About

THE HISTORY OF I.R.
My name is Don Coffey Jr. and I run Independent Recorders in Knoxville Tennessee. The name comes from United Western Recorders located in Hollywood. In 1966 Pet Sounds was recorded there. I believe it is where Cello Studio is now. The history of Independent Recorders is a long and mostly boring story. I'll simply say that I started recording out of necessity. My band Superdrag made the 360... starting out on indie label Darla Records, jumping to Elektra Records, then back to indie label, The Arena Rock Recording Co. By the time we were making our last couple of records it was apparent we would have to do things ourselves. We turned our practice space into a recording studio sometime in 1999. Thus, Independent Recorders, and my new career, was born. The city of Knoxville determined that my studio, which at various times was my home, was standing in the way of progress. They demolished it in 2004. I moved the studio down the alley to 815 Gill Avenue where Independent Recorders has been operating ever since.

Music