Goners for life

Eric Freidl and Zac Ives teamed up to open Goner Records in February 2004.

The two were old friends looking to team up for a project, but Eric was also in the notorious garage-punk band The Oblivians and had a mail order business and record label on the side. Now the record label, the mail order business and the retail shop cross-promoting each other. This helps maintain Goner’s international underground reputation.  

Joe Simpson (l) and Zac Ives (r) at the counter.

“I think out thing works because it takes all three of those arms functioning and trying to figure out a way to grow all three of them at the same time. I think that has been part of our struggle, and so far we’ve been pretty successful with it.” - Zac Ives

Goner Records is the classic example of turning a passion for a hobby into one’s livelihood. Neither could make ends meet without a second job. For Eric that would be running the in-arena graphics for the Memphis Grizzlies. Zac picks up freelance copywriting jobs when he can. Both of them would choose the store to be their primary income if the store’s revenue permitted. Zac even calls Goner his dream job. Yet the job has altered how they approach the music that they love. 

“Sometimes you just want to get away from it and listen to something you now you hate, without the possible implications for buying it for the store or putting it out as a record.” - Eric Freidl

“I’m still getting blown away by things that blew me away fifteen years ago, and I’m still getting turned onto things that I’ve never listened to before that blow me away now. There’s not a whole lot better than that.” - Zac Ives

 “If I keep that record, it’s not doing anything for the store. But I look at my records and think, ‘Wow! These are some trashy records! But we’re selling the good copy of that in the store. Hopefully someone will come in and buy it.’” - Eric Freidl

Looking for record gems.

 

Zac Ives prices records shortly before closing time.