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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.

Rajeck received the rights back to the earliest TRS-80 releases in 2014 and has re-mastered and released selections on the albums Volume One and Volume Two through the Los Angeles based label, Vinyl International who now distributes their entire catalog. New recordings are currently in progress, slated for release in Spring 2015.

Mirage (Single Mix), Dream Sequence (Single Mix), and Turn A Corner are the latest singles from TRS-80 released in 2013 and 2011 saw the arrival of TRS-80's two most successful albums to date, Horizons and the Sky Sailor EP. Their song, Mirage from Horizons was featured in the Electronic Arts snowboarding video game, SSX in March of 2012 and sold millions of 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 others.

Performance dates incorporating the band's signature live drums, analog synths and synchronized video projections are currently being planned for April.

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, recorded three 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 in the CSI: NY episodes Bad Beat and Oedipus Hex and in an international Coca-Cola TV ad campaign. 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, helping them gain an international following.

For a more detailed look at the band and its history, please visit the TRS-80 Facebook Timeline.

ALBUMS


TRS-80
Volume One
2014, LP, Album, Comp, RM, Vinyl International, ,
Breakbeat/Ambient/Electro/Experimental/Downtempo
TRS-80
Volume Two
2014, CD, Album, Comp, RM + Album, RM, Vinyl International, ,
Breakbeat/Downtempo/Experimental
TRS-80
Horizons
2011, LP, Album, Vinyl International, ,
Ambient/Breakbeat/Electro/Downtempo
TRS-80
Sky Sailor EP
2011, 10", EP, Ltd, Blu, Vinyl International, ,
Acid House/Abstract/Big Beat/Soundtrack/New Wave/Ambient/Breakbeat/Electro/Downtempo/Dub/Minimal
TRS-80
The New You
2008, 12", Ltd, Vinyl International, ,
Acid House/Abstract/Dark Ambient/Minimal/Ambient/Breakbeat/Downtempo/Dub/Experimental
TRS-80
Mystery Crash
2006, CD, Album, One Cell Records, ,
Breaks/Big Beat/Experimental/Ambient/Breakbeat/Electro/Downtempo/Abstract/Minimal/IDM
TRS-80
Shake Hands With Danger
2003, CD, Album, File 13 Records, ,
Breakbeat/Electro/Downtempo/Experimental/Abstract
TRS-80
Mr. Kickass
2002, CD, Album, Caroline Distribution, ,
Breakbeat/Drum n Bass/Experimental/Downtempo/Minimal/Abstract
TRS-80
Backup : 01
2001, CD, Album, Comp, Invisible
TRS-80
The Manhattan Love Machine
2000, CD, Album, Invisible
TRS-80
Telemetry / 5000 Lbs Of Thrust
1999, 12", Single, Ltd, Finite Records International, ,
Breakbeat/Dub/Downtempo/Breaks
TRS-80
Industry Needs Electronic Skills
1999, CD, Album, Finite Records International, ,
Breakbeat/Dub/Breaks/Trip Hop
TRS-80
Radiograbadora
1998, CD, Album, Finite Records International, ,
Breakbeat/Dub/Breaks/Experimental/Downtempo/Electro/Trip Hop
TRS-80
Moon Patrol
1997, CD, EP, Red Out Records

