The Idea
I was hanging at band practice (sadly, just as a listener, as I have no musical talent), when my friend Jen used the term "Mouth Bay". I asked "Mouth Bay? What do you mean?" She said that whenever you say or do something in the South Bay everyone finds out. Then she immediately added "YOU SHOULD PAINT THAT!". So I did. Literally. The first thing that came to mind was two gossipers coming out of a mouth. While the working title was "Mouth Bay", the finished painting became "Say What?!?".
The Process
South Bay/Mouth Bay
The South Bay in the Los Angeles area is actually quite large. Within the South Bay is an area, known as "The Bubble", primarily made up of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach. It's this small area where the term "Mouth Bay" originated. While this expression is not well known, it seems to date back about 30 years. And yes, there's a lot of gossiping in South Bay Bubble. But, where isn't there a lot of gossiping?
The Upside of Gossip
Back a few hundred plus years ago in Britain, iron masks were used to punish gossipers, usually women. In more recent times, there have been many studies about the positive aspects of gossip, such social bonding. Check out "Have You Heard? Gossip Is Actually Good and Useful". While gossip can create chaos, it can also be a way for people to cope with chaos. Ok, maybe not chaos, but it can definitely help people cope with stress.
Band Practice
Farmers video for the song Tootie shot at the pltcherhouse and club 705 in Hermosa Beach.
To make a really long story short, I met a local band called "The Farmers" AKA "Farmers" by way of Darren (reference subject for "Big D's Dirty Little Secret") and Joel (hand model for "Rage Against the Machine", muse for "Randy Dreams", and director for this Farmers' video).
Occasionally, I hang out at their band/jam practice. THANK YOU FARMERS and FRIENDS! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have painted "Say What?!?".
A lot has changed since the making of this video: the Pitcher House has moved to Redondo Beach, the original Pitcher House location was revamped and is now Saint Rocke, 705 is now a medical center, the band's website is no more, new songs have been created, and the line up has changed.
But what hasn't changed is our love of rock music, art, and friendship.