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DSK Rocks On As City Strangles Brickyard Capacity
Vancouver
October 2, 2000
DSK @ The Brickyard
September 29, 2000
Mark down another casualty in the City of Vancouver's war on local talent. Friday night's DSK/ Ani Kyd show at the Brickyard was stunningly under-attended, and as anyone who's seen them knows, not for lack of interest. Disappointed fans were turned away at the door of this stellar show, as the city has been cracking down on the Brickyard for repeatedly doubling and tripling it's capacity.
Now to be fair, anyone who's visited the Brickyard on a weekend has probably also visited the depths of sardine sweaty hell. Shows like the Murder City Devils and Supersuckers have seen the scene-supporting venue packed like a VW full of hippies, due in large part to the awkward set-up of the bar. However the city has forced the Brickyard from the sublime to the ridiculous, strictly enforcing a 110 person capacity that makes the bar appear as a punk-rock Siberia.
 However, empty or full, DSK and Ani Kyd rocked the bar like no one's business. These two acts deserved to be playing to a packed house, but sucked it in and delivered one of the best shows of the year.
Ani Kyd, who has received much critical acclaim over the years, is probably sick of all the ‘grrl rock' analogies. It's hard to find something written about her which doesn't say in so many words that for a girl, she rocks. In fact, Ani could wipe the floor with almost any punk rock act, male or female.
Intelligent, hard-hitting lyrics combined with fuck-off guitars makes Ani's music a force to be reckoned with. To give a back-handed compliment, she is everything that local pop buffoon turned Muchmusic prodigy Bif Naked wants to be - but isn't.
 Headliners DSK also turned in an unforgettable performance, with singer/shouter Blair Dobson stealing his band back from Matt Good for just one night. Dedicating their performance to the late Pierre Trudeau, the boys in DSK appeared to be having the time of their life, delivering absolutely flawless punk perfection
While his bandmates are enjoying fame with The Matthew Good Band, it is Dobson who truly possesses star quality. Alternating between surprisingly sensitive, pleading emo-punk and wacked-out Dennis Leary comedy stylings, one has to wonder why Dobson doesn't have a record deal.
 A single highlight from DSK is almost impossible to pick. From the intense anger of "Feeling L.A." to the preposterous beauty of Dobson playing trumpet with his cheap mic-stand, this is a band possesed of a rare talent. Even a drunk upset with the band's take on Rene Leveq and the FLQ couldn't bring the show down.
Sadly, what was probably the event of the year for the Brickyard was witnessed by only 110 (well, maybe 120) people. Far from crowded, in fact far from full, the enforcement of a misjudged maximum capacity law seemed a bit silly.
The City of Vancouver, in it's infinite wisdom, has deemed that the city has enough cabaret licenses already, so while such upstanding establishments as The Penthouse and Pony's Cabaret are found worthy, the Brickyard, which has consistently supported local talent, is denied. Witness the paradox of the Brickyard: unable to obtain a cabaret licence, they can't afford the renovations which would make the venue more spacious.
To sign a petition supporting the Brickyard's license application, visit the venue and ask at the door. But get there early: space is limited.
EDITORS NOTE
If you ever wanted to get involved in a crusade this is the time. The Brickyard is one of only three or four rooms in the city that can - and does - support local and indie bands of any real importance. If we were to lose it it would be a massive blow to this city's ability to maintain a meaningful music scene.
Good live music is worth the effort, get out there and make something happen.
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