Artist of the Month April 2011

The High Llamas-Talahomi Way

The much heralded releases this past month were from Foo Fighters and Paul Simon. That's cool, they probably deserve all the hoopla. My list is for artists who might not get a #1 Chart Topper or a NBC Nightly News segment and you may or may not be familiar with. This space is for you to seek this music out. You will be so happy you did!

The High Llamas have been making music since the early '90's. They have sort of a cult following in that I have never even heard of them and they have several releases. Not that I am THE music aficionado but I was talking to a buddy last night and I mentioned them and he said, "Oh yeah, Sean O'Hagan." Who? Regardless, I am now officially on that Llama train. This is such strangely addictive music. It's a cross between laid-back, '70's AM cheese and British pastoral indie-pop. Think of The Clientele covering 'Bluer Than Blue'. Yeah, that's what's up. Hopefully, there will be more from this band here soon.


The Paperhead-The Paperhead
Pimped these guys large on the blog yesterday. As with several of the bands this month, they could have easily been the AotM.

The Middle East-I Want That You Are Always Happy
It's so hard sometimes to get info on a band (you try Googling The Middle East) and it's even more complicated when they are from Australia. These are some incredibly spare and simple melodies highlighted by sweet vocals. Just beautiful music.

The Belle Brigade-The Belle Brigade
Ethan & Barbara are The Belle Brigade. This is their debut album. They write and perform amazing songs. If Juice Newton cut a rock album in 2011, she would cite these two as influences. Trust me, it works. I really love this band more and more every time I hear them.

I'm From Barcelona-I'm Today
I have a tendency to shy away from bands that have peculiar or smarmy names. There are a ton of groups out there with bad names and I am guilty of skipping over what would be probable awesome music just by hating the cover without reading the book. I almost passed on this band and I am so glad I didn't. Bombastic, upbeat, and most importantly good solid pop from all places Sweden. It doesn't hurt that they have been known to have 29 members in the band at once...29! Geez, I'll step on stage to make it an even 30.

Hillbilly Moon Explosion-Beg, Borrow Or Steal
Dark, sultry, and addictive rockabilly. What more could you want?

Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs-No Help Coming
I am a sucker for old-timey retro rock n roll played with an unabashed lo-fi attitude. This album is a virtual Hootenanny. With a song titled 'Burn O' Junk Pile Burn' you really cannot go wrong.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit-Here We Rest
I first met Jason 11 years ago when he was a young guitar player with something to prove. I have followed him since then and can honestly say that this release sees him achieving a confidence I was always hoping he would get to.

The Head & The Heart-The Head & The Heart
This band was really good live. I, along with the rest of the sold out crowd, never heard of them and they converted a room full of people with nine songs. How does a band not have anything to sell a gaggle of people at a show? Record company politics suck.

Low-C'Mon
This album is good. The acoustic EP of this album is great. More soon from the recent Warhol show.

Thao & Mirah-Thao & Mirah
I just love indie band super groups, don't you? I like both these gals on their own. Together they are gathering steam as I seem to lose it.

First/Last-The Paperhead

There was a short time right after high school where I lived by the motto, "The only good music is psychedelic music". I kid you not. I was totally enamored with early Floyd, the Haight-Ashbury scene and any sound with a hint of acid-rock. In the quarter century since that time I have naturally changed my appreciation a tad but this style of music will always be a part of me in some way or another. I can honestly say that I still enjoy listening to 'Interstellar Overdrive' once in awhile.
Which brings us to The Paperhead. They are three guys (Ryan Jennings, Walker Mimms, and Peter Stringer-Hye) from Nashville who in the summer of 2010 recorded their self-titled debut album virtually on their own and have just recently released it through Trouble In Mind records. What is astounding about this album is not that they were only 18 when they recorded it but that this is the most authentic slab of mind melting lysergic goodness I have heard in 40+ years. It's amazing what these dudes produced. They have all since gone their separate ways to college but plans are for a cross country tour during their summer break. As for a follow up? Ryan responds, "We're going to definitely keep recording, I like what we've
done... but I know we can do MUCH better!" Sweet. I am crossing my fingers for a Pittsburgh date. In the meantime, the guys were cool enough to participate in this 'trippy' edition of First/Last Fridays.

