NEWSLETTER

THREE OLDER KIDS WE THOUGHT WERE COOL IN HIGH SCHOOL

Then

Now

2. Tom Baxter, Pensacola, FL, interview by John McSwain

Vice: You were a junior when I was a freshman and sort of charming and nice to me but simultaneously kind of a dick, which usually works out well. I think my favorite memory is before we met I’d see you in the hallway and wonder what your deal was while blankly staring and one time, as you approached, you looked right at me then got in my face and yelled “WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT!?” It was terrifying for a minute, but then became incredibly funny. It was a great move. Anyways, what did you do after finishing school?

Tom Baxter: I always wanted to fly jets or something else that could do cool shit in the air so I applied to the Naval Academy. I know, I know, the old “military from a punk rock guy.” I got my congressional nomination and all, but ultimately didn’t get accepted.

I heard that you removed that tattoo you had on your leg of a fist in front of a big X.

The removal of that tattoo was part of the application process to the Academy. They didn’t want tattoos showing in PT gear, and I ended up getting 3 out of 6 laser treatment surgeries. After I didn't get in, I had a halfway removed straight-edge tattoo on my calf for about three years. Finally I got the X changed into flames.

Not judging or nothing but why did you break edge?

I think girls were probably the biggest reason I gave up being straight edge. There were numerous others though: Being called a sellout for tasting—not drinking—a sip of wine by a "straight edge" guy who would later end up stabbing and killing his girlfriend, who was a friend of mine (it gives my great pleasure to know that I beat the shit out of that asshole). Also becoming disillusioned with why I was straight edge, going to college i.e. drinking school, working in the high-end restaurant industry. They all played a part.

I think the reason I looked up to you so much back then because you were one of the first people I met who was into hardcore and had tattoos. How did you think of yourself back then? Did you think you were cool?

I don't know whether cool is the proper term. I know that I had a ton of friends and I got along with everyone. Cool to me was the guys on the West Coast. Russ Rankin from Good Riddance was my hero at the time. He was cool: He had tattoos, he was straight edge, and he played in an incredible band. I guess I always considered myself a bit bigger than Pensacola though.

What did you think of us younger kids?

Well, first of all, I thought of you guys as part of the clan. There wasn’t a grip of hardcore kids; we needed everyone we could get. I was never much into the whole I'm a senior and I'm better than you mentality, but you were probably the kid I actually liked the most from the younger grades.

Aw, thanks. Didn’t you have a twin brother who was a jock? I remember one time him I was in the food line in the cafeteria and he was throwing grapes or some shit.

Yeah, my twin brother and I are total opposites. He was a redneck: fished, hunted, listened to country music. You know my deal.


CONTINUED
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