The Club Scene: When we say Less Avenged Records is young, we're talkin' really young

Musicians usually know what to expect when they go in to sign a record contract. But Chris Pennings of the New York-based band Southcott got a shock when he signed with Seattle's Less Avenged Records.

The label's two founders, president Jostin Darlington and vice president Adrian Cole, along with its director of publicity, Jordan Arnold, just graduated from high school in June.

"I was a little surprised," Pennings says. "I had to ask Jostin if he had a girlfriend, because otherwise, I knew he might not have time. But they are totally serious and professional."

Darlington, Cole and Arnold have been running Less Avenged since 2004. Unlike most startup labels, they're actually finding success and making money. Several of their bands, including local underage hardcore bands From Aphony and Blane, will appear on The Warped Tour, including the Gorge date July 15.

Part of Less Avenged's success stems from how well it has been able to take advantage of new media. Darlington and Cole are accomplished Web designers, and they raised capital to start the label by designing Web sites for bands. They capitalize on sites like Myspace.com and Purevolume.com, where teenagers hungry for hardcore music gather.

"E-mail, Myspace, all those new things that people are doing to keep in contact with each other over the Internet, a lot of teenage kids are addicted. We're addicted. At the same time, it's helping our business," says Darlington.

E-mail will be essential as Less Avenged moves forward. Darlington and Cole are moving to Cleveland, Ohio, to work for Rust Records, a larger label that partnered with Less Avenged on the Southcott release. Arnold will head off to Whittier College in the fall.

The three are adamant, however, that Less Avenged will be unaffected by the move. They plan to continue signing bands and working hard at promoting their existing stable.

"Everything cycles through and the label stays the same," says Darlington. "I feel now like all that was just preparing us for the label."

To get a taste of Less Avenged, head over to the Kirkland Teen Union Building tonight for a CD release party for From Aphony's new EP, "Conversation Blackout" (8; $6).

More all-ages fare

And speaking of all-ages shows, with summer in full swing, it's good to have an arsenal of shows to amuse the kids. The eclectic and massive (13 members!) World/ Inferno Friendship Society plays tonight at the Old Firehouse (8; $6).

The Vera Project's annual all-ages outdoor free concert, "Free For All," happens on Saturday at the Mural Amphitheatre with You Say Party! We Say Die!, Velella Velella and Argo (4 p.m.).

The Paradox has a fine all-ages bill of esoteric Omahan talent on Tuesday with Now It's Overhead and Tilly and the Wall (7:30 p.m.; $8 at TicketWeb or $10 at the door).

Fire it up

Those over 21 can venture down to Pioneer Square tonight for "The Ring of Fire," a fundraiser celebrating the anniversary of Seattle's great fire of 1889 and benefiting the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Burn Foundation (8 p.m.; $12 joint cover). Drink specials -- some flaming -- will be served at each club. There aren't nearly as many wooden buildings in the neighborhood, so flaming drinks should be fairly safe.

Actually, there aren't even as many clubs these days. Pioneer Square's joint cover offerings -- the deal that lets you enter participating neighborhood clubs for one price -- are looking mighty slim. Howl at the Moon and The Fenix Underground are gone, and that leaves only The Last Supper Club, J&M Card Room, The New Orleans, The Central Saloon, Doc Maynard's and Tiki Bob's.

Tizzy Asher welcomes your feedback, comments and juicy gossip. Reach her at tizzyasher@gmail.com.

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