The first album you ever bought?
Ryan Jennings: I think I got The White album with my dad when I was in 3rd grade.
Walker Mimms: Probably something by Backstreet Boys or N’Sync.
Peter Stringer-Hye: I can't quite remember...either Will Smith's Big Willie Style or one of those NOW! CDs. I think it was the Will Smith.

Your last album bought?
Ryan: John Hartford - Earthwords & Music.
Walker: Throbbing Gristle - Second Annual Report.
Peter: The Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood record.

Favorite album of all time?
Ryan: The Piper at The Gates of Dawn.
Walker: Pink Floyd - Piper at the Gates of Dawn, but right now Louvin Brothers - Satan is Real.
Peter: Probably The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Ryan: Hmmmm, ha, I guess anything by Creed.
Walker: Dee Dee King - Standing in the Spotlight.
Peter: Most disappointing: Kings of Leon - Only By the Night. Least fav: Starship - Knee Deep in the Hoopla.

First concert attended?
Ryan: My parents took me to see The Rolling Stones when I was 5.
Walker: Hanson at the Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville, TN, 1997.
Peter: Some outdoor Neil Young concert that my parents took me to when I was too young to remember.

Last concert?
Ryan: Lil B (The Basedgod).
Walker: Ty Segall, Strange Boys in Austin a month ago.
Peter: Odd Future (OFWGKTA) at SXSW.

Favorite concert ever?
Ryan: So many! Maybe this Dungen concert in Asheville we all went to. Possibly Neil Young last summer.
Walker: Either Neil Young in Nashville last summer or Dungen in Asheville, NC in 2009.
Peter: Dungen at the Grey Eagle in Asheville.

Least favorite concert?
Ryan: Hmm, I don’t know...Gwar was pretty bad. I kinda like seeing bands I
dislike for some reason, so I don’t know.
Walker: Was probably passing by Widespread Panic at Bonnaroo.
Peter: Zappa Plays Zappa at Bonnaroo.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh
Ryan: Never been, but I’m excited to visit this summer!
Walker: I've never been to Pittsburgh before.
Peter: Never been but it seems pretty cool.

Thanks so much fellas. I am really grooving on the music. A job very well done. I am gunning for that Pittsburgh date!

Image of the Day-"Walk On The Ocean"

Toad The Wet Sprocket
Carnegie Music Hall
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Homestead

Shooting the show for WYEP, I really don't know anything about these guys other than the huge hit they had back in 1991. I did see them play before at Starlake when touring with Rusted Root. The Root were opening for the band on the tour but closed the night I saw them...hometown heroes gone big and all. More photos here.

Image of the Day-"City Of Dreams"

Marah
Kollar Club
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Southside

I am an unabashed, unapologetic Marah fan boy. They remind of the little neglected step child who never gets a break. The outsider looking in. When this show was announced I was wondering what the hell is a Kollar Club and more importantly would anyone show up? How wrong I was in that the place was packed! Kudos to my boys Dr. Mike and Jimmy who set this acoustic gig up and did a great job in doing so. Playing for 2 and 1/2 hours, the band gained a bunch more fans this night in the form of the salt of the earth hunky Pittsburghers who kind of fit their style perfectly. The full band returns to Pittsburgh June 18th to the Thunderbird.

Image of the Day-"Calamity Song"

The Decemberists
The Benedum Center
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Downtown

This is a band that you either really love or really hate. Strike that, I don't hate them, it's just that I have tried several times to get into them and they always leave me a tad lukewarm. I am not trying to slag them, it's just that you can't like every band in the indie rock world, can you? Apparently around 2826 people do love as them this show was sold out and that is the official seating capacity in the place. And what a place it is. The Benedum may be the nicest venue in town. Ornate, spacious and built for acoustics, I can't recall the last time I was there? Was it those Three Stooges festivals I went to while in high school when it was The Stanley? That was too long ago. There should definitely be more concerts booked there. Got to give the band props in that they played the Quiet Storm during their early years! Talk about coming a long way, baby. More photos here and here.

First/Last-Sam Forrest & Hayley Hutchinson

Image courtesy Roberta Rayner

The Sorry Kisses are a duo hailing from England. They were recently featured here as my Artist of the Month for March. Why them, you ask? Because they write and perform catchy pop tunes that deserved to be listened to. You can do so here. Sam and Hayley were nice enough to take the time to participate in this edition of First/Last Friday.

The first album you ever bought?

