First/Last-Cairoglyphs

"Cairoglyphs is the electronic brainchild of Kansas City based hip-hop artist/producer Ryan Forest. His debut EP, "The Veil" has just been released on Russian Winter Records. Cairoglyphs features retro-futuristic soundscapes that are underlined by a dark introspective narrative. "The Veil" EP serves up a sophisticated blend of deep house and rap, taking dance based hip-hop to new heights."

Check out Cairoglyph's Facebook, BandCamp and SoundCloud. Electronic/Psychedelic/Hip-Hop in the vein of Earl Sweatshirt, Run The Jewels, Busdriver and Kendrick Lamar. I want to thank Ryan Forest (AKA Cairoglyphs) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Eminem “The Slim Shady LP”.

Your last album bought?
Com Truise “In Decay”.

Favorite album of all time?
The Mars Volta “Amputechture”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
N.E.R.D. “Seeing Sounds”.

First concert attended?
An El-P concert at the Granada in Lawrence, Kansas circa 2007.

Last concert?
A Baths concert at The recordBar in Kansas City, Missouri.

Favorite concert ever?
The Mars Volta at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri.

Least favorite concert?
The Bam Margera Experience as ‘F*** Face Unstoppable’ at the Granada in Lawrence, Kansas.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Shout out to Pittsburgh natives Wiz Khalifa and Mack Miller for holding it down for rap music.

Thanks, Ryan. Wiz and Mac are definitely putting Pittsburgh rap on the national map. Also, that Bam Margera 'concert' sounds absolutely unbearable.

First/Last-The Federal Hillbillies

"The Federal Hillbillies are an Americana band hailing from Baltimore, MD. Their unique blend of steel guitar, acoustic and harmonies provides a simple, yet moving and melodic listening experience. Influences from artists such as Ryan Adams, Gram Parsons, The Black Crowes, The Band and Jason Isbell can be heard in their sound. This combination of country, rock, folk, and blues distinguishes the band in a growing local music scene."

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook , SouncCloud and Twitter. The quartet formed in 2012 and recently released their debut EP, "Whiskey to Wine". That's some authentic roots music right there, folks. My thanks to Justin Ahmanson (Guitar/Vocals), Josh Ahmanson (Pedal Steel) and Chris King (Drums) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Justin Ahmanson: Green Day, “Dookie”.
Josh Ahmanson: “The Presidents of the United States of America”.
Chris Thomas King: Weezer “Blue Album” (self titled).

Your last album bought?
Justin: Van Morisson “Moondance” (somehow I didn't have this).
Josh: Flatt and Scruggs “Foggy Mountain Gospel”.
Chris: The Dirty Guv'nahs “Youth Is In Our Blood” (picked it up when we opened for them at Rock & Roll Hotel).

Favorite album of all time?
Justin: Derek and the Dominos “Layla (and Other Assorted Love Songs)”. I got a hold of this from my dad's collection when I began playing guitar. ‘Bell Bottom Blues’ was one of the first songs I ever learned. I constantly go back and listen to this album.
Josh: I don’t know. Let's just go with “Allison Krauss and Union Station Live”.
Chris: Rolling Stones “Sticky Fingers”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Justin: Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band “The Spotlight Kid/Clear Spot”. I have this because of an inside family joke, but I really can't get into that album.
Josh: That Fuel album I bought.
Chris: Stone Temple Pilots “No. 4”. I traded a dude at school the Little Debbie Swiss Roll from my lunch bag for this one. I still regret that trade.

First concert attended?
Justin: Eric Clapton during the ‘One More Car, One More Rider Tour’ at the MCI (Verizon) Center. Blew my mind!
Josh: Eric Clapton.
Chris: Glen Campbell / Porter Wagner at the Grand Ole Opry with my family.

Last concert?
Justin: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Baltimore Soundstage.
Josh: Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Chris: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Baltimore Soundstage.

