Image of the Day-"Krystal May"

Nik & The Central Plains

The Smiling Moose

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Southside

I recently gushed about the band's new album. They are one of my fav Pittsburgh bands and you couldn't find a nicer guy than my man Nik.

First/Last-Joseph Stocker of Son of the Sun

Son of the Sun

The Smiling Moose

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Southside

This band from Buffalo are playing the Moose this week previewing material from their July 26th EP release, Almost Not There. Guitarist/Keyboardist Joseph Stocker was cool enough to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
When I was 9 years old the first Album I ever sought out ( I actually stole it from my dads car stereo) was The Black Crowes "Shake Your Money Maker" but as far as walking in to a record store with my own money...when I was about 12 I bought Snoop Dogg "Doggy Style" on cassette tape.

Your last album bought?
Roxy Music "Country Life"...their whole catalog has been in heavy rotation for me lately.

Favorite album of all time?
Bob Dylan "Highway 61 ", "The Velvet Underground & Nico", King Krimson "In The Court of The Crimson King...I could keep going. I could never pick just one.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Spinal Tap " Shark Sandwich".

First concert attended?
I saw Bush w/ Veruca Salt in 1996!

Last concert?
The Kills about a month ago...AMAZING SHOW!

Favorite concert ever?
King Khan and The Shrines,  Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Flaming Lips...All for different reasons.

Least favorite concert?
Can’t really think of one...I’ve tried to keep all the positives in my memory bank.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I’ve always had a great time partying in Pittsburgh. Great food and bars as well....It’s very similar to Buffalo in a lot of ways. Were excited to come down and play in the city proper.

Thanks Joseph. I haven't been to Buffalo in ages. Have to get back there to check out the Albright-Knox.

First/Last-Calum MacConnell of Man Your Horse

Man Your Horse

The Smiling Moose

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Southside

Man Your Horse are a self described "experimental, math rock, afro-beat trio " hailing from up north in Vancouver, BC. They have just released a new EP called Shorts and are in the midst of a major North American tour to support it. They are super cool guys and roll through Pittsburgh tomorrow playing a their high energy set at the Moose for a no cover show.. Bassist Calum MacConnell was nice enough to participate in this midweek edition of First/Last.

First album ever bought?

I was eleven years old and bought Black Sunday (Cypress Hill). I remember my parents being very unamused with A to the K and Hits from the Bong.

Your last album bought?

I bought Night Moves (Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band) on vinyl for one Canadian dollar. I listen to the title track ad nauseum.

Favourite album of all time?

You, You’re a History in Rust (Do Make Say Think) or The Shivers (Slam Dunk). Both are Canadian bands – totally different genres, but each worth a serious listen.

 Least favourite / most disappointing album?

Most disappointing - Because of the Times (Kings of Leon). Really dug the dirty barbecue party vibe of the first two albums; certainly burnt a lot of perfectly good food while getting thoroughly refreshed and cranking Razz. I pined for that when listening to what is essentially a stadium rock album.

First concert attended?

The year was 1997, I lived in small town Ontario and travelled to Toronto to see Bush (called Bush X at the time in Canada due to name ownership issues). They played for 2 ½ hours while I drank cheap rum from a plastic bottle. Formative experience.

Last concert?

The last big ticket event I went to was for the Danish band Efterklang. Great songs and simply incredible vocals.

Favourite concert ever?

2005. Death from Above 1979 playing at Sugar Nightclub in Victoria, BC. They laid waste to the place. I was against the barrier in front of the small stage, getting my ribs crushed and screaming along. Most fun that has ever legally been had.

Least favourite concert?

About 4 years ago - The Mars Volta at Sasquatch music festival. I dig so much of their music, but Cedric (frontman) was throwing stuff into the crowd. And not things that are okay to throw at a group of people so tightly packed together that they can’t dodge incoming projectiles. . .like symbol stands and industrial sized fans that are still spinning. I love music, but pulling selfish rock star antics and disregarding the safety of your fellow humans is never going to be cool in my books.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

Two words : Mario Lemieux

Another two words : Don Caballero

Thanks Calum. Man, that tour itinerary is massive! Good luck on the road and be safe my brother.

Image of the Day-"Lake Erie"

Boca Chica

The Smiling Moose

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Southside

 

 Seeing Boca Chica live is a total crap shoot. Not if they are going to be good or not (which they were) but what configuration the band will be. There has been a drastic personnel change each and every time I have seen the band play. This particular line-up included members of The Harlan Twins, The Slow Reel, and The Central Plains backing  up Hallie's tunes with some muscle. This was the first night of a Midwest tour and save for a few inevitable rusty kinks, I thought they sounded spot-on.

First/Last-Adam Trice of Red Sammy

Photo courtesy the band

Red Sammy

The Smiling Moose

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Southside

Red Sammy are a band from Baltimore that describe their music as 'Graveyard Country Rock'. They are releasing a new album called "Cheaper Kind of Love Song" on June 12th. On the 8th they will be stopping in Pittsburgh to showcase the new songs. Adam Trice is the lead singer/songwriter in the band and he was nice enough to take some time to participate in this edition of First/Last Friday.

