The best thing about living in the Bay Area, there’s always something to do. If you manage to get bored living in the Bay Area, get the fuck out and let the cool kids come in.
Friday kicked off with adding a couple hundred more songs to my rockabilly library. Friday night was supposedly Retox’s Rockabilly Fridays last Friday. Luckily, it was just a misunderstanding. As it isn’t their last Friday, it is their last month at Retox. It’s a bummer for me, as I find Retox to be the perfect place. It’s easily accessible, drinks are cheap, never any sour attitudes, and as I express ever so often, A LOT OF PARKING! So till the end of the month, come out for the last couple of Fridays, and let’s have a ball!
After drinking a little more than I should’ve on Friday, my Saturday started a few hours later.
My lady had planned on picking me up a new pair of denim from Self Edge, so that’s exactly where we went. Parked directly in front of Benders and off to the store we go.
Both Kiya and Derek were in the shop, so we kicked back as we waited for some exquisite one on one customer service.
The pair I originally wanted had been sold via online, while we were waiting. FUCK. And I know who bought it too…
So, I let Kiya pick out a pair for me. As it were, he picked out a pair that will probably fit spot on, as soon as I give them a soak. Pics of the process to come…
So what did Kiya suggest?
A sweet pair of Strike Gold denim, straight out of Japan. Now, I’ve owned several kinds of denim over the last few years. And I can tell you, that these are solid jeans. The details are perfect, subtle, and classic.
I also picked up a new addition to my wallet chain. The clasp connecting the chain to the keys was cheap and flimsy. It would always loosen up and I could potentially lose my keys. And that’s something I just cannot afford to lose.
See that little horse shoe looking thing? Well, that’s it. Probably the most expensive thing on my wallet chain, aside from my car keys.
And another part of my mission to Self Edge was to commandeer the stores rockabilly playlist. And this ain’t your normal playlist kids. This shit, is serious. So serious, that my dinky 8gig flash drive couldn’t even handle half of the songs. So, in the pocket the external hard drive goes.
I probably have 1/3 the amount of music that Kiya has. And most likely, we have different kinds of rockabilly music. So I’m sure that there won’t be any doubles or triples of any songs.
As soon as we finished up at the store, off to Amoeba we go. I managed to forget the list of movies I was looking for, in the car. And fuck walking back. So, digging for music I go. Didn’t find the specific albums I wanted in the rockabilly/oldies section. But as soon as I went to the soul section and the employee was putting something up on top for display, off it goes and in my hand it stays. Even though I forgot my list, I still found one of the movies I was looking for.
The 3 disc Jackie Wilson collection is what I pulled off the shelf, as soon as the employee put it up. I mean, how could you pass on that??? Whistle Bait has some amazing songs and artists on it, so of course that got bought. I also bought Buddy Knox cd, shit… It was $2, so why the hell not? Unfortunately, I have no idea where I put it. And if you enjoyed The Lords Of Flatbush enough, and love The Warriors, you’ll get a kick out of The Wanderers. It’s pretty much both movies in one.
After a long day in SF, off to Point Richmond we went. And after a couple hours there, off we were to Brisbane, to check out the Road Zombies Car Club meet at the 23 Club.
And man, was that one hell of a meet. There were tons of cars, car clubs, and babes out. What better place to be on a Saturday night, eh?
As I was waiting to get a drink at the ever so crowded bar, an older cat approached me and told me he knew I was right handed. And he also noticed the big ring on my finger, and asked what I used it for. So the first thing I thought was, shit… He’s sizing me up. Trust me, the questions he asked, were as if he were sizing me up… And while I can handle myself pretty well, dealing with someone from a car club, who has however many car clubs behind his back… Well, in short, I could be screwed.
He was actually a nice guy. Talked about fighting and what not, and his buddy ended up buying me a beer. So big ups to the Satan’s Chauffeurs. Those guys are good people.
Here’s the ring that got his attention.
Can you tell I’m right handed?
As the night went on, the B-Stars put on a great show. Got the people swingin’ and in need of water. And with the poor service of the 23 Club, it took some couples forever to get a water. So whenever you’re up at the bar and you hear someone trying to only get some water, always put your best foot forward and assist them in getting some service.
When The Stillmen got up on stage, Kiya had to rush to the front and catch them. And I now know why. These guys put on one hell of a show. And to show their appreciation for everyone coming out, they gave away CDs!
I’m not one to go up and grab free shit. But fuck, these guys are awesome, why not add them to your collection, right?
And it wasn’t like they were giving out a few of these, they had a box full. Enough for everyone! Well, probably not everyone. But a decent amount of people got some good tunes!
What a weekend… Always able to have a good time here in the Bay Area. It’s one hell of a place to be.
If you cats haven’t been out to any events, get your ass in a cab, bus, bart, bicycle, whatever. Come out and support your local bars and event promoters. And if you have yourself a shitty time at any of these events, well… Go home and stay there, cuz it’s always a blast to be out and about when the cool kids are rockin’ the night away.
Until then,
Don’t stop rockin’.
The Rebel Rouser 