Has it really been a week?

So I made a deal with myself when I started this whole "blog"-thing that I would try to post something new at least once a week. Holidays or no, I am here to do just that. But this one will have to be rather on the short side, as the end of the year is typically more filled with family time than new indie music.

I'm looking forward to January, as we begin our first full year in operation. Things should start off nicely with no less than 3 performances already booked for the first month of the year (Laura Jorgensen on January 8th at 8pm - www.myspace.com/laurajorgensen - Young Lions on January 9th at ??pm [still working on nailing down a time for this one, and a website...] - Cock and Swan on January 23rd at 5pm - www.myspace.com/cockandswan -). All of them should be stellar, and many more equally exciting opportunities to catch some live music in DTR should be forthcoming in February.

I've been listening to a lot of Zacharias Flynn's new CD (available here, of course) Irresolute Insight. You can check it out here: www.myspace.com/drzacharias. And I am even more excited that he is a Renton local. He clearly has his head in the clouds, judging by the daydreamy and somewhat random quality of this music--but for a musician, that is not always a bad thing...

Another new thing I have been digging is ProGrammar's latest, Somaphone 4: Heartbreak, which reimagines old pop songs (themed around heartbreak, naturally) with the only instrument being the human voice (specifically, one human voice: that of ProGrammar himself). He is online at www.programmar.net, and the CD is available for your listening pleasure at TRx. Check out the cover of Chicago's "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," or The Moody Blues' "Your Wildest Dreams", and then remind yourself that all those sounds are made by one guy singing and beatboxing. Now try not to be amazed. I dare you. ; )

So now I am closing up shop. Getting ready to start thinking about my New Years' Resolutions. Upcoming blog-post perhaps?

(yeah, that's called foreshadowing...)

--TRx

The "Hassle With Real": A Conversation with Bobby Burg

We recently had a chance to speak with Bobby Burg, a veteran of indie legends Chin Up Chin Up, currently rocking out with the up-and-coming Chicago band Vacations. Their newest release on Record Label (best label name ever!), I Was Bikini / But Rain Afraid, has been grabbing lots of attention, and the band is sure to gain more momentum in the indie music press after their inclusion on the new Polyvinyl-released Joan of Arc presents: Don’t Mind Control, due in January. I have been spinning I Was Bikini… for about a week now, and the syncopated rhythms and off-kilter vocals get better with each listen, from the otherworldly chanting of “New Friends” to the disco-riffing of “Solar Tongue”. They have a lot of world-music inspiration throughout, and their songs generally don’t veer too far from being light, air-y, and perhaps a little tongue-in-cheek. The whole album sounds like getting away from standard blues-based rock, like an excursion from the seriousness of nü-folk. It sounds like…well, a vacation. Check the interview below. Make sure you give the band some love via the internets, too, here: www.myspace.com/vacationsmyspace, and/or here: http://www.recordlabelrecordlabel.com/.

Tyrannosaurus Records: Can you tell me some of the sources of inspiration for the lyrics all over I WAS BIKINI...? Some of them get kind of weird, not in an off-putting way, but in an intriguing way. I'm curious how they come about, in a general sense.

Bobby Burg: It was really fun the way we would work on lyrics. Jeremy would email me a version of him mumbling over the music and I would give him a possible translation of what he was saying. He would then revise it further a combination of his original lyrics and the interpreted ones. Sometimes I would remake a version of how I envisioned his phrasing and melodies and send it back to him. We worked very closely together on the lyrics and melodies.

TRx: How do you see a band's locality/geography affecting their sound, in this day and age, with such fragmentation of the scene as a whole? Is it your experience that bands feed off each other when they are close together, or is it more of an "arms-race" within a given locale for each band to claim an individual identity?

BB: I guess I would say it totally depends on the band or day even. Both of the examples you've given can be true. In the case of Vacations specifically, we wanted to write songs that made us feel warm and summery in order to combat the freezing fucking cold winters in Chicago that we were sliding through to get to and from practice.

TRx: In researching some other press on you guys, I found more than one comparison to Vampire Weekend and Abe Vigoda. From your perspective, are these comparisons accurate?

BB: Jeremy DJ's that Vampire Weekend record. I liked what I've heard and I like some of Billy Joel's songs too. I saw a video of the Vampire Weekend guy singing with Fucked Up, they did "Parents" by the Descendents and I thought that was significantly better than any song written by Billy Joel, Vampire Weekend or Vacations. Abe Vigoda is pretty killer, I saw them in Texas and loved it.

TRx: Can you tell me about the greatest rock show you have ever seen? Or at least one of the top contenders if you don't have a favorite...

BB: Dead Milkmen at Metro in October this year as part of Riot Fest. It was my first time seeing them and they are one of my favorite all time bands. They totally delivered. I was in the pit the whole show and knew almost every word.

TRx: What can you tell me about "Record Label"? How important are small/independent labels to the music landscape?