The first album you ever bought?

Draw the Line by Aerosmith (my brother and I were really big Aerosmith fans when we were younger).

Your last album bought?

Real Animal by Alejandro Escovedo.

Favorite album of all time?

Surfer Rosa by The Pixies.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

Machina/The Machines of God by The Smashing Pumpkins.

 
First concert attended?

I think it was Jesus Christ Superstar, something my family made me go see.

 
Last concert?

Mike Watt and the Missingmen (we were the opening act).

Favorite concert ever?
Woodstock 1999 (when all the fires and riots broke loose).

Least favorite concert?

I appreciate something in every concert I see (from local bands to national acts).

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

I really like how folks put french fries on sandwiches.

Thanks Adam. I totally grew up with the 'Jesus Christ Superstar' Broadway album and listen to it regularly to this day. Playing 'Heaven On Their Minds' on acoustic is kind of awesome. Have a blast at The Moose!

Image of the Day-"Olivia"

Stand

The Smiling Moose

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Southside

As a music blogger, I get a ton of emails from publicists asking to check out their band. Last year, a group from Ireland called Stand popped up on my radar and although I couldn't make the gig, they were cool enough to send me some CD's anyway. Fast forward to this year and I find out that they are playing Pittsburgh again with two favorite local bands to boot. It didn't hurt that I actually dug the music they gave so it was a win-win for me. Word is they might be back in the fall and I'll surely let you know if that happens.

Ticket Giveaway-The Joy Formidable

The Joy Formidable
Smiling Moose
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Southside

The Joy Formidable are a Welsh band releasing their debut album in March and are touring the US to celebrate. They have been described as "primal epic grunge rock à la The Breeders, Arcade Fire and Yeah Yeah Yeahs". They make a stop in Pittsburgh with support from The Lonely Forest. Courtesy of my friends at Drusky Entertainment, I have a pair of passes to the show for a lucky reader of this blog. All you need to do to enter is email me at hughshows@comcast.net with the subject line 'The Joy Formidable'. In the message, supply the full name you want for the folks at will call the night of the show which will be good for two tickets. Bring I.D. and remember this is an all ages event. One entry per person. This contest will run until Saturday, February 5, when the winner will be randomly chosen and contacted.
This band is about to 'blow-up' so this is a rare opportunity to catch them and brag to your friends that you saw them when they were still playing clubs! I totally expect this show to sell out. Rolling Stone declared them “Band Of The Week” and you can catch interviews with them at Virtual Festivals and Stereoboard. Good luck.

First/Last-Matt Kurz

Photo courtesy Matt's MySpace

The Matt Kurz One
The Smiling Moose
Thursday October 21, 2010
Southside

According to his bio, Matt is an Athens, GA based one man band that plays bass guitar (with his left foot!), a full drum set, a guitar, a keyboard, and sings all at the same time. Check him out this Thursday at the Smiling Moose as he shares a bill with Chotto Ghetto from L.A. In between gigs, Matt was cool enough to participate in this Monday edition of a week-long First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
New Traditionalists by Devo.

Your last album bought?
The Nerves EP.

Favorite album of all time?
Blonder Tongue Audio Baton by The Swirlies.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
There are a lot of terrible albums.

First concert attended?
Lollapalooza’ 92.

Last concert?
Man Or Astro-man? Reunion show in Birmingham, AL.

Favorite concert ever?
Man or Astro-man? at Irving Plaza in ‘97.

Least favorite concert?
Ween at Tramps in ‘98.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I think Pittsburgh is very beautiful.

Thanks, Matt. I have to check out that Swirlies album. I like what I hear so far.

Image Of The Day-"You Blew Me Off"

Bobby Bare Jr.
Bloodshot BeerBQ
Saturday July 4, 2009
The Smiling Moose
Southside

I have seen Bobby play four times now and I feel lucky each time considering he draws an average of eight people in Pittsburgh, until this gig where there were real 'fans' there to see him. By 'fans' I mean a contingent of loaded older gals who were either digging his vibe or digging their buzz. Either way it was a good sign that he actually might be building a base here, even if that base are drunken MILF's.

Image Of The Day-"Hold My Feet In The Fire"

Ha Ha Tonka
Bloodshot BeerBQ
Saturday July 4, 2009
The Smiling Moose
Southside

These guys were good. I never heard them before and although I wasn't blown away by any means I definitely would see them if they rolled through town again.

Image Of The Day-"Gravity Fails"

The Bottle Rockets
Bloodshot BeerBQ
Saturday July 4, 2009
The Smiling Moose
Southside

I was thrilled when they announced this show, a sort of thank you from the coolest record label in the world to it's fans. I was then immediately bummed that it was on the 4th, family commitments prevented me from getting there before fireworks. I am glad to say I was still treated to some great music, The Bottle Rockets included, who's set time was pushed back from 8 to 10:30! They sounded superb and there was a surprisingly decent crowd there to cheer them on.