Saxy's First Skateboard Solo

STORIES

SAXY

So as you might know already, I tend to get a little wild when it comes to solos. 

On Halloween, Barley plays a show where we all dress in costumes based on a theme (usually one based on a TV show or movie). In 2010, it was decided that we would be going with The Big Lebowski for our show on the outdoor patio of On The Rocks in Redondo Beach. Back then, I was unfamiliar with the film and was informed that I would be dressing as ‘Donnie.’ I bought the DVD the next day and watched intently; only to realize there's not really much I could do to distinguish myself as ‘Donnie’ as he is the most normal-looking of the main characters. However, it finally hit me near the end that the only way to indicate who I was playing would be to carry around a Folgers Coffee can (spoiler alert!). 

Out of all of our Halloween shows over the years, this one was the most memorable. Everybody nailed their costumes, we played great versions of the music featured in the film, and Barley fans still talk about this show to this day. Out of all the costumes, Mike Morano’s rendition of ‘Jesus’ was epic. 

During the show, we made several comical attempts to recreate scenes from the movie (Maud painting via zip line, the Dude floating down a bowling alley lane, etc.). To accomplish this, I brought out my longboard so Jason and Brent could lay chest-down on it so it appeared they were gliding along the ground. We made several attempts to pull off the scenes during the show (to varying degrees of failure) and ultimately, we moved on - yet the longboard remained. 

For those that know Barleys shows well, we tend to go wild on our cover of “All Along The Watchtower.” Emboldened by the music, I once again took my solo to the audience - but did so with the now available longboard at my feet. Fortunately, our good friend and photographer Michael Pliskin was there to capture my first (and only) skateboard sax solo. 

I weaved through the outdoor patio around the tables, soloing in motion along the uneven floorboards. The joy in the audience swelled as I rode around them, playing right in their faces - all while trying not to crash. Fortunately, both my sax and I survived, but it certainly invited questions from my mother regarding my choices when it was posted as the banner image on Barley’s Facebook page the next morning.