The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower

Because a band whose name implies a terroristic threat against the Statue of Liberty would probably meet significant resistance in George Bush's post-9-11 America, San Diego's the Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower was wise to choose a moniker that insults another nation's symbol. These days, Americans could hardly be called Francophiles, anyway. Carried out by four artsy jazz-punk mongrels, the Plot is a sexy experiment in chaos and controversy that involves saxophones and swastikas. Those who see the band play live often can't decide if they're at a Stooges concert or living out a scene from The Wall. Slim frontman Brandon Welchez is disturbingly attractive when spouting anti-fascist rhetoric from inside his Nazi uniform. He screams, spits and sweats with Iggy's ferocity and jacks off a microphone with a drag queen's hot confidence. He also claims to have once stirred up an unenthusiastic crowd with the stick in his pants. Wish we'd been at that show.