"Pittsburgh transplants James Thompson and Dan Spagnolo
formed their very own brand of distorted, stripped down, 2-piece gunk
punk garage music in February of 2014. Influenced by 60s garage rock,
50s rock'n'roll, girl groups, as well as modern garage and punk acts,
they arrive at a concentrated amalgamation
of rock energy, typically delivered in two minute doses. Come witness
their extraterrestrial prowess before they phone home back to the
Andromeda galaxy."
The Spectres are a Pittsburgh garage rock duo and perform at the 31st Street Pub Tuesday night on a bill with Bob Log III and Weird Paul. I want to thank Dan Spagnolo (Guitar/Vocals) and James Thompson (Guitar/Vocals/Percussion) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.
The first album you ever bought?
Dan Spagnolo: Pretty sure it was Smash Mouth's “Astro Lounge”, on cassette.
James Thompson: It was the "Streets of Fire" soundtrack. It would not be until much later that I would make the connection that The Blasters are on that album.
Dan Spagnolo: Pretty sure it was Smash Mouth's “Astro Lounge”, on cassette.
James Thompson: It was the "Streets of Fire" soundtrack. It would not be until much later that I would make the connection that The Blasters are on that album.
Your last album bought?
Dan: “Gross Pointe” s/t out now on Dumpster Tapes. Check it out!
James: Something Billy Childish I believe. I think it was a Thee Mighty Caesars album.
Favorite album of all time?
Dan: Either “Dorkrockcorkrod” by the Ergs! or “Napalm Dream” by Tenement. And “Leave Home” by the Ramones.
James: Impossible, the ones I can't live without are: “Ramones” (s/t) / “Flat Duo Jets” (s/t) / Jesus and Mary Chain “Psychocandy” / The Cramps “Bad Music for Bad People”. I don't know, there are lots of others. Picking a favorite is like chopping off a limb.
Dan: “Gross Pointe” s/t out now on Dumpster Tapes. Check it out!
James: Something Billy Childish I believe. I think it was a Thee Mighty Caesars album.
Favorite album of all time?
Dan: Either “Dorkrockcorkrod” by the Ergs! or “Napalm Dream” by Tenement. And “Leave Home” by the Ramones.
James: Impossible, the ones I can't live without are: “Ramones” (s/t) / “Flat Duo Jets” (s/t) / Jesus and Mary Chain “Psychocandy” / The Cramps “Bad Music for Bad People”. I don't know, there are lots of others. Picking a favorite is like chopping off a limb.
Least favorite/most disappointing
album?
Dan: Green Day's “American Idiot”. There are some good songs on there but everything after that is unlistenable.
James: The newest Black Keys was so bad I gave that shit away.
Dan: Green Day's “American Idiot”. There are some good songs on there but everything after that is unlistenable.
James: The newest Black Keys was so bad I gave that shit away.
First concert attended?
Dan: Some church show in Long Island that my friend's ska band was playing with a bunch of deathcore acts when I was 13.
James: Nine Pound Hammer, or maybe the Devil Dogs.
Dan: Some church show in Long Island that my friend's ska band was playing with a bunch of deathcore acts when I was 13.
James: Nine Pound Hammer, or maybe the Devil Dogs.
Last concert?
Dan: Radioactivity and Bad Sports, with Activations (who are a great local act!).
James: I don't know I don't go to many "concerts", usually just shows. It might have been Austin Lucas doing a house show.
Dan: Radioactivity and Bad Sports, with Activations (who are a great local act!).
James: I don't know I don't go to many "concerts", usually just shows. It might have been Austin Lucas doing a house show.
Favorite concert ever?
Dan: The Ergs!/Bomb the Music Industry/Cheeky/Lemuria/Bridge and Tunnel/the Dopamines at the Tap Bar (Knitting Factory, 2008). It was the most amped up crowd I've ever been a part of.
James: Definitely The French Licks/The Neanderthals/The Kaisers at Second Story in Bloomington IN. It was a Get Hip showcase with The French Licks as the local act.
Dan: The Ergs!/Bomb the Music Industry/Cheeky/Lemuria/Bridge and Tunnel/the Dopamines at the Tap Bar (Knitting Factory, 2008). It was the most amped up crowd I've ever been a part of.
James: Definitely The French Licks/The Neanderthals/The Kaisers at Second Story in Bloomington IN. It was a Get Hip showcase with The French Licks as the local act.
Least favorite concert?
Dan: I saw Bad Brains in Philly, 2012. They just all looked so bored, especially H.R. It was fun seeing GZA open, though.
James: The Cramps in Indianapolis. It was like they were just going through the motions. I saw them in Cincinnati and it was a way different show.
Dan: I saw Bad Brains in Philly, 2012. They just all looked so bored, especially H.R. It was fun seeing GZA open, though.
James: The Cramps in Indianapolis. It was like they were just going through the motions. I saw them in Cincinnati and it was a way different show.
Favorite thoughts,
experiences about Pittsburgh?
Dan: I've lived in Pittsburgh for less than a year. I really like it here! It's kinda hard to make friends outside of work/school but everyone I have met is really nice.
James: I like the history of Pittsburgh. Love seeing the different neighborhoods and talking to the people that have been around to get the histories.
Dan: I've lived in Pittsburgh for less than a year. I really like it here! It's kinda hard to make friends outside of work/school but everyone I have met is really nice.
James: I like the history of Pittsburgh. Love seeing the different neighborhoods and talking to the people that have been around to get the histories.
Thanks, fellas. Should be a sweet gig tomorrow.
1 comment:
THE ERGS!!!!
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