Gimme Something Better (72 page)
Read Gimme Something Better Online
Authors: Jack Boulware
Ben Sizemore:
Singer for Econochrist. Currently living in Oakland and doing social work in San Francisco. Still punk, vegetarian, and straightedge.
Singer for Econochrist. Currently living in Oakland and doing social work in San Francisco. Still punk, vegetarian, and straightedge.
Bill “Halen” McCracken:
Jak’s Team since ’82. Ran the Valencia Tool & Die. Onetime owner of Government Records. Stage manager at the Mabuhay Gardens, Elite Club, and On Broadway. Bass player with Unstrung Heroes. Manager of Verbal Abuse. Currently bass player for the Wrong Impressions and a manufacturing/machining professor who books shows when he’s inspired.
Jak’s Team since ’82. Ran the Valencia Tool & Die. Onetime owner of Government Records. Stage manager at the Mabuhay Gardens, Elite Club, and On Broadway. Bass player with Unstrung Heroes. Manager of Verbal Abuse. Currently bass player for the Wrong Impressions and a manufacturing/machining professor who books shows when he’s inspired.
Bill Michalski:
Former punk rocker. He lives in San Francisco and misses New Orleans.
Former punk rocker. He lives in San Francisco and misses New Orleans.
Bill Schneider:
Onetime bassist for Monsula and Skin Flutes. Bass player in Pinhead Gunpowder.
Onetime bassist for Monsula and Skin Flutes. Bass player in Pinhead Gunpowder.
Billie Joe Armstrong:
Lead vocalist, guitarist, and lyricist for Green Day. Guitarist and vocalist for Pinhead Gunpowder. Singer for Foxboro Hot Tubs. Still lives in the East Bay.
Lead vocalist, guitarist, and lyricist for Green Day. Guitarist and vocalist for Pinhead Gunpowder. Singer for Foxboro Hot Tubs. Still lives in the East Bay.
Blag Jesus:
Rock legend. (“Eat a dick!”)
Rock legend. (“Eat a dick!”)
Bob Noxious:
Singer for the Fuck-Ups.
Singer for the Fuck-Ups.
Bonedog aka Dwayne Mileham:
Bay Area punk. Onetime Gilman shitworker and member of planning committee. Still has a complete collection of
Maximum RocknRoll
and over 10,000 records.
Bay Area punk. Onetime Gilman shitworker and member of planning committee. Still has a complete collection of
Maximum RocknRoll
and over 10,000 records.
Bruce Loose:
Vocalist for Flipper and Not Flipper.
Vocalist for Flipper and Not Flipper.
Bucky Sinister:
Has released one CD and written four books, the latest of which is
Get Up
, a recovery book for the punk crowd.
Has released one CD and written four books, the latest of which is
Get Up
, a recovery book for the punk crowd.
Buzzsaw Bill:
Singer of Naked Lady Wrestlers. (“It’s not so easy being a billionaire playboy.”)
Singer of Naked Lady Wrestlers. (“It’s not so easy being a billionaire playboy.”)
Cammie Toloui:
Gilman shitworker and founding member of the Yeastie Girlz. Living happily in Portland, Oregon. Still taking pictures and singing loud in the car.
Gilman shitworker and founding member of the Yeastie Girlz. Living happily in Portland, Oregon. Still taking pictures and singing loud in the car.
Carol DMR:
Former gangsta and concert promoter ’round the Bay. Currently easing tension with therapeutic massage and making music/drama videos.
Former gangsta and concert promoter ’round the Bay. Currently easing tension with therapeutic massage and making music/drama videos.
Chester Simpson:
Freelance photographer who captured the early San Francisco punk scene. Now lives in the D.C. area and shoots it all, from Civil War reenactors to rock stars.
Freelance photographer who captured the early San Francisco punk scene. Now lives in the D.C. area and shoots it all, from Civil War reenactors to rock stars.
Chicken John:
Showman and contrarian living in S.F. Still putting on free shows and pulling off unrealistic stunts. His life remains a punk rock disaster movie.
Showman and contrarian living in S.F. Still putting on free shows and pulling off unrealistic stunts. His life remains a punk rock disaster movie.
