The early 80s were the halcyon days for Seattle youth culture. There was a gazillion all ages venues, most of which appeared and disappeared within a few months, because of fire codes, landlords, or bad management. Either you were in a band, or you wanted to be in a band, or you knew somebody in a band. You were almost definitely a misfit until you found punk rock. For me, the Metropolis, on 2nd Avenue Extension in Pioneer Square was the peak Seattle youth culture. Hugo and Gordon essentially gave the kids the keys to the place. There were other all ages punk venues, some of them memorable (to wit-- Larry Reid’s Graven Image), but for one glorious year, the Metropolis reigned. The list of Seattle bands that played the Metropolis between March of 1983 and February of 1984 was exhaustive and significant—The Fartz, The Rejectors, The Accused, The Refuzors, The U Men, The Fastbacks, Mr. Epp, Silly Killers, Malfunkshun, March of Crimes, Spluii Numa, Bam Bam, . Then, there was the out of state band that came through (when their vans didn’t break down)—The Replacements, Bad Brains, Violent Femmes, Suicidal Tendencies, Agent Orange (I’m just going on memory, here). It was usually three to four bands a night for $3 or $4 or maybe $5 tops.
Between bands, you might linger out front on 2nd Avenue with the crowd of kids that couldn’t manage to scrape up the requisite 3, or, 4, or 5 bucks to get in. Or, you hung out back in the parking lot. The parking lot behind the Metropolis in Seattle in 1983 was a cultural petri dish in the best possible way, a vital convergence of personalities, interests, influences, and various legal or illegal proclivities. It was happening. Whatever it was. It was palpable. You felt like you were a part of something bigger. It was like tailgating at a football game—but way less lame.
Looking back, I think of it as an incubator for everything that would eventually (six or seven years later) put Seattle on the larger cultural map. It was a great place to drink mickey’s 40 ouncers in a van between bands, or before the show, or after. I first met the Matt and Buzz Melvin in that parking lot. And another guy, who’d recently relocated from Missoula, Montana, with his bandmates from Deranged Diction, Bruce and Sergio. That guy was Jeff Diction. And he’s been my friend ever since, although most people call him Jeff Ament now. In the years after the Metropolis parking lot, he and Stoney (Gossard) ended up in other bands (Green River, Mother Love Bone, Mookie Blaylock) until the cycle reached its ultimate permutation in the form of Pearl Jam.
This week, our Fresh Face in Hell is Jeff Ament, and while he may have mellowed or matured over the past four decades, he’s the same dude I met in a van behind the Metropolis in 1983. And I love him for that.
Share this post