Image of the Day-Saturday Vault

First/Last-White Fence

California indie psych-garage rockers Ty Segall and White Fence have teamed up to produce an amazing new record entitled "Hair".

As the label Drag City puts it:

"Ty on White! Ty Fence! White Segall! White on Ty! Every position/color in the rainbow/stripe in the flag, no quarter given, no corner unrocked in this glintingly lyrsergic meeting of minds."

'Glintingly lysergic meeting of minds', indeed! This slab of heaviness has been in constant rotation around my house and I want to thank White Fence (AKA Tim Presley) for taking a few minutes to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
With my own money? Guns n Roses’ “Appetite for Destruction”. Then I had my mom buy me "Freaky Styley" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers because the narc at the counter wouldn't let me because of the parental advisory.

Your last album bought?
Gary Stewart’s “Greatest Hits”.

Favorite album of all time?
Impossible question. If I had to say anything it'd be Love “Forever Changes” and “Minor Threat” by Minor Threat.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I swear to you I tried to think of one, but you've stumped me. I don't know!

First concert attended?
Lollapalooza 1993.

Last concert?
Not my own? Cut Chemist and Edan.

Favorite concert ever?
Love at the Fillmore in SF (200?). Ramones on the ‘Adios Amigos’ Tour.

Least favorite concert?
Nirvana 4/09/93 in San Francisco. I had a ticket, new every Nirvana song by heart, but my parents wouldn't let me go, for reasons I may never know.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Love the bridges. And everyone I've ever met there. Also, thank you for Barry Bonds.

Thanks Tim. This album is definitely a year-end top 10 consideration for sure. So good.

Video of the Day-"The Winter Blues"

The Kalob Griffin Band

Club Cafe

Friday, May 4, 2012

Southside

I featured the Philly band last February as they sold out Club Cafe. They return tomorrow with a brand spankin' new video under their belt that's a sort of tease of their first full length release, "June Found a Gun", that drops June 1st. Check it!

Image of the Day-"It Hurts Everytime"

Good Old War

Family of the Year

Mr. Small's Funhouse

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Millvale

I was super jazzed about this show. The bands mentioned here were good enough for sure but I was more interested in one of the openers which I will feature later. Supposedly, the guy in GOW was very sick but you couldn't tell at all. Real trooper.
I really liked what I heard from Family of the Year. Yet another shout out from the stage dropping Garfield Artworks as the place they played last time they were here. Represent your roots with pride bands! Just sayin'. More photos here.

Image of the Day-"The Bump"

Deer Tick

Turbo Fruits

Rex Theater

Monday, April 23, 2012

Southside

Believe me, literally photographing hundereds of bands a year, I am used to drunken audiences that don't seem to be on their best behavior but this night it almost put me over the edge. Not even being a sell out, the lip of the stage was annoyingly crowded as the band took the stage. With no regard to people who were minding their own business staking out a spot, there were a few revelers that just didn't give a shit and bully their way so that there is absolutely no room to move let alone enjoy the show. Jerks. More photos here.

First/Last-Suckers

Photo courtesy of Marley Kate

Suckers

Stage AE

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Northshore

"Besides being a signature song for Suckers, “It Gets Your Body Movin’” is a mission statement for the band as well.  Ever since coalescing in Brooklyn four years ago, they’ve been restless experimenters, thriving on creative momentum.  And while the trio’s just-completed sophomore album Candy Salad, due April 24th on Frenchkiss, is a remarkable progression from their auspiciously far-flung debutWild Smile, it’s every bit as indicative of how they’re powered by the uncertainty of paradox. It’s a more mature work than Wild Smile, mostly because of its directness and simplicity. It has a warmer sound than their past releases, resulting from hours upon end of intense studio work, but still retains a refreshing, almost effortless feel that instantly draws in the listener."

The band bring the tour promoting Candy Salad to The Club at Stage AE this week along with openers Turn To Crime. Guitarist and vocalist Quinn Walker was cool enough to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
First CD was Cypress Hill’s “Black Sunday”.

Your last album bought?
Can't remember, I steal from the web.

Favorite album of all time?
“Meet the Beatles”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Anything by somebody whose album I bought based on hearing one song on a soundtrack.

First concert attended?
New Kids On The Block.

Last concert?
Crocodiles soundcheck at Glasslands.

Favorite concert ever?
The Association on the Branford Green.

Least favorite concert?
New Kids On The Block. I remember feeling really uncomfortable, standing behind a pillar, asking my parents if we could leave the whole time, while my sister kept asking if she was dreaming.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Sharon Needles is cool. I really like that big converted church venue, Mr. Smalls. We had a wonderful time there.  And I think Roethlisberger should be prosecuted for rape charges.

Thanks Quinn. I guess now Big Ben is going to scalp his Suckers ticket on Thursday?

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.