First/Last - Loop Line

"Luke lives in Phoenix. Paul lives in Minneapolis. We make music together with the help of the internet."

Loop Line is an alternative rock duo who just released their latest catchy as hell EP called Wakes. Using the power of the web to produce the music as the two members live in different cities, the result is a seamless blend of power pop and anthemic rock. I want to thank Paul Winkels and Luke Slisz for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Paul: Some weird compilation of classic rock live performances, featuring the likes of "Horse with No Name" by America and "That's All" by Genesis.
Luke: The self-titled album by The Presidents of the United States of America. The ‘Weird Al’ album with “Gump” might have been the second.

Your last album bought?
Paul: Listening on a paid streaming service is kind of buying, isn't it? The most recent new album I've listened to all the way through is Bowie's Blackstar. But if you're talking going-in-to-a-record-store-and-buying-an-album, then it would be the self-titled album by Black Tambourine.
Luke: Never Bloom by Suspicious Beasts. I stream a lot of music too, but I was guilted into buying the album after noticing how criminally low their Spotify play count was.

Favorite album of all time?
Paul: I always come back to Pet Sounds. Always blown away.
Luke: London Calling by the Clash. Also always blown away.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Paul: Most albums these days, you get a pretty good idea of what they are like before they are ever out, but I'd go with Daisy by Brand New. Even though I quite like it now, it was not what I was expecting, so my initial reaction was not positive.
Luke: Beck’s Mutations. That was when I learned that artists don’t make the same album over and over again, and I didn’t know how to process that information as a tween. I’m still always slightly disappointed when I listen to it, even though I appreciate it more now.

First concert attended?
Paul: Def Leppard!!!
Luke: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Coming Out of Their Shells Tour. I’m pretty sure that was the first concert every kid my age in my hometown attended.

Last concert?
Paul: It was almost Def Leppard, but it was WAY too expensive. Instead, it was Weezer at Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis.
Luke: Panda Bear here in Phoenix.

Favorite concert ever?
Paul: The Rentals/Ozma at First Avenue. Or the Police, because hey, it was The Police.
Luke: When I lived in Japan, I used to go to this tiny rock club where these crazy, unknown bands would play. It was always half empty, but the bands played like their careers depended on it every night. It’s impossible to pick a favorite, but all of the shows there were incredible experiences.

Least favorite concert?
Paul: Coincidentally, the last show I went to: Weezer at Basilica Block Party. For some reason they refuse to play Pinkerton songs in Minnesota. And then they ended like 15 minutes early in what was billed as an hour long. Could have at least thrown us “El Scorcho”.
Luke: Probably the last Warped Tour I went to, years ago. Huge, outdoor music festivals are just the antithesis of what I look for in a concert experience.


Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Paul: I used to collect baseball cards as a kid, and I really liked the old Pirates jerseys and logo. And those hats!
Luke: I’ve never been to Pittsburgh, but two of my best friends are from there, so it must be a pretty cool city if they are any indication.

Thanks, fellas. I feel the obvious Weezer love in your music and was wondering if you had any favorable things to say about their latter post-Blue/Pinkerton releases as it is almost a given that musicians dislike those albums?

First/Last- Old Sea Brigade

"There’s an old-ages discolouring to the music of Old Sea Brigade that belies the tender years of its creator, appearing sepia-drenched and sleight of frame as his country-esque ballads quietly breathe life in to otherwise listless January days. The new, self-titled, EP is proof of this; a quiet set of songs performed with heart-worn luster that makes for a five-track journey that instantly feels like, albeit solemn, escapism." - Tom Johnson

Old Sea Brigade is an indie folk outfit from songwriter Ben Cramer who's excellent self-titled EP is out now which you can go grab at Amazon or iTunes. The band is ironically in the area playing a couple shows in Ohio as I write and post this and hopefully next tour we can score a gig in Pittsburgh. In the meantime, I would like to thank Ben (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
I'm pretty sure the first album I ever personally bought was Dookie by Green Day.

Your last album bought?
I went to see Tobias Jesso Jr. a little while back and bought his record. It's so good. Great songs.

Favorite album of all time?
I think I'll probably have to go with Born to Run. I have memories of listening to it in the car with my dad on the way to school. It's a very nostalgic record for me.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I don't really have a least favorite record of all time. If I don't like something, I won’t listen to it ha-ha BUT if I were to pick a disappointing record from an artist I like I'd probably go with Bruce Springsteen's last record. Didn't really do it for me. (Though I'm still a huge fan).

First concert attended?
My first concert was Mark Knopfler. I went with my dad and I'm pretty sure I fell asleep. I was pretty young and didn't know any of his songs. I wish I remember it more, because I really like him and the Dire Straits now.

Last concert?
Last concert I went to was for a local Atlanta band called Forje. It was at Smiths Olde Bar.

Favorite concert ever?
My favorite concert was seeing Explosions In The Sky. Two of my best friends and I flew up to NYC a few years ago to see them play in Central Park. It had been raining all afternoon and we stood in this huge line in the rain to get in to the concert area. As soon as they came on the sun came out. It was a pretty crazy experience.

Least favorite concert?
I don't really have any bad concert experiences. Of course now that I say that the next one I go to is guaranteed to be bad ha-ha.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I haven't spent any time in Pittsburgh other than spending the night there while passing through on a tour a few years ago. I hear it’s a great city. Look forward to playing there soon!

 

Thanks, Ben. I am serious about a Pittsburgh gig in the future, man. Let's make it happen. I would love to meet you since we both have a love for Springsteen instilled from our way cool fathers.

