San Francisco has a wide variety of neighborhoods that possess their own individual character. These characteristics help distinguish each one of the small communities that blanket this seven by seven mile urban peninsula. There is no determining which neighborhood is most appealing, except for the Sunset District. It's the only San Francisco neighborhood that doesn't possess a unique and lively attitude. In it's own way the Sunset does standout because it is so dull.
The Sunset District is a miniature suburbia on the west edge of city. It's located just south of Golden Gate Park and just north of San Francisco State University. The dull family-oriented atmosphere in the Sunset is pleasant but cold. Enduring the frequent fog, Sunset San Franciscans (Sunseters) primarily keep to themselves. Sunset Residents have no reason to talk to someone they don't know; so they usually don't.
On the night of March 15th 2008, the Golden Gator Rockers brought the rock to the sunset. At the invitation of our dear friend Nikki Lapage, the Rockers got down in the name of an unearthly demon that was summoned by the horde's collective surge to inspire the residents of The Sunset District. At the corner of 47th Avenue and Irving Street in what San Franciscans call the "outer sunset", the fun began. At 8pm the bands began to turn the heat up with an unrelenting thrill to give the Golden Gator rock hordes the sound they desired.
The first band to play was Scurvy and the Pox, an up and coming band that put the crowd in its place. Like the blue flames heating up on a gas stove top, there was an unspoken anticipation warming up as the next band took the stage. Street Justice played hard, fast and balls out. In a refusal to fade into the soul-less limits of the Sunset District, they created harmonic ruckus. After one song they were done and the hordes were left stupefied.
The next band Black America pleased the garage gods and brought a long awaited east bay influence to the occasion.
As the nighttime fog began to roll in from the Pacific Ocean, Tony Fantano raised his tomahawk high into the air and welcomed low looming clouds. Tatanka Iyotake had played that night for one reason to inspire the Sunset District. In an effort to set the entire Sunset District ablaze in rock n' roll frenzy, Tatanka Iyotake played hard and true. Even though there were not any sudden flames, the souls of everyone in attendance that night burned brightly like a light tower in the lifeless streets of The Sunset District.
As the party ended and the Golden Gator rock hordes dispersed, the thick fog encompassed the night. The soul-powered fire was extinguished by the silence of the Sunset District. Long live Rock n Roll!
If you have the spring break doldrums, check out this choose your own awesome adventure quest in rocker hell.
Enjoy your life.
2 comments:
Admittedly the Riptide, on Taraval, is a weird, towny, kind of bar for being in a big international metropolis but Ralph Carney plays regular gigs there. The other good thing about the Sunset is the lines are pretty short at the Safeway and the parking isn't too bad. Plus all those sunny beach days; last year there were 3 and a half!
Hey!
I live on 42nd and Judah so where you played your show was not too far from my house. I understand how people might think the sunset is all dull but there are actually a lot of little restaurants near my house that get very busy!Next time there is a sunny day you should come back to the neighborhood and check out Sea Breeze Cafe then try to tell me that the outer sunset is dull!
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