First/Last-Levek

"Levek is the multifaceted project bearing the surname of front man, songwriter and musical jack-of-all-trades, David Levesque. The first showing of Levek’s versatility surfaced back in 2009, when a handful of a capella cover songs, embellished with what would become his signature Mickey Mouse tribal sound, became an overnight viral phenomenon. His deep-rooted infatuation with Disney nostalgia traces back to the childhood he spent overseas, where the only thing he could get his hands on were vintage VHS tapes from the company’s vault."

Check out the band on Facebook, BandCamp and Twitter. As part of my coverage of the Paste 50 States Project, I return to Florida with Levek. The band's latest effort is "Look a Little Closer" from 2012 and I want to thank songwriter David Levesque (Keys/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

 

The first album you ever bought?
“Rage Against The Machine” S/T  (I think I was in 7th grade or so).

Your last album bought?
Herbie Hancock "Death Wish" Soundtrack.

Favorite album of all time?
I can't answer that, but at the moment it's Herbie Hancock "The Spook Who Sat By The Door" Soundtrack.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Any album by the Ruby Suns after "Sea Lion".

First concert attended?
I'm not quite sure if it was Phil Keaggy (guitar wiz) or Bob Dylan with my dad.

Last concert?
Lady Dug, Pospulenn, and Ghost Fields at the FLA Gallery here in Gainesville!

Favorite concert ever?
The Zombies at a bike shop in Austin.

Least favorite concert?
Bob Dylan hands down worst cheezzy back-up band in a huge auditorium nose bleed section.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Yes. pittsburghthoughts. Just playin. Ya'll are great. Would love to share some Gainesville, FL band love with you guys soon.

Thanks, David. If you ever make it up this way, drop a line. Maybe we can put a gig together.

First/Last-The Me Toos

"The Me Toos are a collaboration of three diverse and talented musicians from Pittsburgh that generate a blues-based sound that can only be admired and not compared.
The Me Toos were created in 2008 by guitarist/singer Jesse Baldoni and bassist Ben Vivio. Long time drummer Tom Pashby's recent departure gives the band the opportunity to introduce to you Aims Villanueva. They are very excited to say the least.
The Me Toos’ distinct blend of blues, rockabilly, pop, garage, and rock n’ roll will be sure to keep you on your feet!"

Check out the band on Facebook, ReverbNation, and Twitter. Their debut full-length is 2011's "When Wilkes Met Barre" and as they prep a follow up, I want to thank Jesse Baldoni (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Cypress Hills's “Black Sunday”.

Your last album bought?
“Mississippi Sheiks Volume 2”.

Favorite album of all time?
Wilco's “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Probably Cypress Hill's “Black Sunday”... it just didn't have the staying power I thought it would have back in 6th grade.

First concert attended?
BB King at the Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre all the way back in the year 2000.

Last concert?
‘Heart of Rust’ a Neil Young tribute show at Howlers.

Favorite concert ever?
The Avett Brothers in New Orleans with my wife in 2011... completely random, unplanned and awesome!!!

Least favorite concert?
I'd have to say Wilco at the AJ Palumbo Center 2007. And not because the show was bad, but because my girlfriend at the time who I took to the concert broke up with me right after the show. Kinda put a damper on one of my favorite bands and my previously stated favorite album for a while.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

I've been here for ten years, and the city seems to be in a constant state of revival. It's been really exciting finding new music to explore and new scenes to be a part of.

Thanks, Jesse. Ouch on that Wilco show. Are you sure it wasn't the band that gave you those bummer memories? Or should I say that less than ideal venue to see a show.

First/Last-Faux Paw

"Faux Paw is a band from Lafayette, IN formed in the fall of 2011. Gordon Wantuch and Garrett Ney met while doing the singer/songwriter thing at open mics around town and decided to start a rock n roll band together. They met Tom Lageveen and Stephen Freeman at a show or a party and yada yada yada, slugs and snails, puppy dog tails, Fleetwood Mac, Television, Steely Dan, Wilco..."

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, Twitter and BandCamp. Recently featured on the Paste 50 States Project, the young Indiana band has one full-length under it's belt in 2012's entitled, "Too Close Is The New Too Far". I want to thank Gordon Wantuch (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
First CD was “How the West Was Won” when I was Thirteen. I probably listened to Zeppelin for a year straight when I was first really digging into guitar. Vinyl wise there was a lot of Randy Newman in the first set of records I received from my father's collection and “Sail Away” was definitely one that blew me away.

Your last album bought?
Deerhoof's “The Runners Four.

