NewsMarch 11, 2011 12:13 AM ET9,628 views

Sumerian owner launching 'lifestyle music store'

Official press release: In an age where music retailers are closing at a rapid rate and record labels are going bankrupt due to online piracy and declining sales, Sumerian Records creator Ash Avildsen has taken a stand to prove that there is still an undeniable excitement to buying physical product. You have to admit no digital download can compare to having artwork and lyrics in hand when cranking that new album you just picked up at your local record store. Avildsen has now boldly put his money where his mouth is, upon announcing the launch of SoundCheck Hollywood (located across from the infamous Whisky A Go-Go on the Sunset Strip and a couple doors down from The Viper Room), which is a store that harkens back to the days when Tower Records ruled the strip and also served as a place for musicians and music fans to unite. For additional information check out www.soundcheckhollywood.com The official SoundCheck Hollywood grand opening party will take place on Wednesday, 3/23 and will feature signings from Asking Alexandria, Emmure, Animals As Leaders, The Faceless, Suicide Silence, Winds of Plague and many others. SoundCheck Hollywood is essentially a lifestyle music store that will feature CDs, Vinyl and DVDs from all artists spanning the spectrum of the metal/underground rock genres, but will separate itself from any other store with the special emphasis of limited edition merchandise that will cover the walls. The ONLY place you will be able to find the exclusive designs of shirts and other merch items carried at SoundCheck will be right there at 8872 Sunset Blvd. However, the specialness does not stop there. SoundCheck will offer fans a unique meet and greet opportunity with bands that takes place in the "backstage" of the store which will differ greatly from your normal autograph signings. "We want to create an intimate environment that no other store has ever offered fans when they go to meet their favorite artists at a signing. SoundCheck's backstage will be far different from your typical "move-it-along" setting, i.e. having a line of people looking over your shoulder while you are sharing your coveted moment with the band you came to meet" Avildsen added. All new releases the store carries will be made available at 9:00PM that Monday (rather than the morning of the standard release schedule on Tuesday) "If a kid can buy it on iTunes on the east coast at that moment, then people in California should be able to buy the physical version in person too." To top it off, whether you are just browsing the store or waiting in line to get backstage at SoundCheck Hollywood, fans can enjoy the two fully restored, timeless arcade pinball machines found inside: GUNS N ROSES and WWF ROYAL RUMBLE, which are free to customers.

53 comments

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steviejanowski 3/10/2011 9:18:05 PM

ash flip

obscenities 3/10/2011 9:21:21 PM

Sounds like a good idea but I have a feeling it'll be a fold. Might check it out.

HBDad 3/10/2011 9:41:34 PM

fck yes, and I work not too far away from there! The problem is Amoeba is also really close and will have an impact on their success.

Dr_Radiation 3/10/2011 9:58:04 PM

What a stupid idea. Amoeba will bulldoze this store.

cabal 3/10/2011 10:05:33 PM

I'd pay not to be in the same room as Asking Alexandria, Emmure, etc.

sacralplexus 3/10/2011 10:11:28 PM

delete

EwokFromEndor 3/10/2011 10:17:27 PM

Was almost interested until "Asking Alexandria, Emmure, Animals As Leaders, The Faceless, Suicide Silence, Winds of Plague.."

djunior 3/10/2011 10:36:33 PM

id go to one if it would open around here, but having asking alexandria and emmure play at the grand opening is going to turn more people away dumbasses

gayblowjobs 3/10/2011 10:57:03 PM

Free pinball? Score.

RickRock 3/10/2011 11:04:22 PM

Weird, but nice to see a local DC dude trying to bring back record stores. That said, expect bankruptcy in 18 months.

sgd54 3/10/2011 11:11:26 PM

Dance Gavin Dance should get in on the grand opening if they can, that is, take a break from snorting fat lines of Blow down at The Viper.

streetsofrage86 3/10/2011 11:23:10 PM

Amoeba>any shit record store this douche opens

Ray_Lewis_Keith_Buckley 3/11/2011 12:18:23 AM

Will they sell condoms?

thevenaedge 3/11/2011 12:24:29 AM

the absolute last thing the record industry needs is this gay, who owns the worst shitty deathcore label ever, opening a record store

spread____em 3/11/2011 12:43:15 AM

sounds gayer than a conga line of guys fcking

xJOHNBEEFx 3/11/2011 1:17:36 AM

backed good luck to him

Stupid_News_Poster 3/11/2011 1:44:11 AM

An intimate atmosphere you say? Will frankie be dressed in lingerie?

Chaosweaver 3/11/2011 3:05:41 AM

They should have a computer in the corner where you can pirate music you find in the store.

