Mr. Ed

Last night, one of my favorite bands played L.A. for the first time in years... No one mixes hardcore, punk, rock, and a maybe a little country like them--all with proletariat power and a positive vibe. Here are some pics of Avail's set at the Knitting Factory on Hollywood Boulevard.


Tim is the singer. I don't know him, but he's the antithesis of the hardcore tough guy--so humble and amiable in between songs. He said something like, "We all have jobs, and tour is like our vacation. That's why we're drunk!"


Beau Beau is the band's dancer. I interviewed him ages ago for Robot Power, but he probably doesn't remember. He used to be thin as a rail. I wonder if there's a Curry House or Beard Papa in Richmond now, because he's a little thicker now. Still energetic as hell. After the show, girls were lining up to have prom-type pictures taken with him!


That's my friend Ed in the red shirt with the sticks--a super-nice guy, kick-ass drummer, and excellent artist, too. Years ago, I interviewed him about his painting for an online piece. After seeing the band play in Cambridge last year, I started corresponding with him again. I hung out with him and his pal/driver/merch dude/photographer/Will Travel zinemaker Travis for a couple hours in the afternoon. Too bad the art show we wanted to see was closed!

The band has two more shows on the tour: The Casbah tonight in San Diego and somewhere in Arizona after that...