Tom Heyman Journeyman freelance guitar/ pedal steel guitar player, singer/songwriter, bar worker
is a curmudgeon who actually likes people
Neighborhood: The Mission
Gig: guitar for the Gold Star Band, pedal steel with Sweet Chariot, singer/guitarist for the pub rock band The SentiMentals; door man, bartender, chief cook and bottle washer at The Make-Out Room
What are you up to these days? Playing a lot of music with a lot of different folks, trying to stay on top of my calendar, maintaining two steady music gigs at The Make-Out Room – The Sad Bastard Club, a free showcase for singer/songwriters that happens on the 3rd Monday of every month (there is nothing sadder than a guy or girl alone with an acoustic guitar), and SentiMental Sundays, which is the last Sunday of every month and features my band the SentiMentals and whoever else we invite.
What event will we find you at this week? Playing guitar in the Spring Fling on March 24, with The SentiMentals on March 25, and with Penelope Houston on March 29th.
Who's your favorite quintessential local character? I work the door at a bar... I am tired of characters.
What's your favorite under-the-radar SF restaurant? Not sure anything is under the radar anymore, but I do love a sandwich from Pal's Takeaway.
What's your favorite SF institution? Green Apple Books. I just love it.
What do you get obsessive about here in SF? Book stores, flea markets, and yard sales.
What local merchant have you been meaning to check out? New bookstore, Alley Cat Books, on 24th... Popped in but have not done quality time there (see next question).
What would you change about SF? Slow down the crazy gentrification of 24th St. between Mission and Potrero. It is great and all that all these new businesses are opening, but I fear for the fabric of the neighborhood, and what it means for the small mom and pop shops that have been there forever.
What's next for you in your work/creative world? Short tour of Germany and Italy playing guitar for OG punk rock singer songwriter Penelope Houston and try and finish making a couple of records (yeah I still call them that).
Tom's Favorite Stories
-
Stephen Torres
discovers SF's bygone communities -
L.C. Mason
meets the staff at Lost Weekend -
Alanna Hale
discovers a holy trinity of art, music, and spirituality in Rev. Bertie Pearson
