School Jamz

Kids, stay in school, here's why: it turns out that you might just get a better rock show at school than in a bar.

Last night ER played a trilogy of steady-as-she-goes sets at San Louis Obispo's Frog and Peach, a pretty good bar on the main drag in downtown Obispo. You know it's a good bar when you hear Zeppelin and the Doors before you even walk in.

And while the expected room of in-and-out somewhat-sloshed patrons never disappoints, there's something about a school full of hungry, restless teenagers that tops even the rowdiest pubs. Today, we rocked a crowded courtyard at Santa Ynez Union High under the radiator sun of lunch hour.

One of the best moments came when, as the dancing was getting to moshing, the recently hired principal got on the mike in between songs and banned all movement entirely. The party people in all of us screamed back at her, but secretly we love the collision of wills. Repress us, yes! We'll only want to party more.

So stay in school, because that's where the best show is gonna be anyway, girl!

It was a good feeling meeting you SY kids. A few we remember: Kelly, who wanted our names on her arm, what an honor. Next time we're in town, we want you to sign our arms, too. Also, it's always cool seeing music lovers like James and Colin, with Hendrix and Tool shirts, who talked drums and cymbals with Tom. Everybody RULES here in Santa Ynez. We're even coming to your water polo game in a few.