Charles Garish at The Oxford, Seattle, WA, October 31, 1989

On Halloween night, 1989, Charles Garish (d. 1990) gave his last performance at Seattle’s Oxford Tavern, as advertised on this poster. Often going by the stage name Upchuck, Garish was diagnosed with both tuberculosis and AIDS the year prior and would spend the last two years of his life in Seattle before passing away on May 27, 1990. 

Garish, born Charles Gerra, was a regular DJ at the Wrex in Belltown after it opened in 1979, and a member of many local Punk bands, including Clone, Wad Squad, and The Fags. He was dubbed the “gay Cobain” by The Advocate and was open about his sexuality throughout his career. Finding success in both Seattle and New York City, he once opened for Siouxsie and the Banshees, the English Rock band, at Seattle’s Eagles Auditorium. His band, The Fags, also had a cameo in Madonna’s 1985 film Desperately Seeking Susan. Dennis R. White, production manager for Seattle music magazine The Rocket, cared for Garish in his last year, helping him attend idol David Bowie’s concert at the Tacoma Dome on May 21, 1990. In 2008, White helped release the album Upchuck: Gone But Not Forgiven, featuring old recordings of his performances with various bands. 

The Oxford Tavern once stood at 1918 First Ave, and by the mid-1980s, owner Far Niroomand had renovated the venue, which hosted poetry readings, art openings, and occasional music, serving pizza, espresso, wine, and beer. In 1991, the venue became a gallery and has since become a furniture store.