First/Last-The Long Knives

"Raw Guru Records artists "The Long Knives" have been around since 2007 and were first founded as WJ's solo project, with the addition of SnK on the drums in 2009. Derived from 100's of home recordings done over the years on a little Foster 8-Track and the bands studio work coupled with blazing hot live performances, the sound of the band is a sound all in its own. With the upcoming releases of their album "Holy Ghost Points" (Summer 2012), & an EP “The Death Of A Thousand Cuts”, alongside recent recordings released on the Raw Guru Records "2" & "3", “Hipster Death Machine", & "5” compilation albums, The Long Knives have quite a few things on the horizon in the near future including their 2012 European tour. With their sound, they have been compared to the likes of Sonic Youth, Mission of Burma, Dinosaur Jr., The Replacements, Joy Division, The Wipers, The Gun Club, & others. 2012 could be the breakout year for The Long Knives, so watch out and stay tuned!"

Check out the band on Facebook, Reverbnation, Twitter and SoundCloud. My thanks to WJ (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" by AC/DC in 1977 when I was 6 years old.

Your last album bought?
"What Comes After The Blues" by Magnolia Electric Company.

Favorite album of all time?
"You're Living All Over Me" by Dinosaur Jr.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Anything by Modest Mouse, I hate them with a passion.

First concert attended?
June 12, 1984 - Ozzy Osbourne - Motley Crue - Waysted - Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh.

Last concert?
January 10,  2013 - Jeff Mangum from Neutral Milk Hotel - Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh.

Favorite concert ever?
Hands down, the Mission of Burma reunion show when they played their first show in Boston in like 20 years on 1/18/2002 to play Club Avalon in Boston. Drove all the way from Pittsburgh to see it, was just an amazing show. The crowd was just electric, you could feel the crackle, and they threw down the most intense, aural orgasm of a set I have ever heard.

Least favorite concert?
The one I never saw when I drove all the way to New York on a duspended license to see Nikki Sudden play the Knitting Factory the day after my birthday on March 26th, 2006, as he was doing 2 shows there, and he died in the early morning hours of the 26th, so I ended up never getting to see him play. Broke my heart and still does to this day, one of my greatest influences and from all accounts, a super guy. I cried like a little baby when that happened, and it still stings me till this day.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh really has a culinary scene that is vastly underrated in this country. You can go to many, many places here and find some terrific eats of all types. Also, I am a diehard hockey fan and an ardent supporter of all Pittsburgh sports teams.

Thanks, buddy. Have a good show tonight and even better birthday!