First/Last-The Ohio Weather Band

The Ohio Weather Band

Hambone's Pub

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Larryville

 "The Ohio Weather Band is a 3-piece rock and roll outfit from Alliance, OH. The band members include: Corey King (guitar and vocals), Pete Childerson (drums) and Derek Strata (bass). OWB was recently named one of the area’s “Best Unsigned Bands” according to an article in Buzzbin Magazine. They’re set to release their debut album, “Wear These Bones” in November."

The band crosses the border to perform at Hambone's this Saturday supporting Peter Terry & the City Profits. My thanks to bandleader Corey King for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
One of the first albums I can remember listening to is Tom Petty's "Wildflowers". Before school I'd always rock out on ‘You Wreck Me’ off of that album. I still have it too.

Your last album bought?
My most recent purchase is Jack White's "Blunderbuss" on vinyl. It's great.

Favorite album of all time?
This is near impossible to answer but for now, I'm gonna go with "Heartbreaker" by Ryan Adams.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I really try to find something I like in everything I listen to and I usually end up succeeding.

First concert attended?
My first real concert was Blink-182 & No Doubt.

Last concert?
I think my last concert that wasn't a festival was Good Old War at Beachland Ballroom.

Favorite concert ever?
Probably Bright Eyes at The House of Blues or in NYC, I can't pick.

Least favorite concert?
Similar to the aforementioned response on my least a least favorite album, I just like seein' stuff happen live, especially music.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I've explored Pittsburgh once. While on tour as a solo acoustic performer, I played a gig at this one place (I won't mention the venue or person running it) and the booker/promoter was a dick and very unaccommodating. Not that I expected anything from him but at least a little hospitality or answering the door when I knocked for about five minutes. Then when he finally did answer, after we stood around forever, he told me, "you should have knocked." But, it worked out because I got to meet Jay from The Hawkeyes and Brad Yoder who also were on the bill. Both are great musicians and people. Other than that, I had a great time in PItt and it seems like a swell place. I'm looking forward to comin' back with the band.

Thanks, Corey. Bummer about your experience with that promoter. Glad it didn't taint your perspective of our city.

First/Last-'The Essentials' J.P. Olsen

 Image still courtesy of  You'll Never See My Face in Kansas City

"This is James Olsen and his new band, The Malefactors of Great Wealth. James started music late and never took a lesson in his life. He was born in Cleveland but grew up in Ohio. It took forever. This is his first recording in a long time. It was recorded in nine locations over a year's time. Before this he worked as an investigative journalist in New York City and was friends with two people who were later kidnapped by -- and escaped from -- the Taliban. One hit a Taliban over the head with a samovar and ran to safety. The other got out of Afghanistan because the corporation she worked for sent envoys with bags of cash to ensure her release. She was eventually found, unguarded but chained to a rock, deep inside a cave. James has delivered stereoscopic photos to spies, took a phone call from the head of the NSA, knew the Unabomber was going to be captured a month before he was, and discovered footage of government drug tests carried out on federal prisoners and made a documentary film about it. This is true. These are facts. James Olsen will never lie to you."

As many times as I am contacted to promote a band on the blog, more often than not, I take the charge and reach out to musicians who interest me that I feel should have more exposure. Case in point, J.P. Olsen. I first discovered him as the songwriter of one of my favorite tracks off of Tim Easton's fantastic 'desert island disc', "The Truth About Us", 'Bad Florida'. For years I've been wondering what he has been up to since having actually had the opportunity to see him play the tune once at an otherwise disastrous 'show' a decade ago.
I recently connected with him through the power of Facebook and am happy to say he is starting to play out as a trio around his home of Brooklyn (good vibes your way, man!) and has completed a unique project with, among other collaborators, The Black Swan's Jerry DeCicca entitled, "You'll Never See My Face in Kansas City". Courtesy of Donewaiting, you can view videos and read more about the project here and buy some one of a kind merch here. My sincere thanks to J.P. for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
I don't remember the first album I bought, but the first album I remember freaking out over was my brother's copy of the The Who's “Quadrophenia”. The first 45 I bought myself was definitely The Beatles’ ‘Revolution’, the heavy and fast version. I played that about 40 times in a row when I got it.

Your last album bought?
“A Thing Called Divine Fits”.

Favorite album of all time?
Too many too name, but I'd have to say "69 Love Songs" by The Magnetic Fields is up there and so is Side A of Lou Reed's “Coney Island Baby”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
The one I haven't made.