BB: 'Record Label' is my way of putting out records. I started it to release Love of Everything and Chin Up Chin Up's first releases. I'm not sure how important small labels are. I don't even understand what a small label could offer a band anymore. They could offer to take half of the bands money in exchange for paying for them to record an album. That seems fair I suppose considering they will most likely never sell enough copies to pay for the recording.

TRx: Since we're nearing the end of another 365-day cycle, can you give me any favorite albums or songs from the year that was?

BB: That is a good question.

TRx: Looking to the future, what is the plan of attack for Vacations in 2010? Recording? Touring? World domination?

BB: Hopefully we can record some more this winter. We are still trying to figure out how to do it. Vacations is still in a huge debt to 'Record Label' for paying for the first recording. We only did 10 shows out of town to promote the record. I'm learning from my mistakes, before 'Record Label' pays for any band to record again I would want the band to agree to do a minimum of 60 shows out of town over the course of the year following the release. I thought Vacations would naturally do this so I didn't even ask the other guys about it. So that was my mistake.

TRx: What's your favorite dinosaur? (No, it does not have to be a tyrannosaurus...) ; )

BB: Stegosaurus the plant eater.

We forgive you, Bobby.

"ROOOOAAAAARRRRR!!!"

--TRx

Paco Jones LIVE at TRx!!

Our many thanks to Paco, and his wonderful family, for saving us from the winter doldrums for at least a little while last Saturday! His amazingly heartfelt setlist included tracks from his new EP, "The Narrow Path" (exclusively available at Tyrannosaurus Records), a cover of Muddy Waters' "Catfish Blues", and a showstopping instrumental number that made the hair on my arms stand up.

Well played, sir. Well played, indeed.

This in-store performance was criminally under-attended. I have to assume that all of you were busy with holiday shopping or relatives or somehow otherwise entangled.

How can you make it up to me? Easy--by making plans to catch at least one of at least three shows that will be happening in January, and by putting this blog on 'Favorites' list so you don't miss anymore shows. That's reasonable, right? You can make it up to Paco by coming out to support him when he plays TRx again in 2010. Let's face it: you owe him that much.

Until next time, keep your feet tapping and your volume knobs on '11'...

--TRx

Upcoming releases that I am uber-excited about

And when I say uber, I mean uber. It's not a pre-fix I use lightly.

Spoon: Transference -- Recently named the Metacritic (a site that culls weighted averages from top reviewers: http://features.metacritic.com/features/2009/best-music-of-the-decade/) Top Artist of the Decade, based on the reviews garnered by their four releases over the past 9 years, the Austin quartet seems poised to kick the next decade right in the pants by releasing their next studio offering just 25 days after it starts. I am not alone in having high hopes for this one. Prepare yourself for the awesomeness here: http://www.mergerecords.com/transference/

Jonsi: Go -- After a busy couple of years releasing not one but two albums (með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust with primary band Sigur Ros, and Riceboy Sleeps with side project Jonsi and Alex) the Great Icelandic Hope returns in March, 2010 with a solo effort that might just turn out to be fan-freaking-tastic. I was only mildly excited for this until I heard the first single, "Boy Lillikoi", which plays like several rushes of increasingly cool and pleasant rose-scented air on a warm day, and may just have the single most cohesive use of percussion I have ever heard. If you don't mind signing up for updates, you can download it for free here: http://www.jonsi.com/. I highly recommend that you do.

Phantogram: Eyelid Movies -- One of local favorite Barsuk's newest signings is set to drop a bomb in February! This band really has to be heard to be believed. I've heard them, and I am still not sure I believe it. Even if the quality of this release doesn't measure up to others by the end of 2010, it is sure to be one of the most interesting and creative albums of the year. If you want to geek out over it the way I have, you can do so here: http://www.barsuk.com/shop/bark094

Beach House: Teen Dream -- Arguably Sub Pop's biggest (or perhaps smartest) signings of 2008, Beach House make sublime noise with traces of coastal sunshine. They have been busy touring since their last release, and somehow finding time for awesome collaborations in the meantime. I give you the TRx Guarantee that this will be in the running for Album of 2010. Read (and Listen!) all about it right...over...here: http://www.subpop.com/releases/beach_house/full_lengths/teen_dream

Field Music: Field Music (Measure) -- Sometimes a hiatus only proves that talent can grow stale. Not in the case of this British band. Using a Beatles-singing-over-The-Human-League aesthetic and turning in extremely solid songwriting throughout, this is sure to be an extremely satisfying listen. And it's a Double LP! In this age of the iTune, who isn't ready for a good old-fashioned double-album? I know I am. You can preview it here, should you so desire: http://memphis.greedbag.com/buy/field-music-measure/

So, that's five. There are probably at least another 50 or so that I could write about. How about I just stop here for now, eh? Ooooh! Here's an idea: why don't you comment with the releases you are most looking forward to? Well? What are you waiting for?!

(Sooner or) Later,

--TRx

BLURBS!!

Ha! I love that word..."blurb". Sounds funny.


