockin DJ sets. He´s played alongside some of the industry´s most talented performers including Mark Farina, Talib Kweli, Kruder and Dorfmeister, People Under the Stairs, King Britt, DJ Greyboy, DJ Spinna, DJ Krush, DJ Vadim, Marc Rae, Mix Master Mike and more! His band Dubtronic Science brings the next dimension to his turntable sets by incorporating LIVE musicians onstage, including sitar, tablas, flute, sax, drums, percussion, and vocals!

Uncle Frank (TV Personality, Jimmy Kimmel Live!)

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:40:00 GMT

Frank Potenza really is Jimmy Kimmel's "Uncle Frank." He's more than qualified for his job as Security Guard on his nephew's show, having spent twenty years as a New York City cop, ten years as a private security officer in Las Vegas (including a stint as Frank Sinatra's personal security guard at Caesars Palace) and another seven as an usher in Manhattan's world-famous St. Patrick's Cathedral. Though, in his two decades as a cop, Frank made only six arrests -- one of which literally ran right into him fleeing a robbery. Jimmy also likes to stump Frank by asking him to name more than two Sinatra songs.

Donnas (California Girl Group)

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:50:00 GMT

The Donnas began in 1993 in a Palo Alto, CA junior high school where four self-described "dorky pre-teen girls" formed a rock n' roll band at the age of 13. Over the course of the next 15 years, the Donnas have released six critically acclaimed albums and have toured the planet several times over to an ever-expanding, international fanbase of "Donnaholics." Throughout those years the players have remained the same - Brett Anderson on lead vocals, Maya Ford on bass, Allison Robertson on guitar and Torry Castellano on drums - a testament to the girls' talent and dedication.

Casey Chaos (Frontman for Amen)

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:48:00 GMT

Casey Chaos began his career as a professional skateboarder, but after attending a Black Flag show he turned his focus towards making music. His first band was a hardcore/punk band called Disorderly Conduct. They released one album called Amen which later became the name for his next band. Amen has released 3 albums (Amen, We Have Come For Your Parents, and Death Before Musick) on which Casey plays all the instruments except drums. Casey has also worked with Henry Rollins, Rikk Agnew, Iggy Pop, and Daron Malakian.

Mark Farina (DJ, Creator of Mushroom Jazz)

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:19:00 GMT

In 1992, Mark, along with Patty Ryan, created the now now legendary weekly Mushroom Jazz club night in San Francisco. Mark is also known for his House sets with his uniquely effortless journeys on the jazzy side of Chicago House, mixed up San Fran style. Consistently drawing new fans to his style of chunky–funky rhythms and deep underground house, Mark plays upwards of 200 shows to over one million club goers per year. Voted in the top DJ´s in the world by URB, MUZIK and BPM Magazine, his taste making skills continue to turn the heads of seasoned veterans as well as youngsters just getting into the music. Recently, Mark released a double LIVE mixed cd Live at Om w/ Derrick Carter (Om Records), and the long awaited Mushroom Jazz 5 and Mushroom Jazz 6!!!

Human Giant (Sketch Comedy Show)

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:18:00 GMT

Human Giant is a sketch comedy show on MTV, starring writer/performers Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, and Paul Scheer. Aziz Ansari is a New York City-based comedian who has appeared on Flight of the Conchords and sometimes performs with The Comedians of Comedy and at the Upright Citizens Brigade theater. Also from the Upright Citizens Brigade theater, Rob Huebel is a regular on VH1's Best Week Ever and has also appeared on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development and Late Night With Conan O'Brien. Comedian Paul Scheer regularly performs at Upright Citizens Brigade and is a regular on VH1's Best Week Ever and his film credits include School for Scoundrels and 2008's Meet Dave and The Onion Movie.

