Are you tired of going out of town to see a good rock show? Too young anyway? Want to see something new? If that's the case a solution is coming your way on March 12.
That's when DEK - a young Seattle-bred, old-school punk rock band - will be coming to Aberdeen to play an all-ages show at Alfie's.
DEK is an acronym for "Don't Even Know." The band is made up of four members: Mark Vraney on guitar and vocals, Nick Myette on bass and vocals, Bret Chernoff on guitar and vocals, and Thani Suchoknand on the drums.
This band is certainly not your average teenage punk rock band. Still in high school, they have already had some awesome experiences as a band, since starting in the summer of 2002. They have played shows with some pretty well-known bands, like TSOL, the Skulls, Social Distortion, The Adolescents, The Presidents of The United States and even more.
They've traveled down the West Coast and across the Plains playing shows around the country. They have even played in Grays Harbor last November at The Artic Grange Hall. They enjoyed their visit here and are coming back around.
You must be wondering how they have accomplished all of this. They started out with the typical story of bored teenagers, who one day picked up some instruments and thought they could be a band, then formed the punk rock quartet. At first they called themselves the Dead End Kids then the name evolved into Don't Even Know. But the "DEK" acronym was always constant.
The four of them, ages 16 and 17, are all still attending high school, under their parents' rule. These boys all agreed with their parents that in order for them to be in the band they must maintain As and Bs.
They must not be bored anymore.
Getting good shows is usually difficult when you are so young, but the band in managed by the guitarist/vocalist Mark Vraney's father, Mike. Mike Vraney has had experience managing bands, such as the Dead Kennedys, as well as TSOL. He has most definitely helped the band in finding its own way to fame so fast.
In July of 2004, DEK released its first album - "Boner" - on California's Finger Records. The album has been described as "pure teen angst, made fun with doses of humor tossed in," and also as "fast and furious, with a hilarious attitude."
On-stage, their presence is rather inventive. The boys grew complacent of the average punk rock uniform and wanted to break the norm. Now they are much colorful, wearing crazy outfits like a Peter Pan costume, a chicken costume, fur coats, vinyl pants, and silly T-shirts. A bit like glam rock gone mad (or punk).
As for the overall sound of the band, the genre is punk, inspired by the older bands who were pioneers in the scene. The sound consists of loud guitar, strong bass and fast-paced drumming, mixed with quirky lyrics to create the older-styled punk rock sound. It has even been described like that of The Buzzcocks, The Damned and TSOL.
So if you find you are a bored teenager - like DEK used to be - reading this and are interested in becoming a rock star, you could start a band. Take a lesson from this band, have fun and don't let your age stop you.
No matter your age, this group has a sound from the good old days and the energy to keep its audience entertained and pleased.
They are prepared to blow your mind, eardrums, or even your socks off, but you "Don't Even Know" until you go see.
So be at Alfie's at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, $6 in hand. You will also be spending the evening with many other talented bands, such as Jackmove, Burncell, Smilin' Jon, and Buckwildz.
Check out DEK online at www.dekpunk.com.

Elisha Hagedorn is a 2004 Aberdeen High School graduate who currently attends South Puget Sound Community College.