Another local band has begun a precarious tango with a major label, but God love the Briefs for still acting like a bunch of rubes. Excited that they snagged a showcase at the Viper Room in Hollywood, a member of the band giddily fired off an e-mail message to a friend about the upcoming gig. However, he accidentally cc'd his "list," and soon the whole world knew about the show. The whole world being Seattle, of course, so this meant that all sorts of hissing and sissing commenced immediately as the snakes looked up from their bowls of sour grapes in horror at the possibility that someone might become a superstar. So what? Okay, I guess I can understand the grousing, given that during interviews no one in the band ever mentions the fact that a couple of them used to be in the once major-label-signed, MTV-rotated Green Apple Quick Step ("Dirty Water Ocean"). And then there's the fact that the less e-mail-happy members of the Briefs are mortified that word has gotten out about their unabashed attempts at career advancement. Maybe that's because the label rumored to be footing the bill for the showcase (including airfare for the band) is none other than Fred Durst's Interscope. Still, I think I have to say "good on ya" for weighing the options, guys. Do what your heart tells you to do. And if the grousers get you down, remember how Morrissey once so eloquently put it ("It's really laughable, ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha- ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha...").

***

Local DJ and all-around scene supporter Kerri Harrop, a.k.a. DJ Cherry Canoe, celebrated her birthday in grand style last Sunday in the back room of the Cha Cha. The festive soirée featured a sign in the bathroom requesting that, for just one night, in Kerri's honor, folks attempt to relieve themselves into the toilet rather than all over it. The sign was also decorated with photographs of the young Cherry as a 15-year-old punk rocker. Clever gifts included a set of Michael Jackson singles, a copy of Monster Booty, and lots of smelly girl stuff and military-themed things. A block and a half up the street at Linda's, Aveo frontman William Wilson celebrated the day of his birth at a surprise party given in his honor by his friends and family. Pine Street was bustling with music community types, and between the two celebrations there were more rock stars and industry movers and shakers in attendance than the night Hype! premiered. Scenesters included members of Poseur, Murder City Devils, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Fastbacks, eXBeSTFRIeNDS, Kill Sadie, and the Presidents, as well as employees of Sub Pop, past and present. Some revelers left for an hour or so to check out Loaded at the Showbox. Frontman Duff McKagan was joined by Dave Dederer, Martin Feveyear, and Mike Squires, as well as a bevy of babes attempting to catch the former G N' R bassist's eye--a hopeless dream, as his gorgeous model wife, standing near the stage, laid them all to waste. Party-goer Wesley Stace, otherwise known as John Wesley Harding, informed me that his residency in Seattle is about to come to an end as he and his author girlfriend are moving to New York for at least a year. "Congratulations for living in the most pleasant, most fun-to-make-music-in town in America," said Stace in an e-mail farewell sent out to friends and associates the following morning. The couple leaves town on June 1, but hopes to return for good before 2003.

Now, two pieces of silly, but nonetheless true gossip: RollingStone.com reports that Rick Rubin is overseeing an official collaboration between Chris Cornell and the remains of Rage Against the Machine, confirming that it was not all just an early April Fools' joke. AND, apparently falling snow globs are not the only weather hazards posed by EMP's exterior design. The recent party welcoming KEXP featured decorations by Rubbermaid, as massive leaks in the skylight lent new significance to the aptly named Liquid Lounge.

kathleen@thestranger.com