Jesse Michaels, Mike Park, Dateless, The Damage Done, Destroy Nate Allen
March 17th @ GRNSTR House in Seattle
We found out a few days before this amazing show that we had some family from Bolivia flying through Seattle. Tessa suggested I try to find a show. The Damage Done were kind enough to let us open last minute.
The GRNSTR House was small and pretty well packed before things got started. Everyone was in a good mood. I was extremely excited and pretty nervous for this show.
We opened to packed room. Everyone sang-a-long. We had a great time. After we played, The Damage Done raised the energy level with spirited DIY Hardcore/Punk set. Dateless followed with some sweet pop punk in what was apparently one of they're final shows.
Mike Park (Plea For Peace, Skankin' Pickles, Asian Man Record, ect.) played next and was fantastic. The room kept filling in and people we're getting pretty rowdy. The PA was having trouble so Mike went unplugged. Mike ended his set by playing “The Crowd” by Operation Ivy. He said he was playing it since Jesse wouldn't. As Mike belted it out Jesse slowly walked up beside him and started sing-a-long. I almost cried. In many ways the line, “We need a gathering INSTEAD” sums up so much of what punk rock should be about and this show truly was a gathering.
By the time Classics of Love (featuring Jesse Michaels on vocals and guitar), started playing the living room was busting at the seems. From the first song people we're crowd surfing, it was quite a sight. The ceiling was pretty low and as people surfed the they were basically crawling around the lights, nearly kicking them out on a few occasions. The Classics set was amazing, Everyone was in such a great mood. It was easily one of the best shows I had ever been to. We can't wait to go back to Seattle.
In a related note: The Damaged Done plays @ Metropolis this Sunday, with Success! (Seattle), No Secrets Between Sailors, The Intolerants and Destroy Nate Allen.