NEW

Tularosa: trapped inside your diameter EP

Named for a region in New Mexico, Tularosa make solid power pop. In itself, that is not a remarkable statement. However, in the musical climate we find ourselves in at the end of this particular decade, there seems to be a dearth of bands who can honestly say that they make solid power pop. It is trendy these days to be spread out in one's interests, and as a result, many bands come out sounding somewhat unfocused. These are not necessarily bad things, they are just the way things are. Tularosa, however, have bucked this trend, and come out sounding better for it. They have found a home inside their own anthemic songwriting and have curled up inside, making it as reliable as is the landscape of the southwestern desert, and exhibiting a comfort level to be envious of. "Trapped Inside..." showcases a band that has already come into its own, and it is sure to have you singing along by the second or third spin. Check it here: www.myspace.com/tularosa


Norman Baker: The Art of Not Knowing LP

From Ancient Vessel comes Norman Baker's latest opus, The Art of Not Knowing. Full of lush instrumentation, including pedal steel, wurlitzer, harmonica, and every manner of stringed instrument (bowed, picked, and strummed). Opener "Unveil the Revival" is understatedly catchy, balancing Baker's echo-y vocals and harmonies with beautiful string arrangements. Like labelmate Jonathan Kimball's latest LP, "Optimisms", there is a hint of the islands in Baker's rhythms and vocal style, but the end-product is decidedly Northwest, with nods to the narrative songwriting of The Decemberists and the pacing of Grand Archives. It is said that knowledge is power, but perhaps sometimes "Not Knowing" is better... www.myspace.com/ancientvessel


REVISITED

We Were Promised Jetpacks: These Four Walls LP

Intricately laced guitar lines, pounding drums, singalong lines and shoutalong choruses--and that's just the first song. This Scottish quartet established themselves with this release in the summer of '09 as a band to watch out for, and a band to be reckoned with. Mastering the dynamics of rock n roll, they make delicate moments that turn into skyscrapers of sound, all while the songwriting transforms every childhood pain into a triumph of growing up. Great stuff. www.myspace.com/wewerepromisedjetpacks


UPCOMING

Joan of Arc presents: Don't Mind Control LP

"What if we took a bunch of songs made by bands featuring every musician who has ever contributed to Joan of Arc?" asked JoA frontman, Tim Kinsella. Well, you'd probably end up with a comp that ran the gamut from drone-rock to blip-rock to acousti-pop to a song made via MIDI-controlled pneumatic guitar/drum machine. Surprisingly, it holds up well as an album. Each track brings something new and unexpected, confounding expectation, but never overdoing it just for the sake of randomness. New tracks from 19 (count 'em!) bands/artists comprise this stellar release which hits the street on Jan 26, 2010. In the end, it will probably be not as much of a testament to the overall indie scene at the end of the 2000's, so much as a document of the far-reaching oeuvre and aesthetic of the prolific Joan of Arc. Genius! http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/store/index.php?id=948



All the reviews fit to print!
"ROOOAAAARRRR!!!"
--TRx

The Year of the Dinosaur

So what if the Chinese Zodiac doesn't mention the Year of the Dinosaur? Tell that to Tyrannosaurus Records. We're moving and shaking, developing partnerships and creating networks! You can't stop us... 2010 will definitely be ours.

Step 1: Sponsor a radio program dedicated to emerging talent in and around the Pacific Northwest. Check. (See it here: http://www.lpmvoice.com/radio.aspx ; scroll down the page...recognize that storefront?)

In February, Seattle's LPM Voice will launch an internet-radio show. Yours truly will be one of their local sponsors. Impressed? You ain't seen nothing yet...

roar.

--TRx

Following in the footsteps...

So, my good friends at SubPop recently did something fun. They posted their own lists of Top 10's for 2009--music, art, life, random stuff, whatever--and invited their readers to do the same. Check it out here: http://www.subpop.com/channel/features/a_form_of_paying_attention_december_2009

Now, we here at TRx typically march to the beat of our own 6-minute drum solo, but we know a good idea when we see it. Please find below our own Top 10 list for 2009, and don't be afraid to comment with your own Top 10--c'mon, it could be fun!

Tyrannosaurus Records Top 10

1. Opening the store -- Remember when we opened the store? Yeah, that was awesome.

2. Grizzly Bear: Veckitamest -- Every time I try to think of my favorite record this year, this one is always at the top of the list. Too good... Seriously, I think it might actually be too good--someone call the Quality Police.

3. Halloween at DC's -- Good, clean fun. Followed by bad, filthy fun.

4. Ha Ha Tonka -- A stellar album (Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South), a killer live set at the Sunset over the summer, and lots of after-show banter about the peculiarities of midwestern life. All in all, a really good group of fellas.

5. Sam's beard -- I just saw it. It is epic. It is so good, in fact, that on December 5th it was able to sneak its way onto my Top 10 list for the year.

6. NWxNW -- If it's true that one good rock show can change the world, then we surely moved a tectonic plate or two this past November at Renton's first ever indie-rock showcase. Can't wait for 2010...