Favorite concert ever?
Justin: Black Crowes at 9:30 Club, September 18, 2006. First time I saw them live. Instantly became my favorite band (and still is). Completely changed my perspective on singing, songwriting, & and music in general.
Josh: Probably a Black Crowes concert.
Chris: The Black Crowes at 9:30 Club October 4, 2005. Rock and Roll Church.

Least favorite concert?
Justin: Afrojack at Mansion in Miami. Basically, I got dragged there by friends, payed a large amount of money for the ticket, waited in line for hours, and still didn't get in because it was too crowded. Luckily alcohol saved the night!
Josh: Jimmy's Chicken Shack (they opened for Live so technically not an entire concert). The sound was really bad.
Chris: Citizen Cope at 9:30 Club in 2007... don't want to talk about it.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Justin: I should have drafted Antonio Brown this year in fantasy.
Josh: I've never been to Pittsburgh.
Chris: I was a member of the Ravens Marching Band's Drum Line during their first Super Bowl run. We used to get heckled pretty fierce by Steelers Fans!

Thanks, fellas. Ravens fans, huh? Yeah, I am not too big on sports rivalries but I hate 'dem dirty birds...

First/Last-That Metal Show

A few months ago, I began binge-watching reruns of That Metal Show on Vh1 Classic. Admittedly, I am not a huge heavy metal/hard rock fan (I do dig Van Halen) but what I love about the show is the passion the hosts, Eddie Trunk/Jim Florentine/Don Jamieson, have for this music and the often spirited and always funny debates these guys have. It's also very informative with guest interviews and the popular 'Stump the Trunk' trivia segment. The 13th season begins tomorrow night and I want to thank 2/3rd's of the host in stand-up comedians Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson for taking a few to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Jim Florentine: Ted Nugent “Double Live Gonzo”.
Don Jamieson: Iron Maiden “Killers”. But I stole Kiss “Destroyer” before that.

Your last album bought?
Jim: New Five Finger Death Punch.
Don: Generation Kill “We're All Gonna Die”.

Favorite album of all time?
Jim: Motorhead “Ace Of Spades”.
Don: AC/DC “Powerage”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Jim: None.
Don: “Lulu”.

First concert attended?
Jim: Black Sabbath/ Van Halen, 1978.
Don: Judas Priest & Iron Maiden in Asbury Park, NJ on the 'Point of Entry' tour.

Last concert?
Jim: Hatebreed.
Don: My acoustic death-metal band Gunfire & Sodomy in NYC.

Favorite concert ever?
Jim: Black Sabbath reunion show, 1999.
Don: AC/DC 'Black Ice' tour.

Least favorite concert?
Jim: None.
Don: Justin Bieber.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Jim: I love Pittsburgh. Great comedy town. Hate the Pirates owners for hoarding all that money over the years. They will start selling off their players again soon.
Don: Getting paid $800 for 4 shows at the Funny Bone in Station Square & Snooki getting paid $20g's just to show up at a bar across the street.

Thanks, fellas. Already got a season pass on my DVR for the show. Oh yeah, and Snooki totally sucks.

First/Last-Butterbirds

"Butterbirds churn out squawky, demented, friend jams from Pittsburgh, PA."

Check out the band on Facebook, Twitter and BandCamp. The 'Acid Country/Demented Hug Rock' band recently released it's debut "Sweet Little Honey Nothin'" joining a slew of totally kick-ass young bands coming out of the Pittsburgh 'underground' scene. There is some killer music happening right here in town, people. Go out and support it! I want to thank John Kraemer (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
I'm almost positive the first CD I bought was Marcy Playground's ‘Sex and Candy’, but it was definitely only the single. The first album I bought must have been "Magic" by Distorted Penguins. Don't all early highschoolers fall into ska/pop/punk?

Your last album bought?
I just got cbend's "RuSHRuSHRush". Cbend is from Alabama, but has been in Pittsburgh long enough to definitely be considered local. She writes these songs that tear you apart and mash you back together with little reverence for where your pieces used to go. Little stops and starts and drastic volume and tempo changes keep it really intimate and immediate. It's phenomenal. Check it out. Oh, she's also one of my very best buds.

