Me and Ian. This event was the opening of ‘Bizzy’s Dry Bar’, which was Oakland’s first sober bar (and staffed by cool Oakland DIY music people). Ian informed me that the new 2 Lazy Boys record (which is his band with Rizzy) had finally been released. I got it off of Bandcamp when I got home that night, and 2LB basically became my favorite Oakland band.

Fred and Courtney. Fred owns Thrillhouse Records in SF, Courtney is a punk singer and bass player. They were soon to have their first child.

BG came over to use my computer to make a music show flyer.

Me and BG

Grace gifted me her bass guitar right before she left Oakland.

Me and Tyler Holmes

Me and Mike

Covid started. The world came to a grinding halt.

Video chats became my only social experience.

Months later, I had my 40th birthday. Before Covid happened, I intended to celebrate my 40th with a large dinner party. Instead, 3 good friends celebrated safely.

Moira has been a good friend to me.

My extremely close and very old friend Justin Ward played a critically important role in my life as I was getting into the indie rock scene in UCSC, because Justin knew about all of the DIY shows and would take me to them. Justin has been teaching English in Korea for 9 years. I’m nocturnal, so my sleep schedule is compatible with the Korean time zone for video chats with Justin.

Video chats with Arrington de Dionyso of Old Time Relijun.

My severe Covid social isolation ended when I started seeing Christina, whom despite being 13 years younger than me, I would say is firmly culturally “Gen X” in her tastes and beliefs, which was very refreshing.

Christina and her BFF Julia on Halloween

This is George Rosenthal who plays bass in the band Whateverglades that Christina plays rhythm guitar in. George also runs this phenomenal live music video recording operation called “The Complex SF” which broadcasts on Twitch.TV.

BG personally delivered to me late at night one of the last remaining undō band t-shirts.

I finally was able to get my vaccines (April 2021). Already having a romantic companion at this point, what I wanted most was to be able to photograph people.

I recorded Christina’s indie rock band ‘Christina’s Trip’.

This was a Whateverglades show. Christina plays rhythm guitar and sometimes sings in this band. This was the first post-Covid show at an outdoor venue in Alameda.

Marc Ribak and Tony Bald at Whateverglades show. Marc organizes the big annual music festival that happens in Oakland every Halloween.

Christina and I ran into Younger Lovers’ bassist Ezra Rabin.

Ezra Rabin

Paul Costuros at The Knockout in SF. This was for Whateverglades’ show at the Scott Alcoholocaust memorial festival there.

Jeffrey Cheung exhibit in Oakland.

Oakland punk band The Vaxxines at my place.

Markley (The Vaxxines’ drummer) and partner Star at “Mosswood Meltdown” festival The Vaxxines performed at, which was organized by Marc Ribak.

I attended the final Younger Lovers performance at Eli’s Mile High Club. My longest conversation at the show was with Oakland musician Rob Miller (pictured here). To my delight, Rob told me Ellen Matthews is a new guitarist in his band Blues Lawyer.

This is me with Carlos Antagony, who both runs the ‘We Need Merch’ screen printing business (where a lot of Oakland bands make their merch), and he is also the frontman of the heavy metal band Connoisseur, all of whose songs are about marijuana. Carlos is also probably the most knowledgeable person I know on cryptocurrency.

This is Sophie and Sebastian. Sebastian is the guitarist for Oakland punk band The Vaxxines.

This is Tony (Whateverglades drummer) and his friend Zach. Incredibly nice guys.

Romance didn’t work out between me and Christina, but we’ve stayed real friends.

This is Christina showing off her handmade shirt promoting her band “Christina’s Trip”, which is now officially my favorite Oakland band.