7. Feline steroids -- it's hilarious, right? Cats on roids. It never gets old...

8. The Pacific Northwest Music Scene -- Okay, I know that sounds vague, but now that we've been somewhat immersed in it for over half of the year, it bears mentioning that the music scene from BC to SEA to PDX (and the smaller places in-between) really is vibrant and full of variety. Way to go, PNW!

9. The Monte Cristo -- No, not the book. The sandwich. Am I wrong, or was this the year that the MC made its triumphant comeback? I couldn't be happier.

10. Everyone -- "Like who?", I can hear you asking. EVERYONE. We have had the opportunity to work with some amazing people this year, and to meet lots more amazing people who love music, love this area, and love us (by virtue of our being musical and geographically convenient). And we love them right back for supporting their local businesses and artists, and for generally just being cool and fun to talk to.

OK. Your turn.

"ROOOAAAARRRR!!!"
--TRx

Woot-woot! (In the business, we call this a "teaser"...)

Hey. So, you know how you've been talking about us behind our back, saying things like, "Yeah, it's a cool store, but I wish they were open on weekdays", and "I'd shop there, but I'm only in DTR during the week!"? Well, get ready for all those excuses to be null and void.

That's right, people.

Weekday hours, coming soon to Tyrannosaurus Records.

Now what?

; ))

--TRx

"Here come the Holidays, " he said with an ironic chuckle...

I know that all of you are wondering what is new and happening at TRx for the holidays. Here's the skinny:

--Keep an eye out for a live in-store with Paco Jones, Seattle's own singer-songwriter-ambient virtuoso. Not really a holiday thing, I guess, but topical nonetheless.

--Christmas with Beer! Not only is it my preferred way of celebrating the holiday, but it also happens to be a brilliant holiday-oriented comedy album (check it here: http://www.myspace.com/christmaswithbeer). The best part: it's local! Support local music, you bunch of bah-humbugs! Also, working on confirming a date for this to be performed LIVE, in the store. Put that in your giftbags!

--Gift Certificates. What more do I need to say? Want an awesome gift that will be A) Cool, B) Local, and C) Independent? Who doesn't? Come and get one! Or ten...

--New music. Yes, it is coming! Should have new titles (and new-to-us titles) in the coming weeks from Bear in Heaven, Real Estate, Yacht, Telekinesis, and MORE! Who are you to resist?

--Stay tuned for more info on live music, local happenings, new records, and other cool stuff from your good frends at Tyrannosaurus Records and Extinction Studios...

L8R
--TRx

NWxNW = Kickass

So...

There was a little rock-show in Renton. Hopefully, you were there. If so, you are one of the lucky ones. If not, well...enjoy these pics.

It was a good, clean night of good, clean fun.

Our deepest heartfelt thanks go out to all the performers: Ophelia's Thunder, Cock and Swan, Broken Water, Thunderbird Motel, and Spotlight Dance Company. As well as Arts Unlimited, who hosted the work of local artists in the lobby.

Keep an eye out for info on more live music, rocking your face off at a venue near you...

--TRx

roar.

Oh, this old thing?

Thank you, Bob! We love our new awning!! It's pretty much the best thing ever...

Album Review - I was a lover... "Strong drink is Raging"

I was a Lover Delorean was a Dealer – Strong Drink is Raging

Indie rock today is often a conglomeration of mash-ups. I find myself often describing a band to someone who has never heard them as a combination of BAND “A” and BAND “B” (for instance, I’ve been known to compare the band Cymbals Eat Guitars to a combination of Smashing Pumpkins and Arcade Fire—not the best example, because it doesn’t hold up to much scrutiny, but it is a good place to begin the dialog, and you get the idea…). Upon listening to the new album by Ventura, California’s I was a Lover Delorean was a Dealer, I find that I need some new algebra. A + B = C simply does not work for this band.
The opener, “Grey Ships”, kicks the album off on a somewhat experimental note with lots of saxophone and some nice keyboard riffing. It also sets the tone for a vocal performance unlike any you are likely to hear this year. Frontman Christopher Bykowski rages like an unholy marriage of Black Francis and Robert Smith, using his lower register to affect amazing amounts of emotion along with some degree of theatricality. “The Amaretto Was Poisoned” owes a debt to a lot of the dance-rock prevalent today, with echoes (no pun intended) of The Rapture in its driving, guitar-heavy crescendos. “He Has a Dreamy New Convertible” finds a middle ground between the dance-y side of the band and the rawk-ish side—it reminds me of what Interpol might sound like if they decided to have fun with their music every once in a while. For me, the high point of the album is “Chop ‘em at the Hands”: it starts simply, with a deceptively catchy piano melody, then goes to work. No amount of description really does this song justice, so I’ll leave it at that.
Again and again, the rhythm section of Patrick Crowley and Kyle Garcia amazes with its tightness and chemistry, always threatening to take the album over but never overbearing. Dario Slavazza, multi-instrumentalist, also adds a necessary dimension with sax and keyboard/piano, breaking up anything that could turn into a “typical” rock effort with well-placed atmospherics.
Ultimately, while the parts of this album (and, indeed, the band) can be compared to other bands and cross-referenced into the annals of classifiability, the sum of the parts is something completely new and original. So forget your algebra, lest you end up with an equation that would stump Good Will Hunting. Just listen…

--n

Random thoughts and stuff

(for anyone looking for a focused blog post: please, do yourself a favor and turn away now. this is just me typing whatever occurs to me and then posting it so I can say I am keeping the blog at least somewhat "up to date"...)

