You are on quite a roll, Gary. Your last 3 or 4 posts in particular have been exceptional. I am glad you have expanded your topics beyond sports. Keep going. You have a lot to say - and you express it compellingly.
This line: “Despite our best efforts the ivory tower did not collapse - and some of us even moved in” - really wowed me.
seeing that slowdive song at the end really knit the whole essay into something greater and it all really clicked, maybe because the writing is so potent or maybe because that's my favorite slowdive album. doesn't really matter to me. loved this piece
Truly love this, and your blog in general. I've had a similar life trajectory, I think, and you're an inspiration to me when it comes to just telling these stories when the mood strikes!
lots of really great lines in this. i absolutely know these people and i see you. “I had to put pen to paper for it to feel tangible instead of like a hazy dream hiding on the periphery of my mind” <3333
Man, there was a house just like this in Tucson. I saw one of my favorite shows there with an ex girlfriend. I haven’t thought of that place for years. Thank you for sharing. It was a great piece.
I had never heard Slowdive before and never heard of a punk house which makes me a square, but god damn, I enjoyed reading this as well as the song. I took an extra interest in the part where you say you don't sit down when you write with a "single-minded monastic purpose." It's more like detective work, no? To tap into what the hell has happened in our lives, so much of it forgotten, buried somewhere in our subconscious. You were able to bring to the surface wonderful memories here. Great job.
It gets to be something pretty kick ass special when you get to comment back and forth to someone at least once a week and that's how it is and has been with you and I for many years. It keeps me from getting too much anti-technology.
Well, let me just say, as a guy who slept on a lot of punk rock house floors for over a decade, thanks. Even if I did not sleep on yours, you can take credit for all of them.
I always wished punk rock houses did not have cats. I am allergic, and inevitably the cat wants to snuggle with the 6 strangers sleeping on the floor.
You haven't truly lived until you've lived in a punk house.
Oh wait, that's totally the opposite. I remember being maybe 12, watching 'Another State of Mind' and thinking about the punk house in Calgary, Alberta–I think it was The Manor, and thinking "cool, get to live with a bunch of punks and stuff".
When it finally came my turn, I leaned the two worst places in a punk house are the kitchen and the bathroom.
You'd never guess it now but Austin was infested with punk houses. Especially West Campus.
You are on quite a roll, Gary. Your last 3 or 4 posts in particular have been exceptional. I am glad you have expanded your topics beyond sports. Keep going. You have a lot to say - and you express it compellingly.
This line: “Despite our best efforts the ivory tower did not collapse - and some of us even moved in” - really wowed me.
Thanks, Mark. That warms me more than you could know.
That Behead the Prophet/MRP show looks like a total rager. I wonder if I've been to your/that house?
Possibly. You ever been to Sacramento?
i've been to and played a few shows around Davis and Sacramento, but I'm struggling to think of names and addresses (early 2000s)
This particular house was on 19th and "O"
There was a bar called The Zebra Club about half a block away.
I've also been to a few house shows in Davis but I couldn't remember where they were if my life depended on it.
Mike (Mick?) Mucus? Guy in a ridiculous costume? That might have been Davis! I really liked the Bananas from sac and saw them a bunch of times
Haha…yeah I know MIck although I haven’t spoken to the dude in like 20 years. I believe the Bananas are still around, but I could be wrong.
Bro... I lived in oak Park from 2004-2021.
I went to that goth club four or five times early on before I stopped partying.
Where was that house?
19th and “O” in midtown
I lived in Oak Park as well in like 2008 and again in 2016. Small world.
Wow- I was on 1st ave up from the Starbucks
seeing that slowdive song at the end really knit the whole essay into something greater and it all really clicked, maybe because the writing is so potent or maybe because that's my favorite slowdive album. doesn't really matter to me. loved this piece
thank you….that means a lot to me.
Great heart, I felt it, and intimate with this feeling. Thanks Gary.
Truly love this, and your blog in general. I've had a similar life trajectory, I think, and you're an inspiration to me when it comes to just telling these stories when the mood strikes!
That’s so awesome….thanks Ginger. I believe we’ve hung out in similar music scenes as well. Keep on writing!
Great intro into a world I know nothing about.
lots of really great lines in this. i absolutely know these people and i see you. “I had to put pen to paper for it to feel tangible instead of like a hazy dream hiding on the periphery of my mind” <3333
thank you. :)
Fuck heroin. It's so unforgiving.
Your writing is forceful and economical. The voice is urgent. I’m glad to have subscribed.
Oh wow. I’ve never heard that before. That’s very cool and gives me something to ponder. Thanks for reading, Brendan. I appreciate it.
btw...The person who edited it said it was “morose.”
I was going to say the same thing as nadav… the slowdive song was the cherry on top of a great read. New sub
That’s rad, Murphy. i’m a new subscriber to you as well. Thanks a million for stopping by.
Man, there was a house just like this in Tucson. I saw one of my favorite shows there with an ex girlfriend. I haven’t thought of that place for years. Thank you for sharing. It was a great piece.
Thanks, Adam. I'm glad I could jolt a memory.
I had never heard Slowdive before and never heard of a punk house which makes me a square, but god damn, I enjoyed reading this as well as the song. I took an extra interest in the part where you say you don't sit down when you write with a "single-minded monastic purpose." It's more like detective work, no? To tap into what the hell has happened in our lives, so much of it forgotten, buried somewhere in our subconscious. You were able to bring to the surface wonderful memories here. Great job.
Thanks, Steve. Who the hell knows, maybe we’re both squares but you’re still one of my favorite people and I appreciate ya.
It gets to be something pretty kick ass special when you get to comment back and forth to someone at least once a week and that's how it is and has been with you and I for many years. It keeps me from getting too much anti-technology.
What a story! I know the punk scene. It's sad the way your friend died. At least you got out in one piece. Thanks for sharing!
I'm sure you did….Nice chat!
Thanks, Yolanda. I’m sure I made it through the hair of my skinny skin skin.
Well, let me just say, as a guy who slept on a lot of punk rock house floors for over a decade, thanks. Even if I did not sleep on yours, you can take credit for all of them.
I always wished punk rock houses did not have cats. I am allergic, and inevitably the cat wants to snuggle with the 6 strangers sleeping on the floor.
So, thanks for letting us crash.
Thanks for reading, Dino. I appreciate it very much. I'm glad someone could relate to/ and has lived this very, very small slice of life.
We had many people, weirdos and bands crashing. Also unfortunately we had 2 cats. (but we had a NIntendo!)
Great stuff, Gary.
You haven't truly lived until you've lived in a punk house.
Oh wait, that's totally the opposite. I remember being maybe 12, watching 'Another State of Mind' and thinking about the punk house in Calgary, Alberta–I think it was The Manor, and thinking "cool, get to live with a bunch of punks and stuff".
When it finally came my turn, I leaned the two worst places in a punk house are the kitchen and the bathroom.
You'd never guess it now but Austin was infested with punk houses. Especially West Campus.