Andrew WK (Musician & Producer)

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 01:14:00 GMT

Andrew WK is a musician, producer, and lecturer. He released his first full-length album, I Get Wet, in 2001 with a controversial album cover. He has since released other albums, including a live concert movie called Who Knows? which featured over 300 hours of concert footage from 12 years of performances. In 2007, Andrew WK began delivering free form lectures at universities. Around the same time, he also began producing and mixing music for other artists. Most recently, Andrew WK produced the Lee "Scratch" Perry album Repentance.

Casey (Used Rock Customer & Anticon Aficionado)

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 02:04:00 GMT

Eugene Mirman (Comedian, Writer & Filmmaker)

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:06:00 GMT

Eugene Mirman is a New York City based comedian, writer, actor and filmmaker. Eugene can be seen in Flight of The Concords where he plays "Eugene," the landlord. In 2004, Eugene released The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Mirman. It was voted one of the Best Albums of 2004 by both The Onion and Time Out New York. His weekly standup-variety show Invite Them Up won the 2005 Nightlife Award for Best Group Performance. In December of 2005 Comedy Central Records released a 3-CD + DVD compilation of Invite Them Up. In 2006, he released, a second solo album, En Garde, Society!.

Mos Def (Hip Hop MC & Actor)

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:15:00 GMT

Mos Def is an MC and an actor. He has released albums both as a solo artist and as Black Star (with Talib Kweli) and appeared on numerous other albums. He has been nominated for 2 Grammys, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and a Source Award. He was awarded a Peabody Award for his work on the HBO series "Def Poetry" and won an Obie Award for the Suzan Lori Parks play "Fucking A." Mos Def's new album, The Ecstatic, is scheduled to be released in December 2008.

Afrika Bambaataa (Godfather of Hip Hop & Founder of Zulu Nation)

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:02:00 GMT

Afrika Bambaataa is widely considered to be the Godfather of Hip Hop. He is a pioneer in break-beat DJing and he launched an entire style of music called "electro funk" with one song. In 1982, Bambaataa released "Planet Rock," which became one of the most influential songs in hip hop. Based around Kraftwerk's "Trans-Europe Express," "Planet Rock" combined electronics and hip hop for the first time. Bambaataa also is known as the founder of the Zulu Nation, a collective of artists and musicians dedicated to promoting the values of hip hop: peace, unity, love, and having fun.

DJ Patrick Bodmer (Half of DJ Duo M.A.N.D.Y.)

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:39:00 GMT

The story of M.A.N.D.Y. begins on a tennis court in Saarbrücken, near the German-French border. That's where Patrick Bodmer met Philipp Jung on a summer's day over twenty years ago. Over the past five years M.A.N.D.Y. have come into their own as artists and DJs. They mixed their first Get Physical label compilation in 2004, released the 2005 collaboration with Booka Shade Body Language, and released the Body Language Vol. 1 mix CD, where Philipp and Patrick joined the dots between electro-influenced house and disco and the miminal techno sound which is now so prevalent. Philipp and Patrick are much sought after remixers, having worked with artists as diverse as The Knife, Tiefschwarz feat. Tracey Thorn, Sugababes, Hans Peter Lindstrom, Joakim, Royksopp and Fischerspooner, The Klaxons, and Mathew Dear.

DJ Heidi (Electronic DJ)

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:39:00 GMT

Heidi grew up in Windsor Ontario in Canada, but she moved to London permanently in 2000 to immerse herself in the music scene, clubbing every weekend and hanging out in record shops. In 2004 she met Patrick Bodmer and Phillip Jung otherwise know as the german electronic duo M.A.N.D.Y. In 2005 Heidi started playing all over Europe and Russia with regular visits to Italy, Spain, France and Germany where she plays regularly in Berlin at the Panorama bar and Watergate club and at The Monza club in Frankfurt and Ibiza where she also holds a residency. She also became a regular at Fabric, London's leading underground dance club. In 2006 Heidi did her first release Vejer on Get Physical with her partner Riton. Heidi is currently working on an album for Get Physical and she is touring North America with M.A.N.D.Y.

DJ Philip Jung (Half of DJ duo M.A.N.D.Y.)