NWxNW is full steam ahead, all systems GO. Tickets are printed and ready to be sold, posters are being disseminated...things are happening... We really hope to see EVERYONE there!

After being sold out of Cock and Swan merch, we now have it back in-stock! Both albums (Noon Hum and Marshmallow Sunset), more of the cute baby-blue tee-shirt, and a killer new brown and yellow shirt. I am trying to resist the urge to get one of those for myself, but I can't hold it back forever, people! Get in here and buy one! Of course you will also have the chance to peep them live, playing at NWxNW. And no one will judge if you wear the shirt of the band that you go to see. At least, I won't. To your face. ; P

New titles on the horizon for the next month or so will (hopefully) include, but are not limited to: Grizzly Bear--Veckitamest (Special re-edition with Bonus Tracks); Thao with The Get Down Stay Down--Know Better Learn Faster; The Raincoats--vinyl re-issue; Nirvana--Bleach (20-Year Platinum Re-issue); Justin Radford--Off the Spring (it's a rock-opera! What else do you need to know?!); Headlights--Wildlife; Asobi Seksu--Re-wolf... Plus plenty of others...

Extinction Studios (AKA: our awesomely modified, (almost) state-of-the-art recording space) has completed its first project, replacing the soundtrack to a short film by a Seattle-area writer/director! We have liftoff...! To get more details or set up a time to record, contact Bob @ giantrobotguy@gmail.com!

Shows I will miss this month include Pinback, The xx, The Black Heart Procession, et. al.--not to mention what by all accounts was a mind-blowing set last week by BLK JKS. All lamentable, indeed, but my full-time job gets in the way of my going out to shows. Get out and enjoy live music people... Don't be like me.

It was a really good Halloween this year. We had a lot of cute kids dressed as grotesque monsters during the daytime, and a great time across the street at DC's Bar & Grill at night. Where else would you get to see rock legend Slash mixing it up with street pimps, zombies, and a cow in a bikini (I am still not sure what that dude was supposed to be...)? That's right. Nowhere.

And I guess all this means that the holiday season is about to really kick into overdrive. If I forget to say it later, and I very well may: Happy (upcoming) Holidays to everyone out there in the blogosphere...

ps: Come in and buy records/CDs!! (How's that for subliminal marketing?)

"ROOOOAAAAARRRRR!!!"
--TRx

Vanessa-saurus Rex!!!

If you missed it...too bad. But all is not lost! Vanessa Page has firmly established herself and her unique songwriting style in our hearts and minds, and she will be back.

She played a very rocking and heartfelt set at TRx this past Sunday (Oct 25), and for that we thank her profoundly! For the day, Vanessa became VanessaSaurus Rex and regaled the crowd with the stories behind her original and punk-inspired songs. Thanks Vanessa! We'll see you back here soon!

In other news...Extinction Studios is now up and running! After months of work, we are finally ready to record! Email tyrannosaurusrecords@yahoo.com or giantrobotguy@gmail.com for details and questions! More to come...

Much love,

--TRx

Keep an eye out for this all over Renton...

Rocking your face off with more updates and current events!

The line-up is set, the venue is booked... Get ready for NorthWest by NorthWest (NWxNW)!!! Tickets soon to be available for Renton's first-ever indie-rock showcase at Renton Civic Theater (featuring cutting-edge performance pieces by Renton's own Spotlight Dance Company!)! Call or email for more details...full info to be posted soon. Tix also available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/, search "northwest x northwest"...

New in the store this week:

BLK JKS / "After Robots" - A heck of an album, available on CD and vinyl. BLK JKS ("black jacks") have a new take on rock n roll, one that includes world rhythms and dub-/dancehall-inspired vocal stylings and approaches something similar to TV on the Radio but then veers left and becomes something completely different. This release is by turns foot-stomping, booty-shaking, fist-pumping, and heartstring-pulling. Good, good stuff...

The Black Heart Procession "6" - CD/Vinyl. Black Heart returns with "6". A return-to-form in many ways for the collective, but in some ways a departure from all that has come before. Lots of Leonard Cohen-esque imagery and lyricism, coupled with the always gorgeous instrumentation that fans of this group have come to expect. Both first editions on vinyl and CD are gorgeously put-together. Don't miss out on this work of art!

The Twilight Sad "Forget the Night Ahead" - CD. These Scots have an ear for the dark and disturbing side of banality, and an uncanny knack for making it sound anthemic and compelling. Drawing from a wealth of influences from across the pond, from Morrisey to Mogwai, each song feels like a self-contained parable with all of them adding up to an epic listen.

