Image of the Day-"Snorkel"

Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Tour

The Gerbils

Saturday October 18, 2008
Brillobox
Lawrenceville

Scott Spillane was on hand to represent his group The Gerbils. Like the rest of the E6 crew, his music was strange and appealing. Man, I loved this show.
Scott Spillane was on hand to represent his group The Gerbils. Like the rest of the E6 crew, his music was strange and appealing. Man, I loved this show.

Here's a tune

Image of the Day-"The Fool"

Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Tour
The Music Tapes

Saturday October 18, 2008

Brillobox

Lawrenceville

Several times throughout the night, among the many instruments Julian was playing, was his signature 'singing saw'. I can't remember ever seeing someone playing one seriously, if at all. He definitely could play it and quite well I might add. The texture he added to the tunes with the saw was both odd and beautiful at the same time, which is an apt description of the entire concept of the show, the bands , and the night itself. Watching him perform with Scott Spillane in the middle of the crowd was a wonderful moment.
This whole shebang was the brainchild of organizer Julian Koster. My only prior knowledge of him was his being a member of Neutral Milk Hotel. My mistake. His energy, enthusiasm, and ultimately performance was so damned endearing, I have quickly become a fan of his 'other' work. More Julian tomorrow.


Below is the version from Boston

Image of the Day-"Major Organ & The Adding Machine"

Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Tour

Saturday October 18, 2008

Brillobox

Lawrenceville

I am familiar with the E6 Collective and while not a rabid devotee, I dig some of these bands a lot. Since it's announcement, I wasn't exactly sure if I was going or not. Until I heard reclusive Neutral Milk Hotel founder Jeff Mangum surprisingly appeared a week earlier, I was still on the fence but that news swayed me to attend. I snagged a ticket two days before they sold out and man, am I glad I did. This turned out to be a total blast. The stage was decked out like a weird antiquity museum definitely adhering to the E6's vibe. They showed the short film 'Major Organ & The Adding Machine' to start the evening, which stars some of the many musicians who would play onstage this incredible night. It was funny, strange, psychedelic, endearing...a fitting opening to a wonderful, and yes, surprising show.

Image of the Day-"Blue Thunder"

Dean & Britta

Wednesday October 22, 2008

WYEP Studios

Pittsburgh, PA

These two are in town to perform an original score to accompany 13 of Andy Warhol's innovative screen tests. Rosemary's interview was rather informative and we got four very stripped down songs for the session. They were so damned quiet my camera click could be heard, hence the lack of quality photos. I am sort of pissed because I ordered tickets awhile ago and have two in the front row in the top balcony. A week ago they put on sale better seats (I guess this thing isn't a big seller) and now discover a couple of days ago there is a promo with YEP for $10 seats as opposed to the $25 I paid. To add insult to injury, my wife comes down with pneumonia and I am probably gonna have to eat $60.

Image of the Day-"She Wrote A Letter"

Good Night, States

Thursday 16, 2008

WYEP Studios

Pittsburgh, PA

Image of the Day-"Long Coats No Energy"

Good Night, States
Thursday 16, 2008
WYEP Studios
Pittsburgh, PA

The band has a couple local dates coming up in November. These guys would be a blast to hang out and listen to while pounding many beers.

Image of the Day-"Change Of The Seasons"

Good Night, States
Thursday 16, 2008
WYEP Studios
Pittsburgh, PA

This band has a solid pop sense inherent in it's music but what I was surprised to discover and quickly love is the ability by the band to totally 'freak out' at times. Not many groups can pull off 'feedback/white noise' mid-song without getting annoying. They certainly can and do. Fun stuff.

Image of the Day-"Killer Of The One"

Good Night, States

Thursday 16, 2008

WYEP Studios

Pittsburgh, PA

I barely caught this band (half a song?) due to my tardiness at The YEP Summer Fest opening for Old 97's. I have been hearing some buzz about them and was meaning to catch them sooner rather than later. Keys babe Megan dropped me a line after viewing this very blog and graciously sent some music my way. After listening to their great debut full length, I knew I had to see them. This Third Thursday gig was the perfect opportunity. They played a fantastic set to an enthusiastic crowd. I have to go to these more often. More tomorrow.

Image of the Day-"Valley Road 86"

Jennifer O'Connor

Tuesday October 14, 2008

WYEP Studios

Pittsburgh, PA

Enjoyable (albeit sparsely attended) set from Brooklynite O'Connor. I was able to talk to her about a few friends of hers, namely Margaret White and Timothy Bracy, two of my favorite indie

musicians.

Image of the Day-"Engine"

Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise TourSaturday October 18, 2008
Brillobox
Lawrenceville

Jeff Mangum performing 'Engine'! Way more to come.

