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Meow Meow Kittens Love It, Cats Tolerate It by Courtney Mumma 8PM: She's 16 years old. It's Friday night and she's revved up because she's going to meet her friends Andrew (he's a senior and does his hair just like Jack White) and Jessica (so original, she wears hot pink flats and she cuts her shirt collars herself so they go off her shoulder) at the Meow Meow to see The Casablancas and Steering Wheel Denial. Her mom's dropping her off a block away. Man, it would suck to live in a place where there were shows going on and I couldn't go because I was under age. Growing up in Texas, I was never limited in my concert-going abilities, but several Portland-reared friends have informed me of the bands they missed seeing in their teens because they were too young to get in to a venue. Plus, the all-ages venues that did exist weren't really large enough to support popular, touring bands. At their old, smaller location, Meow Meow booked some great shows. I saw Fuck, Crooked Fingers, Thrones, and Pink and Brown (not together, although that would make for an interesting show.) However, the new location (B Complex) is huge, like an airline hanger with slightly lower ceilings. There's a ton of seating, composed of couches and cast-off diner chairs. The stage is massive and the sound is all right for the size of the place. Shows are 5-7 dollars, which is excusable in this case because there are no alcohol sales to bolster profits. The entry room is well lit with a bar behind which bands can sell their wares. 9PM: She and Jessica are sitting cross-legged in a circle on the floor and then they hold hands to pull each other up and go to the bathroom where Jessica tells her that Andrew's had a crush on her for, like, two whole months. In high school, I would not have had a social life if it were not for my life OUTSIDE of school, which was composed mostly of seeing bands and going places to talk about bands. Period. Those kids at my school just couldn't see my potential, the Texas country music made them dumb. 10PM: The bands are some of the greatest bands she's EVER SEEN, and she's been going to shows since she was, like, 14 years old. Getting my mind blown by bands (who may or may not make as much of an impact on my older, more bitter self) was life changing when I was a kid. Especially local bands, because it made me feel more a part of a scene, even if I was just faking it badly. More local bands will soon be performing at the Meow Meow for two reasons: First, So, the Meow Meow is a really good thing for under age kids. Or the over 21 straight edge crowd (does that actually exist?). Or maybe the over 21 crowd if it isn't too damn lazy to walk around the corner a few blocks to a bar for a between-band cocktail or two. I mean, you know you're not going to miss the Valentine's day Hazel reunion show just because you can't down a Pabst while drooling all over Pete Krebs. 12PM: She's going home after a wonderful night. Andrew and Jessica really like each other, and she thinks they're going to start a band. Maybe in a couple years, I'll see little Andrew and Jessica's band playing at Berbati's while I'm having a nice, stiff drink and a cigarette. Meow Meow, 320 SE 2nd (no big sign in front yet, so it's kind of hard to find), 503.230.2111, www.themeowmeow.com Todd Fadel, booker. Courtney Mumma can be reached at cmumma@comcast.net |
Todd Fadel, the booker and manager, is starting curator-hosted nights, during which local connoisseurs of the avant-garde in independent music of all genres will be presiding over the line-up. Second, the massive space allows for booking bigger shows, which pay the rent and allow for more flexibility in introducing new and/or local bands to the scene. This is good, because the kids going to see these bands now are going to be inspired to keep the Portland DIY music culture alive and eclectic.