Chip Kinman:
Vocalist and guitarist for the Dils.
Vocalist and guitarist for the Dils.
Christopher Appelgren:
Owner and former president of Lookout! Records. Album cover artist and member of Bumblescrump, the PeeChees, and the Pattern. Now general manager of the Noise Pop music festival in San Francisco.
Owner and former president of Lookout! Records. Album cover artist and member of Bumblescrump, the PeeChees, and the Pattern. Now general manager of the Noise Pop music festival in San Francisco.
Cinder Bischoff:
Singer of Tilt and Retching Red. Co-founder of Cinder Block.
Singer of Tilt and Retching Red. Co-founder of Cinder Block.
Courtenay Dennis:
Former San Francisco/Berkeley loudmouth. Now an L.A. smartmouth and gets paid for it. On a radio or screen near you.
Former San Francisco/Berkeley loudmouth. Now an L.A. smartmouth and gets paid for it. On a radio or screen near you.
Creetin K-oS:
Lead singer for Social Unrest. Owner of Proudflesh piercing studio.
Lead singer for Social Unrest. Owner of Proudflesh piercing studio.
Dale Flattum:
Bass and vocals for Steel Pole Bathtub. No longer sleeps in a van, and enjoys spending his time playing with scissors and his son.
Bass and vocals for Steel Pole Bathtub. No longer sleeps in a van, and enjoys spending his time playing with scissors and his son.
Dallas Denery:
Managed to scream more or less in tune for three years with the Sweet Baby (Jesus) and now teaches medieval history somewhere in New England.
Managed to scream more or less in tune for three years with the Sweet Baby (Jesus) and now teaches medieval history somewhere in New England.
Dan Rathbun:
Came to the Bay Area to attend UCB engineering school but chose a life of music. Member of Acid Rain, Idiot Flesh, Charming Hostess, and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. Owner of Polymorph recording studio in Oakland.
Came to the Bay Area to attend UCB engineering school but chose a life of music. Member of Acid Rain, Idiot Flesh, Charming Hostess, and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. Owner of Polymorph recording studio in Oakland.
Daniel DeLeon:
Guitarist for the Insaints.
Guitarist for the Insaints.
Danny Furious:
Co-founder of the Avengers. The angriest, sweatiest, hardworkin’est, and arguably best and most beautiful drummer that ever smashed up his kit.
Co-founder of the Avengers. The angriest, sweatiest, hardworkin’est, and arguably best and most beautiful drummer that ever smashed up his kit.
Danny “Radio Shack” Norwood:
Founding member and longtime guitarist of Social Unrest.
Founding member and longtime guitarist of Social Unrest.
Dave Chavez:
Jak’s Team since 1985. Former bass player for Sick Pleasure, Code of Honor, and Hot Rod Shopping Cart. Lives with son Ivan and wife Rachel, and still plays with Verbal Abuse.
Jak’s Team since 1985. Former bass player for Sick Pleasure, Code of Honor, and Hot Rod Shopping Cart. Lives with son Ivan and wife Rachel, and still plays with Verbal Abuse.
Dave Dictor:
Singer/songwriter for MDC.
Singer/songwriter for MDC.
Dave Edwardson aka Dave Ed:
Born and bred in Berkeley. Bassist for Neurosis. Member of Jesus Fucking Christ and Tribes of Neurot.
Born and bred in Berkeley. Bassist for Neurosis. Member of Jesus Fucking Christ and Tribes of Neurot.
Dave Mello:
Former drummer for Schlong and Operation Ivy. Now guitar player for Jewdriver and full-time father, living in the East Bay.
Former drummer for Schlong and Operation Ivy. Now guitar player for Jewdriver and full-time father, living in the East Bay.
Davey Havok:
Lead singer for AFI. He created the clothing line Paden. Still straightedge and vegan.
Lead singer for AFI. He created the clothing line Paden. Still straightedge and vegan.
David Solnit:
Editor of
Globalize Liberation: How to Uproot the System and Build a Better World
, co-author of
An Army of None: Strategies to Counter Military Recruitment, End War and Build a Better World
. Key organizer of the direct action shutdown of the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle in 1999 and the shutdown of San Francisco the day after Iraq was invaded in 2003. He is a puppeteer and still a punk.
