New Yorkers help me out
 

I'm heading there next week and I want to know where the good independant type shops are. Not interested in shops like Urban outfitters, h&m, virgin, hmv etc that we can get in the UK. anyone able to point out some good ones for me?

Mainly looking for clothes and records/cds

for record shops and gigs search the forum. there are countless threads.
for clothes, just walk around. there are flea markets on sundays everywhere. there are thrift stores and all kinds of clothes shops everywhere.

Isn't there a volcanic tongue store in NYC now?

lots to find on the Lower East Side. records, thrift shops, stores that sell bongs and pipes, music clubs, art, food...