Hayley Hutchinson: The Bangles 'Different Light' when I was 10.

Sam Forrest: The Beatles some Greatest Hits thing when I was 5.

Your last album bought?

Hayley: Ray Charles 'Hallelujah I Love Her So'.

Sam: Francoise Hardy 'Gin Tonic'.

Favorite album of all time?

Hayley: I don't know.

Sam: Neil Young 'After The Goldrush' maybe...

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

Hayley: Stephen Stills' 'Man Alive'. I bought it because I love 'Manassas' and was curious to see what he'd been up to recently but I just couldn't get on with the production and the overused chorus pedal.

Sam: Some Ozzy Osbourne album from the Eighties I only got halfway through, which was pretty disappointing I suppose...

First concert attended?

Hayley: My mum dragged me to see Barbara Dixon and Elaine Paige when I was 5 in Scotland. All I remember is lots of over the top singing and big hair.

Sam: The Wedding Present in York, England. I got punched in the face. It was great.

Last concert?

Hayley: Roddy Woomble in York, England

Sam: Benjamin Francis Leftwich in Leeds, England.

Favorite concert ever?

Hayley: Wilco at Manchester Academy 2, England in 2004.

Sam: Queens Of The Stone Age at Leeds Festival, 2001 maybe...

Least favorite concert?

Hayley: Ryan Adams at Manchester Academy 1. Not because he was bad, it was just I couldn't see or hear anything for pissed students and I'd been really looking forward to it.

Sam: The Bravery in London 2005. I think I laughed so hard I had to leave the venue.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

BOTH: It's in America, Andy Warhol was born there (according to Wikipedia), it has something to do with steel, we've never been there, we'd quite like to go there, we don't know much about it, yet. If someone would like to pay for our flights from the UK we'd happily spend some time there and eat your burgers.

Thanks so much to the both of you. Hopefully, some day you will make a visit here and I'll be happy to buy you burgers!

Image of the Day-"In My New Language"

Good Night, States
New Hazlett Studio
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Northside

GNS have been laying low of late. Except for a fantastic set last summer, it's been a year and change since we've heard a peep from them. There is good reason for the silence, they are hard at work on their upcoming album and I was lucky enough to be able to get a taste of what they are coming up with. I have heard early incarnations of the songs, or as they say in musician-speak 'demos', and I am so excited to report that this release will be stellar! Stayed tuned for more info here as things materialize.

Image of the Day-"Hallucinists"

The Octopus Project
Stage AE
Friday, April 8, 2011
Northshore

As a genre, I am not the biggest fan of electronica. I'm not one to put on 'house music' to get a party started. That being said, I was actually enjoying this set set and surprisingly found myself more than once moving to the beat. It's always nice to cleanse the palate once in awhile.

Image of the Day-"Welcome, Ghosts"

Explosions in the Sky
Stage AE
Friday, April 8, 2011
Northshore

I was amazed at the amount of people at this show. This isn't a household name band but apparently they have a lot of fans around here. The usual three song limit was fuzzy in that I didn't know when one song ended and the other started. No complaints as they sounded real good.
On a technical note, all my shots were at an aperture value of 3.2. I have a lens that is capable of 1.4 which lets in way more light. Stupid me had the wrong setting which forces the photos to come out very dark. Note to self: Don't pound beers before a shoot...DUH! Scott Mervis' review here. Setlist here.

Image of the Day-"Rolling Papers"

Screen shot courtesy 5 Gum

For all intents and purposes, I can confidently say that Wiz Khalifa just killed it at Coachella.
Watching the live youtube live stream is nothing like being there but the feeling I got was what a perfect choice to start the party on the final day. Believe me, I am by no means a fuddy duddy but f-bombs and the n-word thrown around every other sentence is not my idea of regalia. As an inner city Pittsburgh Public school teacher (where Wiz is a product of), I am forced to listen to that language every day...all day. To me, it's not very cool at all, especially when it's directed AT me for absolutely no reason at all, just 'cause I am THE MAN, THE SNITCH, but I digress.
I have to say, however, that Wiz has a certain appeal, even to me, that transcends even the stuffiness I can possess. Geez, I do sound like a dinosaur!

First/Last-Jules Levine

Ag Ag Lady is local DIY musician Jules Levine. The self described "performance artist designed to showcase experimental electronic dance rock pop dub chiptune autotune bright noize too many toys" has just released his third album this month under the awesome moniker. Buy it here. Help fund the project to get a vinyl release here. Jules was cool enough to participate in this "Record Store Day' edition of First/Last Friday.

