The front row calls for song titles, some I've never heard, and sings joyously along. As the band packs up its gear, new converts offer cautious compliments, friends come up and say hi, a zine conducts an interview at the foot of the stage. Rusty refuses it initially, because the band still owes Lyons some dough for the CD's recording costs. Lyons insists they keep enough to buy beers and some gas to get home. Crack is toying with the idea of moving to Los Angeles, just because it could play three or four different all-ages places in a week.
Older crowds are often interested only in looking good and getting drunk.
In San Jose, the fact that there are only two all-ages clubs leaves the band with lots of free time. Plus, the vibe is different in its own hometown. Over drinks and cigarettes, a deep discussion breaks out between him and Shoegazer guitarist Oscar. The ethical implications of riders, those nit-picky lists of food, towels and guaranteed payment for the band provided by the promoter, are being weighed. I've been playing long enough to get paid for the gas and for a meal.