Mum - "Sing Along to Songs You Don't Know" - CD. The latest from Iceland's Mum is the first without one of the founding members, but it finds the band finding a new solidarity in partnering in a new record label (Euphono, for which this is the first release). The result is a slightly different breed of Mum, but one that is a logical progression from the textured, chilled-out vibe of the best of their previous work.

Find also new releases (and "new-to-us" releases) from Sufjan Stevens, Volcano Choir, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Okkervil River, Health, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, and much much more!

"ROOOAAAARRRR!!!"

We'll see you soon...

TRx

914 S 3rd St / Renton, WA (DTR)

425.988.4118

New, new, new!

Here is a brief list of new things at the store. Check it out...if you dare! (OK, I don't really know what that means. Just drop on by on a weekend and say hello to your friendly friends at TRx.)

Here's what's new lately:

1. The "as-yet-unnamed" recording studio is taking shape! We should have things up and running by the middle of October, if not sooner. It's gonna be sweet...


2. We finally have a lighted "Open" sign! No more hand-drawn notes taped to the window--we are official. There will no longer be any question about whether TRx is open or not. Just look at the sign! (Believe it or not, I'm taking this as kind of a big deal...)


3. The last two weeks have seen a relatively large influx of new music. Such as:

--New and new-ish releases from Girls, The Fruit Bats, Grand Archives, Ramona Falls, The Horse Feathers, etc., etc., etc.... (read: lots of new stuff!!)

--Re-issues from Mudhoney and Sunny Day Real Estate from the good folks at Sub-Pop in Seattle!

--Some of our personal favorites from the last 6 to 12 months: Ra Ra Riot (on local label Barsuk), Grizzly Bear (so good! on vinyl!), Cymbals Eat Guitars (as "indie" as it gets...), and many more!


Won't you come on in? Please...justify our existence. ; )

Tyrannosaurus Records
914 S 3rd St
Renton, WA 98057

425.988.4118

Hours: Friday 12p-7p, Saturday 12p-7p, Sunday 12p-5p

Things and Stuff

If you have yet to come in and check out TRx, you couldn't pick a better time than this coming weekend... Check out some of the new cosmetic touches on the inside of the store, participate in our HUGE DTR-encompassing cross-promotional World Domination Attempt (I am probably making a little bit much out of that...), best of all, this weekend will be the unveiling of lots of new merchandise, including:

Local punks and rockers (but NOT punk-rockers!) Rat City Ruckus and Neon Nights (and others), courtesy of Rockin' Stan Records

Newish releases from Julian Plenti, local favorites and friends of TRx The Cave Singers, indie stalwarts Yo La Tengo, and many many more, as well as some new classics!

Check Us Out!!

914 S 3rd St
Renton, WA 98057

Open: FRI-SAT: 12p-7p
SUN: 12p-5p

ROOOOAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!

The Weekend in Pictures

Thanks to everyone who helped to make our very first weekend incredible. Since each of these is worth at least 1000 words, I'll let them do the talking... = ]

...here's to many more unbelievably awesome days of being in business.

TRx

--n

Catching up with TRx...

So it's been a pretty crazy couple of weeks... (No, I will not explain this picture. Draw your own conclusions.)

We have made a lot of progress: finishing the walls and wires, painting, working on the floor (and not finishing it), painting, hanging display walls, re-painting ("Are you serious?"), moving the inventory in, schmoozing, forgetting to update the blog, painting some more, listening to Japandroids, making appointments, canceling appointments, having moments of complete despair when contemplating all the things that could go wrong, having even more moments of contagious excitement watching (er, MAKING) everything fall into place, etc., etc., etc.

Lots of work. And the cherry on top was being interviewed by Josh Kerns of KIRO radio (97.3 FM) for his program "Soundtracks" (find the text of the story here, but don't pay attention to the logo or the website link, because those belong to that other Tyrannosaurus Records): http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=332&sid=203097

The culmination of all this activity will be this Saturday, 8/22. We will finally open our doors. To all of you who have been waiting patiently: Thank you--we can't wait to see you! To anyone hearing about us for the first time: Welcome--we hope you like what you see and hear.

We are finally here. It would be unacceptably ingracious of me to not give a big "THANK YOU!" to everyone who has helped to this point. The list of individuals is too long to reprint, but if you've given a kind word, a free lunch, your valuable time and ability, your technical knowledge, a suggestion, your music, your excitement, or any other kind of helping hand, consider yourself duly and hugely thanked.

We'll see you this weekend!

Don't forget: LIVE MUSIC!!! Saturday--6pm: Laura Jorgensen, 7pm: Jonathan Kimball // Sunday--2pm: Amy Bleu

ROOOAARRRRR!!!!

TRx

So much for keeping a secret...

Check out this link. Seriously. Do it.



http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/lifestyle/52376592.html



A big thanks to Celeste @ the Renton Reporter for this, our first ink (who says print is dead?!). And to Mary & Chris, who were both quoted about how awesome TRx is going to be and how awesome DTR is becoming; my beautiful wife (who got me hooked on DTR); and the whole DTR crew (you know who you all are...).

Stay Golden...

TRx
--n

I think Method Man said it best...

