Rock and Roll High School

"Soon you'll be playing Edge Fest, and people will be saying, 'Dude, you rock,'" I prophesied unto them. "But then, what do I know? I'm just a dumb rock critic."

I was prepared to call it a night when Dressed for Autumn took the stage, second to last. They came out of nowhere, like Seabiscuit, and stole the show. When you see a young kid with as much talent as front man Jairus Withrow, it's both humbling and awe-inspiring. Armed with an acoustic guitar, Beck-ish good looks, a sweet voice and some very heavy songwriting reminiscent of Bono's vaguely religious lyrics, this kid was amazing. The girls screamed his name, and I wrote it down in my notebook, because I think it's one the world may soon know. The fact that Dressed is a "Christian" band will no doubt be a hindrance. But then, consider what Jessica Simpson accomplished. God willing, there could come a day when Dressed for Autumn is doing booty videos instead of leading prayer circles. Though, in my mind, there's room for both.

As the winners were announced (Dressed took first prize, with Casual coming in a very respectable second), Dufilho and I began edging toward the exit. The kids had been given back their score cards, along with all our commentaries.

"Take off those stupid skull caps, for Godssake. Grunge is dead!!???" I overheard one pissed-off teenager read to his bandmates. The score card bore my signature.

"Power chords, power chords, blah, blah, blah!!???" another kid yelled incredulously, ripping my commentary sheet into shreds.

I tossed the car keys to Dufilho. "Here, man. You drive."

---

Later that night, at a CD release party in Expo Park, safe inside a bar where no one under 21 could seek revenge, Dufilho sympathized with the young rockers.

"I remember my first show in high school," he said. "I was so nervous I felt sick."

I thought about the kids, too, realizing some of them probably wouldn't sleep that night. Then I looked up at the struggling band of guys in their mid-30s, playing for an audience of about 10 people, and realized the Battle of the Bands can teach aspiring musicians at least one thing. An honest critic is your best friend.