Jen Ayers
Singer, Songwriter, Pianist - Honey Tongue, She Said
Jen Ayers’s musical foundation was already in motion before Seattle’s 80s and 90s scene took off. She began singing, playing piano, and writing songs at five, carrying a red AM radio and absorbing classic melodies that shaped her instincts.
By the time she formed Honey Tongue with guitarist Graham Ayers, she had years of experience. The band played thousands of shows across the U.S. and released four albums, establishing her as a powerful, piano-driven vocalist.
Her later work, including solo projects and the concept album She Said, continues that foundation with big vocals, classic rock influence, and a blend of soul, pop, and rock.
Photo by Rosetta Greek at El Corazon (“The Off Ramp”), a beloved music club
Transcript
On Tuesday, October 16, 1993, my boyfriend, Graham, our friend Jen and I are waiting in line at Rock Candy to see Buffalo Tom. Jen tells us about a rumor that Pearl Jam is going to play a secret show the following week at the off ramp. We're debating this when the door guy leans over and says, "Yep, they are. Monday night, build his green apple quickstep." So now we're thinking, "Well, we should definitely go in case the rumors are true."
Monday Jen and I arrive at the off ramp at noon and there's already people lining up outside. We're all looking at each other wondering, "Are you here for the same reason we are? Is Pearl Jam really playing tonight?" The energy felt like something big was brewing. At 2 p.m. the doors open, we go in, and nobody is saying Pearl Jam isn't playing so we all start taking turns calling our friends from one pay phone. I leave a message for Graham to come down as soon as he gets this. Something is definitely happening and the place is getting packed.
Finally, around 4 p.m. Graham busts through the door as Pearl Jam starts sound checking on the other side of the wall. Five minutes later, an off ramp employee tells us not to bother calling any more friends because the place is sold out and he locks the door. Within minutes there are mobs of people and camera crews in the street outside the club trying to get in. At 5 p.m. we all line up for a $1 spaghetti dinner and Pete Droge and his acoustic guitar open the show.
Then Pearl Jam takes the stage and plays the most incredible, frenetic, energetic rocking set. Eddie literally hanging from the rafters and some dude crabbing onto Mike McCready's leg while he's soloing nearly causing him to fall off the stage. We felt like the luckiest people in the world that night. Versus had just come out that week and PJ played almost every song on the album. Plus Once and Wigo and a couple who covers. We got to experience the Versus tour show before the actual Versus tour but not in an arena. This one was just for us and 200 of our new closest friends, up close and personal. And we all got another dollar spaghetti dinner on our way out the door. Our beloved Seattle Music Clubs knew how to take care of us back then.