Shop celebrates its independent streak

Local musicians play to fans and hope to reach more beyond them, By John Church Franklin — Music fans celebrated Record Store Day at Eyeconik Records and Apparel here Saturday night. “Today has been amazing,” said Eyeconik co-owner Justin Tyskewicz of Franklin. “Bands released very exclusive albums, maybe 300 to 500 copies; today and I sold them all by noon.” Independent record stores have celebrated a special day for the past three years now and the event has grown rapidly. Business has been steady at Tyskewicz’s shop located on Route 23. Originally owned by three people, Tyskewicz now runs the shop with April Tassillo, also of Franklin. The third partner left the business to return to school. “People call all the time looking for a special record to complete their collections,” said Tyskewicz. Around 7 p.m. the shopping tapered off and live-music fans started wandering in. The celebration started with a performance by 9-year-old Destiny Cooper of Franklin. Solo artist Bryan Keith of the Bronx was up next. The acts kept getting bigger, and louder, as the night went on. The other bands that performed were Tragic Flaw and Truth in Savanna, both based in Vernon. Local winners perform The highlight of the evening’s celebration was a performance by Handed to the Thousands. The band was the winner of a contest held at the record store last November. That qualified the band to audition for a “Battle of the Bands” album. Chosen from bands sponsored by shops across the country, Handed to the Thousands made it to the final selection. Their song “A Lasting Reflection” appears on side two of the album. “We are pretty excited to have made it on the album,” said band member Andy Stampfl of Pequannock. The band has been together for four years. Band member Oliver Torres of Rockaway said the group’s best song is called “A Lasting Reflection.” Performing at various sized venues the band has so far only traveled as far as Allentown, Pa., but, said Torres, “This is the smallest place we have performed in.” The group, he said, “are planning a tour for this summer out to Illinois or Ohio.” Handed to the Thousands took the stage at 10 p.m. and played several of their songs. Based in Rockaway, the band members are Nick Kuzevski of Rockaway, Mike Bondy of Hackettstown, Jon Dolan of Lincoln Park, Juan Avalos of Dover, Torres and Stampfl.