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:19:00 GMT

Anthony Valadez (KCRW DJ)

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:22:00 GMT

Anthony Valadez purchased his first set of turntables with money he earned working a summer job at a public pool in Sylmar. He has been DJ'ing for over 15 years. He hosts "The Lab" on KCRW and he currently holds down three DJ residencies across Los Angeles: Thursdays at Townhouse (Venice), Fridays at Zanzibar (Santa Monica), and Saturdays at Little Temple (Silver Lake).

Luis (Passionate Music Collector)

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:25:00 GMT

I am a vinyl enthusiast! I have been a customer at the Hollywood store since Day 1. I like Black Metal so my first stop is always the Black Metal section. But the coolest thing I ever found at Amoeba was a Japanese promo box set of Alice in Chains. I'd never seen it before!!

Saul Williams (Poet, Musician, Actor, Artist...)

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:45:00 GMT

Saul Williams may best be known as a poet, but he is better described as an artist. He is an actor (Slam, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival), author, musician, and poet. He is a Nuyorican Grand Slam Champion for his spoken word performances, he has published four books, and he has released four albums, most recently The Invevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust. He spoke with us about what's in his bag and the innovative way he chose to release his newest album.

Trevor (DVD Floor Staff)

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:44:00 GMT

Trevor slings movies and says, without a doubt, that the greatest movie of 2007 was The Zodiac.

DJ Smiles Davis (Resident DJ @ Freedom Sundays)

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:40:00 GMT

Smiles Davis is an eclectic Los Angeles DJ and an Amoebite. She is also part of an all female DJ crew that spins every Sunday at L’Scorpion on Hollywood Blvd. Their night, Freedom Sundays, is a collaborative effort to expand and create an environment of pure artistic expression. Smiles Davis is also the face of “Mac Scratch,” a McDonald’s commercial based around DJ’s which features DJ Felli Fel. You can read her music blog at http://smilesdavis.wordpress.com/.

Mike Schank (Musician)

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:49:00 GMT

Mike Schank starred in "American Movie," a film that won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 1999. Mike Schank lives in Milwaukee and spends most of his time playing guitar, buying lottery tickets and helping Mark Borchardt on his films. Mike quit all drugs and alcohol a month before filming began and has now been clean for over four years. Mike also performed all the music for American Movie.

Jon Brion (Composer )

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:20:00 GMT

Music producer/composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist... it's safe to say that Jon Brion excels at whichever musical hat he chooses to wear. Remarkably self-taught in music, Jon has collaborated with and/or produced albums for Elliott Smith, Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple, Rufus Wainwright, David Byrne, the Eels, Sean Lennon (just to name a few)...

Stephen O'Malley (Co-Founder of Southern Lord Records)

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:49:00 GMT

Stephen O'Malley is the co-founder of Southern Lord Records and a producer and musician. He has been a part of the following acts: SUNN O))), KTL, GRAVETEMPLE, ÆTHENOR, GINNUNGAGAP, LOTUS EATERS, and L.A.M.F.

Rachel Wood-Rome (Jazz & Classical Floor Staff)

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:39:00 GMT

Rachel Wood-Rome is a composer and a Jazz & Classical floor person at the San Francisco store. She just started listening to Rock music recently.

Healamonster & Tarsier (Electronic Production Duo)

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:39:00 GMT

An LA via Brooklyn production duo (Burgess Tomlinson and Rona Rapadas) who combine elements of ambient pop with experimental electronics and acoustic psychedelia. Their songs are anesthetic for a straight-lined, fast and fickle world.

Nick Jones (Used Rock Floor Staff)

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:17:00 GMT

My name is Nick Jones. I work in Used Rock. The Goth/Industrial section is one of my favorite sections. Some of my faves are Death in June, Der Blutharsch, and Derniere Volonte.

