...We Came In...Again...

I usually post every day. I have a ton of images back logged like the one above. I am regrouping and enjoying my summer. Thank you so much for hitting the blog. I will be back soon with a vengeance.

From The Archives-Wilco Tee

This shirt has an interesting history. After the show (Monday November 8, 1999) I went outside and chilled for the band to exit the theater. Jeff Tweedy (not in the mood-I remember he was sick), John Stiratt (very quiet but extremely nice), and Jay Bennett (incredibly cordial and the most approachable of the three) came out and I ask them to sign the shirt. After they oblige, I am waiting for Ken Coomer, the drummer, to come out and lo and behold he already left with his exotic hottie of a girlfriend at the time. Damn, incomplete! The guitar tech Adam Roehlke says that he will take the shirt, get Ken to sign it, and send it back to me. Stupidly, I give it up with my address. Riding home that night I am thinking that I will never see the shirt again. A couple weeks go by and nothing. My wife is laughing at me calling me an idiot for giving it up. Then a few days before Thanksgiving I open the door and there is a package laying on the porch. Could it be? Yeah, kid, the shirt! Not only is the Coomer signed shirt there but a Summerteeth bumper sticker, a diagram of the band's equipment stage set-up, and a signed artist's (Mr. Roehlke himself) proof of the band's 1999-2000 New Year's Eve show. What a guy!
I saw the band several times on that tour (even guesting on vocals!) and although I really do appreciate and enjoy the newer Wilco, I can always brag that I saw them at them at their absolute best.
As a bonus, I recently uncovered a Beulah signed promo poster from that same night while clearing out my basement.

Image Of The Day-"Cannibal Queen"

Miniature Tigers
Thursday June 4, 2009
Altar Bar
Strip District

Never heard this band before in my life. Apparently a bunch of kids who attended did since many of them jumped on stage (along with Kevin Devine's band) to help sing the last song of their set. This show took place on a Stanley Cup Playoff night and half the audience were more interested in the game being shown on the big screen. A word of advice to bands playing Pittsburgh, don't be all smug and diss the city's sports teams to the audience (you listening John Doe?) as lead singer Charlie Brand was doing all night. Not the most secure way to sell merch if you act like a condescending jerk towards the city you are playing in. Just sayin'.

Image Of The Day-"When The Devil's Loose"

A.A. Bondy

Sunday July 12, 2009
Mr Smalls Theater
Millvale

I never had the pleasure to see Scott play before but was looking forward to it due to the heaving pimping from my man Dave. Although a little sparse with him just fingerpickin' on the acoustic, his set picked up some steam with the help of Nik and Macey from the Mystic Valley Band to fill out the sound. I wish I was more familiar with his stuff but he was still highly enjoyable regardless.

Image Of The Day-"Fujiyama Mama"

Wanda Jackson
Friday July 17, 2009
Howlers Coyote Cafe
Bloomfield

The Queen of Rock & Roll! Very well deserved moniker after witnessing the 72 year old deliver the goods at Howler's. A little shaky at first but man she was great. Almost as fun was the diverse crowd. I haven't seen so many tattoos and poodle shirts since, well...never!

Image Of The Day-"Judy And The Alpha Queen"

Brian Bonz & The Dot Hongs
Thursday June 4, 2009
Altar Bar
Strip District

BB&TDH are basically Kevin Devine's band. They played a set before Kevin came out for his. I didn't know one song, which makes it more difficult to enjoy but he was good regardless.

Image Of The Day-"Out At Sea"

Heartless Bastards
Sunday July 9, 2009
Mr. Smalls Theater
Millvale

For awhile there it seemed like the Heartless Bastards were never going to come to town after their excellent show at Club Cafe in 2007. Now it seems that they can't stay away, sailing through as openers for The Gaslight Anthem, Jenny Lewis, and The Decemberists in one year. I am assuming personnel changes within the band and Erika's personal life caused the downtime. The new album wasn't thrilling me anyway but seeing them as a beefed up four piece really enhances the songs and they were great.

Image Of The Day-"Wheelpusher"

Anni Rossi
Tuesday June 30, 2009
Mr. Smalls Theater
Millvale

Anni opened for Camera Obscura and what struck me was the rapt attention she received from the audience. She came out with her violin and began a very plaintive, hushed set that I thought would be drowned out from crowd chatter within a few minutes. Surprisingly, the room was extremely receptive to her and there was polite, if not outwardly enthusiastic, applause after each 'precious' song. More photos here.

Image Of The Day-"Beergasm"

Karl Hendricks Trio
CP Remixed
Thursday July 9, 2009
WYEP Studios
Southside

As with all the bands that played, I had never seen KHT even though they have been around for almost twenty years now. They sounded great. Where have I been?

Image Of The Day-"Born To Lose"

The Cynics
CP Remixed
Thursday July 9, 2009
WYEP Studios
Southside

I attended my first concert in 1979. Four years later The Cynics formed. I am amazed I haven't seen them play ever...until now. Even though they were doing the acoustic duo version of Gregg Kostelich and Michael Kastelic, their humor and tunes shone through. I'd definitely check them out again and I don't think I should wait another 27 years to do so. More photos here. Video here.

Image Of The Day-"The Market"

Endless Mike & The Beagle Club
CP Remixed
Thursday July 9, 2009
WYEP Studios
Southside

These guys were a total blast! Seemingly cramming every person they know onto the stage to help out added a very communal vibe to their set which consisted of incredibly refreshing music. Hailing a scant two hours from my doorstep they reminded me A LOT of fellow Johnstownians The Sunflower Spectacle, who I also immediately dug as well. Seriously, what's in the water over there? Talk about a fun double bill! More pics here. Video here.

