by Roy Scopazzi
Up the block on the opposite corner of the Rickshaw stop is the SF Jazz Center, a snazzy little spot that showcases some of the best jazz musicians playing today, with excellent shows all year round. The thing is that despite my rule to always wear earplugs to every concert I’ve been to, I’ve never felt the wear them there, the general sound level of each act is at a reasonable level to where it never feels like it’ll do any damage to my ears.
This show though? I needed those earplugs.
Despite their unassuming look as a 4 piece jazz group, The Messthetics team up with saxophonist James Brandon Lewis to shake the paint off the walls of the Rickshaw Stop. They weave together a sound that feels like a freight train as it propels through the crowd, I half expected a mosh pit to form if not for the fact that the crowd mostly consisted of 40-something white dudes quietly taking in the atmosphere. A mixture of jazz enthusiasts and Fugazi fans who know that this is the closest thing they’ll get to seeing them again (Joe Lally and Brendan Canty are former members).
It’s not the most technical or complicated stuff, but when you take the rhythm section from one of the greatest punk bands of the 90s and add one of the most talented saxophonists playing today, the sound is going to knock you on your feet.
Chris Forsyth opened up the show, playing alone but with recordings of the drummer and bassist from his latest project, BASIC. He plays a very unique, experimental form of guitar which was mesmerizing for all 45 minutes.
