TRS-80 is the name under which founding member, Jay Rajeck records and performs electronic music with keyboardist and collaborator, Eric Fensler. Live drums and analog synthesizers have been the foundation of the band's sound since forming in Chicago in '97. Rajeck relocated TRS-80 to Los Angeles in '06 and has continued to expand the instrumentation and musical scope of the band ever since, describing the studio itself as being his main instrument.
2011 saw the arrival of TRS-80's two most successful albums to date, Horizons and the Sky Sailor EP, both of which were released by the record label, Vinyl International. Their song, "Mirage" from Horizons was featured in the Electronic Arts snowboarding video game, SSX in March of 2012 and the title is expected to sell over 5 million copies, exposing the band to a larger audience
than ever before.
TRS-80's critically acclaimed Sky Sailor EP incorporates the last two official Daft Punk remixes to be released from the Tron Legacy soundtrack, one of which features new lyrics and vocals by Ariel Pink. Their remix of Daft Punk's "End of Line" charted at #1 on The Hype Machine and the EP continues to garner interest with help from music sites like Pitchfork, Highsnobiety and Fact Magazine.
Eric Fensler was injured in a motorcycle accident in the Spring of 2011, but due to his quick recovery, the band is likely to tour some time in the second half of 2012. Jay Rajeck will be performing solo TRS-80 dates via an "electronics only" set in the menantime, these performances will still incorporate the unique video projections and analog synth sounds the band is best known for.
History
TRS-80 was started by Rajeck and Kent Rayhill in their hometown of Chicago, with Deb Schimmel joining them early on. The trio shared a common desire to write and perform music with real drums and synthesizers. A music writing frenzy of over 50 songs took place at Rajeck's home studio and he later came up with a way for the band to synch video projections with their live show, making TRS-80's performances unlike any other on the local scene.
Chicago's indie rock venue, The Empty Bottle took TRS-80 under their wing shortly after hearing the band's demo and put them on the bill with artists like Sonic Boom, Acid Mothers Temple, Oval, and Laika among others, which helped grow TRS-80 a local following. From there they received bigger shows at venues like Metro and the 2,500 seat Riviera Theater opening for The Sisters of Mercy, The Creatures and other larger drawing acts.
Over the next five years TRS-80 worked with two local record labels, released four albums, and toured parts of the US and Canada. The band also created custom scores for the award winning Public Radio International show, This American Life and a Nike promotional film titled "Les Jumelles" created by Tron Legacy director, Joseph Kosinski.
In February of 2005 Kent and Deb performed their last show, retiring from the stage to pursue other non-musical interests. Jay decided after listening back to his recordings in progress that the music was still TRS-80 and to continue on under the same name. In March of 2005 Rajeck performed as TRS-80 with Mike Barron and Fred de Albuquerque on synthesizers and toured that summer in Canada and the US.
In 2006 TRS-80's music was featured twice in CSI: NY and an international Coca-Cola TV ad campain. Jay Rajeck relocated to Los Angeles and released the full length album "Mystery Crash" and sister release "Demixes" through Hollywood based One Cell Records after completing a West Coast tour. Long time TRS-80 video collaborator Eric Fensler relocated to Los Angeles from New York shortly thereafter and became Rajeck's partner in TRS-80 performances playing synth. The New You EP was released in 2008 through TRS-80's new label home, Vinyl International and music from the album was featured in the video game Saints Row 2 that sold over 2 million copies. TRS-80's first custom filmed music video for the single "Tinted" was created and took record sales to an all-time high.
Visit TRS80.com for the latest information and updates.
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