Image of the Day-"Headboards and Aspirin"

 Hotel Lights

Garfield Artworks

Monday, April 23, 2012

Larryville

I had zero intention of going out but listened to a couple of songs streaming on the band's site and literally got my ass off the couch to hit this show (after stopping by and shooting Deer Tick earlier in the night). Unfortunately, I missed a few songs from the beginning of the set but man is this band so good. It's actually just Darren Jesse (Ben Fold Five's former drummer) and any studio session dudes he gets to play with him on the albums and perform live with. This is easily one of my new favorite bands as the two most recent albums I picked up at the show are fantastic folk rock that I cannot eject from my player. Hopefully there will be lots more from Darren on this blog in the future. I just love discovering new great bands.

Image of the Day-"Pushing Onlys"

  WOODS

Garfield Artworks

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Larryville

I was really excited to see this band. They released one of my favorite albums of last year and the set they put on didn't disappoint. I have been fortunate to have seen a string of great sets within the last couple of weeks and this ranks near the top. Super cool guys to boot which always goes a long way for me in my overall appreciate of a band and their music.

Bummed that I missed the first band Unicycle Loves You but arrived just as MMOSS was starting. Hanging with Manny as the band played, there's probably no one more fun to hang with talking and describing a band's music with in this city than him.

Image of the Day-"I Get Dreaming"

The Whiskey Holler

Garfield Artworks

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Larryville

 

I ended up really liking this band. They are from Pittsburgh. Go check them out.

Image of the Day-"Change Option"

IKE

Garfield Artworks

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Larryville

 

Arriving straight from The Hold Steady/Titus Andronicus gig in Braddock, I was only able to catch a minute or two of the band before they ended.

First/Last-Moon Furies

Moon Furies

Garfield Artworks

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Larryville

Moon Furies are an 'electronic pop-rock' group formed by childhood friends Andy Kiel and Jim Wittmann. Their live sound has been described as "starry-eyed synths with celestial harmonies" akin to "Muppets on crack". Nice. They are touring to support their debut album Mercury and stop in Pittsburgh tomorrow to play Garfield Artworks. Andy and Jim were cool enough to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?

Andy: A greatest hits Queen album.

Jim: Sugar Ray ‘14:59’.

Your last album bought?

Andy: Hess is More's ‘Creation Keeps the Devil Away’.

Jim: Neon Indian's latest.

Favorite album of all time?

Andy: ‘Sgt. Peppers’.

Jim: Modest Mouse ‘We were Dead before the Ship Sank’ or ‘Abbey Road’.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

Andy: MGMT's ‘Congratulations ‘.

Jim: Blink 182's latest... yikes.

First concert attended?

Andy: Billy Ray Cyrus on his Achy Breaky Heart Tour.

Jim: Green Day.

Last concert?

Andy: Real Estate.

Jim: Thrice...? I really don't know how I ended up there.

Favorite concert ever?

Andy: Art vs. Science at the Empty Bottle in Chicago this past summer. They are amazing live.

Jim: Paul McCartney (2005) Paul playing “Let It Be” with no lights on except a candle on top of his upright piano with no one else singing was a moment I'll never forget.

Least favorite concert?

Andy: Maybe Bob Dylan at The Rave in Milwaukee??? The room sounded awful (too reverberant), his mix was too high ended, and Bob Dylan just wasn't having one of his better days I think.

Jim: Chicago, just wasn't feelin’ it that night.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

Andy: I've only passed through. I'm super excited to check it out. I've heard there are some pretty cool art galleries there.

Jim: NEW BATMAN MOVIE! We have not been here yet, but heard good things about bars.

Batman and bars. I could get into that description of Pittsburgh...better than steel and 'fries on sandwiches', which many still think of. Hope you guys have time to check out our awesome town.

Image of the Day-"Plumage"

Dazzletine

Garfield Artworks

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Larryville

Amazingly, this was my first show at GA this year. I was actually there in the Spring but bailed when Fergus & Geronimo were running late and weren't playing till 11 p.m. on a school night. Bummer. I think this set to celebrate the release of 'City Paper cover boys' super fun CD more than made up for it as these guys came out of the gate ON FIRE and never let up. This band is exciting as hell live and the joy they exude is unbelievable. My man Ohad was there taking some super awesome shots of his own, which you check out here.

