Family Outing, Anna O., Dear Nora
Mon Sept 30, Double Trouble, $4.

When Carlos Lourenco and Matt Brose first told me they planned on hosting rock shows at their used clothing store, Double Trouble--located next to Bimbo's on Pine Street--I gave them my blessing. But I also reminded them that as a resident of the block on which their store sits, I'd raise holy hell if the place turned into a tiny version of Uncle Rocky's. Defunct for a few years now, Uncle Rocky's was a scrappy venue on 1112 Pike; toward the time of its demise (when I believe there was a gigantic hole in the ceiling because the roof was caving in), nearly every show ended with the space turning into a war zone, complete with ambulance and patrol-car lights flashing blue, white, and red in the night.

So far, the shows hosted by Double Trouble have been a welcome addition to the neighborhood. The crowds are polite, the bands have been a varied mix of unknowns and national acts, and now that Lourenco and Brose have started charging a little more at the door rather than relying on alcohol sales to make money--which was excluding the all-ages community--Double Trouble has become a gem of a club so close and cozy I might even show up in my slippers. (Very chi-chi sparkly ones, however, in keeping with the vintage fashions offered at the shop.)

"We get to break up the monotony of running a clothing store while helping our friends' bands," Lourenco says of the store's shows, noting that they might as well use the space while they have it, and that showgoers often return the next day and spend money in the shop. "It's an alternate way of advertising," confirms Brose.

First and foremost, Double Trouble is a clothing store, and Brose and Lourenco would like to keep the live shows to a once- or twice-a-month happening. "We've got New Luck Toy coming up with Charming Snakes," says Brose, who wants to build a strong community of bands regardless of their connection to the neighborhood. "We want to give bands who aren't big enough to get shows at larger venues a place to play--as well as friends who are passing through town who want to do an all-ages show. There are all kinds of dinky bands forming in the U-District and Ballard, and we'd love to have them play here."

Lourenco admits he sometimes feels like a hypocrite when he has to go outside and tell the people standing around on the sidewalk to move along, keeping his store's crowds from frustrating the neighborhood. "When I was [younger], that's exactly what I did, and now I have to go out there and tell people to respect the neighborhood as well as the other businesses on the street. Just because you can't get a drink in here doesn't mean you should go to the market up the street, get a beer, and stand on the sidewalk with it while listening to the show." He's frustrated, but still seems uncomfortable playing the heavy.

New Mexicans, eXBeSTFRIeNDS (the loudest band to play so far, prompting Double Trouble's new "weeknights only" policy so as not to disturb nearby businesses), the Fitness, Quix*O*Tic, and A-Frames have played Double Trouble to date, and on Monday, September 30, the space will host Tracy + the Plastics, Family Outing (featuring former Hazel and Team Dresch singer Jody Bleyle and her brother Allen) Anna O., and Dear Nora.

"People come to us, amazed, and ask, 'How do you guys pull this off?'" says Brose. "And we're like, 'It's easy, just call and find out the rules and regulations.'" He laughs at their own initial naiveté, though, recalling that he rang up the police to ask who he needed to call to find out about noise restrictions.

"We're doing this because we love it; we're breaking our backs putting all the clothes in the dressing rooms before the show and then putting it all out again before the store opens the next day," Brose says. And Lourenco assures me they aren't in it for the money: "Four dollars is what I was charged when I was a kid, and that's what we charge now."

With Area 51 and Aurafice hosting events on Pine Street as well, the neighborhood is shaping up to be pretty exciting; soon even the most disdainful of the hipster-laden Pike/Pine corridor will be forced to reconsider their options.