Sucks that Atlas closed or whatever, but seriously Seattle, cry me a river. I can’t reiterate how easy you’ve got it.

That sounds harsh, but I’m bitter. I spent my Friday night at the Library, another DIY all-ages venue, also booked in association with a thrift boutique, that was also invaded by the fire marshall and also forced to shut down until the space is up to code.

It’s literally a library, with towering shelves of dusty books as a backdrop for the acts. Nestled in the back of antique behemoth Sanford & Sons in downtown Tacoma, it was the perfect place to see five-dollar shows every Friday night. It was calculated dancing to avoid hitting $200 antique armoirs and gothic chandeliers. And I mean, the music was good.

Last night, however, was the end of all that. I got a big red “24” on my wrist while we were counted on the way in (no more than fifty people, including bands, allowed inside), and a sign reading “private party” was hung on the door in an attempt to fool the fire marshall. But those guys can’t be fooled. Antique libraries obviously don’t install sprinklers.

We saw one last good show; the Lonely H opened with their narcissistic brand of 1970’s nostalgia, playing almost as tightly as the thighs of their girly flared jeans, despite sound problems and a lack of enthusiasm about playing first. Tacoma boys Trans Union played a half hour of their endearingly sweet indie pop, followed by The Little Penguins (side project of the Turn-On’s drummer), and Captain Incognito. Kids were into it even with the heavy doomsday vibe hanging over the room and the constantly cutting-out mics.

When the show was over, and the PA stowed back in someone’s trunk, the Library doors were shut for what was probably the final time.

Living in Tacoma, I am so used to this.

Don’t get me wrong, Capitol Hill needs an all-ages venue and Atlas had some incredible line-ups. But until the tax laws and fire codes change, there will always be start-ups and shut-downs. Sprinkler systems cost 30k and kids can't buy drinks.

But it’s like the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park breeding on their own despite John Hammond's plan to keep them all female: nature found a way. Just because the space is gone, doesn’t mean the music is.