He was a fan of Faith No More. And as I was entering a smoke filled room, occupied by a crowd of well “served” people, we began a conversation. Local drummer? What kind of music do you play? He was obviously just looking for some people to rehearse with, nothing serious. At the time, the area was filled with jam bands, or funk bands. Metal, alternative? Just a time limited new trend, but not music that was attracting huge crowds. Especially with the culture at the time.
I played a demo, that a few of us high school kids threw together. And his jaw dropped. Not because we were musical geniuses, but because it was exactly the music that he loved.
He was an artist, painter, mixing black and white images, sculpture like figures on canvas… he had an artistic hand for creating symbolic images on paper, ink, besides a knack for music and drum.
The first time we played at his place, I can remember climbing up three story stairs, navigating through broken steps… looking into dilapidated apartment rooms, with floors deteriorating. Living rooms, with an entire floor missing. A big hole in the middle, broken structural lumber, revealing several levels down. On the roof, he was growing a series of “herbal” plants, which would later facilitate more art, more music.
It’s a shame that us high school friends never took this further. It could have been lots of fun.