My first memory of meeting Warren Thomas, like actually talking to him and acknowledging our predestined connection, was at this seedy dive bar in Costa Mesa called the Bikini Bar. I'm actually not even sure if that's what the name of the bar was, but I had gone down to Costa Mesa with two friends to see The Growlers play for Jack Coleman's video premiere of his surf film about Alex Knost, Polyester (watch the trailer, even if you're not into surf videos it's pretty rad and features amazing music). 

I wouldn't see Warren again for at least a year. He lived in Costa Mesa with the Growlers in their makeshift warehouse abode, and was still playing bongos and percussion for them live. He toured with them in their bus Lizzy, and even went to jail with Kyle and Scott for drug possession in Utah or Idaho or one of those intolerant states. 

Some time after that, Warren decided to start his own band, The Abigails, with Ellie Mae (the band now consists of those two, plus Shayda, Fish, and Josh). When he moved up to LA, I ran into him at Lot 1 Cafe in Echo Park one night. This was maybe in December of 2011. I was there to see Tomorrow's Tulips play, Al's band with Ford and Christina and future Growler Anthony. I can't remember if the Abigails played that night, but the next day, Warren and I were Facebook friends, and it was all downhill from there. 

Warren and I shared many things in common. He was born on March 1st which is my fake birthday when Leap Year (my real birthday) doesn't exist. We both like drinking in cars, and squirrels, and bath time, and country music. We're DJing together this coming Monday, April 29th (check the creepy flyer I made). 

I'm hopefully going to interview Warren soon about his new album, tentatively titled Tundra. I've listened to it about every day since Warren gave it to me, and it's wonderful. And recently, Comune (a clothing company / art coop / mysterious cool guy thing), did a documentary about Warren. It premiered on their website this morning. Watch here: Shades of Blackness Trailer.