Editor of
Globalize Liberation: How to Uproot the System and Build a Better World
, co-author of
An Army of None: Strategies to Counter Military Recruitment, End War and Build a Better World
. Key organizer of the direct action shutdown of the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle in 1999 and the shutdown of San Francisco the day after Iraq was invaded in 2003. He is a puppeteer and still a punk.
Dean Washington:
Founding member of EBU. Skater for life, still grinding and going to shows. He lives in Oakland.
Founding member of EBU. Skater for life, still grinding and going to shows. He lives in Oakland.
Dennis Kernohan:
Singer for the Liars/Sudden Fun.
Singer for the Liars/Sudden Fun.
Dirk Dirksen:
Booker of Mabuhay Gardens.
Booker of Mabuhay Gardens.
East Bay Ray:
Guitarist for Dead Kennedys and Jumbo Shrimp.
Guitarist for Dead Kennedys and Jumbo Shrimp.
Edwin Heaven:
Manager of the Nuns.
Manager of the Nuns.
Eric Ozenne aka Sheric D:
Unit Pride, 1985-1989, Redemption 87, 1995- 1997, the Nerve Agents, 1998-2001. Currently in Said Radio. Grace’s dad and student of social work.
Unit Pride, 1985-1989, Redemption 87, 1995- 1997, the Nerve Agents, 1998-2001. Currently in Said Radio. Grace’s dad and student of social work.
Fat Mike:
Lead singer and bassist for NOFX. Bass player for Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Owner of Motor Studios. Founder of Fat Wreck Chords and
Punk Rock Confidential
quarterly. Founder and organizer of Punkvoter and Rock Against Bush. Still lives in S.F. with wife Erin and daughter Darla.
Lead singer and bassist for NOFX. Bass player for Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Owner of Motor Studios. Founder of Fat Wreck Chords and
Punk Rock Confidential
quarterly. Founder and organizer of Punkvoter and Rock Against Bush. Still lives in S.F. with wife Erin and daughter Darla.
Floyd:
Epicenter and Blacklist worker, ISW worker, Fat Wreck Chords employee,
MRR
shitworker, and occasional advice columnist.
Epicenter and Blacklist worker, ISW worker, Fat Wreck Chords employee,
MRR
shitworker, and occasional advice columnist.
Fraggle:
Longtime doorman at Gilman. Co-founder of Dementia House and Pill Hill. Drunk for life.
Longtime doorman at Gilman. Co-founder of Dementia House and Pill Hill. Drunk for life.
Frank Portman aka Dr. Frank:
Best known as the singer/songwriter of the Bay Area punk band the Mr. T Experience. His bestselling young adult novel,
King Dork
, was published in 2006, so now he goes around calling himself a “famous author.” His second novel is called
Andromeda Klein
.
Best known as the singer/songwriter of the Bay Area punk band the Mr. T Experience. His bestselling young adult novel,
King Dork
, was published in 2006, so now he goes around calling himself a “famous author.” His second novel is called
Andromeda Klein
.
Fritz Fox:
Singer of the Mutants.
Singer of the Mutants.
Gary Floyd:
Ex-hippie, punk, commie, Hindu redneck queer next door. Fronted the Dicks, Sister Double Happiness, Black Kali Ma, and Gary Floyd Band.
Ex-hippie, punk, commie, Hindu redneck queer next door. Fronted the Dicks, Sister Double Happiness, Black Kali Ma, and Gary Floyd Band.
Gavin MacArthur:
Guitarist for Schlong and mastermind behind
Punk Side Story
. Now lives in New Orleans and is currently on a quest for the ultimate gravy biscuit.
Guitarist for Schlong and mastermind behind
Punk Side Story
. Now lives in New Orleans and is currently on a quest for the ultimate gravy biscuit.
Ginger Coyote:
Singer for the White Trash Debutantes. Founder and editor of
Punk Globe
.
Singer for the White Trash Debutantes. Founder and editor of
Punk Globe
.
Gordon Edgar:
Bay Area punk. Cheesemonger at Rainbow Grocery Cooperative since 1994. Writing a book on cheese, food politics, and punk.
