Revitalizing the San Francisco punk scene, a new record store opens in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.
I Hate Records: A San Francisco Punk Haven
In the heart of Haight-Ashbury, a new record store has emerged as a significant pillar of the punk community in San Francisco. Known as I Hate Records, this DIY-oriented store was founded by local punk musicians Cody Azumi and Pretty Sims.
I Hate Records is more than just a retail space for vinyl, tapes, and CDs. It serves as a cultural hub for the city's punk community, fostering face-to-face connections within the close-knit scene. The store's unique atmosphere, reflecting the rebellious, anti-establishment ethos of punk, offers a physical space where punks can meet, share ideas, and celebrate their subculture in a supportive setting.
The store's walls are adorned with provocative graffiti that reflect its social and political engagements, promoting social justice and communal bonds. I Hate Records is a testament to the enduring roots of punk in the Bay Area, standing as daily proof of its resilience.
For those unfamiliar with punk, I Hate Records welcomes them with open arms, inviting them to learn and experience the scene. The store creates a feeling of camaraderie and support among its patrons, making it feel like a home away from home for many.
Sims hopes that the store provides a supportive environment for those making art for a greater purpose, while Azumi values the ability and freedom to question authority in punk rock. The music sold at I Hate Records is often angry, reflecting the sentiments of many, according to Azumi.
In addition to being a record store, I Hate Records also operates as an independent record label, further solidifying its role as a significant player in the punk community. The store's raw and DIY manner mirrors the music it sells, creating an authentic experience for its customers.
Customers find I Hate Records to be a capstone built on hard work and a pillar of the punk community. The store's unique atmosphere helps customers feel a little better, knowing they are surrounded by supportive individuals who share their passion for punk music.
Azumi hopes that people give the store a chance to learn about its ethos and the importance it places on DIY principles, face-to-face connections, and social justice in the face of gentrification and shrinking DIY venues in San Francisco. I Hate Records revitalizes the role of the physical punk record store as more than a commercial venue; it is a locus for social interaction, political expression, and the preservation of punk’s DIY principles.
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- Besides being a retail space for music, I Hate Records is also a news source for the city's punk community, sharing updates about local events, social justice issues, and DIY movements.
- To cater to diverse interests within the punk scene, I Hate Records extends beyond music, offering lifestyle and entertainment news, engaging its patrons in conversations about art, fashion, and movies that resonate with the counter-cultural ethos of punk.
