This is true, I work at the same company with members of a local band "
platinum spandex" and they gig all the time, or did - they may not be around anymore.
Anyway... Tony, I went to a very low key open mic last night at Rooney's bar in Woodinville. They do it every Wed., I guess There was a WIDE variety of jammers and everything from doom metal through 90s pop punk, lots of blues and classic rock, and a very small bit of funk (Cissy Strut - which actually went down very well).
If you want to get your feet wet, it might be a shallow end for this area. Seemed like a supportive and friendly place to get your sea legs.