From the Oct 24 – Oct 30, 2002 issue

Music

UNDERAGE

by Megan Seling

Wrapping up may headache-inducing week (which consisted of moving, working, moving, working, etc.), I hit the lights in the office on Friday night, October 11, and ran out the door. All I wanted to do was start my weekend with a night full of rock 'n' roll, and seeing as how there were about eight billion all-ages shows to choose from that weekend, it didn't seem like it would be so difficult. The plan was simple: meet up with my friend Dan, run to the EMP to catch No Knife (who was opening for Jimmy Eat World and the Donnas), then run down to the Vera Project's new space to help celebrate their grand opening with the Catheters. And, if time allowed, jump back to the EMP to see if Jimmy Eat World were still worthy of holding a place in my "guilty pleasure" category.

Dan and I hopped in the car, cruised downtown, and found the perfect parking space. As Dan started slowly backing into the spot... BAM! Luckily no one was hurt in the fender-bender (except the car), but after exchanging information, yadda, yadda, yadda, we were now 20 minutes behind in our perfect plan.

But I'm the optimistic type, so we found a new spot and hurried our asses to the EMP. We wove through the line; No Knife was already half finished with their set when we managed to get inside. Some very nice boys gave us a ton of No Knife stickers to make us feel better, though (thanks guys!), and once the last chord was strummed, No Knife exited the stage and Dan and I exited the EMP.

We walked to Vera's home (which is less than a mile from the EMP), and once I saw the space, my mouth dropped open. The last time I had seen the Vera Project, remodeling had yet to begin. Now, after endless hours of hard work, it looked amazing. Everything was set up, painted, polished... and the sound system! Kate Becker was happy to tell me the sound system was a donation from the wonderful McCauley Sound. It sounded amazing (and LOUD), and the Catheters were the perfect choice to christen it.

After saying our goodbyes to Vera, we waded through fallen leaves back to the EMP. Unfortunately, while I've never been a huge Jimmy Eat World fan, it's obvious they've gone the way of bands like the Get Up Kids--the rock is gone. Thank God for the Catheters, though: Rock 'n' roll is alive and well. MEGAN SELING

megan@thestranger.com

See All-Ages Events in our Calendar »

Buy Tickets for Other Events