Swordfish Studios

Just what you expect a traditional record shop to look like I think. Walls are adorned with a few rarities and plenty of old tour posters. Stock is partly second hand classics and new stock made up of repressed classics and some contemporary acts but that is pretty patchy. Generally this is time warp stuff, like the 80s and much after it never happened. If you want to talk Grateful Dead and Dylan and anything obscure from that era then these are your guys. If you want to discuss Ezra Furman's latest album the conversation will be short. That would be true of any record shop in Brum though except for the guy in Oasis. Prices are typical of shop prices for the second hand stuff but can be a couple of quid higher than some for the new stuff. Again, the guy in Oasis is often cheaper for new stuff. However, Swordfish has a lot of used records and I suspect if you're a collector (and I'm not) there are many treasures hidden behind the counter that are request only.

Iconic Birmingham record store. Leans towards prog and psychedelia. Great for those tracking down a first pressing. Quite light on new releases (and these are often re-issues of classics). 90s indie nostalgia hunters will have a field day among the hundreds of cds at virtually giveaway prices. If American alt-folk/indie is your thing (it is mine), you may have more luck at Ignite Records in the Oasis market. Either way, support your local independent record stores.

Good selection of new and used vinyl and CDs. Strong on psychedelia, garage rock, soundtracks and similar.

Fantastic collection of music, some real hidden and forgotten gems in vinyl and cd

Visited for the first time this week. Great place for browsing, especially vinyl. The guy I spoke was v helpful. Told me that the local brewers will be supplying beer for World Record Day next month so probably worth heading down there!

Brilliant place, wonderful staff, excellent range of products

Fantastic selection of new and used vinyl at great prices.

It's just like it was back when it was on temple street. Great for a browse.

Large selection of CDs and vinyl, new and used. I believe that everyone can find something for themselves.

They've got a really extensive collection of vinyl for sale, the guys that work there are really knowledgable and there are always good songs playing in the shop. It's small but thats part of the charm of the place.

Superb record shop wide variety of vinyls of all genres ranging all eras

Smaller than the old location, but glad they're still going!

Excellent new and used vinyl (and CDs). Always a slight lean towards prog and psych but good selection across all genres and they run their own label too. A longtime Birmingham cultural institution, resilient through the tough years, still going strong, thank god.

Always got rare funk and a class selection of 60s garage rock. Can't give 5 stars as it's abit too pricey. Still worth a look in.

Waste of time and effort. Staff there un helpful with attitude problems. Not open sundays.

Really great selection of vinyls and the owners are really knowledgeable and helpful! The only place to go for a great selection of records in Brum.

Friendly, helpful reasonable prices lovers of vinyl. A treasure trove of grooves

Good selection of records and friendly staff but it's a very crowded shop!

Very nice little shop. Glad I found this place. Very friendly guy that was working there who I had a bit of a chat with (assumed it was there owner but never asked really) Lots of new records but also a good selection of second hand ones too. Seemed to be a lot of 45s there too but I didn't look at them at all. Great shop, hope to visit again in the not too distant future

Excellent collection of new and old records, cheerful and knowledgable service. A legendary Brummie music store

Lovely record shop, the staff has been very helpful.

Amazing selection. Could spend hours looking in here. Friendly staff

Brilliant range of new and used vinyl. Always have what I go in for, for very reasonable prices

Unlike most, it managed to weather the storm of record shop closures... And thank goodness! Great place to while away a few hours, and take home a square bag full of goodies.

great section of vinyl new and used frendly helpful staff brought four cds and my mate brought some vinyls

Small record shop. A lot of vinyl available , varying Artists and genre's. Unfortunately none that I wanted.

Cool little record store in Birmingham. Popped in while on a quick lunch break during a meeting after google-ing "record shops near me". Came out with three records! Nice layout, easy to find what you're looking for and welcoming staff. Will definitely go back when I'm back in Birmingham.

A traditional independent record shop selling new and used vinyl and cd's well worth a visit

Punk rock and white labels and 180 gs fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic

Nice record store, and having recently purchased some records here I then went on to buy some cheese in a deli to be greeted by the designer of the image adorning the bag my records were in

Ive been visiting this record shop since it was called "Rockers" and was located in hurst street. Which must be around 40 years, and has had the same staff since then ! Birmingham wouldnt be the same without mike and gaz and the friendly knowledgeable service they provide, if you are in birmingham and love music pop in you just might find what you were looking for or even something that you werent !

Went with a friend, he was really into it but I wasn't. Not really my scene

Good selection generally but sadly for me lacking in the punk department.

Iconic Birmingham second hand record shop. Friendly, knowledgeable, easy going staff, and a good selection of all genres. Well priced according to my budget :) Would definitely visit again.

I love swordsfish I've been using the shop since the late 80's. They sell a broad spectrum of used and new vinyl as well as CD's. The service is always great and there willing to help. Theres some great gems there and rare stuff at a fair price There located in the street adjacent the law courts in birmingham city centre. Go on support your local record shop

Words cannot express. Cool, unpretentious, music-loving staff. The best.

Good record store. I might come back again. I couldnt find what i was looking for but I got it on CD. Good place and environment!!

The place to be for vinyl and a good chat about music

Just another record store, nothing special, tiny space. Down a dingy alleyway, seemed to have 3 members of staff in which was ridiculous for a tiny shop, all looked down their noses at us and made us feel like we weren't welcome there. Wish we hadn't wasted our time scouting it out when there were other interesting places we could've spent our limited time in Birmingham going to.

Awesome stalwart of Birmingham, going strong since 1979