The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower

Taking their name from a book by Greil Marcus, the Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower formed in San Diego, CA, in 2001, comprised of Brandon Welchez (vocals/sax), Chuck Rowell (guitar), Brian Hill (drums), and Dan Maier (bass). They appeared on the scene with a cacophonous jazz-punk-hardcore hybrid on the 2003 full-length Dissertation, Honey, released through Happy Couples Never. The band followed up with the If You Cut Us, We Bleed EP, which showed its sound beginning to veer away from jazz overtones and focusing more on an aggressive and discordant post-hardcore attack that would fit in with the crew at One-Three-G Records. Both releases were received to high fan and critical praise. The quartet was known for an especially incendiary and confrontational live show, and subsequent tour dates found the band challenging audiences nationwide alongside acts like <a href="spotify:artist:0E8Xl0rqwhKVaLB5sjErWr">Q and Not U</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:6uZOWljC7E3k7ZjVNKwZyW">the Locust</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:5JjsLpZlE0oSu9opRGQYWm">the Ex</a>.

In 2004 an earlier split EP with Washington's Necktie Party was reissued, and the Plot inked a deal with Revelation Records mid-year. The nihilistic, sexual, and attitude-laced punk snot of their experimental second full-length, Love in the Fascist Brothel, appeared in early 2005; the album also featured the recorded debut of new bassist Willy Graves. Extensive touring at home and abroad continued spreading their gospel throughout the year, including an impressive appearance at March's SXSW and spring dates with <a href="spotify:artist:2nNyMDW51EHYbBXu3lFbLR">the Blood Brothers</a>; back home the Plot further won the San Diego Music Award for Best Punk Act, an honor they received again in 2006. Also in 2006, the EP INRI was released on Art Fag and the guys stayed on the road through the end of fall. But in September, the Plot announced that their current tour dates would be their last, as following a final hometown show, they would be disbanding. A seven-song mini-album entitled Saviours and Suckers was released posthumously by One-Three-G. ~ Corey Apar, Rovi