Industrial acts converge on the Big Easy Tavern

My introduction to industrial music was delivered by the godfather of the genre, Al Jourgensen, in the late ’90s. Via his Chicago-based band Ministry, Jourgensen created sonic dynamite wrapped in layers of guitars, keyboards and audio samples reeled together while burning in the fires of metal, dance injections and sociopolitical awareness.

On Saturday night, embrace the darkness as two of the most active bands in the local industrial scene take part in “Sedition III: Industrial Decimation” at the Big Easy Tavern, 710 N. Palafox St., inside the Days Inn on the corner of Palafox and Cervantes streets. Pensacola groups Finite Automata and Transfer Case will perform on a bill that also includes Atlanta industrial/metal group Prognosis.

Created by the Black Syndicate, a local organization of artists who frequently present events showcasing artwork, DJs and live music, “Sedition III” has been labeled a “celebration of all things goth and industrial.”

Taking time out from rehearsing and preparing for their upcoming tour, Finite Automata frontman Mod Eschar and guitarist Mat Syn let me step into their world as they gave their thoughts on performing, industrial music and more.

“Our performances are very confrontational,” said Eschar, as we stood on the top floor of a windy parking garage overlooking a busy night in downtown Pensacola. “Very in-your-face; I like to engage the crowd.”

For Eschar, industrial music may not have the name recognition as other genres of music, but it holds a meaning that is true to the original roots of rock ’n’ roll. “Industrial music is experimentation, confrontation, challenging the established norm.” Eschar said.

With songwriting that tackles issues addressing the world and those closer to the heart, Syn added, “We write about anything from God to health care situations and politics.”

Aiming for extremes on stage as well as in their songwriting, the duo at the heart of Finite Automata believe in shaping an engaging live music experience for the audience, as well as themselves.

“When I’m up on stage performing the songs, I get into it,” Eschar said.

Sometimes the enthusiasm earns the group a few close calls during their live shows. Syn said he almost lost a finger at a show in Orlando when an innocent prop turned dangerous for the guitarist.

For people who may not know what to expect from the group and their performance, Eschar provides this observation from recent shows: “We have had people come to Syndicate nights and say, ‘I heard this was going to be electronic and I was thinking dubstep. Then I came here and heard this and it’s not really dubstep, but I like it anyway. It’s different, it’s really cool, I really like this.’ ”

The event starts at 9 p.m., and will also serve as a drive for the Food Not Bombs program. The cover charge is $5 or five canned goods. Contests will be held and prizes will be awarded throughout the night for those who enjoy their evenings a little bit on the darker side.