Record Store Day 2010 (The Details)

The upcoming celebration of national Record Store Day (http://www.recordstoreday.com/) will be on April 17th. It is officially the most wonderful time of the year (sorry, Christmas, you've been outdone). Please check out the website for all the specifics, but the idea of RSD is, simply put: Record stores rock, and they should be recognized for rocking. And what is the best way to reward record stores and their patrons? Why, music, of course!

The annual celebration of RSD always comes with a bevvy of singles and collectible releases that are available only at record stores, most in such a limited quantity that they end up being only available on Record Store Day. But it also brings a parade of indie artists who like to perform at indie record stores to show their appreciation to their fans and the stores that sell their wares.

One artist who will be touring West Coast record stores this year on and around RSD will be the incomparable Exene Cervenka. Fans of the 70's and 80's seminal LA punk band, X, need no introduction to Ms. Cervenka, as she was the frontwoman of the band. Identified with the punk scene during its rise to prominence, the band ended up evolving a unique rockabilly sound. Exene has taken this evolution even further in her recent work, her last release being 2009's Somewhere Gone, a beautiful collection of folk/alt-country/Americana rendered in a way that only she can.

"The reason I am touring independent record stores from San Diego to Seattle this April is that I want to play for free, to people of all ages, at a reasonable hour, in a place we love to be. I'm touring at my own expense, because I don't want the economy to stand between my music and people that might want to hear it. Yes, I hope I sell some aprons and a few cds, but bring your X records, the kids, shop independent, and let's have a party! xo exene"

Ah, we couldn't have said it any better ourselves. ; )

Catch Exene at Tyrannosaurus Records on April 17th at 2pm (along with local favorite Devin Moore, and possibly more local music TBD)

The cat is officially out of the bag.

roar.

TRx

"So, I was on Facebook the other day..."

Don't you hate it a little bit when a sentence starts out with a reference to Facebook, or some other social-networking vehicle? Not that they're all bad or anything. It's more the idea of a substitute for conversation forcing its way into an actual conversation. Maybe I am weird.

And yes, I see the irony in my writing this on a blog.

So, I was on Facebook the other day, and I said something about February being the most eclectic month for live music in our short--but awesome!--history. I kind of thought I was just saying that. You know, trying to tantalize people into really looking at the concert calendar. But the more I think about it, I was totally right about that. (It's not often I get to say that, so I am going to relish it.) I mean, check this out:

Feb. 5 - Zacharias Flynn - Zach plays virtually every instrument known to man. For this show, he will be performing a completely improvised instrumental set with several instruments to achieve what I can only hope will be a reasonable facsimile of (or companion piece to) his fantastic, self-made album, Irresolute Insight. It doesn't get anymore abstract than this, but all that considered, I think you'll be surprised at his amazing sense for melody and song structure.

Feb. 6 - The Juke Bones - Like Zach, this act hails from Renton. And that is pretty much where the similarities end. The Juke Bones are one drumkit, one guitar, lots of volume, and buckets of attitude. The members are veterans of plenty of other bands and artistic projects, not the least of which include the band Sugar Farm and the short film series The Finger of God. The music is a wall of Blues infused with a heavy dose of punk rock. Guaranteed that attendance at this show will give you at least one good story that you can tell people who weren't here.

Feb. 13 - Devin Moore - From the shadow of Maple Valley, by way of the wide expanses of Eastern WA, comes the uniquely clever and delicate voice of Devin Moore. An accomplished guitarist and songwriter, Devin has been playing and performing since before she knew she had a choice, and it suits her just fine. She makes tiny inner monologues into larger-than-life love songs, and she is destined for big things. We are just happy to have found her while she was still playing for free.

Feb. 21 - Post Harbor - Do you like post-rock? This band does it like no other. Less riff-y than Kinski, more accessible than Mogwai, "rock"-ier than Explosions in the Sky, this Seattle band is a very well-kept secret. I don't think that will last. On Feb. 10, they drop their new album They can't hurt you if you don't believe in them. It is a piece of music that gets more engaging and addictive with each listen. They will bring their epic songs into our humble abode, and you should really consider being here when they do.

Long story short: we really do have something for everyone this month, and I couldn't be more excited about it.

I hope some of you are, too.

roar,
--TRx

Good People Doing Good Things

If you'll forgive me the lack of my usual mix of irony and (attempted) humor for just a moment, I wanted to let you all know that we are partnering with Rockin' Stan Records to help put on a benefit for the good people at Real Change (http://www.realchangenews.org/). You probably know what Real Change is all about, and that they help the homeless in many ways measurable and immeasurable throughout the Seattle area. Rockin' Stan Records has a history of doing good for the community, which you can read about here: http://rockinstanrecords.com/, not least of all by providing an outlet for the release and distribution of good ol' fashion, homegrown punk and rock music in Renton and South Seattle.

About the benefit: On Saturday, January 30th, there will be a huge show at the Rendezvous (http://www.rendezvousseattle.com/) in Seattle with seven (count 'em!) bands on two stages and raffle prizes and food and drinks and maybe a magical unicorn (OK, maybe not)! It's sure to be a blast, and it's for a good cause! Get your tickets here at TRx, or email me to find out more!

Happy Upcoming Birthday, Donnie D...

--TRx
roar!

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