First concert attended?
Genesis at The Cleveland Coliseum. I was in 6th grade.

Last concert?
All Tomorrow's Parties in NYC this September. Scrawl, Dirtbombs, Afghan Whigs, Jeff The Brotherhood and Mark Lanegan (who was just incredible, I thought). All great shows one after the other.

Favorite concert ever?
My favorite concert ever actually went on for a number of years. There was a band called The Numbers Band that played Kent, Ohio on a weekly basis at a place called JB's. The band, and its singer and songwriter, Robert Kidney, consistently put on inspiring shows week after week for years and years. I'm told they are still together, some 40 years on now.

Least favorite concert?
I went to see The Cramps, who I loved, and somebody stage-dived onto my head and I had to go to the hospital. That was my least favorite concert by far.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I was in Pittsburgh last year for a week as part of the Steinbrenner Media Fellowship at
Carnegie-Mellon. I'd never been to Pittsburgh and was a) blown away at how beautiful the city is and b) it made me want to live there and c) I was humbled by the fact that I met students at Carnegie-Mellon who were about half my age and twice as smart as me. I also ate great food
when I was there, met really friendly people and had a really interesting few-hours long conversation with a brilliant criminologist about FBI crime stats. A memorable and great week for sure.

Thanks so much J.P. It's was really nice getting a hold of you, man. Hopefully, seeing you play live in Pittsburgh happens sooner than later.

Sunday Pittsburgh Ticket Giveaway-Tim Easton/Patrick Sweany

Tim Easton/Patrick Sweany

Club Cafe

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Southside

Courtesy of my friends at Opus One Productions, I have a pair of tickets for this show. Enter by sending an email with the subject line 'Easton/Sweany' to hughshows@comcast.net with the person who's name will be on the guest list in the message body. Please bring photo I.D. to this 21 and over EARLY show. This contest runs until Friday, November 9th when the winner will be randomly chosen and contacted. Thanks and good luck.

First/Last-Fist Fight in the Parking Lot

Fist Fight in the Parking Lot

Kopec's

Friday, November 2, 2012

Larryville

"Fist Fight in the Parking Lot   Verb.   \if you can’t pronounce this one, we have problems\

 1. A song written by Fred Armisen for a skit from Saturday Night Live called ‘Band Reunion at the Wedding’ where Ashton Kutcher and Dave Grohl do a tribute to hardcore punk with their mock band Crisis of Conformity.

 2. An Innervenus rock band formed in 2009 right here in the ‘burgh. A female fronted foursome, this band will rock your face off with their modern take on a vintage sound and captivate you with their stage charisma.

      Fist Fight in the Parking Lot is the type of band that you can take your girlfriend to see and she won’t be tearing at your hoodie to leave after the first song. Comprised of Jason Sichi, Johnnie McCallough, and Chris Ruane (MojoFilter, Venus in Furs) along with Abby Krizner (Motorpsychos), this band’s hard hitting sound is certain to catch in your ear like a fire to kindling.  Their gritty, raw and moving sound has built an energetic, passionate following of fans all around Pittsburgh and into Ohio where they have actively played during the past year.  The stage commands attention when they perform on it, and you will be enticed to keep listening. Come out and give a listen for yourself!"

The band is working on new music and plays Kopec's tonight in support of this year's self-titled debut. I want to thank Abby Krizner (Vocals/Guitar) and Chris 'Ru-Dogg' Ruane (Drums) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Abby Krizner: I was a weird kid, so the first selection I made with my own money was to buy a copy of a live Elton John album. Might have been “Live in Australia”. All I can remember was it was the first time I'd hear the song ‘60 Years On’ and it just stuck with me.
Chris Ruane: “Freeze-Frame”, The J. Geils Band.

Your last album bought?
Abby: Baroness, “Yellow & Green”. It's a departure from the Baroness I was used to, but I think they've challenged themselves on this record and I completely respect what they accomplished.
Chris: Van Halen, “A Different Kind of Truth”.

Favorite album of all time?
Abby: I'd have to say Radiohead's "OK Computer."  It totally changed the way I listened to music.
Chris: Metallica, “Master of Puppets”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Abby: Ah, gotta go with the old standby and say Metallica's "Load" was pretty disappointing. (And clearly I've never let that go!).
Chris: ???.

