left to right: Christopher Blue, Duff McKagen, Greg Gilmore, David Garrigues, Paul Solger

A strange and unlikely experience last night at the OK Hotel in Seattle. Opening a show for Gruntruck was a band, unadvertised but quietly word-of-mouthed, known as Ten Minute warning. This would mean nothing except that this band was the great lost missing link (along with the U-men) between early 80's Seattle punk and late 80's, er, grunge (ouch! I used that word! So sue me.) They broke up originally in '84, and though they recorded a number of things, were not lucky enough to ever get a record released, so there is no documentary evidence of their existence. A number of now famous Seattle rock luminaries were heavily influenced by this band's legendary live shows, and a couple turned up last night, incognito. So why should we care? Well, the sheer unlikeliness of it all for starters. Except for a new singer, it was all original members. On guitar: Paul Solger (lead) and Duff McKagan (indeed him - used to drum for the Fastbacks, too); on drums Greg Gilmore (later in Mother Love Bone); on bass David Garrigues. Everyone looked fit and healthy, and they rocked. Took about half the set to really warm up, but for a first gig in 13 years they were pretty damn good - and this was not a one-off; they appear to be older, wiser and quite serious about this, more gigs are planned. There were no stupid cover songs, and only 3 of their own "oldies". After a few more gigs they should be pretty great.