The lineup at Seattle's only full-time all-ages venue was promising, with locals Saeta and Suffering & the Hideous Thieves, and California's Havalina Rail Co. As Saeta wrapped up their sleep-inducing (though very pretty) set, people continued to drizzle in. My eyes scanned the old, dimly lit theater for my very first victim.
Now, I must be honest with you. Had I agreed to write Underage for all the wrong reasons (read: an opportunity to talk to cute boys), Jerrod Austin would have been the one to be picked out of the crowd. Luckily, that isn't the case, and I agreed to write this column for all the right reasons (read: an opportunity to talk to supporters of local music). Even then, Jerrod Austin was the one to be picked out of the crowd.
I spotted him early into Suffering's set. He was one of the only people moving once the music started. Poised with his hands pushed down into his back pockets, he was gently swaying back and forth with the rhythm and intently singing along with every word. After an impressive set filled with manic and depressive emotions, I asked the 20-year-old what he liked most about the band.
"I like how each song exonerates each instrument in the band. They don't just have a bunch of crap up there. And the lyrics are really meaningful to me; they hit home to me in a lot of ways."
A few more minutes of chatting lead me to discover that Jerrod is more than a fan of many local bands--he is also a musician, a hair stylist, and a fan of imported beer (especially Belgian ales). Also, after Jerrod moved to Seattle from Austin, Texas about two years ago, he immediately began volunteering at the Paradox and another all-ages staple, the Vera Project.
When asked about Seattle's all-ages music scene, Jerrod is very positive. "All the kids are friendly," he said. "When I first came up here I thought it was a closed circle, but it really wasn't at all. Once you start going to shows, people are really nice to you and very welcoming."
While we chatted, Jerrod had nothing negative to say. It's this positive outlook that allows this all-ages scene to stay alive and keeps me wanting to continue to be a part of it. MEGAN SELING