First concert attended?
Abby: I was pretty young for my first show. I think the first was when my parents took me to see the aforementioned Elton John since I seemed so into him. It was his ‘Dueling Piano’ Tour with Billy Joel.
Chris: Van Halen, 1993 at Star Lake.

Last concert?
Abby: Band of Skulls, Mr Smalls Theater...AWESOME!
Chris: Rush, ‘Clockwork Angels’ at The Consol.

Favorite concert ever?
Abby: Queens of the Stone Age, House of Blues for their self-titled album anniversary tour a few years ago. I've never smiled so much in my life :)
Chris: N/A.

Least favorite concert?
Abby: Ugh, got dragged to see fun. WORST experience ever and I was surrounded by screaming tweens.
Chris: N/A.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Abby: I'm happy that so many more national bands seem to be adding Pittsburgh to their tour stops! On the local level, I feel like I've been seeing such a wide range of different and unique bands in the city.  Certainly no complaints about variety in the area!

Thanks, guys. I wouldn't know which would be worse Abby? Screaming tweens or listening to fun. Both together??? Nightmare for sure.

First/Last-Southeast Engine

Southeast Engine

Club Cafe

Friday, November 2, 2012

Southside

"There is truth about American life and there are the lies we tell ourselves. There are stories hard to explain, and stories we prefer not to dwell upon. Today workplaces remain shuttered, jobs moved abroad. In Appalachian country there is talk of ‘retraining the workforce.’ We lament remarkably little about this lost way of life. And then there is Southeast Engine, a proudly working class band that concerns itself in no way with the conventions of our current ‘indie rock scene.’

Southeast Engine’s acclaimed 2011 release Canary was a revelatory reflection on an Appalachian family making ends meet during the our first Great Depression, with ghostly resonances to the same population’s contemporary struggles. Canary was replete with songs of joy in the face of sorrow – meditations on retaining a fleeting way of life still maintaining all of the conviction and jovial camaraderie of a rich culture proud in its traditions despite the long odds posed by a rashly remade society."

The Ohio band returns from across the state line tomorrow as part of it's fall tour to Club Cafe for the late show with support from my buddy Dan Getkin and the Masters of American Music. My thanks to the band for participating in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Adam Remnant: M.C. Hammer, "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em".
Bill Matheny: The Allman Brothers, "Idlewild South" (2nd grade).
Jesse Remnant: Third Eye Blind, "Third Eye Blind" (2nd grade).
Leo DeLuca: The Doors, "Greatest Hits" (2nd grade - not proud of this).

Your last album bought?
Adam: Willie Nelson, "Troublemaker".
Bill: Generationals, "Actor/Caster".
Jesse: Paul McCartney, "Red Rose Speedway".
Leo: Deep Purple, "Machine Head".

Favorite album of all time?
Adam: Bob Dylan, "Blood on the Tracks".
Bill: Television, "Marquee Moon".
Jesse: Weezer, "Pinkerton".
Leo: Guided By Voices, "Bee Thousand" (I'm from Dayton).

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Bill: Big Star, "In Space".
Jesse: Weezer, (post-Maladroit).

First concert attended?
Adam: The Breeders, Guided By Voices, Afghan Whigs, New Bomb Turks (Hara Arena, Dayton, OH).
Bill: Eric Clapton (Civic Arena - Pittsburgh, PA).
Jesse: The Strokes/The Walkmen (Bogarts - Cinci, OH).
Leo: Gladys Knight & The Pips (Red, White, & Boom - July 4th Fest - Delco Park - Dayton, OH).

Last concert?
Adam: Bob Dylan.
Bill: Jeff the Brotherhood.
Jesse: Guided By Voices - Louisville, KY.
Leo: Dinosaur Jr. (Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC).

Favorite concert ever?
Adam: Wilco, "Summerteeth Tour" - Columbus, OH.
Bill: Neil Young, (Star Lake Amphitheater).
Jesse: Guided By Voices, Columbus, OH.
Leo: Bob Dylan, (2004).

Least favorite concert?
Bill: Marshall Tucker Band, (Mannington County Fair).
Leo: Bob Dylan (2004).

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Adam: I always look forward to driving through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, to open up into the spectacle of Pittsburgh's city skyline.
Bill: I'm going bring plenty of gumbands.
Jesse: Club Cafe is a great place to play. I look forward to coming back.
Leo: Andy Van Slyke. The Mattress Factory.

Thanks again, fellas. Pittsburgh is sorta becoming a home away from home, which is great IMO.