Real 25360 music heads know that Tacoma/Lakewood has always had a foot in the door when it comes to tastemaking and trendsetting for music in the Pacific Northwest. From the ’80s and ’90s era of Penny Lane Records on Bridgeport to the presence of Nastymix Records (former home to Sir Mix-A-Lot, Criminal Nation, Rodney O & Joe Cooley and High Performance) The 253 alone has held it down since it was The 206! Well, the return of Ocean Records and Steve O to Lakewood adds strength to this legacy.

Since the mid-’90s Steve O has pushed his product of music and entertainment with the title of Ocean Records, not only producing his own albums but opening stores and providing a venue where hard-to-find CDs, vinyl and DVDs could be copped. However, in 2008 Ocean, then housed in Tillicum, closed its doors and transferred operations to Redmond, Ore., — a bastion of hip-hop heads — so it appeared. But the business in the central Oregon town eventually began to whither, and Steve O has returned to Lakewood with a new Ocean store. The former Nastymix Records business associate is now back in his hometown with the latest mix CDs and DVDs. “The G.I.s — they have always appreciated Ocean, because we are so close to each other and few stores sell CDs from down south and East Coast DJs, and that is what is most popular with our G.I.s from Fort Lewis and McChord,” says Steve O.

Although the market for vinyl is slowly but surely dissipating, Steve O’s business is surviving this holocaust of independent and even corporate music retail stores. Mom and pop shops are folding like shudders before a Kansas twister, and there is little that seems capable of preserving these invaluable independent entities. Ocean is the last of a dying breed, still serving heads with the sounds they need. Visit Ocean Records at 11916 Pacific Hwy. S.W. and Bridgeport or call at 253.584.0575.

Macklemore, Puget and Rockwell Powers Play The Clippers

Just when you thought it was safe for sucka MCs to prowl the stage — some talent arrives! Check out 206 representative and The Evergreen State College alumnus Macklemore as he graces your ears with party-rockin’ consciousness in a rap rendezvous that includes rising stars Puget (Olympia) and Rockwell Powers (Tacoma). Quality is in limited supply, but not on this evening. Check the show out Friday, June 5 at The Clipper (402 Fourth ave., Olympia).

Poor Em ...

This had to be a case of delayed Karma for the brilliantly comedic, dramatic and quick-witted MC, known as Marshall Mathers … Did you see the video of Sasha Cohen, the comedian of Borat fame, land pantless, chapless and butt-first into the face of Eminem at The MTV Movie Awards this weekend? I just had to laugh this one off, but Eminem was none too pleased. I thought to myself, “How serious could Slim Shady take this prank-of-sorts, with all of the ridiculous antics that he has pulled at the expense of other artists and so-called personalities (shall I name a few? Britney, Christina, Christopher Reeves (RIP), Jessica Simpson, Elvis (RIP) … The list could continue, but alas I digress). What a return to the big stage, the big screen and the big time for Eminem … Although it was in his face, unlike many other artists and lowly maggots in the entertainment industry, Eminem can still say, “I’ve never kissed anybody’s ass!”

New and upcoming releases

Jay Dilla (Jay Dee): Jay Stays Paid
DJ Quik & Kurupt: Blaqkout
D-Block: No Security
Chubb Rock & Wordsmith: Bridging The Gap
Juicy J: Hustle ‘Til I Die
Rockwell Powers & Ill Pill: The Kids In The Back

Winners Train, Losers Complain… Do Yo’ Thang!!!

Peace & Love
 
Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. is an editor, writer and producer. A graduate of Washington State University and student at The Evergreen State College, he writes and edits the Pacific Northwest section of OZONE Magazine and hosts and produces Live From I-5 Radio (since ’89) every Friday at 3 p.m. on KAOS 89.3 FM (www.kaosradio.org) in Olympia.