Contrary to many of the bands in Seattle at the time, Room Nine had a much airier and psychedelic approach to their music. Although they never found the success of their peers, Room Nine was one of the early pre-grunge era Seattle bands that helped lay the groundwork for much of the later scene. Formed in 1980, Room Nine's band members consisted of Ron Rudzitis (vocals and guitar), Scott Boggan (vocals and bass) and Shawn Allen (he replaced original member Scott Vanderpool on drums). Vanderpool suggested the band's name from the door of their portion of the beehive that was Seattle Rehearsal Studios near Gas Works Park. During Room Nine's early days, Rudzitis and Boggan's home was called the Room Nine House, a place where local musicians and friends would socialize after gigs. Rudzitis shared the home with Feast drummer Dan Peters (later of Mudhoney and Love Battery), renowned Seattle photographer Charles Peterson, artist Ed Fotheringham, occasionally Vanderpool and other scenesters. In his foreword to Charles Peterson's 1995 photo journal Screaming Life, author Michael Azerrad later cited the Room Nine house as a key part to the formation of Seattle's music scene.
In 1986, the band signed to the tiny Louisiana based indie label C'est La Mort, appearing on the first instalment of the label's Doctor Death series later in the year. The following year the band recorded and released their critically acclaimed debut album Voices...On A Summer's Day. Room Nine could easily be confused as just another throwaway 80's indie jangle pop band, but upon further listening with standout tracks such as 1000 Years, Mirage and Seas Without A Shore, you'll notice the album combines intricate elements of post-punk and subdued neo-psychedelia with some catchy dream-pop melodies.
2. Revolving Door
3. Don't Look Back
4. Red Dog
5. 1000 Years
6. The Thorn
7. Mirage
8. Seas Without a Shore
9. White Summer