It’s Friday, and the sun begins to set over Stockton after another beautiful 70-degree day in the Port City, but the day isn’t over.
A slew of teens and young adults arrive in pairs and small droves to an auto garage near the San Joaquin River as golden hour illuminates their eager faces. Clad in mostly black outfits of baggy jeans, graphic tees, and jewelry, they pay the cover fee and enter the yard — it’s $20 for entry, but $15 if you wear a fun hat. Santas, propellers, and squids dot the space as guitar riffs fire off from a speaker inside.
A powerful chord signals the crowd to enter the garage. The door closes top down via a chain, earplugs go in, and a crowd forms a u-shape leaving a pit open around the band…