Bay Area punk. Cheesemonger at Rainbow Grocery Cooperative since 1994. Writing a book on cheese, food politics, and punk.
Greg Oropeza:
Founding member and guitarist of Ribzy and early ’80s promoter.
Founding member and guitarist of Ribzy and early ’80s promoter.
Greg Valencia:
Guitarist and vocalist for Grimple and El Dopa. Currently playing with Watch Them Die.
Guitarist and vocalist for Grimple and El Dopa. Currently playing with Watch Them Die.
Hank Rank:
Drummer of Crime. Film producer.
Drummer of Crime. Film producer.
Hef aka Jeff Hoffman:
Former and sometimes background singer with Fang and Special Forces. Resident at Madonna Inn (Fang house). Now environmental attorney, but still a punk!
Former and sometimes background singer with Fang and Special Forces. Resident at Madonna Inn (Fang house). Now environmental attorney, but still a punk!
Hilary Binder:
Founder of HOLC. Co-founder of Studio 4. Currently living in the Czech Republic and running CESTA, an international not-for-profit center established to foster cultural understanding and tolerance through the arts. Still playing in Sabot with Chris Rankin.
Founder of HOLC. Co-founder of Studio 4. Currently living in the Czech Republic and running CESTA, an international not-for-profit center established to foster cultural understanding and tolerance through the arts. Still playing in Sabot with Chris Rankin.
Howie Klein:
Founder of 415 Records, former president of Reprise Records. Currently a political blogger.
Founder of 415 Records, former president of Reprise Records. Currently a political blogger.
Hugh Swarts:
Vocalist and guitarist for Thinking Fellers Union Local 282.
Vocalist and guitarist for Thinking Fellers Union Local 282.
Ian MacKaye:
From Washington D.C. Co-founder and co-owner of Dischord Records. Has played in a number of bands, including the Teen Idles, Minor Threat, Embrace, Fugazi, and the Evens.
From Washington D.C. Co-founder and co-owner of Dischord Records. Has played in a number of bands, including the Teen Idles, Minor Threat, Embrace, Fugazi, and the Evens.
Insane Jane aka Jane Weems:
San Francisco punk drummer and artist, 1978-2003. Now retired and living in Northern California.
San Francisco punk drummer and artist, 1978-2003. Now retired and living in Northern California.
James Angus Black:
Onetime roadie for Verbal Abuse, Urban Assault, Fuck-Ups, DRI, and Boss Hoss. Currently planning a one-man show and staying out of trouble.
Onetime roadie for Verbal Abuse, Urban Assault, Fuck-Ups, DRI, and Boss Hoss. Currently planning a one-man show and staying out of trouble.
James Stark:
One of the photo and graphic artists instrumental in the beginning of the San Francisco punk rock scene.
One of the photo and graphic artists instrumental in the beginning of the San Francisco punk rock scene.
James Sullivan:
Former
San Francisco Chronicle
music critic. Author of
The Hardest Working Man: How James Brown Saved the Soul of America
.
Former
San Francisco Chronicle
music critic. Author of
The Hardest Working Man: How James Brown Saved the Soul of America
.
James Washburn:
Gilman, 1987-1992. Backyard Believers since 1994. Automotive mastermind, cop hater, East Bay Creep, and a bulletproof ass kicker. (“Fuck yo mama.”)
Gilman, 1987-1992. Backyard Believers since 1994. Automotive mastermind, cop hater, East Bay Creep, and a bulletproof ass kicker. (“Fuck yo mama.”)
Janelle Hessig:
Bay Area animator, writer, drummer, and comic artist who continues to publish her zine
Tales of Blarg
. She was the inspiration for a number of songs, including Bratmobile’s “The Real Janelle.”
Bay Area animator, writer, drummer, and comic artist who continues to publish her zine
Tales of Blarg
. She was the inspiration for a number of songs, including Bratmobile’s “The Real Janelle.”
Jason Beebout:
Ambidextrous chanteuse for Samiam and Isocracy. Is into earth tones and spends much of his time in the water.
Ambidextrous chanteuse for Samiam and Isocracy. Is into earth tones and spends much of his time in the water.
Jason Lockwood:
Young punk rock fart turned BASH Boy turned old punk rock jerk. Now mild-mannered father and East Bay Rat.