Image Of The Day-"Cranston"

Slim Cessna
CP Remixed
Thursday July 9, 2009
WYEP Studios
Southside

This was one great night of music! Slim and my man Rob Levkulich kicked the night off with a spirited set of stripped down 'autobiographical' songs that felt like a backwards sermon at times. My first time seeing Slim that left me wanting more. More photos here and here. Video here.

Image Of The Day-"Rise Up With Fists!!!"

Jenny Lewis
Sunday July 9, 2009
Mr. Smalls Theater
Millvale

It's July and I cannot recall a better year for live music than this one and I have six months to go. Really, I cannot believe the quality of music I have seen so far. I LOVE Jenny Lewis. Not in a "fanboy she's so cute" kinda way but her two solo albums are great IMO and she sure did deliver live. The band was top notch and The Watson Twins, as good as they are, were not necessarily missed as I thought they might be on the harmonies. As a bonus, it's always nice to scratch off one of the songs I have to hear live before I die from the list (see the subject line). Meeting the band afterwards was great. They appreciated the art I brought and were uber cool.

Image Of The Day-"You Blew Me Off"

Bobby Bare Jr.
Bloodshot BeerBQ
Saturday July 4, 2009
The Smiling Moose
Southside

I have seen Bobby play four times now and I feel lucky each time considering he draws an average of eight people in Pittsburgh, until this gig where there were real 'fans' there to see him. By 'fans' I mean a contingent of loaded older gals who were either digging his vibe or digging their buzz. Either way it was a good sign that he actually might be building a base here, even if that base are drunken MILF's.

Image Of The Day-"Hold My Feet In The Fire"

Ha Ha Tonka
Bloodshot BeerBQ
Saturday July 4, 2009
The Smiling Moose
Southside

These guys were good. I never heard them before and although I wasn't blown away by any means I definitely would see them if they rolled through town again.

Image Of The Day-"Gravity Fails"

The Bottle Rockets
Bloodshot BeerBQ
Saturday July 4, 2009
The Smiling Moose
Southside

I was thrilled when they announced this show, a sort of thank you from the coolest record label in the world to it's fans. I was then immediately bummed that it was on the 4th, family commitments prevented me from getting there before fireworks. I am glad to say I was still treated to some great music, The Bottle Rockets included, who's set time was pushed back from 8 to 10:30! They sounded superb and there was a surprisingly decent crowd there to cheer them on.

Image Of The Day-"Valentine"

Old 97's

Sunday June 28, 2009
Hartwood Acres Amphitheater
Hampton Township

What can you say? The band is always a fun time and hanging in the park with friends and family to kick off the summer makes it even more of a blast. I am amazed that the show went on due to the fact that the skies were threatening to open up all day. We did get a ten minute downpour before show time which evidently scrapped Rhett's solo performance but hey, who's complaining?

Image Of The Day-"Them Kids"

Sam Roberts Band

WYEP Summer Music Festival
Friday June 26, 2009
Schenley Plaza
Oakland

Sam and his band definitely know how to rock out! It was great to see many enthusiastic people for them. I guess he is getting a burgeoning base here thanks to WYEP's heavy pimping. My only question is why did the guys hide on their bus all evening until show time, when I am sure they could have picked up some new fans if they would've mingled a bit at the merch table or something? Rock stars. Whatcha gonna do?

Image Of The Day-"Fast Paced World"

The Duhks
WYEP Summer Music Festival
Friday June 26, 2009
Schenley Plaza
Oakland

Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, this band blends zydeco, blues, rock, bluegrass, and folk into an enjoyably safe party groove. They opened with a killer version of Dylan's 'It's All Right, Ma' that more than any other tune in the set showcased lead singer Sarah Dugas' vocal chops. More photos here.

Image Of The Day-"The Easy Way"

Dar Williams
WYEP Summer Music Festival
Friday June 26, 2009
Schenley Plaza
Oakland
I am not too familiar with Dar but she sure did have a bunch of enthusiastic fans present. It seemed that most of them left after her set. She definately drew the biggest crowd of the night as you can tell by the shot taken from the 23rd floor of the Cathedral of Learning.

Image Of The Day-"I'm Waiting For The Man "

Warhol Live
Saturday June 13, 2009
Andy Warhol Museum
Northshore

Dean & Britta played a spectacular set to open this exhibit. Lots of film, artifacts, posters, albums, prints, music, and all around awesomeness that made Warhol what he was. Was that THE original 'VU and Nico' mock-up? Cool. More here.

Image Of The Day-"Razzle Dazzle Rose"

Camera Obscura
Tuesday June 30, 2009
Mr. Smalls Theater
Millvale

This show was terrific. Yeah, the band didn't jump around onstage with rock star theatrics, basically they just stood and played the songs but the songs are great and they sounded excellent live. They seemed a tad sluggish getting out of the gate but picked up a few songs in. I couldn't understand one word Tracyanne mumbled in between songs but then again I was talking to her earlier in the day and that wasn't easy either. Love this disc!

Image Of The Day-"French Navy"

Camera Obscura

Tuesday June 30, 2009
WYEP Studios
Southside

The band's latest release 'My Maudlin Career' has been steadily gaining ground in my top ten list for the year and seeing them twice in one day solidified the fact that this band deserves all the attention that they can get. Playing as a trio for the radio session didn't take anything away from the music. In fact, one could argue that the versions were better as a three piece. The band were an hour late to the session and by the way they reaked, their claims of being hungover were justified. Who cares, it's rock and roll, man! Coverage of the show proper tomorrow.