As Debbie and I scanned addresses in search for Brick by Brick, we realized that we had rolled right by nightspot, which is located in a neighborhood that seemed otherwise closed up for the night. Since the venue has hosted major artists, such as KORN, Kid Rock, System of a Down, Thin Lizzy, Slash, Blue Oyster Cult and the Dead Kennedy's, I was expecting it to be in a location with a busier nightlife.

A good crowd was already there when went up to pay admission. The cashier decided to make a safe guess when asking us which artist we had come to see. He asked, “Jacob’s Loc?” The pen in his hand was already poised over the rows of a crosshatched count that indicated that most of the attendees had come to see them. We confirmed his guess with a cheerful “Yes!” and made our way through the crowd enjoying the cool fall air at the club’s entrance.

The club’s spacious interior presents a number of areas for their guests to enjoy, including a lounge area with comfortable couches and two pool tables located nearby at the rear. A long bar is located in the center of the club to conveniently serve patrons assembled in the rear lounge and pool table area and at the front of the venue where clubbers gather to enjoy the music being performed on the large, raised stage. The pathway connecting both ends is wide enough to permit attendees to roam without bumping the crowd standing around the bar or gathered around the tables for those seated at upholstered benches that line one of the bar’s walls. A colorful mural spans the cinder block brick wall to the left of the stage and adds to the artistic urban atmosphere. The exposed wooden beam ceiling probably contributes to the room’s acoustics besides revealing the likelihood that this club was once an industrial space. While this was Jacob’s Loc’s first time performing at this venue, it was Aaron’s second. Aaron and Ryan performed their first gig at Brick by Brick ten years ago when they were in the band Liquid Earth.

Jacob’s Loc’s San Diego gigs are my favorites. The band appears to enjoy the comfort and ease that comes with doing a show in its hometown and the crowd is filled with supportive friends and family members. Among those who turned out for this performance were Jacob’s mom and brother, Aaron’s dad, mom and stepfather, Janie’s mom, brothers and sister, Cassie’s mom and Mike’s wife. Jacob and Aaron have mentioned how important their families are to them. I sense a special warmth and joy at the shows where they are present.

Not too long after we had arrived, Debbie noticed the entrance of bright camera lights, signaling the arrival of Ashley, Tiffany and the MTV camera crew that was filming the evening’s events for their reality TV show There and Back. Due to an unfortunate turn of events, they ultimately did not get to see Jacob’s Loc’s performance at The Roxy on September 16th. Therefore, they decided to make the trek from the Los Angeles area down to San Diego because they really wanted to hear the band’s new sound. Ashley and Tiffany made their way through the crowd to chat with Jacob, Mechele and others.

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