By Amber Shaffer, SDAM Staff Writer
©Copyright 2024 SDAM.com/Amber Shaffer

When my sidekick leaves me alone for the weekend, I tend to either be very boring or partake in lame activity (essentially the same things...) So tonight I decided go see what "Industrial Night" at Brick by Brick would be like. Mostly I just wanted to dress up in my fishnet shirt and space boots. Any excuse for fashion. I was about an hour and a half late, and as I walked up, I heard a band just taking the stage. Now when I first saw them, I doubted this was going to be an industrial band. The singer was wearing a yellow Atari shirt for crying out loud. But closer inspection revealed bondage pants, the requisite smeared black eyeliner, and enough crawling around on the floor and draping of one's self over the speakers to ease my worries. Plus your standard songs about suffering and not being perfect. All the right things to make my dark heart leap for joy. The band was Crank Wrench Audio and they turned out to be the highlight of the evening. The crowd was very vocal, which I attributed to alcohol, but it turns out these guys actually have a fan base. Half the crowd left after their set (bringing us from about 40 people down to 20…I believe that's what they call an "intimate" audience in the business). I used to go to shows alone all the time, but this was the first one I'd gone solo to since my banishment to San Diego. I forgot how boring it is to pass the time between sets. You'd think these guys would be more efficient with their gear with all the practice they have. Though I have to admit, these bands were much quicker than most. I used my night vision and flipped through some local rag that was on the bar, was pleased to see an ad for SDAM.com on one of the pages, and humored Frank, the solo guy sitting near me. Mostly because he offered to buy me not only a drink, but a car and a house as well. Apparently my "don't talk to me" face needs a little work. Then the next act was up, and I saw that the pigeon toed girl rocking awkwardly during Crank's set was onstage and was the front woman of Soft Core. They're apparently from Norway and much more rock than industrial. But it's angry, sassy rock, so that makes it okay. I think I spent the whole set staring longingly at the female bassist wishing I were her. One of these days I'll learn! Until then, I am the envious fan of all female bass players. Though it was hard to see her since the remaining 15 guys in the bar all crowded the stage to check out the chicks. Somehow I refrained from joining in the catcalls of "You're hot!!" and "Show us your panties!!" Soft Core are great promoters though; during the next break, I watched them give out a hats, key chain holder, tee shirts, and shots all in the effort of promoting their band, one fan at a time. That's the way to do it, and those two girls know it. Down in the Lab turned out to be the last act. I don't know if Call Me Alice, who I thought was the headliner, was a no show, or they were the very first act of the night and I missed them. I think this was the shortest set known to bar goers anywhere. I'll explain shortly. But first, allow me to pose this question: when will bands learn to stop using props? Especially props they allow the audience to play with. They know it's just going to get thrown at them while they perform. I'm referring to the dinner setting the lead singer came and laid out on the floor in front of the audience. He also strew about half a dozed table clothes on the floor too. I'm sure there was some deep meaning in it all that just flew right over my teased hair. So of course the 6 active members of the audience had fun pelting the band with the tablecloths during the first song. During song number two I looked away for a second, then all of a sudden then singer was down on the floor with the audience starting a mosh pit of two. And he gave his mosh partner a bloody lip. His partner tried to return the favor but singer had jumped out of the way and returned to the safety of the stage. Security didn't approve and after that song, the lights came up and the show was officially over and it was time for me to go eat some fries.