..My name is Maniacal Mike and the name of my shop is the Vienna Music Exchange. The shop is at
131 Church street NW (upstairs)
Vienna VA
703-938-0010
The shop is open Thursday - Saturday 12 - 5 PM or by appointment if you have a collection for sale.
It's possible you may know me from being around the DC/VA music scene over the years; I also used to live in Massachusetts.
I've had a metal show on WMUA in Mass in 1983 and on WRGW in 1984 (The Chamber of Metal), at the time playing releases by new bands like Metallica , Mercyful Fate and Witchfinder General, something that wasn't exactly trendy at the time, as well as blistering HC like Black Flag, GBH and SSD.
You may also remember me from filming bands here in DC and VA, working at Tower records, distributing an Underground metal newsletter, running an independent metal vinyl label (Maniacal Records) and from traveling around the world in search of rare vinyl, exotic beers and women. For me Heavy Metal, Record collecting and vinyl are a serious thing.
Remember the olden days when you could walk into a local record store and actually find cool new releases on vinyl?
Remember the first time went into the corner record shop and held in your hand cool new releases releases like "Death Penalty," "Melissa" and "Kill 'em all"? Remember a bygone era when people didn't have to rely on a crappy corporate chain or line the pockets of a computer company to get your music? Even the clerk was usually a person who had some knowledge and interest about music, rather than a uninterested zombified pimply faced teenager who was more concerned with sending his next text message.
Well, I remember the old days and I want to try to bring that feeling back.
Notice how when you go into these useless chains, they usually will only have the newest release by an artist, and then you are lucky if you can find any of the back catalogue... I am specializing in items that are generally not available in these huge retail music supermarkets that are more worried about selling their next wide screen TV and refrigerator than supporting any good bands or musicians.
Every week I am ordering more new cool Metal and Punk releases and buying great collections of rare Metal, Rock and Punk/HC stuff to bring to you. I also aspire to be carrying other obscure genres such as Psych, Space Rock, fusion jazz and progressive rock.
And I am keeping people's budgets in mind. There are many cds in the store for $10.00 or less. Also a lot of vinyl ranging from dollar bin material to more rare and new stuff.
If you are visiting from out of town or another country, call and we can help get you to the shop. Combine some sightseeing with VINYL when you come to DC/Northern Virginia area.
I can do special orders and get most domestically available items within a few days! I also have extensive contacts to search for rare vinyl. I am happy to entertain your requests if you are trying to find a certain item.
