Image of the Day-"Backwards Down The Number Line"

Trey Anastasio
Stage AE
Friday, February 25, 2011
Northshore

Walking into the crowded venue, I asked the manager if it was a sell out. He said that there were 11 tickets left. With 2400 capacity, there were a lot of people psyched to get their weekend party started. Believe me, I am no stranger to the concert party scene but when I shoot, I am (usually) sober and see a totally different side to things. One thing that struck me were the long lines for the expensive booze in the place. I have heard this complaint from others and it didn't look like they fixed this particular problem since opening night. Also, when it's a sold out show, it's not easy navigating around the room. Hopefully when they open the 'outside' in the Spring, things will be more 'roomy'. Seriously minor quibbles when you take into account that the acoustics and sightlines are really incredible there. That is all that counts anyway.
As for the show, we (me and another guy) got the first song of the acoustic set to shoot. The other dude was sort of freaking out and wanting more time but I am more than comfortable to get what I need in the four minutes they allotted. I guess all my practice is making me near perfect. Key word 'near'!

Image of the Day-"Live Out Loud"

Patti Spadaro
WYEP Studios
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Southside

I cannot say enough about these monthly local music happy hours. You get a free show (along with free brews!) and can discover an artist that plays right in your hometown. Not ever hearing a note from her, Patti came out ripping on her guitar. It really doesn't get better than a lady jamming the blues. Listen to the set here. More photos here.

Image of the Day-"Totally Fatalist"

A follow up shoot for the new Host Skull video. Working with David and Lohio's Liz is always fun. It's even more fun watching someone chug black water! Ha! David is almost done editing and I will have screening info here soon.

First/Last-Justin Andrew

Justin Andrew
The Smiling Moose
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Southside

This is going to be one sweet show. Justin is supporting the next big buzz band Miniature Tigers, along with The Show. Purchase tickets here. You can check out some of Justin's music here. As sound/light guy for Brillobox, I get to see Justin a lot, and have to give him big ups for bumping up those lights when I need it. He was cool enough to take some time out to participate in this edition of First/Last Friday.

The first album you ever bought?
This is a hard one for me because my memory is just the worst! I bet it was a Beach Boys or other surf record. I was really big into the Beach Boys LP's my dad had and this carried over into when I started buying tapes of my own. Shortly after that I found rock and bought Gun's and Roses' “Appetite for Destruction”.

Your last album bought?
I use Rhapsody for virtually all of my music listening lately but when I couldn't get the Sneaker Pimps' "Becoming X" on there, I went out and downloaded that. Does that count?

Favorite album of all time?
Favorite (singular) is always very difficult... can I say Favorite(s)? (in order and 3 and 4 are really tied):
1. Cat Stevens: “Teaser and the Firecat”
2. Fleetwood Mac: “Rumours”
3. Nirvana: “Nevermind”
4. Elliott Smith: “XO”
5. The Weakerthans: “Left and Leaving”

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I used to LOVE Bruce Springsteen's “Born in the USA”. I can't listen to it anymore and that is upsetting.

First concert attended?
The Beach Boys!

Last concert?
I work watching bands play as you know so I tend to go see bands play less either because I'm busy or need a break from live music now and then. That said the last show I went out to see was Chet Vincent, Lohio, and Ben Arnold at Howlers. The last big national show I went to see... gosh maybe that was last years' Weakerthans show at the Rex. Maybe that's wrong... again, my memory.

Favorite concert ever?
When I saw Wilco play 3 hours that felt like 45 minutes I left feeling exhilarated for days. Next to or equal to that would be seeing Elvis Costello play Lupo's in Providence Rhode Island. This show was a huge undersold (obviously sold out) show that I managed to get into by just standing outside hoping someone would sell me a ticket. It was only $35 and it was two of the best hours of my life.

Least favorite concert?
I was pretty let down by Matt Prior last time I saw him on the 'where's the band tour' (Dustin Kensrue (of Thrice), Matt Pryor (of The Get Up Kids), Chris Conley (of Saves The Day) and Anthony Raneri (of Bayside)). As good as the show was, it's really about nostalgia with those guys and it's hard to be nostalgic for The Getup Kids when he played maybe 2 songs of theirs!

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh took me about a year to begin to appreciate. I hear that's common. As welcoming as it is, it's equally as difficult to FIND the things you're into here. Once you start to though, it's a big snowball effect and the city takes hold quickly. I'm not sure if I'll stay here forever but I will love it forever.

Thanks Justin. It's funny about certain albums like "BITUSA". They mold our musical tastes growing up but after listening to them ad nauseum, you would never care to hear them again. That's exactly like "Dark Side of the Moon" to me. Have fun Tuesday brother.

Image of the Day-"This Modern Age"

Passengers
Rangos Hall
Carnegie Mellon University
Sunday, February 12, 2011
Oakland

This is a relatively new band on the local scene. They have been playing out to some high praise lately and have a gig coming up at Brillobox on April 2nd. Discovering new Pittsburgh bands people...that's what it's all about!

Image of the Day-"Say Something"

Dr. Dog
Mr Small's Funhouse
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Millvale

The band came to town last November and considering that the show was at CMU, it might as well as been in another state for all (or lack thereof) of the publicity around it. I wasn't able to go then but was geeked for the show this night. My second time seeing them and they are steadily graduating to bigger venues as the hip indie bands of the day seem to be. Can they get 'Death Cab For Cutie big'? Time will only tell. More photos here.