First/Last - Jim Donovan

"Connect. Empower. Inspire.

Drum Circle Leadership is a step-by-step system created by Jim Donovan M.Ed. designed to show you how to create and lead your own transformational drum circles. To create a world of connection, peace and purpose by teaching people how to create their own transformational rhythmic events."

Jim Donovan is a drummer but looking at his resume, he is so much more than that. Mostly known as being a former member of Pittsburgh rock legends Rusted Root, Jim is also a faculty member of St. Francis University, a master facilitator, inspirational trainer and author of Drum Circle Leadership program. His latest album is called Sun King Warriors and I expected his music to have a heavy tribal sound but was pleasantly surprised with the catchy pop and hints of heavy rock hooks throughout the record. You can catch Jim and his band The Sun King Warriors perform a set this Sunday (2/7) at WYEP's 16th Annual Alternative Souper Bowl at Carnegie Library in Oakland and at the official album release bash on March 12. I want to thank Jim for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
My very first album I bought in 1981 was the Rolling Stones Tattoo You at Jamesway in Somerset, PA. I remember taking it home, holding the album and staring at it every day wishing I could listen to it. Unfortunately, those were lean years and I had no turntable for the first four months I had the record. Luckily, my parents bought me a small record player for Christmas that year.

Your last album bought?
I bought a Modest Mouse double vinyl album for my daughter Tupelo. She and her friends have discovered the joy of sitting and listening to record albums which gives me a lot of hope for the next generation.

Favorite album of all time?
I have to go with Sly and the Family Stone’s, Dance to the Music. This is the first music I remember hearing as a child and remember asking my mother to play it over and over and over. I still listen to it that way sometimes.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I am a big AC/DC fan and remember being wildly excited about Flick of the Switch hoping it would be another Back in Black.
Unfortunately, that turned out not to be the case.

First concert attended?
I am glad to say that Eric Clapton was my first show, ‘Behind the Sun Tour’ 1985, Graham Parker and the Shot opened the night. I somehow convinced my mother to let me take my first girlfriend Sue down to Merriweather Post Pavilion near DC to see the show. That amphitheater was always one of my favorite places to play with Rusted Root. I remember several great shows opening for Santana and The Allman Brothers.

Last concert?
I just had a great time seeing The Clarks right around Christmas time. I love those guys.

Favorite concert ever?
I would have to say watching Robert Plant and Jimmy page from the audience after just having opened for them at the Civic Arena in 1995 was an epic experience. Robert Plant told the whole Pittsburgh crowd how he thought we were the best new band in America. Then he dedicated “The Song Remains the Same” to us at which point I had tears streaming down my face. At the end of the show, Jimmy page came out in a Rusted Root T-shirt for the encore. Yeah, I’d have to pick that one.

Least favorite concert?
My least favorite show was one that I played in the first cover band I was in. It was a party for a guy who is going to the Air Force and it devolved into a serious brawl. It was one of those Iron City beer bottles breaking over people’s heads kind of brawl. Needless to say, I couldn't wait to get out of there.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh has always been my home, even when I've been away from it. The thing I love the most are the people. By and large, I've met so many friendly and helpful people in all my years here. Through the years, Pittsburghers have been a resilient lot and have figured out how to make things work, even when times are tough. It is so satisfying to see the city beginning to bloom after so many years of challenge. My guess is that in the next 10 years, the city will be even more of a destination for people to move to because of the combination of high quality arts, good jobs, amazing food, proximity to nature, and good people.

Thanks, Jim. Love the records, man and I think you win the 'Favorite Concert Ever' title with that story. Very cool.

First/Last - Seafair

"Consisting of 6 musicians with backgrounds ranging from quick punk rock to classically trained, Seafair has been turning heads all over Ohio since their inception in late 2012. The sharp heavy hitting drumming of Ryan Kelly, the finesse and intensity of guitar and bass player’s Michael Flaherty and Joshua Riehl, the absolute beauty and precision of the cellist and violinist Tara Hanish and Andrea Belding, and the powerful voice, presence and words of frontwoman Chayla Hope makes the Seafair live show a force to reckon with."

Seafair is a chamber-rock band from Cleveland who are diligently working on their soon to be released follow up to the excellent 2015 album The Querencia. They head on down to Pittsburgh on Friday (1/29) for a killer bill at Howlers with local faves Grand Bell and Lone Wolf Club. This is a show you do not want to miss. I want to thank Chayla Hope (Keys/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
I actually purchased two on the same day! One was Squrrel Nut Zippers, and the other was Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

Your last album bought?
Shakey Graves And
The War Came.

Favorite album of all time?
This is a tricky one! I'd have to go with Frightened Rabbit Midnight Organ Fight.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Barry Von Luxxury (not that I expected it to be great). It's just hard for me to listen to.

First concert attended?
I have to laugh. I was only 9 and with my mom. Melissa Etheridge.

Last concert?
The Sword. It was fantastic!

Favorite concert ever?
The Tallest Man On Earth at the House Of Blues.

Least favorite concert?
Beck did a show at Bonnaroo. He came out with an acoustic guitar, covered 3 1/2 songs then broke the guitar and left. I don't know what happened to make him do that, but I definitely lost respect for him.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I LOVE the people and the support we get when we play in Pittsburgh. The last time we played out there, I ended up dancing to the other bands with four people I had never met before, but we felt like old friends. It was a stellar time, and I can never wait to play there. I'm grinning just thinking about it!

Thanks, Chayla. Seriously, this is the show of the week in Pittsburgh! Love this lineup. You should be getting ready to dance for sure!