First/Last-Luke McGowan

Luke McGowan is a Pittsburgh based 'indie psych pop anti-folkster'. Definitely my kind of music. I want to thank him for taking a few to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
I think the first album I ever bought was a Monkees' “Greatest Hits” disc. I know for a fact that the first album I ever had was “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles.

Your last album bought?
I got a few albums from Unifaun Records before it went out of business. I think I got “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra doing highlights from Wagner's “Der Ring”, and a John Denver “Greatest Hits”.

Favorite album of all time?
Either “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” by Neutral Milk Hotel or “The Monitor” by Titus Andronicus. I really like the whole concept album... concept. Both bands really know how to layer instruments and noises well.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I had super high expectations for The Front Bottoms “Talon of the Hawk” LP, especially after their self-titled, but I really only got into one or two songs off of it.

First concert attended?
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on their ‘Magic’ tour. I went with my dad. It was great.

Last concert?
Well, Say Anything was the headliner, but I went to see The Front Bottoms on their most recent tour.

Favorite concert ever?
Either Neutral Milk Hotel with Elf Power in May at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland or Titus Andronicus with Roger Harvey and the Wildlife and Baked at Cattivo in Lawrenceville. A super cool thing about the NMH show was when Elf Power dedicated a cover of ‘Jumping Fences’ by The Olivia Tremor Control to the late Bill Doss.

Least favorite concert?
I felt really weird when I saw Titus Andronicus open up for Lucero. All of the Lucero fans stood still and drank cheap beer through Titus Andronicus and all I wanted to do was dance. The only times I have a bad time at a concert is when everyone wants to stand still.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I really like the community. It's the only city that I've been to where you can say hello to a stranger on the street. I grew up and Shaler and then made the huge move across the river to Lawrenceville. I like the sense of community. Everyone has a relative or something in Shaler that has moved to Bloomfield or Lawrenceville to get away from the suburbs. Everyone in Lawrenceville knows someone who went to settle down in Shaler. As far as the music scene goes, it is awesome and super welcoming.

Thanks, Luke. Turns out my dad took to to a Springsteen show for one of my first concerts. Granted it was 27 years before yours...