The Frights entertain technical difficulties at The Smell with fart nosies; end with powerhouse performance

This past Friday, The Smell hosted a sold-out show featuring The Frights (San Diego). The venue is all ages, so walking up to the door there were loads of young folks hanging out in the alley, on the couches inside, and sitting on the floors.

As supporting act, Jellyy (Los Angeles), plays their last couple of songs, the floor remained half full with some movement here and there—but the excitement—and the swampy heat, was just getting started. In between sets the room starts filling up slowly, and I started seeing the maximum capacity of the space. It’s a small narrow room, with what seems like no ventilation, but with several fans on stage. I pushed my way towards the front. The Frights start setting up and I heard what sounded like fan-girl screams. The kids were beyond giddy about seeing the band members hit the stage.

The four piece surf-punk band from San Diego took the stage and announced how happy they were about being back at The Smell for a sold-out show. Fans went crazy as The Frights started playing “Kids.” The room is packed now, with harmless looking adolescents now moshing like a hurricane.

At a couple points, the drummer Marc Finn, had some issues with his kit. Bass player Richard Dotson tried to fill the space by recording a video of the audience for his sister, asking everyone to make fart noises in sync. It wasn’t much of a success but everyone was entertained. Once fixed and ready, bodies start flying over the front of the stage and with absolutely no space in between, kids are scrambling around every nook. It’s monstrously hot, sweaty, and a bit intense, but everyone is having a blast singing along and smiling at their favorite band. As they ended their set and walked off stage, the heat in the air escaped through the back door, and everyone left drenched and satisfied.

Photography & Words: Jazz Shademan

THE FRIGHTS