Image Of The Day-"Hit My Door"

Small Cities
Kayafest
Sunday May 30, 2010
Strip District

I love this band. They have a CD release show this Friday June 11th at the Thunderbird. I am really looking forward to hearing the disc. More photos here.

Image Of The Day-"Nothing Left To Hide"

28 North
Rivers Casino Amphitheater
Sunday May 30, 2010
Northshore

First time seeing the band and also my inaugural visit to the new amphitheater. Turns out it is a really nice setting for live music. I am sorry to say that I couldn't stay for the whole set because I had my daughters in tow and the place was not kid friendly. I guess I should have known but hey, live and learn. More photos here.

Image Of The Day-"Man In The Photograph"

Boulevard Of The Allies
Borders Books & Music
Sunday May 30, 2010
East Liberty

First time seeing these guys play. Since it was a bookstore, I half expected an acoustic set. Not to be, thankfully. They rocked out the joint, that's if you can call somewhat sensitive, acoustic songwriting rockin'. Unfortunately, I had to bail halfway through the show to catch bands in two other locations that afternoon. No worries, I'll see them again soon enough.

First/Last-Greg Dutton

Lohio

So I have been posting these little questionnaires lately. The page view stats from readers have been overwhelming when I featured local musicians. In honor of that, I am making it a weekly feature to be posted every Friday throughout summer!
The Three Rivers Arts Fest starts today and headlining the local music showcase next Saturday, June 12 is no stranger to this blog, Lohio.
Starting today, appropriately enough, Greg was nice to enough to participate in this inaugural edition of First/Last Friday.

The first album you ever bought?

He's the DJ I'm the Rapper by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.

Your last album bought?

The National, High Violet.

Favorite album of all time?

Blur, 13.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

Any record that I buy after I listen to it for the first time is kind of a disappointment. When I listen to a new record, my expectations are so high that there's no way that the music can live up to this idea I’ve conjured in my head of what it should sound like. So, it's always a bit of a let down. But then I listen to that same record a couple more times and I’m like "this is the best record ever created by man!"

First concert attended?

Kiss, Wheeling Civic Arena 1995. Starting when I was 5 or 6 I’d go to country music concerts with my parents, but this was the first show that I went out and bought tickets for.

Last concert?

Sufjan Stevens, Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland.

Favorite concert ever?

Hard to say but it might be Badly Drawn Boy at the 9:30 Club, Washington DC, 2000. I was excited to see him and drove all the way to DC to see the show.

Least favorite concert?

Infamous Ryan Adams show at the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, 2002. He kicked a guy out for making a Summer of 69 joke. But then Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings came out and played a 4 song encore with him, so it was kind of the worst and best show I’ve been to.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

Stumbling into Club Cafe and seeing Boca Chica play for the first time. Having a friend drag me to Modern Formations and discovering The You. Cindy Howes' porch parties and house concerts. House parties that turn into hootenanies, with 20 minute long versions of Helpless or Down By the River. More than anything, just hanging out with all the great people I’ve met.

Thanks a lot Greg. In reading about that RyRy show, I always wondered if that was some part urban legend or not. Now I know!

Image Of The Day-"The Sharpest Crown"

Joe Pug
Diesel
Tuesday May 18, 2010
Southside

I met Joe at WYEP while he was a fellow audience member during a studio session with The Low Anthem. He was on tour with them as the opener and I kind of surprised him when I wanted to buy his CD. Super cool dude. This was the first time I actually got to hear him play. He didn't disappoint at all. Although there was some talking in the back of the room, it wasn't too unexpected due to the sheer amount of people there. Would love to see him in a quieter, more appreciative setting.

Image Of The Day-"Rapture Rapes The Muses"

of Montreal
Ches-A-Rena
Friday May 28, 2010
Cheswick

This band has a whimsy to it that I can really appreciate. They don't seem to take themselves so seriously and I dig that. They are associated with the Elephant 6 crowd and like most of the bands in the collective, they can rock out while adhering to the post-psychedelic idiom that I grew up on. Add some crazy stage antics to the mix and really what's not to love? Hard to imagine that a few short years ago (the last time they were in town?) they were playing the Mattress Factory!?! More photos here.

First/Last-Tobacco

Tobacco
Maniac Meat

The ever so elusive Black Moth Super Rainbow front man released his second solo LP a week ago today. Do yourself a favor and pick it up. I think it's way cool that he calls Pittsburgh home. Being a wonderful friend to this blog over the years, he was kind enough to participate in this latest edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Pearl Jam, “Ten”.

Your last album bought?
The Revelators, “Let a Poor Boy Ride”.

Favorite album of all time?
These days it's Beck, “Mellow Gold”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I used to love Reverend Horton Heat in high school until “Space Heater” came out. It was the first time I remember caring enough to be disappointed with music.

First concert attended?
Butthole Surfers at IC Light Amphitheater in '96.

Last concert?
Shearwater at Lincoln Hall in Chicago earlier this year.

Favorite concert ever?
Probably that Butthole Surfers show.

Least favorite concert?
Black Moth Super Rainbow at McCarren Pool in 2008.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I love driving around at night finding weird hidden shit to do. I think Pittsburgh and its outlying areas have the most weird, hidden shit to do per capita.

Thanks, buddy. It's interesting that your first show is also your favorite. My first show was Kenny Loggins. I have to say I have seen much better since!