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Drummer Brian Girgus has spent most of his career playing in bands like Nodzz, Still Flyin', Trackstar, Personal & the Pizzas and Si Claro. But with The New California Barbershop, he's exploring a second passion. "I've been cutting hair as an amateur since high school but upon finding $6,000 in a coat pocket at a thrift store I decided to change things up a little and go to barber school," he said. After graduating, Girgus paid his dues at various barbershops around San Francisco before landing at Freemans Sporting Club. Now, he's returned to Los Angeles (he was born and raised in the high desert area) to open his own shop.
New California is relatively spare, but gets a decor boost from an oversize mural of the white wind turbines visible on the drive out from LA to Coachella as well as a few potted cacti and, of course, a row of vintage-style chairs. Through the back of the shop is a general store of sorts with "meticulously-picked vintage and secondhand threads and housewares;" Malin + Goetz hair and skincare; and coffee beans from Bun E. Carlos, formerly of Cheap Trick. Stop in for cuts ($35, clipper-only $20), straight-razor shaves ($35) and beard trims ($10) from 11am to 7pm daily.
· The New California Barbershop [Official Site]