Album Notes

Born out of Portland, Oregon's burgeoning indie scene, The Retrofits have emerged as one of the Northwest's most popular pop bands with their piano driven rock, catchy guitar hooks and tight harmonies.

The band was created in 2002 by high school friends and trackmates Jake Oken-Berg (lead vocals, piano) and George McCleary (lead vocals, guitar). Jake ran for Mayor of Portland at age 19, receiving 27% of the vote, and George was one of the nation’s top high school runners.

The Retrofits started off playing benefits for youth vote organizations, mental health treatment and environmental protection and opened for national acts Everclear and Pink Martini within their first year of performing.

The band has added experienced musicians Jason Barlow (violin/guitar) and Dusty Brooks (bass, vocals) and sold out every show it's headlined in Portland for the last three years -- just one reason SPIN Magazine listed The Retrofits in its "The best time you’ll have all month" section.

The Retrofits are “simply, a band worth catching” (The Oregonian).

---- The 2008 EP ----

The Retrofits entered the studio in the fall of 2008 to record two new singles at producer Rob Stroup's 8 Ball Studio. "What I'm Missing" and "Hands In The Dark" feature noted jazz musician Rod Nightingale on drums and poignant lyrics from Jake and George.

The two songs are available only online, including right here at CD Baby!


---- PRAISE FOR THE RETROFITS ----

"Taking full advantage of pop and indie's new creative license" – The Oregonian.

"The best time you’ll have all month!" – SPIN MAGAZINE

"The band is now evolving, along with Denver's nationally charting The Fray, as one of the West's premier purveyors of expressive and engaging piano-pop." – The Oregonian

"Simply, a band worth catching." – The Oregonian


---- PRAISE FOR THE RETROFITS DEBUT ALBUM ----

"All the tight hooks needed for a successful first recording." – The Oregonian

"The Retrofits' debut album, Away From Here, will surely take this band wherever it wants to go." – West Coast Performer Magazine

"The entire album has enough surprises to keep it from being compartmentalized...The result is a sound that no one can touch — purely The Retrofits' own." – West Coast Performer Magazine