Image of the Day-"This Town"

Emily Rodgers

Club Cafe
Thursday February 26, 2009
Southside

It's been awhile since I have seen Emily play a set proper. She has just signed to my absolute favorite label Misra. The Mendoza Line, Centro-matic, Hallelujah The Hills and Emily Rodgers! Sounds great to me. The new songs sounded absolutely wonderful.

Image of the Day-"Greensleeves/Silver Bells"

Silver & Gold
w/James Hart, Carrie Battle, Paul Zyla, and Hallie Pritts
WYEP Holiday Hootenanny
WYEP-FM Studios
Thursday December 18, 2008
Southside

Since I have been focusing on Harlan Twins the last few days I decided to dig back a few months for these pics. Beautiful renditions of these yuletide standards.

Image of the Day-"Can't Be Blue In Bloomfield"

Harlan Twins

WYEP Studios
Thursday February 19, 2009
Southside

I am hoping this band releases some music this year. As of this writing they have one date coming up. I regret to say I will be running around that night hitting The Warhol and later at the CD release show for Meeting Of Important People but I am positive I'll see them play soon enough.

Image of the Day-"Doing All The Things That Wouldn't Make Your Parents Proud"

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Tuesday February 10, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

Image of the Day-"Come Saturday"

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Tuesday February 10, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

While this band was sure competent enough, there is talk that they will blow up soon ala Vampire Weekend. I doubt that will happen but as nice as they are they sure deserve it.

Image of the Day-"This Love Is Fucking Right!"

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Tuesday February 10, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

It's very interesting how I stumble onto bands. It could be the name alone of the band that piques my interest (Margot & The Nuclear So & So's), or possibly a short blurb in a review that gets me excited (The Harlan Twins!!), or in the case with this particular band, the drummer. I knew I recognized Kurt from somewhere but had to dig deep to realize I caught him in the summer fronting his own band at N.A.M.U. Not that I HAD to see them based on that (a solid review on Pitchfork helped) but it sorta pushed me over the precipice of doubt to go. Were they worth the hype? Hells, yeah! More tomorrow.

Image of the Day-"Sky Ghosts"

The Depreciation Guild
Tuesday February 10, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

Some fun facts about this band:

• When they played Pittsburgh last summer during the NAMU Fest, it was the first and only city they had ever played outside of their hometown of New York.
• They have a two for two record in Pittsburgh dealing with technical problems when trying to soundcheck.
• They are super nice dudes who have my artwork featured on their Myspace page!
• You can grab their album for free here.
• Kurt is NOT a junkie!

Image of the Day-"White Moth"

The Depreciation Guild
Tuesday February 10, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

I was really excited to shoot this show. It was a long time since I graced the doors of GA and the bands on the bill were building some industry buzz. The Depreciation Guild comes onstage and...turns out ALL the lights. Great, no shots of them tonight. They did have a strobe light that Christoph would hit for guitar breaks in the songs and a rear projection that unbeknownst to Kurt was right in his face and not on the screen behind the band which kinda turned out cool for me. More tomorrow.

Image of the Day-"A Sky. A Mess. A Heart."

South Seas Sneaks
Tuesday February 10, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

Local duo opening for three other bands. I assume they haven't been around too long since I am only their eighth Myspace friend...or else they really suck. Which they don't. Very primal, mostly instrumental music.

Image of the Day-"Kurt Cobain's Cardigan"

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
The Depreciation Guild
South Seas Sneaks
Tuesday February 10, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

Cool show at the GA (which it seems like forever since I've been there-March of last year: The Swimmers and Hallelujah The Hills). I'll have more on this show in the coming days.

Image of the Day-"Sometimes I See You on The Lawn"

WYEP 10th Annual Alternative Souper Bowl

Good Night, States

Sunday February 1, 2009

Borders Eastside

East Liberty

I love the fact that this band was on the bill this year and they included (albeit short and toned down a tad) a signature 'feedback' segue in their set...in a BOOKSTORE! More tomorrow.

Image of the Day-"Heavy Eyes"

The Depreciation Guild

New American Music Union College Bands Stage
Saturday August 9, 2008
Southside Works

In honor of the band returning tonight to play on a bill with The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart (Kurt is a member of both bands), I am digging in the vaults to display these 'lost' images. Having soooo many bands play at rapid succession was kind of mind-numbing by hour two but I would gladly welcome the opportunity again. Hopefully, the tanking economy and American Eagles sour earnings report doesn't affect a sophomore outing for this fantastic fest. We'll see.

Image of the Day-"We Could Be Dancing"

WYEP 10th Annual Alternative Souper Bowl

Nicole Reynolds

Sunday February 1, 2009

Borders Eastside

East Liberty

As Nicloe started singing, Moe Tucker immediately came to mind. Her delivery reminded me of The Velvet Underground's song 'After Hours'. I also was amazed at how small her hands were. Usually guitar players have skinny hands with loooong fingers, but she has little paws. Sure knows how to use them, though!

Image of the Day-"Silence Like Crystal"

WYEP 10th Annual Alternative Souper Bowl

Brewer's Row

Sunday February 1, 2009

Borders Eastside

East Liberty


This band was BOSS! By' boss' I mean surprisingly good. A virtual family affair (Dad and Son on ax, daughter on keys and cousin on skins with a family friend on bass) who play incredibly accessible rock and roll music. Love it!

Image of the Day-"Alternative Souper Bowl"

WYEP 10th Annual Alternative Souper Bowl

Brewer's Row

Nicole Reynolds

Good Night, States

Sunday February 1, 2009

Borders Eastside

East Liberty

This is always a nice diversion to the big game later in the evening. I have been going for three years now and what a way to spotlight and discover local music. I'll have much more in the days to come.