Check it.

Neutral Milk Hotel - Engine - 10/18/2008 Brillobox, Pittsburgh PA from Engine on Vimeo.

I got a ton of great pics throughout the night and will work on them in the coming weeks.

Image of the Day-"Travellin'"

Matt Mays & El Torpedo
Thursday October 9, 2008
Club Cafe
Southside

Image of the Day-"Building A Boat"

Matt Mays & El TorpedoClub Cafe
Thursday October 9, 2008

Southside

The concert gods were very good to Pittsburgh on this night. Three killer shows were happening around town and I had to decide which ones to attend (I felt like Sophie with her choice). The bad news is I had to leave the incredible Okkervil River show a half hour early (and totally skip the Old 97's show all together) to catch my boys from Nova Scotia, eh! The good news is it was way worth it. Thankfully, they played second on a late night bill, and I was able to witness every scorching note. Amazingly, only FIVE other people were there as well (I'll boldly take credit for turning on two of said fans to the band). This might be the most criminally sad example of a great band playing to a relatively empty house that I have ever seen (even more so than the four people at the Margot & The Nuclear So & So's show at the same club a couple of years ago). What a bummer because this band is just so good and deserves way more love. 

Is there some weird invisible barrier between the U.S. and Canada that prevents established, popular bands up there to not be known here? We are only a few scant hours away from our neighbor to the north, but it might as well be the other side of the globe in some respects. This band can easily sell out a room like The Byham (which holds a little over a thousand people) in their home turf, but nobody shows up here? And try to get their first CD at a show (or online for that matter). It's easier to find a copy of The Beatles 'Butcher' album cover. Free trade agreement me arse.

Image of the Day-"A Girl In Port"

Okkervil River

Thursday October 9, 2008

Mr. Small's Funhouse

Millvale, PA

Tickets went on pre-sale for this show in May. That's five months folks! I snagged a ticket that day. When I went to the box office the night of the show I noticed maybe eight other names on the will call sheet? I walk in and the placed was crazy packed! Smalls holds 600+? Where did all these fans come from since they opened for The New Pornos a scant six months prior when it seemed no one ever heard of Will Sheff. Hell he was at YEP that afternoon with nobody else but lil' ole me. Regardless the secret is out...these guys are maybe the best American band playing and recording right now.

With all the members in and out of the group throughout the life of the band, I am really bummed I never got to see the Brian Cassidy/Jonathan Meiburg version. This line-up was great, but somehow I long for the old days. Here's a killer show (minus Meiburg) from February of this year.

I thought my photos turned out super sweet and I wasn't even expecting to get my camera into Smalls. Security stopped me at the door and asked to see ALL my lenses in my bag. I guess there is a 13" length rule for lenses or something? Kinda ridiculous if you ask me but I was playing along. They had to consult the tour manager on my zoom? Whatever, they let me in on the premise that I don't take any flash pictures! Flash? Flash is for amateurs, baby.

Image of the Day-"My Two Feet"

Old 97's

Thursday October 9, 2008

WYEP-FM Studios

Southside

I was hoping for a whole band performance but instead were treated to the Ranchero Brothers. Not bad, not great. I like the new songs but prefer the old ones which we got one, Victoria, by request from a six year old in the audience. Thanks kid.

Image of the Day-"GLORE"

Local Honey

Saturday October 4, 2008

Howler's Coyote Cafe

Bloomfield

The last time I caught Local Honey was a short radio set on Super Bowl Sunday...in 2007! Jeez, it's been too long. They had Megan Williams on fiddle and she added a sweet texture to the tunes. Too bad I had to bail before the first set was over. I gotta chill and not show up three hours before show time.

Image of the Day-"Josephine"

Pokey Lafarge

Saturday October 4, 2008

Howler's Coyote Cafe

Bloomfield

This was an unexpected night out for me. We had plans to hang with some friends and when that fell through because my kids got sick, I decided to hit up my local faves Local Honey (which BTW was a year and a half since I had seen them last). The city was having the 'burgh's big 250 fireworks celebration and were closing down all kinds of bridges, so I decided to try to get to the joint a little early. I am on the other side of town crossing rivers and all. I end up talking to opener Pokey for the majority of the night. What a nice guy. It always fascinates me how working musicians live and travel. His set was way retro, way acoustic (when is the last time you saw a kazoo played!), and way awesome!

Image of the Day-"Whirlwind"

Chet Vincent and The Big Bend

Club Cafe

Thursday September25, 2008

Southside

Opening for The Sadies, these guys came out and ripped through a very enjoyable set. They are local, they are young, and they are good! Pittsburgh seems to be turning out a TON of great original bands!