Digital Diversion

With TSOL’s band members scattered across three states, the band only manages a handful of dates each year, most of them along the West Coast.  This is one of those bands where all of the members have day jobs so you never know how long they’ll keep going so I always make a point to support them when they pass through town.

This night, they were playing the world-famous 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley.  Never heard of it?  Imagine a punk rock club started by hippies and that’s what Gilman is all about.  Gilman Street is run as a non-profit and staffed by volunteers and will someday be one of the last all-ages clubs around because they don’t serve alcohol.  This place is on such a shoestring that the name of the club is the address hence no need for a sign.  In fact, they never took down the sign from the previous business.  Still not ringing a bell?  Many Bay Area bands (such as Green Day) have gotten their start here.  After a collective 7 years in the Bay Area, I’m a little embarrassed to admit that this was my first time here. (continue reading…)