More artistically valid than most projects that enable a drummer to step into the spotlight, Brick Layer Cake demonstrated that there were two sides to Todd Trainer (Rifle Sport, Breaking Circus, Shellac). Forsaking his primary instrumental outlet, Trainer played guitar and sang while the likes of Rifle Sport mate Gerard Boissy and producer Brian Paulson joined in. Steve Albini occasionally leant his drumming skills during the unit's performances. Heavy, simple structures with an infrequent-yet-effective melodic hook and Trainer's gruff and clever vocals laid the foundation for Brick Layer Cake's output. The Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth EP was released through the Chicago-based Ruthless indie in 1990. Another EP, Call It a Day, was released the following year on Touch & Go. After another three years, the full-length Tragedy Tragedy was issued on the same label in 1994; the CD version added Call It a Day as a bonus. An eight year silence was broken in 2002, when Trainer returned with Brick Layer Cake in the form of Whatchamacallit. In the spirit of Stevie Wonder and Prince, Trainer played all the instruments. Albini engineered. ~ Andy Kellman