Favorite album of all time?
Wilco's “A Ghost is Born”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Any John Mayer. Not a cool dude.  So talented and makes such garbage poop pop.

First concert attended?
B.B. King and Bobby Blue Bland for my 6th birthday.

Last concert?
Sleeping Bag.

Favorite concert ever?
Wilco in 2005 during the same tour “Kicking Television” was recorded on, probably one of the reasons “A Ghost is Born” is my favorite.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
‘Adventureland’ was pretty cool.

Thanks, Gordon. "A Ghost is Born" to me is the last truly great Wilco album. I have confidence they will get back to those 'glory days' sometime in the future.

First/Last-Modern Man

 

"Sound of light, fleeting darkness, wave of enlightenment. Droning echoes, whirling, driving, pushing, pulling, morphing the atmosphere. Reverberation, saturation, intoxication. Noise bleeds through a cloud of cascading layers until unity is acquired, lost in a sea of sound. Dark and hypnotic, MM’s live performance also carries a lasting effect. The energy shared between the four-piece spills into the crowd as each member’s presence is fiercely intense. Glenn seems possessed, leading the others and the crowd through some sinister labyrinth of distortion."

Check out the band on Facebook, BandCamp, Twitter, YouTube, SoundCloud, Tumblr and Instagram. Hailing from South Carolina, the band was featured on the Paste 50 States Project and their latest release is the EP, "Small Wave Tapes". My thanks to Davis Allen Glenn (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
No clue.

Your last album bought?
My roommate Brian just bought a Can record for Chris's birthday. He lives with us too.

Favorite album of all time?
That's a rough one.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
That one Darker My Love record after the good one.

First concert attended?
Tom Petty, I think.

Last concert?
Some Halloween show where bands pretended to be other bands.

Favorite concert ever?
I've seen Big Business a lot of times, they're rad.

Least favorite concert?
I went to see Primus with my brother for New Year’s. That was horrible.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
A friend of mine went to the Andy Warhol museum once. His name is Tripp. We used to skate together. I haven't talked to him in quite some time. He has cats and a garden that he likes to talk about. Solid dude.

Thanks, Allen. That's a pretty strong relationship to Pittsburgh you got there, man! Surprised you haven't got the key to the city yet?

First/Last-Müscle Wörship

"Hailing from Lawrence, KS and Kansas City, MO. Sean Bergman and Billy Ning come from the bands Proudentall and Volara. Nathan Wilder and Anthony Piazza from Paper Airplanes and Ad Astra Arkestra. Dan Davis from Ricky Fitts and Weather is Happening."

Check out the band on Facebook, ReverbNation and BandCamp. The post-punk outfit released their debut self-titled LP last March and arrive in Pittsburgh tonight at Howler's on a bill with locals Amplifiers and Nevada Mountains. I want to thank Sean Bergman (Guitar) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Iron Maiden “The Number of the Beast”. First CD I bought after receiving my first CD player for Christmas.

Your last album bought?
Chrome “Half Machine from the Sun”.

Favorite album of all time?
Too hard of a question… Here's a few of my top faves.
Captain Beefheart “Trout Mask Replica”, This Heat “Deceit”, Women “Public Strain”, Polvo “Today's Active Lifestyles”, Ten Grand “The Comprehensive List of Everyone Who Has Ever Done Anything Wrong to Us”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Another tough one. Probably something I recorded myself that I'm not at liberty to divulge. Yes, that disappointing.

First concert attended?
ZZ Top at the Kansas Coliseum. My Mom took me.

Last concert?
Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds.

Favorite concert ever?
The Jesus Lizard,1997 at The Bottleneck in Lawrence KS. Day after my birthday.

Least favorite concert?
Queensryche. Went with some friends from Junior High to see the opener Suicidal Tendencies, who ruled. Then we stayed to get bored to death by Queensryche doing their “Operation: Mindcrime” thing. The guitarist had this hilarious stand that kept his 12-string guitar in playing position, so he could just walk up to it and play a few licks with his other guitar still strapped on. It looked very silly. Kind of like watching some dude try to make out with two girls at once. A mind crime indeed.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
We were treated like kings last time we came through. I was feeling pretty ill, but the club fed us well and filled me full of enough whiskey to get me through the show. Somewhere between the green room upstairs and the stage, I lost the tremolo bar out of my guitar. I had the entire audience looking for it. They were real sweet about it. I know several people in the audience were thinking, "Why the hell does this guy need a whammy bar so bad? Just play the songs!"
I'm sure it seemed a little ridiculous, but they found out why soon enough.

Thanks, Sean. That's hilarious that I think the exact same thing with the playing of the two guitars move. Really awkward looking for sure.