APPEARANCES +


TRS-80
Premonition
2024, File, AAC, FLAC, Single, Vinyl International, ,
Electro/New Wave
TRS-80
Session 01
2024, File, AAC, FLAC, EP, Vinyl International
TRS-80
BACKUP : 02
2024, File, MP3, Comp, Dlx, El Presidente (2)
TRS-80
Face The Night
2022, File, AAC, FLAC, MP3, Single, Vinyl International, ,
Acid House
TRS-80
Body Talk (Screener Copy)
2021, File, AAC, FLAC, MP3, Single, Vinyl International, ,
Dub
TRS-80
Private Position
2021, File, AAC, FLAC, MP3, Single, Vinyl International, ,
Alternative Rock
TRS-80
Dead On
2021, File, AAC, FLAC, MP3, Single, Vinyl International, ,
Dub
TRS-80
Got Blues
2020, File, AAC, FLAC, MP3, Single, Vinyl International, ,
Acid House
TRS-80
Mirage (Single Mix)
2013, CD, Single + File, MP3, 320, Vinyl International, ,
Minimal/IDM/Abstract/Breakbeat
TRS-80
Dream Sequence (Single Mix)
2013, CD, Single + File, MP3, 320, Vinyl International, ,
Ambient/IDM
TRS-80
Turn A Corner
2012, File, MP3, 320 + CD, Single, Vinyl International, ,
Breakbeat
TRS-80
Demixes
2006, CD, Album + File, MP3, 320, One Cell Records, ,
Dub/Experimental/Ambient/Breakbeat/Electro/Downtempo/Abstract/Minimal
coL
Known For Being Known
2008, 10xFile, MP3, Album, JesusWarhol
Modwheelmood
Things Will Change
2007, File, MP3, Not On Label (Modwheelmood Self-released), ,
Abstract/Experimental
Yaporigami
Saryu Sarva
2007, 2xCD, Album, Symbolic Interaction, ,
IDM/Breakcore/Experimental
My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult / Cherrie Blue
Sleazebox Records
2006, Box, Comp, Ltd, Num, Sli + 4xCD, Album, Dig, Sleazebox Records, Underground, Inc., ,
Disco/Electro/House/Industrial/Techno
My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult
Golden Pillz: The Luna Remixes
2002, CD, Album, Sleazebox Records, Underground, Inc., ,
Disco/Funk/Industrial/Synth-pop/Techno
Various
United: The Sound Of The Underground
2002, 2xCD, Comp, Underground, Inc., ,
Industrial/Downtempo/Tribal/Techno/Drum n Bass/Dub/Abstract
Various
Kapital New York City
2002, 2xCD, Comp + DVD, NTSC, ULM Electro, ,
Techno/Electro/Electroclash
Various
Abstract Science Presents A. A. [Audio Anonymous] - A 12 Step Program
2001, CD, Comp, Deezal Records, Invisible
Various
Dr. Speedlove Presents Vol. 2
2000, CD, Comp, Invisible, ,
EBM/IDM/Drum n Bass/Big Beat/Industrial
Various
Wish You Were Queer: A Tribute To Ministry
1999, CD, Comp, Invisible, ,
Industrial/Synth-pop
Various
Dread Kennedys: A Tribute To Dead Kennedys / In Dub We Trust
1999, CD, Comp, Invisible, ,
Industrial/Electro/Dub/Trip Hop/Drum n Bass/Leftfield/Noise/Darkwave/Techno/Punk
Various
Industrial Goes Metal
2014, 70xFile, MP3, Comp, 320, Cleopatra Records, ,
Alternative Rock/Industrial Metal/Electro/Industrial/EBM/Breakbeat
Airhead
RA.304
2012, File, MP3, Mixed, 160, Resident Advisor, ,
House/Abstract/UK Garage/Dubstep/Downtempo/Experimental
Various
Forms
2006, CD, Comp, DVD, Intikrec
Various
Independent Chicago
2005, CD, Comp, Fork Series
Various
Remuzik
2004, CD, Comp, Intikrec
Various
Found
2004, 7", EP, Comp, Ltd, Whi, Found Magazine, ,
Country Rock/Electro/Indie Rock
Various
Tributaeminesteriumni - Two CD Tribute Set
2004, 2xCD, Comp, Underground, Inc., ,
Industrial/Punk/Techno/Heavy Metal/Thrash/Synth-pop
Various
File Thirteen Sampler
2004, CD, Comp, Smplr, Car, File 13 Records, ,
Garage Rock/Math Rock/Experimental/Indie Rock/Breakbeat/Electro/Downtempo/Abstract/Art Rock
Various
Stars From Worthy Skies
2003, 2xCDr, Comp, Worthy Records
Various
An Industrial Tribute To: Ministry
2003, CD, ,
Industrial
Various
Lumptronic 5: Lumpenwave
2002, CD, Comp, Lumpen Media Group, ,
Synth-pop
Various
Underground Inc. Label Sampler 2002 #1
2002, CDr, Comp, Promo, Smplr, Underground, Inc., ,
Industrial
Various
Muzik
2002, CD, Comp, DVD, Intikrec, ,
Noise/Chiptune/Breakcore/Indie Rock/New Wave/Lo-Fi/Synth-pop/Glitch/Electro/Abstract
Various
Lumptronic 3: Dynamic Sounds And Experimental Bloops Beats And Blurps From Chill
2001, CD, Comp, Lumpen Media Group, ,
Downtempo/Electro/Drum n Bass/Experimental
Various
Digital Hardcore Recordings Vs. Invisible Records: Clear And Present Danger Volume 1
2001, CD, ,
Industrial/Drum n Bass/Experimental/Breakcore
Various
Space 380 Compilation : Transmission Two...
2000, CD, Comp, Promo, Space 380, Relaxonline, ,
Alternative Rock/Blues Rock/Punk
Various
Lumptronic 2: Pickin' Boogers And Butter Beats
1997, CD, Comp, Lumpen Media Group
Joke Leonare
Summer Kisses, Winner Tears
2013, File, MP3, Comp, Mixed, Unofficial, Für Dich Verlag, ,
Coldwave/Ethereal/Krautrock/Synth-pop