The Washington, D.C., band Fugazi is headlining a benefit organized to strike a blow at Seattle's absurd Teen Dance Ordinance, which makes all-ages shows nearly impossible to stage. Sleater-Kinney is a late, unbilled addition to the show, and as such, the band begins its abbreviated, 10-song set before a sparsely populated dance floor. It fills up in a hurry, though, despite Carrie's stab at anonymity: "Hi, we're The Hot Rock. Ready?" The band rips into "Dig Me Out" with a vengeance. If the Portland show was the end of the new album's coming-out party, then this was an opportunity to work out any remaining kinks before the tour begins in earnest in San Francisco three days hence. As an opening act, S-K appears loose and spirited. Searing versions of "Banned from the End of the World," "Start Together," "The End of You." A spirited "Joey Ramone." Another fine "God Is a Number," another powerful "Heart Factory." "Get Up" sounds a bit tentative, but "Little Mouth" breathes fire. Their last song on this, perhaps the last chance this band will ever have to play as an opening act, comes as no surprise: "Words and Guitar." Corin's opening-night jitters having long since abated. The number has taken its accustomed place as the last song of the previous four shows. Tonight would be no different. But a funny thing happens. Midway through the song, Carrie somehow manages to kick her guitar cord out of its connection. She looks down, puzzled, shrugs and as Corin and Janet soldier on, finds a new place to plug in. Afterward, there is no angst, no "what happened," just a rueful laugh. What had started as "É and Guitar" a week earlier had ended, oddly enough, as "Words and É" Just a slight setback on yet another high-decibel night for Sleater-Kinney. * * * From there, we parted ways: me back to my day job; Corin, Carrie and Janet on their destined climb to adulation and fame. On they head, to California, Texas, Georgia and up the Atlantic seaboard, into Canada, through the Midwest. There'll be lots of satisfied customers, a few off-gigs or two -- and if history serves, a few more skirmishes with that "Words and Guitar" jinx. Catch 'em while you can.