From the Mar 11 – Mar 17, 2004 issue

Music

Underage

by Megan Seling

I don't care if this makes me a complete dork, but The School of Rock was one of my favorite movies of 2003 ("Just tip it this way and, cello! You have a bass!"). After seeing that movie (three times in the theater, thankyouverymuch), I wanted so badly for there to have been a rock 'n' roll teacher like that when I was a kid. Not that I didn't love going to Cascade Music in Snohomish once a week for bass lessons... it's just that, man, if Jack Black was my teacher, and if I didn't have to practice in a secluded, gray, soundproof room while sitting in a metal folding chair, maybe I would've had more interest in playing music and the whole rock-star thing would've worked out for me.

But the rock-star thing didn't work out (not yet, anyway), so now I'm a "rock writer" (whatever that means). But for the younger generation of rock-star wannabes, there is something like the School of Rock! It's called Rock School, and it's a nonprofit organization based in Kirkland that gives young musicians ages 12 to 21 hands-on experiences in the music industry. Rock School offers a variety of classes--everything from instrument lessons to songwriting to rock history--and touches a variety of genres: rock, punk, metal, blues... you name it.

But, like any nonprofit organization, coming up with enough money to continue programming is always a struggle. So to help out, the Old Fire House, the kind folks that they are, are hosting a Rock School benefit show that features Rock School bands as well as local acts like Curvador, Kuma, Roxy and Bootsy (of Ms. Led fame), and Visqueen. All profits will be used for Rock School scholarships for girls and also to fund a variety of girls-only classes (but you boys shouldn't fret--you're more than welcome to take classes at Rock School, and there are scholarships available for you too).

And what better band to headline the night than the female-fronted Visqueen? The power pop trio puts on a hell of a show, and with lead singer Rachel Flotard engaging the crowd in such a warm, funny way, you fall in love with the band almost instantly. The show starts at 7:00 p.m., and it costs $7.

For more information about Rock School, and for class listings, schedules, and registration, visit www.rock-school.org. And as Dewey Finn (Jack Black) says to his students in The School of Rock, "Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock." MEGAN SELING

megan@thestranger.com

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