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Matt Munoz: Nothing like Chaos in a coffeehouse

BY MATT MUNOZ, Bakoptia.com editor
mmunoz@bakersfield.com | Wednesday, Mar 31 2010 03:53 PM

Last Updated Wednesday, Mar 31 2010 03:53 PM

<U> </U>Musicians, hippies, teens, geeks and goths all congregated at this former downtown hangout at 1523 19th St. The absence of all-age venues in Bakersfield in the early '90s left few options for high school kids and those eagerly awaiting their 21st birthday and legal drinking. Chaos Coffee filled that void from November 1993 to November 1995.

Deriving its business name from the film "Jurassic Park," where actor Jeff Goldblum spoke of the "chaos theory" and how "life finds a way....," Chaos was a second home for young locals mapping their way through life.

Owners Rebekka Haas and Donnie Ward, who took on the idea of opening a coffeehouse in the middle of Bakersfield, had no previous experience in the java business.

"We went up and down the coast, checking out coffeehouses," said Haas of the duo's market research plan, just a few months before launch. "Then one night we just accidentally opened," she laughed adding that, "We didn't even know how to make coffee, but learned after serving 200 people our first night."

For the next two years, Chaos embodied the DIY spirit of its name in every way imaginable. Weekly band shows were held -- without proper permits -- CSUB college art was freely put on display amidst antique tables, couches and lamps. Service was tolerable thanks to the cute, smiley faces of inexperienced baristas who did their best to earn a small tip of appreciation. Plus, you could read a book or magazine from the donated library whilst drinking your mocha from their wide assortment of mismatched cups.

Downtown's local workforce soon became regular patrons. Instead of relieving some midday stress with a shot o' Jack, you could take a detour to the Chaos bar with some iced tea and get Haas' point of view on your latest dilemma. Your feedback was welcome too in the "suggestion box," but look forward to a hilarious, publicly posted response to your critique. No pretentious minds at work, just friends finding "a way" to live life according their own set of rules.

There were other similar, locally owned businesses of the time -- Old House Coffee on South Chester, the original Java Jazz "house" on 19th Street, and 18th St. Coffee, but nothing would compare to Chaos' cultural impact on the local art scene. In fact, many of its teen regulars made professional names for themselves into adulthood, including slam poet Eirik Ott, aka, "Big Poppa E", and musician Noah Glass, who helped create Twitter.

Almost 15 years later, affectionate memories of everything consumed, heard, and smelled at Chaos still linger, conjuring up an endless list of questions...

What happened to all the "Chaos kids," or the "Lost Boys" who often found a home in the basement? Did you see Cake play live at Chaos before they became alternative music stars?

It's impossible to retell the story of Chaos Coffeehouse within the confines of a weekly column. This story requires research and photos -- and that's where your help is needed.

Chaos owner Rebekka Haas is looking for photos from days and nights at Chaos Coffeehouse during '93-'95. You can reach Rebekka via her Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/rebekkahaas, or e-mail me your memories to contribute to an ongoing story I'm planning.

First Friday Art-Walk

19th and Eye streets, 5-9 p.m. Friday, 634-9598 (Metro Galleries).

This monthly stroll through the downtown arts district returns for a Good Friday treat. Landing on a day of religious devotion for many might mean a smaller crowd than usual, but I'm sure the Lord appreciates good art like this. Metro Galleries features returning artists David Gordon's in "Frond Frauds" and Tina Niswonger in "1st Impressions." There's also music by local torch singer Kama Ruby, who adds her unique voice to the Metro scene. Everything is for sale during First Friday, so make sure you also cross over to Kuka's Folk Art and check out what your crib has been missing. Hopefully, the girls of BECA will be out whipping up righteous support for the arts, and Jen Raven will have a smile to share with the crowd.

Matt's event picks

Relay For Life Benefit shows at Sandrini's, 1918 Eye St., 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $5, 322-8900.

For two nights, local bands Near Miss Mallet, Nova & Friends, and others perform for a good cause. Friday's highlight is Near Miss Mallet, featuring the husband and wife team of Missy and Brock Wiggins. Their song "Miss America" is a light pop tune that gets regular play on my iPod, especially on Sundays. Saturday's show marks the return of Ridgecrest's Barstool Saints. Making the trek from the desert pretty regularly, their hard-edge rockabilly helps them collect more fans each visit. If they're too loud, you can always chill with resident strummer Chrisanova, who probably has more songs in his head than the Library of Congress. Feel free to test his skills by requesting some Dr. Dre. Trust me on this.

Paper Tongues and That That at BRyder's, 7401 White Lane, 7 p.m. Saturday, $8, 397-7304.

If you were lucky enough to see Paper Tongues' unannounced show in December for KRAB's Acoustic Christmas, you already know what this band is capable of live. Their self-titled debut CD is full of radio rock gems including "Trinity" and "Ride to California," which sounds like Ronnie James Dio if he took up a rap career. I'm not poking fun, just stating the obvious and the fact that they do rock. On the other end of the spectrum are local electro openers That That, who've been caught on some odd pairings as of late. Last month, they opened for Australia's Sick Puppies and now Paper Tongues. Could it be their easy three-piece set-up and breakdown that gets them these gigs? I should hope not. Their three-song demo is the perfect tease for what might be the grooviest thing since I saw Buck Owens sing "Play That Funky Music, White Boy" at the Crystal Palace. Their song, "Take It Off" is a Bakotopia Radio regular and perfect for bell bottom floor cuttin'.