First/Last-Melo

"Melo is an indie-rock band that sounds similar to American Football smashed with Pinback. Take these sounds and add a bit of post-hardcore snarl and you get close to describing it. Intertwining melodies, concussive rhythms and impassioned vocals define this Pittsburgh trio."

I want to introduce you to Melo, an alt-rock band from Pittsburgh that recently released their debut "Leaf E.P." The band's influences are alt-rockers Pinback, The Pillows, Kyuss, and Thursday. I want to thank Shane Montgomery (Drums), Forrest C. Wheeler (Guitar/Backing Vocals) and John JP Perry (Bass/Lead Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

First album you ever bought?
Shane Montgomery: “Full Collapse” Thursday.
Forrest Wheeler: Alice Cooper's “Dragon Town” and Weezer's “Green Album” at the same time.
John Perry: Offspring “Ixnay on the Hombre”.

Your last album bought?
Shane: “I Am King” Code Orange.
Forrest: Panel Donor “Lobedom and Global”.
JP: The Naked and Famous “In Rolling Waves”.

Favorite album of all time?
Shane: “No Devolucione” Thursday.
Forrest: Drive Like Jehu “Yank Crime”.
JP: Pinback “Blue Screen Life”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Shane: “Stadium Arcadium”. Was kinda hoping somehow I would enjoy the Chili Peppers again.
Forrest: The Jesus Lizard “Blue”.
JP: 311 “From Chaos”.

First concert attended?
Shane: Too embarrassing to admit.
Forrest: A band called Marbles For Eyes in southeast Ohio.
JP: X-fest in '99. Headlined by Green Day and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

Last concert?
Shane: Code Orange's album release show.
Forrest: Electric Six.
JP: Fitz and the Tantrums.

Favorite concert ever?
Shane: Thursday's final show in Pittsburgh.
Forrest: Melvins
JP: Pinback.

Least favorite concert?
Shane: The one I'm not willing to admit.
Forrest: Dinosaur Jr.
JP: Long Beach Short Bus.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Shane: This is a nice, pocket-sized city with a lot of hidden gems. If you get bored with the scenery, go five miles in any direction and it’s a completely different city.
Forrest: I really did a lot of growing up in Pittsburgh after moving in from Ohio for college. Good cultures, good food, and good music. You can't go wrong here if you're trying to enjoy yourself.
JP: The city is beautiful. I love how the rivers coalesce at the point. Remnants of a noble old working class still remain here with a strong understanding of what is truly valuable. Newer citizens bring with them an inexhaustible enterprise and ambition. I love this city, it's aesthetic and its potential for coolness. :-)

Thanks, guys. Looking forward to seeing you play out sometime soon. And Shane, your first album is almost always supposed to be too embarrassing to mention... that's kind of the point, man.