"Deutschmarks for everyone!"

Here is one of the few extant photos of myself with Josh Mermelstein, looking like a pair of dandies.

One particular evening in 2001, we were in the apartment above my parents' garage. As is my long-time habit, I attempted to force him and the other people there to "play" music. Having met Josh not too long before then, I was delighted to see how enthusiastic he was about fooling around with my ragtag collection of instruments.

Since I like running tape no matter how things sound, we ended up capturing the on-the-spot creation of a fictional psychobilly band called "Happy Texas Joe," featuring Josh on guitar and vocals and yours truly on the World's Most Decrepit Drumkit.

I think this marked the first time Josh ever picked up a guitar, so his playing is understandably minimalist. Also, I am not a drummer, but as a million punk bands will attest, enthusiasm for the material can outweigh a lack of ability to play it.

I present to you my favorite song from that evening: "She Left Me."