Image of the Day-"Quality Beats"

Triggers

Rehearsal Space

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Uptown

These guys have quickly become one of my absolute favorite bands in the city. I contacted them to see if I could 'hang' at a practice and they were cool enough to say yes. I got to hear most of the new album live and was even offered a fine high class beverage. They guys were also game for a few 'posed' shots in their historically incredible space. It's actually one of the first 'film exchanges' in the country and the ghosts of Chaplin, Cooper and Garbo are all over the joint. Too cool. Catch the guys this Friday supporting The Red Western CD Release gig at Brillobox.

Between The Lines-Movie Poster Art

Oeuvre / The Art of Drew Struzen

Drew Struzan

Titan Books

 2011

I have been a huge fan of Struzen's work for many years. Being a portrait artist myself, I can appreciate the skill and conceptual ideas he brings to his art as it conveys the idea of an entire movie in one single image. As a casual fan, anyone can enjoy the incredible artistry he has to offer.

The two books chronicling his career are similar but very much different. The just released Oeuvre is a gorgeous presentation and overview of the art itself, presented with little commentary and without all the lettering needed for movie posters. It also includes his work outside the film industry and with over 250 images, there's a ton of material here to marvel at.

His other book, revised in 2010, singles out many of his iconic film posters and includes rough ideas that didn't make the cut, early and alternative versions and commentary on each project that is both revealing and often times quite funny. His close and trusted relationship with many filmmakers such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Benicio Del Toro and Frank Darabont is a unique factor in that they depend on each other in their collaboration to achieve the success they have.

I simply love these books. Being a sucker for art and movies, they both present a visual artists' work that for over 30 years, is unsurpassed.

John Carpenter's The Thing, 1982

Back to the Future, 1985

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, 1989

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, 2005

Cowboys & Aliens, 2011

Ticket Giveaway-Beirut

WYEP presents Beirut

Altar Bar

Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11, 2011

The Strip District

Courtesy of the great folks at Drusky Entertainment, I have a pair of passes for both nights. There will be two winners this week. The Saturday show has completely sold out and Sunday's show is close to it. To enter, email me at hughshows@comcast.net with the subject line 'Beirut-Saturday', 'Beirut-Sunday', or 'Beirut-Both' to indicate which night you want to enter for. In the message body, please provide the name of the person who will bring I.D. to will call the night of the show good for two passes.This is an all ages event. This contest runs until Friday, December 9th when the winners will be randomly chosen and contacted. Thanks and good luck.

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-"Who Dat?"

The Shadowboxers opening for Matthew Sweet at Smalls

Here are a handful of bands that have opened the night recently and I frankly never really heard of them before. The lack of comment doesn't reflect the greatness/terribleness of said bands, it's just that I either missed most of the set or can't remember anything to say.

Porcelain Raft opening for Yuck at Brillobox

Walk the Moon opening for Fitz & The Tantrums at Smalls

Breathe Owl Breathe opening for Fruit Bats/Vetiver at Smalls

These Animals opening for Big Hurry at Brillobox

Image of the Day-"Sink or Swim"

Big Hurry

Brillobox

Friday, October 21, 2011

Larryville

It seems that this show was an EP release gig is secondary to the fact that it was also the last time the band would be playing with Andy on guitar. The future is uncertain for the remaining trio and plans vary depending on which one of them you talk to. I have hope that the band carries on in some form and nothing can take away the memories they as a group (and more importantly, as friends) have given me personally. More photos from the night here.

Image of the Day-"Are you Gonna Waste My Time?"

Zeus

Mr. Smalls Funhouse

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Millvale

Having seen this band once before, I was excited that they were on the Sam Roberts bill because I think they are great. Apparently, not that many people felt as enthused as I did because when they took the stage there might have been a dozen or so in attendance. Add to the fact that the few people who were there stayed in the back near the bar and you could feel this set going South fast. Ouch. Undaunted and looking disaster square in the face, the band gleefully encouraged all who were there to move closer and have a good time. Damn, if that didn't work. I see a lot of shows that do go off the rails with much less obstacles facing the musicians but these guys embraced the situation and pulled of a really fun and memorable set. Kudos to them!