The first album you ever bought?

Weird Al - Bad Hair Day, on cassette. Saved up my allowance and walked over to the NRM on Walnut Street. First CD was No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom.

Your last album bought?

of Montreal - False Priest.

Favorite album of all time?

Sigur Ros - ().

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

I downloaded a leak of a rough mix of Ke$ha's next album... Glad my name isn't on it. Hope she pulls through - or gives me a call!

First concert attended?

Raffi, but my mom bought the tickets. First I paid for was the Family Values 2 tour...

Last concert?

Music Kombat, as a performer.

Favorite concert ever?

ADD Fest!

Least favorite concert?

There was that one time I had a "bad substance interaction" during a Pink Floyd tribute set with full laser show at some hippy festival, but I survived and ended up having an awesome time! No such thing as a "bad concert" IMHO.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

The vibrant music scene that only exists if you care to look for it ;)


Thanks dude. If there is one aspect of music I can really appreciate and respect are the artists who, for better or worse, do their thing the way they want to by their own rules. If I can use this blog in any way to expose that element to others, I am one happy man. In other words, you rock brother!

Image of the Day-"Something Keeps Me Here"

Thee Audience
Howler's Coyote Cafe
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Bloomfield

The band arrived minutes before from their hometown in Jamestown, NY to hit the stage to a 3/4 empty room. I can't even begin to imagine life on the road as an indie band playing to a roomfull of strangers. It was nice to see that they had at least a couple of 'groupies' and neighbors in rock Triggers to cheer them on.

Image of the Day-"Jesus Fever"

Kurt Vile
The Andy Warhol Museum
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Northside

The Warhol is quickly becoming one of my favorite places not only to shoot a show but to actually hear one. The acoustics in the place are fantastic and the quality of bands are top notch. Kurt and his band were no exception. His album is in steep contention for a spot in the top 10 of the year and he was no less great live. Draw Us Lines reviewed the show here. My man Scott Mervis has his review here. Bunch of video from the set here.

Image of the Day-"Come And Get It"

Eli "Paperboy" Reed
Thunderbird Cafe
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Larryville

Authentic blue-eyed soul from Beantown. This early evening show was the last of the band's tour and the 'WYEP presents...' banner brought out the throngs of middle-aged fans like I've never seen before. This show was seriously packed, scary packed in fact, which I didn't realize hugging the stage. It wasn't until I tried to leave the venue when I saw how many people showed up. Unofficial count was almost 200. That's a lot of bodies at the 'bird. More photos here.

First/Last-Matt Holden & Dave Cerminara

Photo courtesy the band

Legs Like Tree Trunks
Bigelow Bash
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Oakland

Today I feature what could possibly be the luckiest band in Pittsburgh this weekend. Legs Like Tree Trunks are college students who are opening an extremely high profile free gig for Ke$ha on Sunday afternoon in the heart of Oakland. The band won the spot in a competition for musicians who attend Pitt. They take the stage at 1:30 (Ke$ha @3p.m.) and this should turn out to be a massive crowd for them to perform in front of. Get a taste of the band with a live radio session here. Bandmates Matt and Dave were cool enough to participate in this "dude, are all those people here for us?" installment of First/Last Friday.

The first album you ever bought?

Matt Holden: I think I traded a chocolate bar for one of my cousin’s Spice Girls cassette when I was five. Pretty sure I got swindled there. On my 13th birthday, my parents gave me OK Computer by Radiohead and Room on Fire by The Strokes. Those two records were and still are huge influences.

Dave Cerminara: I bought a Collective Soul record along with the Space Jam soundtrack all in the same trip to the mall when I was like 8. After that the next record I clearly remember buying was Full Collapse by Thursday when I was 12.

Your last album bought?

MH: School - Use Your Body Words

DC: Question - Standard Translation, and Cepia - S/T

Favorite album of all time?

MH: Always a tough question, but I have to go with Radiohead- In Rainbows. Dear And The Headlights- Drunk Like Bible Times is a very close second.

DC: Based on my ITunes "number of plays" list... At The Drive-In - Relationship of Command.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

MH: Minus the Bear – Planet of Ice. Everything before that record is gold, but something happened and I could never get into their later stuff.