GodOfEternalAbyss 3/11/2011 3:18:53 AM

Yeah, like no one saw that coming. Don't forget to piggyback a pub in there. I must say though, there are little shops here and there that could do better.

waped 3/11/2011 4:06:51 AM

will be there to hopefully use their wi-fi to download every single album sold in the store, glaring at the gay lord Ash Avildsen

arty_mcfarty 3/11/2011 5:25:39 AM

12 year olds that like breakdowns are stoked

ryu 3/11/2011 9:00:50 AM

thats fcking gay

LoydChristmas 3/11/2011 9:11:27 AM

Want to know whats more futile than starting a record label in 2011? Opening a record store in 2011. Thats like, part of every economics professor's opening lecture on day 1 of class.

firstblood68 3/11/2011 9:36:15 AM

You would think that a record store wouldn't profit in 2011, but you would also think that Ash's other companies don't profit..... so we will see

spawnofdannyrodriguez 3/11/2011 9:40:36 AM

it's fcken WWE now...get it right

Lolemmure 3/11/2011 10:03:13 AM

Rocky and The Karate Kid paid for this

Flamboyant_Cowboy 3/11/2011 10:48:49 AM

Enjoy that $6000 rent on a location that is logistically a nightmare to get to.

nashvegas 3/11/2011 11:12:24 AM

I think physical stores and having a physical product is the best way to listen to music. Something about holding the art in my hands is something you can't get out of a shitty mp3. Hell and Damnation to all who download without buying music.

xmusicislifex 3/11/2011 11:16:45 AM

WWF ROYAL RUMBLE IS THE BEST PINBALL GAME EVER

mitchfury 3/11/2011 11:27:57 AM

This is what selling drugs and cocaine gets you. Its funny cuz majority of the us consumer have no idea who most of these metalcore bands even are. At least get papa roach!

siqbrah 3/11/2011 11:29:02 AM

specialness

PigBenis 3/11/2011 11:33:07 AM

Will go bankrupt as soon as scene kids jump on another trend, what a dumb idea.

le_cunt 3/11/2011 12:38:57 PM

HAHAHA

ephemeral 3/11/2011 12:50:06 PM

this is like Blockbuster announcing they are opening a new VHS and DVD store with old movie posters on the wall

ilovetacos 3/11/2011 1:16:04 PM

Dude must make too much money off his bands to do this

Demonburger 3/11/2011 1:27:21 PM

Shouldve spent the money to re-opened showcase theater instead but hey...

emoxfag 3/11/2011 1:48:24 PM

terrible idea. this was essentially hot topic for dudes that think hot topic isn't cool. until i saw the magic words. free royal rumble pinball.

topman 3/11/2011 1:50:47 PM

ilovetacos - actually, his dad was an Oscar-winning director, so he has funds

designedlikedice 3/11/2011 2:01:06 PM

"For additional information check out www.soundcheckhollywood.com" I think you mean for the exact seem information and a run-of-the-mill record store logo see my pointless website...

casketofaids 3/11/2011 2:18:30 PM

What is this gayry

elliot 3/11/2011 2:47:11 PM

However, the specialness does not stop there.

ashavildsen 3/11/2011 3:02:28 PM

topman- stop acting like you know about my personal life. i have zero relationship with my father nor do i have any of his money. i grew up poor and am now a self-made badass. thank you.

LoydChristmas 3/11/2011 3:05:50 PM

^band member. Busted! Big time! Yeeeaaaa

Hate_Goat 3/11/2011 3:30:32 PM

Pretty cool idea, At least someone tries to keep independent music alive regardless of the quality of the artists that are promoted.

Lolemmure 3/11/2011 3:51:49 PM

Did Ralph Macchio and William Zabka invest in this venture?

icareverylittle 3/11/2011 4:10:39 PM

no fcking care. hot topic #2

sofakingcool 3/11/2011 4:21:59 PM

sounds cool minus gay bands signing. one of the only good things dude has done besides sign styg and sftp. though id prolly support indie records stores before this guys.

demonburger 3/11/2011 4:43:24 PM

Did you mean to say you'd rather support other indie record stores because I'd consider this record store "indie" as well...

Kevl 3/11/2011 5:52:26 PM

I like record stores. This, however, sounds fcking stupid. Wait OMG FREE PINBALL!?!?!

fukuimdrunk 3/11/2011 8:19:49 PM

howard hughes of deathcore opens arcade?

ShaolinLambKiller 3/12/2011 12:00:26 AM

pinball machines broken within a week. half the merch stolen by the end of the month closed in 3 more months

killallmoshmetal 3/12/2011 11:00:51 AM

Everything this dude does is fake yet wildly successful due to morons that support him. He'll find some way to beat the fck out of people long enough to make money off of this.

the_smile_that_kills 3/13/2011 10:08:07 PM

stupid. stupid. stupid.




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