...when he said:

"step by step / piece by piece / inch by inch / brick by brick"

That's how we're doing this thing. We're building it from its grassroots, right to its tippity-top. Both in a physical sense (flooring, walls, fixtures, displays, etc., etc.) and an intangible sense (connections, artists, industry experts, designers, venues, etc., etc.).

We hope you will join us. You can help us lay some mortar, you can be a part of the foundation.

We're on our way...but we can't do it without you--

--n

TRx

FAQ's about TRx

What is Tyrannosaurus Records?

Tyrannosaurus Records is an independent CD/record store based in Renton, WA (specifically downtown Renton, AKA: DTR). We sell CD’s, records, T-shirts, pins, stickers, and any other music-related merchandise we can get our hands on.

So…?
Well, what makes us unique is that we are committed to music and art made independently, and locally. We pride ourselves on being a place where local independent artists can get that first taste of exposure, or expand and solidify an already existing fan base.

I read somewhere that the tyrannosaurus was the stupidest dinosaur ever. Is that true?
You shut your mouth.

What kind of music do you sell? Does it have to be rock, or indie rock?
There are no genre-based constraints to the music we will sell! We are already working with bands/artists that are into reggae/dub, straight-ahead rock, blues, singer-songwriter, pop-rock, ambient, punk, prog-/art-rock, indie-rap, rockabilly, folk… And the list grows more by the week! Our one requirement is that all music we sell be made independently.

What about nationally-known acts?
We will carry a limited amount of CD’s and records by nationally-known bands and artists, but only those propagated by independent labels, as opposed to major labels. It’ll be a great way for local artists to be put side-by-side with the acts they already know and admire, as well as a way for our audience to be introduced to our local acts.

Do people still make records?
Yes. Trust me.

OK, but isn’t the whole physical music thing kind over?
That depends. For many people, there is no need to ever buy a record or a CD again, with the advent of file-sharing and MP3’s and iTunes. I think that’s great…for them. If you never want to buy a CD again, then this store is not for you. This store is for all the people out there who still want to get out into the big, bad world and go digging for their music; the people who want to find an awesome deal tucked into the corner of a record bin; the people who know that listening to a song on their computer will always lack something that they can’t quite put their finger on… This store is for people who WANT the experience of getting out into their community and interacting with people and, ultimately, buying music the old-fashioned way.

I think I get it now…but is it going to be cool?

ROOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TRx Issues First Blog-pology

In a shocking lack of blog-/cyber-etiquette, our last blog gave a shout out to Ms. Lynar at All About Renton and completely dissed Lady P at The Picaroon (another awesome Renton blog: www.thepicaroon.blogspot.com), who had blogged about our impending arrival not once, but twice!

Lady P, we sincerely thank you for your effort, we hope you will forgive us and that you will continue to mention TRx from time to time.

It's official, we suck at blogging. But it's free, so we're going to keep doing it.

roar.

--n

TRx

I'm thinking of a song by Belly, circa 1995...

I met with Jane from the band Nancy Frieko this morning. We had a nice long chat about music, and the scene, the Seattle scene, the nature of scenes in general...and many other things. It got me thinking a little about the way everything bleeds into everything else.

I'll attempt an explanation:

I got super serious about this whole music store idea earlier this year partly as a result of a night spent at an extremely intimate show held in a garage in the suburbs. So many people in such a relatively small space, all feeling pretty much the same thing as a result of the music...the music brought everyone there a little closer together for those few hours, if only because of the shared experience. I came away from that evening deciding that I needed to find a way to facilitate just that sort of interconnectedness through music (in some way, on some level), and that if I could find a way to do it, I could be happy doing it forever. And TRx was born...in my head.

So, as Jane and I spent an hour talking about similar musical experiences (Liberty Hall!!) and matters of taste, I got to thinking about how we were being brought together--indirectly by my experience discussed above and the resulting actions on my part, and only slightly less indirectly by her music. We had been brought together by one thing that, for all intents and purposes of the two of us sitting in a diner, only existed in my mind; and another thing--her music--that only existed as an idea, in that it wasn't playing at the time.

All these intangible things, begetting tangible things...it's eerie.

And without it all--the experiences, the connectedness, the music--I probably wouldn't have the opportunity to meet all the amazing people I have met so far, nor the many amazing people I have yet to meet.

...all these intangible things, everything bleeding into everything else.

And thank you, everyone, for being so awesome.

--n

TRx

PS: Big thanks to Ms. Lynar for hooking us up with our very first press at All About Renton! If I were more savvy, this is where I would have a link set up for you to click so you could check it out. Sadly, I'm not. Google it!

**BTW, if you're still reading way down here, the Belly song alluded-to above is called "Superconnected". And, yes, the title to this blog IS unforgivably lame.

(untitled)

(I'm just going to let this sink in a bit...)

--n

TRx

MwahahahahahaHAHAHA...

In case you were wondering, our plan to take over the world (of music...in Renton, WA) is coming right along...

Pics to come soon of our totally killer window signage that was installed on Friday by our illustrious design-guru, Adam "Zombies-are-people-too" Jones.

