Fast forward a few years.

I was working at Kinko's in the Village and I would copy everyone's fliers.  I was also working at Rat Records too.  I met and knew many people from there.

I was still a good and innocent looking kid.  My face did not betray the beatings equal to those of a professional boxer.  I never told anyone about my past, so most assumed that I was an easy mark and a pussy.

One Day Phil Hicks came in to make some fliers for The Island, and he recruited me to run sound.  Not long after, I was appointed assistant manager, even though it was mostly a honorary position.
So, that's what I did. I ran sound and managed the mosh pit.  I rarely threw anyone out because I found that I could stop the BS before it got started. 

After growing up in physical conflict, I had learned a few tricks.

I really wanted to pursue my music.

By the time that Phil Hicks showed up, I had already written over 100 songs.  The problem was, there were few places remaining for me to play... The Island seemed like the good bet.

But I couldn't play my old stuff there because it was mostly solo acoustic at that time.  So I joined bands and hoped that I could play a few of my newer tunes.  And to keep that possibility open, I helped to run the club.  Also, I was dedicated to the idea of service.

BTW, if you're interested to hear my music, visit my other site, kvnxi.com

My families are from the Houston area.

My mom's side via Baytown/Pelly via Trinity, and my father's side from the Heights and Montrose via Alvin.  I say that my families were illegal aliens into Texas when Texas was in Mexico.  And even though I was born smack-dab in the middle of the crossroads in El Paso, Texas, I sacrificed my own music career to help my city, Houston.

Otherwise, I would have left for New York or London where I could actually launch a career. (I passed up a few offers.)

Now, back to punk.

If you have read the above, you might could make out that I'm an authentic punk.  I didn't need a Mohawk, leather jacket, safety pins or tatoos.  I thought it was all fashion and fluff.  My scars are my badges.

But behind the fashion facade, there are real people, some with experiences similar to mine.  I ended up meeting tens of thousands of people to the point that my brain suffered overpopulation.  I was everywhere, and I did everything.  Even the Misfits stayed at my apartment on Taft. 
Facebook? Pffft! !

One would rightly say, Phil Hicks, Ronnie Gaitz, or JR Delgado ran the joint.

I saw 30,000 bands. Half the time I was at a punk club, I didn't even know I was there.   But I had to fulfill my mission. My mission was to make my city, Houston, a player. 

Phil Hicks, Ronnie Gaitz or JR Delgado could not do what they did without someone to help.  

I am a person who helped.

Punk rock was never my personal style

Punk rock was never my personal style, punk rock music that is.

Yes, I had good times and I saw a bunch of great bands. I was never in a rush to go out and buy their records when I would see them live in front of my eyes.
I changed their sets, ran sound, chatted with and had beers with them.
I bounced who needed to be bounced.
I could control a mosh pit with one finger.

Punk rock was an avenue to experience. I was ambivalent. I did my time.
I had lots of things to do. I went to school, had two jobs, played in bands, and helped to run the clubs.

My subject was the human experience.
It's not taught at the university and it doesn't pay.
I was a robot making sure that all went well.
My talent was to join with the right people and the right projects.

I was rolling in the dough!...NOT!

I never required recompense for my outlays.
No one paid me.
I just fulfilled my mission.
Ask anybody, I fulfilled my role well.

In Summary

So, I worked The Island during the Phil Hicks era.
Phil, Mike May, Rob May, Bob Bitter and I cleared out all the equipment when it shut down.

I was with Ronnie Gaitz at Cabaret Voltaire II, II-1/2, III, and IV.
#III was when we found the old Askew Drugstore on McKinney, which later became The Axiom.

I was with JR Delgado at the Axiom for a while, until Shane Lauder showed up and took over.

Finally! I was so jaded and burnt out, I don't remember a minute working of that last club.

Then, I took a brief rest....

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Then on to other things...