Favorite album of all time?
How about... Daniel Johnston's "Songs of Pain". There's just so so much something in there. It's got tragedy and judgment day stuff and comedy and little candid home recordings of family and friends. He's got feelings and convictions man and each one gets about 2 minutes set to these classic piano pop songs. He's super honest and gives it all to ya. I'm really into albums for great songs and this has a ton of funny, clever, hurtful gems. Plus it's a 20 track debut basement recording. Yeah that's a lot.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
After having put so much effort into our own release, I'm trying harder to avoid bashing stuff people put their all into. I mean we really labored on “Sweet Little Honey Nothin'” and I am sure that a lot of people who hear it are going to hate it. It makes me anxious to think that someone could be hearing it now. Ah. Internet. Having said that, Aerosmith's "Just Push Play" is a real stinker. One of those records that makes you ashamed to play guitar and sing. Helped ruin ‘Armageddon’, and I am positive they would not care if I didn't like their jams.

First concert attended?
Bush w/ Veruca Salt 4/9/1997 at the Civic Arena with my Dad. Yes, I've got a secret machine head. It's better than the rest.

Last concert?
House show in Garfield at 12/27/2013 at my buds' house with Sam Rockwell Machete Champion, Buck, Cbend, and Laura Lee. Lots of friends and great songs. I also may have played a couple songs.

Favorite concert ever?
My Dad and I saw Violent Femmes play at Club Laga on 11/8/2003. It was one of those shows where little was expected. They were older guys singing a lot of songs about teenagers' emotional and social issues, but they ruled. They played stuff from all over their catalog and were wild and unhinged. No frills no flare, just awesome songs played fast and raw. Plus, I think they actually had fun or at least I perceived it that way.

Least favorite concert?
A handful of years ago I saw Black Lips play at Mr. Smalls. I always liked their music, but I was really there for the debauchery and insanity their shows had become famous for. Everybody stayed fully clothed and they got through the set without incident. Maybe not my least favorite, but definitely disappointing. I guess it was actually a good show I had just built it up too much.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I love Pittsburgh. I grew up here, went to school here, and chose to stay. There are always new bands to hear and places to see them whether in basements, bars, galleries, or whatever. Beer is usually cheap and encouraged. I'll probably die here. Hopefully not right away.

Thanks, John. Love what you guys are doing. Can't wait to see you play live, man. Thanks for the cbend heads up as well. So much good stuff out there in Pittsburgh now.

First/Last-Son of Bitch

"Making folk a little more western, making western a little more metal everyday.
A son of the South meets some kids from West PA and a daughter of Ukraine."

Check out the band on Facebook, YouTube and BandCamp. The folkabilly band from Pittsburgh recently released their fantastic debut full-length "Venus and the Cat". I want to thank Max Ward (Banjo/Fiddle/Baritone Ukulele/Electric Guitar/Back-Up Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
The Beatles “White Album”.

Your last album bought?
"Five Miles of Ellum Wood" by Bruce Greene.

Favorite album of all time?
"Goodbye, Babylon", a 6 disc compilation of old, forgotten Gospel music.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Upon intense reflection, I think we would all have to agree that it would be Weird Al's "Straight Outta Lynwood."

First concert attended?
I think it was CKY at Rosebud.

Last concert?
Guests of Guests CD release show, Howlers.

Favorite concert ever?
A jam that occurred outside my tent at Clifftop. Two fiddles, a banjo, guitar, bass and buck dancer, all of them locked in and driven. Nothing could be finer.

Least favorite concert?
I once saw Jefferson Starship playing in South Park. They stunk.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh's music scene has always been accessible and supportive to me, but there might be a lot of people who don't feel the same. There seems to be a lot of division among musicians and artists in this town. I'd call it cliquey, honestly. Never quite experienced that in other cities. Either way, glad to see this blog covers just about everyone and everything going on.

Thanks, Max. I personally devote this blog to expose people to many genres of music and even though there may be cliques in town, it's an unfortunate aspect of the 'scene'.