Demetri Martin (Comedian)

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:36:00 GMT

Comedian Demetri Martin has a new show on Comedy Central called Important Things with Demetri Martin. He is best known for his stand-up comedy and his contributions to The Daily Show. You can also catch him on the season finale of Flight of the Conchords. In 2006, he released his comedy CD These Are Jokes.

Shayde Sartin (Rock Floor)

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Shayde Sartin, an Amoeba veteran of 7.5 years, works the rock floor at the San Francisco store.

Scott Spaulding (Used Buyer)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:55:00 GMT

I've been working in record stores for 18 years. I'm a Used Buyer at Amoeba. Here are some of my favorite rare picks.

Keith Morris (Punk Rock Icon)

Tue, 13 May 2008 01:07:00 GMT

As a founding member of Black Flag and The Circle Jerks, Keith Morris is definitely a punk rock icon.

Tim Ranow (Information Counter)

Mon, 12 May 2008 23:26:00 GMT

Tim works the information counter at Amoeba. He loves metal and pop vocals. Huh?

Annie (Info / Cashier)

Fri, 09 May 2008 23:48:00 GMT

When asked to describe myself, I decided to fill you in on an actual conversation I overheard at the Rainbow Bar:

"Hey man, what about sex, drugs, and rock & roll?"
"Been there. Done that."
"Man, I'm still there."

I personally second that motion!

Howlin Rain (Psych-Rock Supergroup)

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:13:00 GMT

Howlin Rain keyboardist Joel Robinow, drummer Garett Goddard, and lead vocalist/guitarist Ethan Miller share what they found at Amoeba. Howlin Rain performed at Amoeba San Francisco on February 4, 2008 and Amoeba Hollywood on February 6, 2008. Click here for pictures from the San Francisco show and the Hollywood show.

“Mixing Steve Miller and Creedence with Crazy Horse and Blue Cheer, it’s a sort of log-cabin boogie with just a dash of Zep...The sort of side-project that gives indie psych-rock supergroups a good name.” - Time Out, London

Having recorded a fistful of critically acclaimed -- and increasingly successful -- albums with neo-psychedelic pioneers Comets On Fire, frontman Ethan Miller lit out for fresh musical territories, located somewhere between the Santa Cruz, CA-based band’s familiar sonic maelstrom and a more organic, melodic, groove-oriented rock that hearkened back to his halcyon daze growing up on California’s “Lost Coast” (Humboldt County), home of lumberjacks, college students, unreconstructed hippies, and off-the-grid botanists.

Enlisting drummer John Moloney from fellow “New Weird America” outfit Sunburned Hand Of The Man and bassist/former high school bandmate Ian Gradek, Miller christened the trio Howlin Rain, whose self-titled debut was released by Birdman in 2006.

Magnificent Fiend is the second album from Howlin Rain and the first to be issued under a joint agreement between multi-platinum record producer Rick Rubin’s American label and San Francisco-based indie Birdman Records. Creating the richly textured, densely layered sounds found on Magnificent Fiend required additional players: drummer Garett Goddard, guitarist Eli Eckert, and multi-instrumentalist Joel Robinow.

Aside from Howlin Rain’s willingness to delve deep into the metaphorical sonic spice-rack for certain signature sounds that’d had all but vanished from the contemporary musical landscape -- Vanilla Fudge, Henry Thomas, Wishbone Ash, Eddie Hazel, Procol Harum, Leslie West, Delaney & Bonnie, Atomic Rooster, Super Wolf, and Jim Ford, for openers -- Magnificent Fiend is a study in contrasts that reflects the duality in humanity, in the form of the people who made the record, who inspired the record, and the rest of us.

-Bio by Don Waller

Tuna (Registers)

Sat, 03 May 2008 23:05:00 GMT

Cartoons, Records, Dancing, Bikes, Pro Wrestling. Check out my zine, What's the Jam? I work the registers, processing, cassettes, and the dance floor. What's in my bag you ask:

Liam Finn (Singer/Songwriter)

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:23:00 GMT

Liam Finn, a twenty-three-year-old New Zealand native and the son of Neil Finn, writes, produces and engineers his own music, adhering to a strict DIY creative process - even shooting his own publicity photos and album artwork. Welling up from the dark bars and clubs of London's thriving indie music scene, rock n' roll prodigy Liam Finn has bounded onto the international music scene with the force and presence of an artist twice his age.