First/Last-Fergus & Geronimo

Fergus & Geronimo
Garfield Artworks
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Garfield

I happened to mention this band in my January artists of the month post. If you miss this this show next Thursday...your loss. This will beyond...as they say, EPIC. I give you the weirdness that is First/Last Friday.

The first album you ever bought?

Jason Kelly: Whatever Metallica's latest record is called.

Andrew Savage: CD- Rod Stewart "Vagabond Heart", Cassette-Tag Team "Whoop There it Is", 7"-SMD "Kings of Drunk", LP-Rolling Stones "Their Satanic Majesties Request".

Your last album bought?

Jason: Queen “Jazz”.

Andrew: The Fall "Live at the Witchtrials".

Favorite album of all time?

Jason: Bruce Willis – “The Return Of Bruno”.

Andrew: Of all time on not sure. Of all week its been Cheveu-"1000". Fucking masterpiece.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

Jason: Whatever Metallica's latest record is called.

Andrew: I dunno, I usually don't buy full albums of stuff I don't like.

First concert attended?

Jason: Saw a Creedance Clearwater show just three days before their debut in Vietnam war movies.

Andrew: Rolling Stones, Smashing Pumpkins, Matchbox 20, Dave Matthews Band... ah the 90's.

Last concert?

Jason: Jimmy Hendrix cover band @ not sure where I was.

Andrew: Concert concert? I dunno, I guess we played this Festival in France called Midi Festival that kind of got into concert status. Lee Ronaldo played, the food was great... south of France. Far out scene overall.

Favorite concert ever?

Jason: Dave Mathews Band - American Airlines center 04'.

Andrew: I guess it depends on... Yeah I guess Midi Festival.

Least favorite concert?

Jason: Whatever Metallica's last concert was.

Andrew: I dunno, I've never been to Woodstock 99 but that sounded pretty weak. Woodstock 99.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

Jason: It's been great in the past! Is it very beautiful! We're really looking forward to experiencing more of the city this time!

Andrew: I tend to like cities with rivers.

Jason added, “Sorry, I wrote the answers while drunk, I hope they don’t think I am being an asshole. Ha ha". Thanks Hugh!!!

Thanks guys (I think). I am really digging your music and can't wait for your show Thursday.

Image of the Day-"The Entire Scene"

Dean Cercone
Garfield Artworks
Sunday October 17, 2010
Garfield

Dean is a local musician who also happens to be an artist. I cannot stress enough how much I admire his DIY ways of producing his art. I caught up with him at a cool event at AIR on the Northside. He just happened to be there printing his own merch. The occasion was a silkscreen demo by one of the city's most unique visual artists, Budai. He specializes in graphic arts and produces some of the most incredible concert posters I have ever seen. His unconditional willingness to share his knowledge has always amazed me. This city is full of unique treasures in the forms of our artists and I for one would like to explore the scene more in the future.

Budai Silkscreen Workshop
AIR
Tuesday November 9, 2010
Northside

Image of the Day-"You Were Alone"

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone
Garfield Artworks
Sunday October 17, 2010
Garfield

When this show was announced months ago, it was touted as being his last show ever under the CFTPA moniker. He would eventually announce more dates in Europe and a few across the country. Then this show was officially the last show of his last formal tour under the CFTPA moniker. Got it? Regardless, he isn't retiring from music just the band name.

Image Of The Day-"Hello My Destroyer"

Hallelujah The Hills
Garfield Artworks
Sunday October 17, 2010
Garfield

I have been a serious fan of these guys since the very first time I heard them. I have been lucky enough to have been able to see them each time they have passed through Pittsburgh and consider myself even more lucky in being able to get to know them personally.
They are working on producing their third record and need a little assistance in doing so. There are only five days left in the campaign with a little over a thousand dollars to raise. I am confident you will love the music you are getting. They played some new tunes last month and it is just as killer as their previous stuff. Help the band via Kickstarter here.

First/Last-Gold Motel

Gold Motel
Garfield Artworks
Friday May 7, 2010
Larryville

Greta Morgan used to be in a band called The Hush Sound. Her new band is playing GA with Family of the Year and locals Emily Rodgers Band, and summer-winter. She was kind enough to participate in this latest edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?

The Get Up Kids "Red Letter Day EP" - I was eleven years old and bought it with allowance money.

Your last album bought?

I bought the Vampire Weekend album for my dad.

Favorite album of all time?

