REVIEWS

The JL returned to San Diego for the second time this year, and once again played a hellified show. The venue was SOMA, an all-ages warehouse type place, that normally packs in 1,000 or so, but this was a "sidestage" concert, where they block off most of the club, and a very small side area becomes the concert area. Very strange, I thought at first, considering the popularity of the Jesus Lizard, and the fact that this was an all ages show, and the last time they played here it was at a 21+ club. But as it turned out, only 100-150 or so people showed up for this one, and while it filled up the room, I don't think it was a sell-out.

David Wm. Sims limped onto the stage on crutches, his foot all bandaged up, and played the entire set sitting in a chair! No explanation was given. Kind of a bummer not getting to see him play, as the stage was not very high, and of course everyone was standing. Yow sported a long-hair mowhawk and crowd surfed as best he could given the relatively small crowd. "Celebrity" sighting: comic book girl from the Real World V with the long hair & lisp stood in front, rocking out.

On to the music - the band as usual sounded great and played their asses off. Material was much the same as last time - a lot from Shot, plus golden oldies like "Bloody Mary", "Glamorous", "Dancing Naked Ladies", etc. Duane D. (introduced by Yow the last time they were here as "the only man I ever had sex with") played a particularly scorching solo during "The Associate". While I know it may not be in the best interest of the band, it's great to get to see them up close in a small club.

Opening acts were Six Finger Satellite, who were great but played WAY too loud for the size of the place - much of the audience were holding their ears, plus Kloyster and Promise, two local San Diego bands (I think) who sucked as much as their names.