DC: Tie between Murs & 9th Wonder – Fornever, and The Strokes - First Impressions of Earth. Planet of Ice was a monumental let down for myself as well.

First concert attended?

MH: Someone took me to see The Casualties in middle school. I think I had only been in the U.S. for about 2 months at the time, so it freaked me out a little bit! To this day I have never seen so many red mohawks in one room.

DC: Goldfinger in the summer between 6th and 7th grade. I remember asking my sister during the first band if the whole show was going to be this loud cause it was bothering me...I was and probably still am a huge dork.

Last concert?

MH: Apart from house shows and bands we’ve played with, it was Twin Shadow at Brillobox.

DC: Poor But Sexy at Club Cafe...they fucking OWNED!!!! Most enjoyable set I've seen in a really long time.

Favorite concert ever?

MH: I saw Grizzly Bear play with the Brooklyn Philharmonic a few years back. That completely blew me away. Singlehandedly the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed. Apart from that, the Cap’n Jazz reunion in Philly was awesome; I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d get to see them live.
DC: Thursday at Metropol in September of 03. It was 3 days after War All The Time came out...I was way into that band when I was younger and still occasionally listen to their first 3 records.

Most disappointing concert?

MH: Broken Social Scene at Byham Theatre. I was pumped because I got out of work early and scalped a ticket for half price, but they just didn’t have the same energy they had the first time I saw them. I wanted another Kevin Drew stagedive during the peak of ‘It’s All Gonna Break,’ but it was a more reserved, seated affair.

DC: Thursday at Club Zoo in February of 2011...I went with a friend for nostalgia's sake and it was heart breaking to see the same band 8 years later and 8 years past their prime in my opinion...I left feeling old and pissed off at the 16 year olds with straightened hair...Just when you thought a bullshit scene aesthetic died, America's suburban youth slaps you in the face with reality.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

MH: I really love the local music scene that’s developing in Oakland. Places like The Aviary are awesome. The guys that live there just took a whole bunch of foam from some old couches and put it up on the walls of their basement. Now they have all sorts of cool bands play every other Thursday. Also, I just love that everybody knows each other here; I’ve lived all over and Pittsburgh has a small town feel that I’ve never seen in any other city.

DC: Pittsburgh's a little city that thinks it's a big city...it has a total Napoleon complex that I absolutely love. I've grown up here and want to leave after college for a while, but still plan on spending the better part of my life in this city. Ask around and most people know most people, especially in the music scene, which is what I really love about this place.

Thanks fellas. Have a blast on Sunday. Any way you can score me a photo pass now that you're big time!

Image of the Day-"Kids With Guns"

School Of Athens
Howler's Coyote Cafe
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Bloomfield

Bopping around town attempting to cover five bands at three venues took it's toll on me unfortunately and I had to bail early on these guys set (totally missing Triggers later...I damn thee impending middle-age!!!). They have been a band since 2002 and the guys seemed like they were having as much fun as the increasingly liquored up audience and hopefully I'll be able to catch a another show soon.

Image of the Day-"Bawlin"

Raw Blow
The Andy Warhol Museum
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Northside

This local band opened for Kurt Vile and when I saw their name, my expectations weren't through the roof, or through the floor for that matter. The old saying goes, never judge a book by it's cover. How true this night when I was immediately hooked by the first song. I loved this band! Their 'shtick' is sampling old '60's psych tunes with a heavy beat whilst 'rapping' the lyrics. Think a throwback Bumblebeez 81. Granted the austerity of the Warhol theater wasn't the ideal place for a band more suited to a sweaty basement party but the sound was loud and clear and I'm definitely keeping my eye out for them. They are WPTS' Band of the Month.
On a related note, the next day at lunch I told my colleague that I saw a band last night called Raw Blow. With deadpanned earnest he said, "Oh, my wife would probably like them." After literally choking on my food laughing and conjuring up the best comebacks I could think of, he stopped me short by continuing, "She loves his movies." Oh, that Rob Lowe. Awesome!

Image of the Day-"Feels Like Home"

Brooke Annibale
CD Release Show
Cefalo's
Saturday March 26, 2011
Carnegie

In celebrating the release of her new CD, Brooke packed Cefalo's, a church renovated into a 'nightclub/restaurant' that was a nice place to shoot in. I wouldn't have minded having a meal and listening to the band myself. Unfortunately, I was kind of busy that night as I'll document the rest of this week.