In addition to meticulously overseeing the recording of his debut album I'll Be Lightning, Finn plays nearly every instrument on the album, a responsibility he doesn't relinquish during his now mythic live gigs. During his raucous yet intimate performances Liam utilizes effects pedals to create, sample and loop bass, guitar, drums and vocals to layer with his live vocals and guitar. Pre-programmed flourishes, also keyed live by Finn, gurgle under his sharp, addictive melodies to produce experimental pop music that is simultaneously ghostly and direct in its atmospherics and emotionalism.

Liam Finn performed at Amoeba Hollywood on February 20, 2008 with EJ Barnes. Click here for photos of the in-store.

Chuck Foster (Host of Reggae Central)

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:47:00 GMT

I'm a host of Reggae Central on KPFK Radio in Los Angeles. I come to Amoeba about once a week to check out new releases. I'm always digging through the used vinyl, looking for things I might have missed. I worked in record stores for many years myself for a chain called Licorice Pizza. I managed 5 stores for them over 12 years so I know when an operation is running well and doing good. Amoeba Records, I'm a big fan!

Doug Day (Buyer/Trader Extraordinaire! )

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:02:00 GMT

I come to Amoeba 8 times a month - when I'm out of my mind. I've been shopping at the LA store since Day 2. Day 1 was insane. Most of what I bought was pulled from the 12" section in the corner. It's an ignored section. I found it on accident when I was going to look at R&B and Prince. It's a great section. All the new promos go in there!

Weird Al Yankovic (Satirist)

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:38:00 GMT

Subtitle (Hip Hop MC & Beatmaker)

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:32:00 GMT

I rap and program/produce/promote musical material. I have done projects with GSL/Gold Standard Labs, Alpha Pup and a couple of other labels. I started B.E.A.R./Briefcase Rockers in a quest to find new and exciting music made by like minded individuals and I like t-shirts, coffee, shoes that fit, skateboarding and true levels. Oh yeah, I sample WAY more music besides Sonic Youth...I contribute to iheartcomix's blog from time to time. While you are at it, follow me around on Twitter and see if I don't drop some decoy business or scavenger hunt type thing on there for you chums....

Kai Keya (Jazz / Classical Floor Staff)

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:15:00 GMT

Be-bop spells my DNA.

Alex (DVD Floor Staff)

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:21:00 GMT

I just like what I like. For example, I don't like cheese. I don't like the taste or consistency. But there's lots of other stuff I like, so I stick to that. Don't let anyone tell you what you like! Like what you like!

Jonah Tice (Everywhere!)

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:05:00 GMT

A really fantastic guy! I mean I just really like this guy.

Rob Fletcher (Rock Floor Staff)

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:47:00 GMT

Not that interesting.
I owe a lot of money.
I have a lot of 7"s.
I like small furry animals.

Chris Grande (Website Sales)

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:22:00 GMT

I was born to be a purveyor of bad music. I play in a crappy band people hate and put 1 cent CDs up for auction on Ebay.

Ranon Jones (Website Sales)

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:02:00 GMT

What more can I say but, Go Padres, Go Chargers, Go Cal Bears, Go Warriors, Go Sharks!

James Leon (Rock Floor Staff)

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:44:00 GMT

I love food, wine & De Green Guy - Skinny Puppy reference. I DJ underneath the name of Death Boy every blue moon.

Spenser R-S (Main Floor Staff)

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Born in SF, raised in Oakland, schooled in Olympia, East Bay resident for life.

Emily Rose Boswell (In-Stores & Info Music)

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:45:00 GMT

I like to read and currently can't stop watching the L Word.