08/29/2026
I always called Bax “Steve,” a nod to his given name at birth, a cherished reminder of our friendship that began in our 20’s. To me, it was a badge of honor—a declaration of “I knew him first.” We shared countless memories at Fullerton College, where his intelligence and wit shone brightly. He was not only exceptionally bright and well-read but also the funniest person I ever knew. From the very beginning, his taste in music was impeccable.
As young students, we spent our days together—lunching, thrifting, and exploring record stores. I landed him a serving job at Polly’s Pies, one of my many restaurant gigs during those college years. From that day forward, he became a generous tipper, always leaving at least $5 for a cup of coffee or a beer, (consider inflation) a testament to his understanding of the service industry. “Service industry,” he would say, “one of us.”
We reveled in the vibrant punk scene at the time, attending shows like The Adolescents, Social Distortion, Agent Orange, DI, X The Pontiac Brothers when they were just starting to make their mark. In those moments, we felt invincible, brimming with the promise and excited to take on the world.
Steve was my unwavering supporter, always there for my ventures. He stood front and center at the grand opening of my vintage clothing store, Get Lost in Fullerton, and later brought a crowd of friends to my new restaurant in Eagle Rock. His presence was felt at every early Red Aunts show.
When he moved away from time to time, I often wondered if he had outgrown the city (he always out grew the city!) and moved somewhere else that needed him. But he always returned. His most recent chapter saw him curating art and memorabilia at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, a role that perfectly fit his passions for punk rock, politics, and art. He called me, with the excitement of a teenager starting a new job. His dedication led to the Red Aunts being included in the museum’s permanent collection, a triumph for female representation in a predominantly male-dominated scene. Rest of the post in comments…