First/Last-Mace Ballard

Photo courtesy the band

Mace Ballard seem to be THE up and coming rock band from Pittsburgh. They are winning all kinds of accolades and were voted the winners of the Post-Gazette's 'Pittsburgh Rocks' contest and City Paper's "Best Pop/Rock Band that isn't The Clarks" reader's poll. You can download their album for free here and the guys were nice enough to participate in this overstuffed edition of First/Last Friday.

The first album you ever bought?
Chris Daley: ‘The Best of the Rocky Soundtracks’ by Various Artists
Mike Duncan: ‘Ride the Lightning’ by Metallica
Brandon Lehman: ‘Twister Soundtrack’ by Various Artists
Tegan James Angelo: I dubbed some rad mixtapes back in the day, but the first CD I ever bought was Ren and Stimpy – ‘You Eediot’, and I haven't pissed on an electric fence since '93...

Your last album bought?
Chris:’ Pedestals’ by Such Gold
Brandon: ‘Act ii’ by The Dear Hunter
TJ: ‘Transit’

Favorite album of all time?
Duncan: ‘Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence’ by Glassjaw
Brandon: Tie - Boston's self titled record and ‘Colors’ by Between the Buried and Me
TJ: That is a completely impossible question, so I'm just gonna go through my phone and pick a bunch of good ones in no particular order (ok, actually it's alphabetical if you couldn't tell):
Against Me - Reinventing Axel Rose/Alkaline Trio - Maybe I'll Catch Fire/The Anniversary - Designing a Nervous Breakdown/Ape Up! - Demo 2009/At the Drive In - Acrobatic Tenement / Relationship of Command

(this is gonna take forever, gotta get more selective....)

EDITOR'S NOTE: TJ then listed 30 more albums…next time you see him at a show ask him what they are.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
TJ: ‘Decadence’ by Head Automatica.
Chris: ‘The Green Album’ by Weezer.
Brandon: Anything by David Hasselhoff.

First concert attended?
Brandon: Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Chris: The Rolling Stones.
Duncan: Aerosmith. YUCK!
TJ: Warped Tour 1998 - Pittsburgh (NoFX, Rancid, Bad Religion, No Use For a Name, Get Up Kids, All, H2O, Hatebreed, Pennywise, Mad Caddies, MxPx, Snapcase, Unwritten Law, The Vandals, Rocket From The Crypt, Homegrown, CIV, Deftones, Swinging Utters, Zebrahead, Down by Law, etc.)

Last concert?
Brandon: Dj 7up @ The mansion in Columbus OH.
TJ: Doomsday Initiative & Spontaneo @ The Lava Lounge.

Favorite concert ever?
Duncan: 03.14.03 – Cleveland, OH @ The Odeon - Glassjaw and Hot Water Music.
Chris: Tie- Jack Johnson – Barcelona, Spain (strictly because of the location and company) & New Found Glory – somewhere in the Strip District.
Brandon: Between the Buried and Me.
TJ: Tie- Strike Anywhere and Teddy Duchamp's Army @ Colpeppers.
Bigwig, Saves the Day, and H2O @ Grafitti (farewell Grafitti)
Atom and His Package, Hot Rod Circuit, Strike Anywhere, and Avail @ The Troc
The Ghost, Every Time I Die, The Movie Life, and Thursday @ The Crowbar

Least favorite concert?
Brandon: Yellowcard
TJ: Frame to the Floor, German Shepherd, Red Team Blue Team, A Voice Like Rhetoric @ The Smiling Moose (farewell .f.t.t.f.)
Chris: Jesse Lacey solo (it was like being at a Dr. Pepper plant but they were only serving milk.)

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
TJ: If I would have grown up anywhere else besides Pittsburgh, I probably woulda been dead by now... Stay classy y'all.
Brandon: Any experience with my band is the most ridiculous thing I've ever done. Snow, construction, penguins, Steelers, bridges and silly accents... Gotta love the burgh.
Chris: I used to think Pittsburgh was a springboard from which you can and should jump from as soon as humanly possible. Now, I think that it can be that, but it’s also a place with a lot of culture and enough variety for you to choose from to find a niche that feels like home.

Thanks guys. Hope to see you play out soon, that's if you aren't late waiting for TJ to pick out something to wear.