Where are you from?
The shadow of Mt. Lee. Hollywood bred and fed.
What do you do?
Whatever tickles me most, gives the biggest thrill. I play a little rock ‘n’ roll. I eat hamburgers.
What are you wearing from head to toe?
The cap is mine. I made it. The specs are the only ones to stand up to the punishment of living on my face. I had to patch them up with wire. This sweater vest my mother got me for Christmas some years back. It says ‘Levi’ on the tag if that’s what you wanted to know. Work shirt. The belt I got at the Lancaster PA Farm Show because it said “EQUIPMENT OPERATOR” on it and I used to run machinery. Those days are behind me now and the letters are faded. It’s the only one I have that I can change out the buckles. Rocket buckle is mine, too. Pants are brown cords. I love brown cords. Hard to find in this town during the summer though. Socks are Norwegian military surplus. Shoes are blown out huaraches.
How would you describe LA to someone who’s never been there?
LA is a big pink sunset over a greasy skillet. Some folks would say it’s a Teflon pan, but what it is is a greasy skillet. It’s got all sorts of old bits in it and that’s what makes it tasty. If you think it’s a Teflon pan you’ve only been to the one part of town.
What misconceptions about LA would you like to set straight?
The one about LA having no culture. I don’t know what the fuck that is about. If you’ve been here you know that it isn’t true. If you live here and try pitching that tired bit, go the fuck back to New York, asshole.
What’s the best thing about living in LA?
I can hide out in the chaparral, but Home Depot is like ten minutes away. You can’t really do that in any other town of this size. And great burgers.
And the worst?
Traffic, those awful people they show on the TV, blah blah. Sometimes there’s not a taco truck you can walk to. Anything else I could complain about is not unique to this town, just the way of things all across this great land, so I won’t complain about them here.
What song are you playing on repeat right now?
I’ve been listening to C.W. Stoneking’s 2014 album Gon’ Boogaloo just about every other day since I got it in the spring. The whole thing is great; I couldn’t just stick with one song. If not that, then some Jerry Reed.
What’s the best party you’ve ever been to?
Probably the one where Caleb cut down a tree with a tiny machete.
What are your New Year’s resolutions?
Maybe practice the sax. That was last year’s.
@black_banty
Credits
Photography Grace Pickering