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

Driving to The Scene, one of San Diego's main all-ages, all the time venues, I didn't know what to expect. Were there going to be a bunch of moms and dads milling about in the back shoving pair after pair of plugs in their ears? Fourteen year olds running amok and shoving their way through the crowd? Would there even be a crowd? As I walked by the partially covered windows along the front of the building, I though I glimpsed an arcade game and was sure I was about to walk into a space that was the equivalent of a teenage Chuck E. Cheese. But luckily my eyes had been playing tricks on me. The Scene was maybe half full with a couple hundred people in the 16-24 age range. There was a non-alcoholic beverage bar stocked with munchies in the well-lit entrance area where the merch booth is also located. As you get closer to the main area of the warehouse like venue, the lights go away and you pretty much have a nice view of the waist high stage from anywhere you stand. Although I had arrived after the opening act (The Reunion Show) had finished, there was still room up front along one side of the stage so I planted myself next to a cute pair of rock n roll lovebirds wearing their best chains, studs, and fishnet and waited for the show to start up again. I didn't have to wait long. Counterfit set up and was ready to go soon after my arrival. Except for Kip Winger, I don't think I've ever seen another band who's lead singer played bass. Although it makes sense considering bass is the easiest to play (though my clumsy fingers would argue otherwise). The singer was a spry little thing, bouncing back and forth to the music as the band performed indie-ish punk rock. They didn't make me want to throw my fist in the air or jump up and down, but I found myself nodding my head (but I don't know if it was to Counterfit or their #1 fan who was standing next to me belting out every song). There was an interesting dynamic going on up on stage; it appeared the band was all vying for drummer's attention or maybe they were just worried that he was getting lonely back there. Either way, it was like a choreographed dance that lasted the entire set - guitarist 1 would go rock with the drummer until guitarist 2 moved in and showed off his abilities to the unaware drummer then used the drum platform to launch himself back to his spot as the vocalist/bassist finished up his lyric and came to take his turn paying respect to Sir Drummer as well. Every single song, without fail, each band member made the journey to the sacred drum kit. They spent as much time rocking out with their backs to the audience as they did facing it. At least they had energy, even if it was a bit misplaced half of the time. And the songs weren't half bad either. Off stage, Hot Rod Circuit's lead guitarist looked like any other scruffy indie rocker, but on stage, clad in a bright red jumpsuit that was a cross between penitentiary duds and Mr. Roper's outfit of choice, combined with not-quite shoulder length brown hair and bangs, he resembled Charles Manson. He was a maniacal bundle of energy, jumping around, rolling about, and generally convulsing all over the stage, periodically interrupting the bass player's between set commentary to shout a gleeful, child-like "HI!!!" at the audience. The visual entertainment was fun, but HRC's music can stand on it's own. Their sound is too clean to be called punk, and emo is thrown around so much that it's lost it's significance (not to mention the stigma that label is considered by many), so the best category to slot them in to is indie rock while acknowledging that the other two styles are both evident in particular songs. Whatever you call them, the kids at The Scene were fans and helped HRC out with half the songs they performed that night, including "The Pharmacist" which begins playing on MTV next week. I became a fan too by the end of the set and was disappointed that I didn't have enough cash to pick up a copy of their latest album "Sorry About Tomorrow" from the merch booth. I know it doesn't make a difference, but I always like to buy my cds at concerts so the bands know they're converting over new fans rather than just being another number on the Soundscan charts. The night's headliner, Tsunami Bomb, is a band I was familiar with from going to shows in the Bay Area when I lived there, but I had never seen them perform or heard their music. Fronted by a female, I admit I was skeptical. For some reason, I hardly ever like female singers, but now that I think about it, the exception has generally been punk and ska bands. This held true again - I thought the band was great, they play with the ferocity and energy of a punk act, but the singer manages to retain a very melodic tone to her voice, even while shouting lyrics. I have to say, it was nice to see a band whose singer doesn't play an instrument. Sure, some would argue that means they aren't as talented as a singer who plays guitar, but you know what? They're generally much more entertaining as performers. They work the stage, interacting with the crowd more and when I'm at a concert what makes the difference between a good show and a great one is crowd energy. Tsunami's set had the crowd shouting along, pumping their fists, crowd surfing, and the staple of any good punk show sprouted in the middle of the floor - a circle pit. I never participate in those, but I love to watch. My favorite was the bald guy skanking around with his two hands on his head to form a mohawk - it was hilarious. Then there were the two boys, barely teenagers, with their arms about each other's shoulders skipping fiercely around the circle and all I could think of was they reminded me of The Smurfs; I could almost hear the "tra-la-la-la-la-la" anthem of the little blue creatures as I watched these two. During Tsunami's set I bumped into Sulo King, Brick by Brick's booking agent. He was there to check out Tsunami Bomb, see what kind of crowd they pull and talk to them about playing the monthly Bitches That Rock night he puts together [Editor's note: check out Amber's excellent article on the Feb 22 Bitches That Rock show]. I told him they'd be a great fit for that night but he'll face a challenge - they draw a good crowd, but most their fans couldn't get in to his 21+ club. But he was confident that would not be an issue, and personally I'd love to see them again in an older setting. After the show was over I headed out to my car, eager to get home and to bed since it was a "school night" for me. I swore something was wrong with my stereo and it said 11pm! I was certain it had to be almost 1am. All ages shows instantly went up a few notches in my book. Knowing that The Scene wraps things up relatively early, I'll be willing to go there on weeknights to see a show and not worry about being a wreck at work the following day. You can learn more about SD's own Counterfit .You can catch Tsunami Bomb at this Summer's Warped Tour and learn more about Hot Rod Circuit's upcoming tours with Good Charlotte, New Found Glory and others at their Web site.