Saddled between the New Jersey and Pennsylvania borders, and located in Orange County, New York, Port Jervis is one of those fantastic small cities that in recent years is experiencing a much-deserved renaissance. To look around reveals a striking mix of old and new; peaked Victorian facades and Gothic Revival architecture mixed with chic eateries and a new-ish yoga studio downtown that also offers sound baths. At only about 90 minutes from Manhattan, you’ll see young, chic professionals amongst the charm of long-standing local shops (including an incredible deli specializing in Eastern European treats).
“Port Jervis has this rare mix of being historic without being stuck, and being up-and-coming without being pretentious,” Jesse Traynor tells me. “It’s scrappy, supportive, and full of people who genuinely want the city to thrive. There’s a DIY spirit here that fits perfectly with punk, metal, and independent music culture. It’s a place where small businesses can actually become part of the community.” A New Jersey native, Jesse spent most of his career in public service, specializing in animal cruelty enforcement, while playing in extreme metal and hardcore bands, even running his own punk record label, Sunshine Ward Recordings, out of his garage.
It’s here that Jesse recently opened Ironhead Records, for (to quote his site) “fans of the loud, the heavy, and the underground.” They also carry CDs and cassettes and all sorts of fun wearable gear, as well as “witchy books and items,” gifts for those with a darker fancy.
“I had been coming to Port Jervis, New York for many years to get tattooed at The Shop, which is a world-class tattoo studio, so it was already on my radar,” Jesse says. “I loved the mix of old-school spirit and new creative energy around town, and all the small businesses support each other here. Port Jervis was the only place that truly felt like the right home for Ironhead Records.”
These are wild times, but it’s impossible to argue that there’s never a terrible time to bring vinyl records to the masses. Even more, as Jesse says, “there’s no time like the present for fulfilling your dreams.” The economy might be crap, but vinyl records may just be the elixir for all ills. “Despite the ebb and flow of the economy, vinyl isn’t just surviving; it’s thriving. I think people have realized that they want something real and tactile. They want physical art, liner notes, and the knowledge that their purchase is forever.
“I’ve always felt that metal and punk fans are overwhelmingly collectors and explorers. So in this sense, a record store transcends retail to be a community hub, and a place to gather, discover, and be passionate about what you love. So honestly, now is exactly the right time.”
What was the first record you ever bought and what was your first live concert?
At the risk of embarrassing myself, the first record I ever bought was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles soundtrack at the age of 9. The first heavy music record was probably Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite For Destruction.
My first live concert was Type O Negative on the Bloody Kisses tour, opening for Queensrÿche.
Why do people need more metal in their lives?
Because metal is honest. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything. It channels anger, grief, catharsis, power, rebellion, and joy all at once. Metal gives people a place to put the things they can’t say out loud. Plus, let’s be real; it’s fun. Loud, ridiculous, theatrical fun. Everyone could use more of that.
In your opinion, what’s the best metal band of all time? (And if someone were to own one metal album, which should it be?)
There are so many great metal bands. But I’m torn between Iron Maiden and Motörhead. Both bands have an enormous catalogue of insanely good, influential material. I think it’s a tie.
As for one metal album, I have a slightly less orthodox answer. Morbid Angel’s Altars of Madness. It’s vicious, riff-forward, spooky, blasphemous, and absolutely wild. More than 35 years later, it still sounds fresh and scary. It set the stage for every death and black metal band to follow. Or maybe Emperor’s In the Nightside Eclipse. It’s lo-fi as hell, full of banshee-like screams, spooky vampiric keyboards, and you can lose yourself amidst the cacophony.
How do you find records for your store?
We specialize in newly pressed records, so we steer clear of attics and swap meets. While a lot of the bigger-name metal and punk records come from the usual distros, I spend an inordinate amount of time sourcing extremely limited edition, underground releases for the store, and I listen to all of it. This means reaching out directly to bands and tiny labels, checking overseas distros, playing demos, reading message boards, and researching new bands. It’s a lot of work, but my philosophy for the store is all killer, no filler.
What is the rarest/most-expensive record in your store?
I’m pretty excited to have a near-mint copy of the 1992 Profanatica/Masacre split on Osmose Productions, and a 1993 first press of Satyricon’s Dark Medieval Times on Moonfog Productions on the shelves. I also have three sealed Bethlehem Dark Metal cassette collector boxes, which were limited to just 60 copies worldwide.
Despite having a lot of rare metal, I do everything I can to keep prices low. I’d rather a kid walk out with two albums than one, even if it means less profit. They’ll be happier, and I’ll have a returning customer, eager to keep exploring. And since so much of our stock, especially the black metal and death metal vinyl, comes from pressings of 100 copies or less, a lot of it is pretty rare, even if the value is currently $24.99.
What is your personal favorite album of all time?
My favorite album of all time is Helmet’s Meantime record. It straddles the line between metal and hardcore in the heaviest, most bombastic and ugly way. There is a song on that record called “Ironhead,” which was the inspiration for the store’s name.
What is your advice for anyone who wants to own a record store?
Do it for the community, not the cash. Know your genres and don’t try to be everything to everybody. Price fairly. Be honest. Create a space people want to hang out in, not just shop. And most importantly, let your passion show. People can tell when a store is run by someone who genuinely loves music, and I think they’ll support you for it.
Ironhead Records exists because heavy and loud music deserves a home in Port Jervis. We’re here to build something lasting and real, and something for which the community can feel proud. Our tagline is “Uneasy Listening,” because not everything beautiful has to be comfortable.
