First/Last-Southeast Engine

Southeast Engine

Club Cafe

Friday, November 2, 2012

Southside

"There is truth about American life and there are the lies we tell ourselves. There are stories hard to explain, and stories we prefer not to dwell upon. Today workplaces remain shuttered, jobs moved abroad. In Appalachian country there is talk of ‘retraining the workforce.’ We lament remarkably little about this lost way of life. And then there is Southeast Engine, a proudly working class band that concerns itself in no way with the conventions of our current ‘indie rock scene.’

Southeast Engine’s acclaimed 2011 release Canary was a revelatory reflection on an Appalachian family making ends meet during the our first Great Depression, with ghostly resonances to the same population’s contemporary struggles. Canary was replete with songs of joy in the face of sorrow – meditations on retaining a fleeting way of life still maintaining all of the conviction and jovial camaraderie of a rich culture proud in its traditions despite the long odds posed by a rashly remade society."

The Ohio band returns from across the state line tomorrow as part of it's fall tour to Club Cafe for the late show with support from my buddy Dan Getkin and the Masters of American Music. My thanks to the band for participating in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Adam Remnant: M.C. Hammer, "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em".
Bill Matheny: The Allman Brothers, "Idlewild South" (2nd grade).
Jesse Remnant: Third Eye Blind, "Third Eye Blind" (2nd grade).
Leo DeLuca: The Doors, "Greatest Hits" (2nd grade - not proud of this).

Your last album bought?
Adam: Willie Nelson, "Troublemaker".
Bill: Generationals, "Actor/Caster".
Jesse: Paul McCartney, "Red Rose Speedway".
Leo: Deep Purple, "Machine Head".

Favorite album of all time?
Adam: Bob Dylan, "Blood on the Tracks".
Bill: Television, "Marquee Moon".
Jesse: Weezer, "Pinkerton".
Leo: Guided By Voices, "Bee Thousand" (I'm from Dayton).

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Bill: Big Star, "In Space".
Jesse: Weezer, (post-Maladroit).

First concert attended?
Adam: The Breeders, Guided By Voices, Afghan Whigs, New Bomb Turks (Hara Arena, Dayton, OH).
Bill: Eric Clapton (Civic Arena - Pittsburgh, PA).
Jesse: The Strokes/The Walkmen (Bogarts - Cinci, OH).
Leo: Gladys Knight & The Pips (Red, White, & Boom - July 4th Fest - Delco Park - Dayton, OH).

Last concert?
Adam: Bob Dylan.
Bill: Jeff the Brotherhood.
Jesse: Guided By Voices - Louisville, KY.
Leo: Dinosaur Jr. (Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC).

Favorite concert ever?
Adam: Wilco, "Summerteeth Tour" - Columbus, OH.
Bill: Neil Young, (Star Lake Amphitheater).
Jesse: Guided By Voices, Columbus, OH.
Leo: Bob Dylan, (2004).

Least favorite concert?
Bill: Marshall Tucker Band, (Mannington County Fair).
Leo: Bob Dylan (2004).

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Adam: I always look forward to driving through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, to open up into the spectacle of Pittsburgh's city skyline.
Bill: I'm going bring plenty of gumbands.
Jesse: Club Cafe is a great place to play. I look forward to coming back.
Leo: Andy Van Slyke. The Mattress Factory.

Thanks again, fellas. Pittsburgh is sorta becoming a home away from home, which is great IMO.