Young punk rock fart turned BASH Boy turned old punk rock jerk. Now mild-mannered father and East Bay Rat.
Jason White:
Onetime guitarist for Monsula. Guitarist for Pinhead Gunpowder, Green Day, and Foxboro Hot Tubs.
Onetime guitarist for Monsula. Guitarist for Pinhead Gunpowder, Green Day, and Foxboro Hot Tubs.
Jeff Bale:
Inveterate countercultural libertine, contrarian, and rebel. Co-founder of
Maximum RocknRoll
magazine, former singer in two garage bands, and ex-editor of
Hit List
magazine who is now pretending to be respectable in his capacity as a college professor.
Inveterate countercultural libertine, contrarian, and rebel. Co-founder of
Maximum RocknRoll
magazine, former singer in two garage bands, and ex-editor of
Hit List
magazine who is now pretending to be respectable in his capacity as a college professor.
Jeff Goldthorpe:
Fifteen years of “No” led to
Intoxicated Culture: A Political History of California Punk
, which sold 20 copies. Fifteen years of “Yes” led to a partner, two kids, a house, and a teaching job. Currently writing political memoir, where “Yes” and “No” meet.
Fifteen years of “No” led to
Intoxicated Culture: A Political History of California Punk
, which sold 20 copies. Fifteen years of “Yes” led to a partner, two kids, a house, and a teaching job. Currently writing political memoir, where “Yes” and “No” meet.
Jeff Ott:
Singer for Crimpshrine and Fifteen. Author of
My World: Ramblings of an Aging Gutter Punk
and
Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Real War on Terror
.
Singer for Crimpshrine and Fifteen. Author of
My World: Ramblings of an Aging Gutter Punk
and
Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Real War on Terror
.
Jeffery Bischoff:
Guitar player for Tilt and co-founder of Cinder Block, a merchandise company that designs, manufactures, and distributes band merchandise for tour and wholesale worldwide. Now a painter, country songwriter, and chef.
Guitar player for Tilt and co-founder of Cinder Block, a merchandise company that designs, manufactures, and distributes band merchandise for tour and wholesale worldwide. Now a painter, country songwriter, and chef.
Jello Biafra:
Lead singer of Dead Kennedys. Owner of Alternative Tentacles.
Lead singer of Dead Kennedys. Owner of Alternative Tentacles.
Jennifer Blowdryer:
Singer for the Blowdryers. Author of
Modern English: A Photo Illustrated Trendy Slang Dictionary
. Founder of Smut Fest.
Singer for the Blowdryers. Author of
Modern English: A Photo Illustrated Trendy Slang Dictionary
. Founder of Smut Fest.
Jennifer Miro:
Singer for the Nuns. Fetish model.
Singer for the Nuns. Fetish model.
Jennifer Rose Emick:
Gilman volunteer and Klingon from ’87 to ’92. Now a nonfiction writer, blogger, and PTA mom.
Gilman volunteer and Klingon from ’87 to ’92. Now a nonfiction writer, blogger, and PTA mom.
Jerme Spew:
Former bouncer, bike messenger, and spoken-word artist. Now a Brazilian jiujitsu practitioner and husband.
Former bouncer, bike messenger, and spoken-word artist. Now a Brazilian jiujitsu practitioner and husband.
Jesse Luscious aka Jesse Townley:
Longtime 924 Gilman and KALX volunteer. Alternative Tentacles and Lookout! employee. Band member of Blatz, Gr’ups, Criminals, and Frisk. Green Party politician. And all-around rabble-rouser.
Longtime 924 Gilman and KALX volunteer. Alternative Tentacles and Lookout! employee. Band member of Blatz, Gr’ups, Criminals, and Frisk. Green Party politician. And all-around rabble-rouser.
Jesse Michaels:
Singer of Operation Ivy and Common Rider. Currently writing, painting, and songwriting as always.
Singer of Operation Ivy and Common Rider. Currently writing, painting, and songwriting as always.
Jibz Cameron:
Now a wealthy performance artist going under the moniker Dynasty Handbag.
Now a wealthy performance artist going under the moniker Dynasty Handbag.
