Four local teen bands are raising awareness of teen homelessness by playing a free night of rock music at the Salmon Bay Eagles Club on Friday, Dec 17.

The “Hot Rock on a Cold Night” concert will feature Pave the Earth, Empathy, No Excuses, and Fate Descends.

The convert is an all-ages event and concert-goers are encouraged to bring a warm article of clothing such as a coat, hand warmers or socks to be donated to TeenFeed.org.

Teen Feed is an organization that responds to the most basic needs of homeless youth. For the last 23 years, they've been providing hot meals specifically to youth and young adults in the University District. They feed 40-50 homeless youth on average each evening.

“In the last year we’ve been feeding kids every night like clockwork,” said Megan Gibbard, Executive Director of Teen Feed.

In addition to providing meals. collecting coats and socks is a big focus this year as a cold winter is expected in Seattle, Gibbard said.

They’ve been connecting with media and music bands to get their message out and raise support.
“We like to connect what kids are passionate about with charity,” Megan Gibbard from TeenFeed.org said. “A lot of kids are asking ‘what can I use my talents for to give back?’”

John Scherrer, Salmon Bay Eagles Club teen night organizer said that playing for a cause gives these teen bands a taste of what it’s like to play for something, even if it isn’t a paycheck.

Scherrer’s daughter Megan Scherrer, the 16-year-old bassist of the band No Excuses, came up with the idea to dedicate the upcoming teen night to helping homeless youth.

“It’s teens helping teens,” Scherrer said. “This concert is an example of how intertwined charity, cause and music is in Seattle.”

For one featured band member the cause is close to his heart.

“I’ve been there. I’ve been homeless,” said Matt Larking, 20, guitarist and vocalist of Empathy.

“I lived on the street for two months and played my guitar for a bit of money. Any help is appreciated. A jacket or shoes are like a god-send for someone who has no means to provide for themselves,” Larkin said.

Larkin said that the name of his band has a lot to do with people’s incapability to empathize with other people.

“They have no idea what it feels like to be a homeless kid in Seattle,” he said.

Empathy is a three piece band from Lake Stevens that’s coming down for the event.

“They’ve only been playing together for a few months but they pay tremendous music,” Scherrer said.

Larkin said they’ve played three shows so far for an audience that ranged in age from 13 to late 50s.

“It’s cool to have an available venue which gives young bands a place to play,” Larkin said. “That’s really an awesome thing to do for the community.”

Most members of the featured bands are School of Rock participants and have played at several Seattle venues including The Crocodile, the Triple Door, El Corazon, the Vera Project and the EMP.

“These are bands that have been on stage and know how to put on a good rock show,” Scherrer said.

“But it’s difficult for teens to find a place to play that is safe physically as well as mentally. The [Salmon Bay Easgles Club] is one of the few places which has a full bar and yet offers all-ages shows regularly.”

Scherrer said they’re expecting between 75 to 100 people, half adult and half under 21.

“Being a teen band, it’s great we can play an all-ages show and invite our friends,” said Dylan Welsh, 16, the guitarist of Pave the Earth. “The venue is a really great help.”

Pave the Earth plays a mixture of Rock and Jazz and Scherrer described the teens as “intense” for having a rigorous schedule of five to six structured music lessons a week.

Welsh said that the concert is an opportunity for people to come out to see a good rock show. Playing for a cause is something Welsh said, he’d like to do more often.

“The draw for me to help is that we’re seeing less support for the arts with schools cutting their music programs. The community has gotten involved in keeping music programs for kids going,” Scherrer said. “And now the kids are paying it forward by supporting a cause.”

Saul Fleming of Fate Descends said he hopes for a big crowd. “It would be great to have a ton of people come out to have fun, get introduced to some good local bands and help support a good cause.”

The concert will go from 8 p.m to midnight. Donations are optional but encouraged.

“Never underestimate a small gesture. When everyone does it, it’s incredibly powerful,” Gibbard said. “So on your way to the show, pick up a pair of socks or bring a coat.”

The Salmon Bay Eagles Club is located at 5216 20th Ave. N.W.