Greenville Scene

by: Kevin Miller

How did X-Records get started and what is the history of X-Records in Greenville?

Ted: The original owner was Gary Araujo who worked at Horizon Records. Gary split from Horizon and started the store sometime in 1990. When I was young I would go into Manifest/X-Records/Horizon and drop $200.00 a week on music. One day I went into X-Records to buy a Love Rockets maxi single and Gary asked me if I wanted a job. And of course I jumped at the chance. He showed me the ropes the first week and I ran the store for 2 years. One day Gary decided he didn’t want to own the store anymore and offered me the store. I’ve been doing this now for 15 years.

What are your aspirations (if any) for X-Records and for the Greenville music scene?

Ted: To book national acts and to provide alternative music. We have great talent here but we need national talent to come through and provide more exposure for the local bands.

If you existed in an alternate universe (say in the trunk of a car next to a cd changer) and were limited to 6 or 7 albums what would you pick?

Ted: The Small Faces - Ogdens Nut Gone Flake would be my first pick, Liquid Liquid I would need, The Beatles - Revolver, Sonic Youth - Goo, Kraftwerk - Computer World, The Free Design - Kites are Fun, and Pink Floyd - Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

What are your thoughts on the internet and it’s relation to music?

Ted: It’s given the power to the individual to explore music and to expand their mind on what is currently going on. But it is being abused with people not paying for the music. 65% of the people who downloaded the new Radiohead album did not pay for the album. For a major band that might not be a big loss, but for an indie band they need every penny they can get to pay bills so they can create what you enjoy. And that also effects local business too. I mean what would Greenville be without X-Records, Horizon, and Earshot?

If X-Records had a theme song what would it be?

Ted: It would be The Clash’s Radio Clash. X-Records supplies information and is always broadcasting in some way or another.

Do you have any favorite regional bands or musicians (past or present) and in general is there anything new you have heard that you really like?

Ted: Yeah, that would The Utah Package. They really rocked my world when I was young. It was fun to watch them get better every year they were together. Randall Huggins is my favorite local songwriter. JT & The Blame are phenomenal! Chris Bickle from Columbia is great also. I think he lives by the quote “Do what thy will, and it will be”.

www.myspace.com/xrecordsbeatmusic
864-298-0110