And all the signage was masterminded and coordinated by my beautiful wife Samantha.

...also, I had a highly productive "business" meeting with a certain recording engineer about the possibility of TRx being a place where a band could come to record--not just sell and network...

This is exciting stuff.

roar.

--n

TRx

Fire up the Shoesaw* or "What is Rock n' Roll?"

People are always asking me, "Are you only about Rock n' Roll?", or "Do you only work with artists who play Rock n' Roll?".

The answer is emphatically NO...but it's also emphatically YES.

To truly answer it, we must first ask another question: How does one define Rock n' Roll?

Is it Bill Haley rocking around the clock, or Chuck Berry celebrating a teenage wedding? Is it "Crimson and Clover" and Iron Butterfly? Is it Elvis? Is it ZZ Top? Is Rock n' Roll made with a guitar (or two), a bass, and a drumkit? or can it be made with two turntables and a microphone? Is it the cold, clinical precision of Kraftwerk, or the sloppy mishmash of Titus Andronicus? Is Chuck D one of the most Rock n' Roll people to ever spit verses into a mic? Is Richard D. James one of the most Rock n' Roll people to ever make semi-creepy ambient noise? Is it pop music, is it undergound? Does it lift you up or does it drag you to the depths? Uptown, midtown, downtown--old-school, new school, mid-school?

I could go on forever, but I'll stop here to say that the answer to all these questions--for me--is YES. Rock n' Roll is all these things and much much more.

To me, Rock n' Roll is anything made originally, with emotion, by someone who cares deeply about music and about connecting with people. That's it. Pretty simple, right? Well, yes...and, again, no. There are many "rock" artists today that I would consider to be spitting in the face of Rock n' Roll as I know it every single time they step into a recording studio (they shall remain nameless for the purposes of this posting as I respect all of your opinions on the matter and, while I would love to discuss it in person, I don't want to start any internet arguments). Conversely, there are many artists who are doing extremely interesting things with instrumentation that most would never consider to be Rock n' Roll--and I think that that's totally Rock n' Roll (again, names withheld, for my own sake).

Rock n' Roll is messy. It's clean. It's hideously beautiful, and beautifully hideous. It's iconoclastic, it's tried-and-true. It's what you feel in your heart when you get a boot in the head. Late nights, later mornings, PA's, headphones, blown-out car speakers.

I saw a band once called Dead Orchestra. The lead singer summed it up perfectly when he said to a sweaty and half-deaf audience:

"It's all Rock n' Roll to me."

At TRx, it's all Rock n' Roll to us...

TRx
--n

*props to Lionrock (and wherever that sample came from) for the title to this blog

Molehills become Mountains

Every day

...every single day...

on this journey, I get reminded that all things start somewhere.

The Pyramids began with a stone.

The longest journey began with step.

The greatest song began with just a note.

It's humbling, it's difficult...it is so worth it.

--n

TRx

The TRx Family

I was debating what I would call the artists who elected to come with me on this adventure. Record labels have a "stable" of artists...like they were showponies. Certain artistic endeavors take place within or with the assistance of a "collective"...somehow that really doesn't seem to fit. While the idea of community is a huge part of our overall mission, calling our artists a "community" is kind of vague in a way that doesn't capture the essence of what we're about.

Recently, it hit me like a ton of bricks: Family

Tyrannosaurus Records will be a family of artists. All the same in that we want music-lovers to have a place to go to find great local independent music, all different in the ways we choose to express ourselves. We may not always see everything the same way, but we will always have a level of respect for one another, and for what we are all building together, that will supercede any preconceptions of what makes great art, or great music.

Everyone in this family has seen the power of music, the power of art. We all know what it looks like from the summit of that mountain, and we all know what it takes to climb it. We are all here to help each other scale it--we are all here to see the world from above...

...together.

We're a family.

We can't wait for you to join us...

--n

TRx

Pre-Awesome

Right now, it is a simple storefront on a nice little street.

Soon, it will be something more.

***************************************************************************************

One day in the future, they will ask, "What was life like without TRx?"

You will find yourself unable to answer...

It takes more than an elemental force of nature...

...so, yeah. There was a fire in the building that will soon house TRx. It raged into the night of June 11th like a maniac screaming at heaven. It caused untold heartache to more than a few people (residents and business-owners, to all of whom I extend my deepest condolences and heartiest wishes for a speedy recovery).

But it will not stop us.

We have confirmed today that damage to our space is minimal and that we will not have to postpone any plans we had originally set.

Look for us soon, along with some of your new favorite bands.

It'll take more than a measley little inferno to stop us. TRx won't stop; DTR won't stop.

FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"ROOOAAARRRR!!!"

--n

It's coming...

it's finally happening...

Time: Soon

Place: Renton, WA

The South Seattle area will finally have a musical epicenter. We will showcase all the emerging local talent in the Pacific Northwest. We will Rock. We will Roll. We will feel the music.

This is my promise to you, friends.

Are you ready? Will you join us...?

See you soon.

--ns

TRx