First/Last-The Soft White Sixties

"Named as one of Paste Magazine's "Top 25 Shows at SXSW 2013", The Soft White Sixties are increasingly gaining recognition for their infectious live performance. Since 2010 they have been perfecting their sound, appropriately dubbed Working Class Soul - a gritty edge to modern pop. They mix their vast influences into a hard-hitting and confident force reminiscent of classic R&B and Rock 'n' Roll but with a contemporary sensibility. The band combine soulful melodies, deep grooves, and fuzzed-out hooks to form a completely distinct sound."

Touring behind their fantastic debut, "Get Right", the San Francisco 'Rock & Soul" quartet hit Pittsburgh Sunday night the Smiling Moose. Much thank to Ryan Noble (Bass), Joey Bustos (Drums), Octavia Genera (Vocals) and Aaron Eisenberg (Guitar/Keys) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Ryan Noble: “Skid Row” self-titled album on cassette. ‘18 And Life’ was my jam.
Joey Bustos: Guns N' Roses “Appetite for Destruction”.
Octavio Genera: Green Day "Nimrod".
Aaron Eisenberg: Blink 182, "Enema Of The State".

Your last album bought?
Ryan: Hiatus Kaiyote, "Tawk Tomahawk".
Joey: “Best of John Williams”.
Octavio: The Guess Who "Greatest Hits".
Aaron: The new Benji Hughes EP, "Appetizer".

Favorite album of all time?
Ryan: James Brown "20 All-Time Greatest Hits". Nobody can touch those grooves.
Joey: RX Bandits "The Resignation".
Octavio: The Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers".
Aaron: Toss-up between Graham Nash's "Songs For Beginners" and Tom Petty's "Wildflowers".

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Ryan: Metallica "Load". I was a huge fan at the time. I really wanted to like that record.
Octavio: Green Day "Nimrod".
Aaron: I've wiped it from memory whatever it was.

First concert attended?
Ryan: Joan Jett and The Blackhearts.
Joey: NOFX.
Octavio: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Aaron: Grateful Dead at Stanford University in 1988. I was 3 months old.

Last concert?
Ryan: Heart at the BottleRock Festival in Napa, CA.
Joey: Outkast.
Octavio: BottleRock Festival – Weezer, Outkast.
Aaron: Bruno Mars in Oakland.

Favorite concert ever?
Ryan: The Flaming Lips at the Harmony Festival. Absolutely riveting.
Joey: AFI at Gilman St.
Octavio: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at Sac Valley Amphitheater.
Aaron: Queens of the Stone Age at the Warfield around 2007. Great band, great chandeliers.

Least favorite concert?
Ryan: Cat Power at The Fillmore. I'm a huge fan, but the show was not good. She just couldn't get it together.
Joey: Limp Bizkit.
Octavio: Smash Mouth.
Aaron: The band that opened for the above QOTSA show, can't even remember their name.  Fucking ream dream.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Ryan: I live in Alameda, CA which is the hometown of the great Pirates first baseman Willie Stargell. There is actually a street named after him a block from my house.
Joey: Been before, looking forward to being back.
Octavio: I wonder how good Primanti Brothers sandwich is…
Aaron: Never been, but I'm about to.

Thanks, fellas. Willie Stargell will always be the man around here, Ryan. I actually sang Karaoke once with his daughter, Kelli. Never know what can happen growing up in Pittsburgh.

The Soft White Sixties Website

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