Redmond's Old Fire House is one of the longest-running all-ages venues and teen centers on the West Coast. Since opening its doors in 1992, the club has been a hotbed of activity, hosting weekend rock shows as well as a calendar full of classes and workshops (on everything from photography to zine-making). Jawbreaker and Quicksand have played there, the Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves got their starts there, and the beloved venue continues to be a huge support system for a whole new crop of young, up-and-coming Eastside bands or for kids just looking for a place to hang out, play pool, and skate.

There's a whole lot of history in those walls, and this September the Old Fire House celebrates its big 13 with a birthday party to which everyone's invited. I don't wanna blow the surprise as to who the headlining band will be, but I can happily assure you that if you like your screaming rock laced with heavy synth you'll piss your pants with excitement once the mystery band takes the stage.

Opening for the big surprise act is the Assailant. Their heavy-as-shit hardcore will absolutely crush you with varying tempos and an obliterating wall of noise tinged with piercing metal guitar. The band actually perfectly describe their sound themselves, saying, "Like 1,000 sixth-graders let loose in Guitar Center... screaming." Old Assailant fans will surely notice the new lineup, as singer Dick Rhee left some time ago to go back to school, but their new frontman, Ryan (who's last name remains a mystery), holds it down with his own intense, throat-shredding growl that fits perfectly with the band's beastly sonic attack.

And speaking of the Assailant, someone should warn Europe, because later this month the band will hop the pond with fellow hardcore metal champs Akimbo, to tour the continent for about a month. And that tour's very likely to destroy absolutely everything in its path.

Back to the Old Fire House show, though: Eastside favorite, Mikaela's Fiend are also on the bill, as well as Der Trasch, whose futuristic space punk comes laced with plenty of sass, trash, and attitude.

This birthday blowout happens Friday, September 2, starts at 8:00 p.m., and costs eight bucks. Hell of a lot cheaper than Bumbershoot, I'll tell you that.

Need more? You can hear my personal picks for the week on 107.7 The End every Monday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. during DJ No Name's The Morning Alternative.