Jim Jocoy:
Photographer at the Mab. Now a physical therapist.
Photographer at the Mab. Now a physical therapist.
Jim Lyon:
Guitarist and songwriter for Teenage Warning, 1981-1994. EBU for life.
Guitarist and songwriter for Teenage Warning, 1981-1994. EBU for life.
Jim Widess:
Gilman landlord. Owner of the Caning Shop. Authority on gourd craft, gourd carving, and gourd musical instruments.
Gilman landlord. Owner of the Caning Shop. Authority on gourd craft, gourd carving, and gourd musical instruments.
Jimmy Crucifix aka Francis Schmith:
Played in Pretty Killer, the Next, the Rave, Crime, Chaintown, TVH, Crucifix, Fang, Resistoleros, and Proudflesh. Currently solo artist and operations manager of Lennon Rehearsal & Music Services in San Francisco.
Played in Pretty Killer, the Next, the Rave, Crime, Chaintown, TVH, Crucifix, Fang, Resistoleros, and Proudflesh. Currently solo artist and operations manager of Lennon Rehearsal & Music Services in San Francisco.
Joe Rees:
Video documentarian and mastermind of Target Video.
Video documentarian and mastermind of Target Video.
Joey Shithead:
Singer for DOA.
Singer for DOA.
John Borruso:
Founding member and visual artist behind early ’80s peace-punk band Trial.
Founding member and visual artist behind early ’80s peace-punk band Trial.
John Geek:
Formerly a pseudo-revolutionary suburban East Bay acid-punk dirtbag kid. Also fronted the Fleshies. Currently sings with Triclops!, and is an overeducated Berkeley wingnut doing archaeology and cultural heritage preservation.
Formerly a pseudo-revolutionary suburban East Bay acid-punk dirtbag kid. Also fronted the Fleshies. Currently sings with Triclops!, and is an overeducated Berkeley wingnut doing archaeology and cultural heritage preservation.
John Marr:
Uses the lessons learned from three years of
Maximum RocknRoll
shitwork on his own zine
Murder Can Be Fun
.
Uses the lessons learned from three years of
Maximum RocknRoll
shitwork on his own zine
Murder Can Be Fun
.
Johnnie Walker:
British pirate radio legend and DJ for the Deaf Club.
British pirate radio legend and DJ for the Deaf Club.
Johnny Bartlett:
Guitarist for the Phantom Surfers, 1988-1996, Saturn V, 1996-2002, Barbary Coasters, 2002-present. Currently creative director for an advertising agency. Lives in Oakland.
Guitarist for the Phantom Surfers, 1988-1996, Saturn V, 1996-2002, Barbary Coasters, 2002-present. Currently creative director for an advertising agency. Lives in Oakland.
Johnny Bonnel:
Songwriter and lead singer for Swingin’ Utters, Filthy Thievin’ Bastards, and Druglords of the Avenue.
Songwriter and lead singer for Swingin’ Utters, Filthy Thievin’ Bastards, and Druglords of the Avenue.
Johnny Genocide:
Vocalist and guitarist for No Alternative.
Vocalist and guitarist for No Alternative.
Johnny Strike:
Guitarist and singer for Crime.
Guitarist and singer for Crime.
Jon Ginoli:
Singer/guitarist/songwriter for queer rockers Pansy Division. He lives in San Francisco. His memoir,
Deflowered: My Life in Pansy Division
, has been published by Cleis Press.
Singer/guitarist/songwriter for queer rockers Pansy Division. He lives in San Francisco. His memoir,
Deflowered: My Life in Pansy Division
, has been published by Cleis Press.
Julie Generic:
Creator of
Weird Weather
zine, artist, shitworker at the Farm for four years, poster hanger, wanderer. Currently writing book on S.F. punk, ’77-’87, with Jayed from the Feederz. Single mom. Likes to laugh. A lot.
Creator of
Weird Weather
zine, artist, shitworker at the Farm for four years, poster hanger, wanderer. Currently writing book on S.F. punk, ’77-’87, with Jayed from the Feederz. Single mom. Likes to laugh. A lot.
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The Fires of Autumn by Irene Nemirovsky
The Day After Roswell by Corso, Philip J.
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