Frank Shankly (Tim Buckwalter) grew up outside Philadelphia, where he developed a deep appreciation for artists like Jean Carn, Shirley Scott, John and Alice Coltrane, and the legendary sound of Sigma Sound Studios.

He’s been DJing since 1983, starting with a 40-minute morning segment on his high school radio station that spanned multiple styles. Soon after, he co-founded Special Forces, a DJ crew that packed school gymnasiums with dancefloor favorites—often closing the night with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Free Bird or Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven.

Today, his sets reflect a refined love of mid-tempo pop, blending disco, soul, new wave, and contemporary tracks with obscure covers and rare gems. The result is an uplifting, soulful vibe with an intimate feel. And yes—he still spins exclusively on 45s and 7-inch vinyl records.
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Residencies:
Ghost Town Brewing West Oakland | 2018-2019, 2020 to the present
Armistice Brewing Richmond | 2017-2018

One Offs:
Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack Late Nights San Francisco | 2025, 2026
Ocean View Brew Works | 2022
Headlands Brewing’s Opening Lafayette | 2021
Gilman Street Brewing’s Hallowe’en Party Berkeley | 2018
SFMOMA’s SECA Awards After-Party San Francisco | 2019