"Harvest" by Neil Young may be my most listened to album of all time.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

I just don't pay attention to the bad albums. Focusing on the good stuff is more fun.

First concert attended?

Weezer at the United Center in Chicago.

Last concert?

Julian Casablancas at The Vic in Chicago.

Favorite concert ever?

This Is Me Smiling at Lincoln Hall on February 12th, 2010. They are my favorite Chicago band and good friends and they made the whole audience sing Happy Birthday to me.

Least favorite concert?

Yo La Tengo at The Vic. I wanted to hear their album "And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out" but they only played one song.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

I love playing Mr. Smalls in Pittsburgh because it's a reconstructed church and the venue allows bands to stay in the old rectory. It's super creepy, creaky, and seems haunted. Always makes for a good slumber party.

Thanks Greta. Should be a dreamy night on Friday. I should definitely investigate This Is Me Smiling further.

Image Of The Day-"The Dethbridge in Lethbridge"

The Rural Alberta Advantage
Tuesday October 8, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

This group was a total revelation. I heard a little of their stuff going in and was highly impressed with this trio. This album is definitely climbing up my top ten of the year. The songs are easily accessible despite the fact that they are mainly literal recollections on Canadian locales. As a bonus, the band members couldn't have been more friendly. I hope they stay that way as more exposure and larger audiences are sure to be in their near future.

The Lovely Feathers
Tuesday October 8, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

Opening for RAA, I never really heard of this band until my man at The PGH Music Report pimped them hard. The band seemed off, or was it the crowd? I was the closest to the 'stage' and was still a dozen feet away. Weird. No one wants to be too close but I think the distance might have thrown the band off a bit. My only regret was not taking the band up on their offer of selling all their records for $10.

Image Of The Day-"The One And Only"

Matt Miller
Tuesday October 8, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

First up on a triple bill, Matt came on and ran through a bunch of tunes with a sparseness of instrumentation that I felt was incredibly refreshing. The tunes sounded like he wrote them on the spot but his DIY demeanor and the Johnstown scene he comes from impresses the hell out of me. It's like if he can do it, why not me? I love a performer who has the balls to go in front of an audience solo and play their own songs.

Image Of The Day-"Ace Coltrane"

Spindrift
Tuesday March 31, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

As coincidence would have it, both Kirkpatrick Thomas and Dave Koenig were in Brian Jonestown Massacre at one point who I just had seen the night before. Dave told me they met up with the band at a rest stop earlier in the day for a little reunion. You could expect these guys to be broody and mysterious based on the music they make but nothing could be farther from the truth. They were a very pleasant bunch.

Image Of The Day-"The New West"

Spindrift
Tuesday March 31, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

As endearing as Garfield Artworks is for us photogs with it's aesthetically awful cobwebs and grime stains on the walls, the biggest challenge is the lighting. Too lousy 100 watt bulbs to create 'art' is a task, man. So it's even more fun when a band shows projections and turns off said lights ...great, I'm screwed. Yeah, it's a pain but the results IMO turn out extremely cool and worth the effort. Seriously, it's a gamble and I end up shooting ten times more shots to get the good ones.
Worth it? Sure. More tomorrow.

Image Of The Day-"Speak To The Wind"

Spindrift
Tuesday March 31, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

These guys were on the eclectic (and somewhat bloated) bill which was headlined by Say Hi or Telekinesis depending on your definition of a headliner. Spindrift didn't seem all that thrilled that there were four bands playing the night and the fact that they were loaded and gone seemingly minutes after their set only accentuated my observation. Still, they were quite bad ass! More tomorrow.

Image Of The Day-"I Saw Lightning"

Telekinesis!
Tuesday March 31, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

Image Of The Day-"Coast Of Carolina"

Telekinesis!
Tuesday March 31, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

I heard this album streaming on the Merge website and liked it a lot (actually still do-can you say top ten?). The band is basically a guy named Michael Benjamin Lerner from Seattle and he has a touring band but the record is all him. They were really good and even though I was utterly exhausted, I wanted them to play longer than they did.
More tomorrow.

Image Of The Day-"Off White Noise"

Mariage Blanc
Brillobox
Garfield Artworks
 Saturday March 28, 2009
Tuesday March 31, 2009
Larryville

Local guys who write original tunes? What's not to love. Seeing them twice in as many days was a treat. They mixed up the tunes a bit as well busting out more new songs at GA.