Image of the Day-"Ain't Waitin'"

Justin Townes Earle
Mr. Smalls Funhouse
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Southside

I was surprised how many people there were to see Justin play. Well, now that I think about it, why was I so surprised? He and his bassist Bryn Davies did sound really good. He mentioned that he wants his next record and subsequent tour will have a more 'live' feel to it utilizing a full band. Should definitely be something to look forward to. A 'proper' review here. More photos here.

Image of the Day-"Working For The MTA"

Justin Townes Earle
WYEP Studios
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Southside

Cool 'preview' of his set later that night at Smalls. There's something about a dude with a guitar that can hold an audience's rapt attention for a half hour or so. I have always noticed the few times I have seen him that 'where' he plays is almost as important as 'how' he plays. Seeing him in a room with 50 people is a totally different experience than seeing him perform outside to a crowd of a couple thousand. Listen to the set here. More photos here and here.

Between The Lines-The Kinks

The Kinks: All Day and All of the Night
Day-by-Day concerts, recordings and broadcasts, 1961-1996
Doug Hinman
Backbeat Books
2004

As the season comes to a close, I will remember my Summer of 2011 as the time I 'rediscovered' the brilliance of The Kinks. Absorbing their music courtesy of the incredible recently released deluxe reissues of their first six albums, there was a lot to discover. Making it easier was this exhaustive volume of anything and everything about the band. Using press clippings, reviews, setlists and interviews, Hinman gives a literal day-by-day account of when, where, how but not always why The Kinks became one of the greatest rock and roll bands in history. This isn't a book you read straight through. Instead, I jumped around to specific dates to coincide with what I was listening to at the time. I have read a few of these detailed accounts of musicians and while some are really good, some fall short. This book falls into the former category that compliments the music with an easy to read and detailed history. What a coincidence that just yesterday it was announced that Ray Davies will be playing Pittsburgh for the first time in several years this fall and for me, the timing couldn't be more perfect.

Summer Saturday Ticket Giveaway # 14 - Reader's Choice

This has been a great summer on the blog. Lots of shows, lots of interviews and lots of ticket giveaways. Thanks to everyone who has visited and participated in the weekly ticket giveaway. I sincerely appreciate your support. A huge thanks to the always wonderful folks at Drusky Entertainment who have been so supportive of me since day one. They really couldn't have been more a friend. Thanks so much, you truly are the best. To close out the season, they are offering up a lucky reader of the blog a pair of passes to any Drusky show on their calendar. Any show, any venue, any night. Unfortunately, the only exception is the Foo Fighters date. All you have to do to enter is email me at hughshows@comcast.net with the subject line of the show you want to attend. Provide the name of the person who will bring I.D. to will call the night of the show in the message body, which will be good for two passes. Be aware that some shows listed are +21. Also, parking at some venues are not included. I will close out the season by randomly choosing the winner and contact them on Friday. Again, thanks to everyone in Pittsburgh who makes it worthwhile to keep running this blog.

Image of the Day-"Get Gone"

The Harlan Twins
Brillobox
Friday, July 29, 2011
Larryville

First time seeing the band with the new line-up. Have to gush and say they sounded so great. It was also Carrie's 'Dirty Thirty' at midnight. Hard to believe that when she was born, I already knew my wife for two years!

Image of the Day-"Flight Takes Thought"

Sleep Experiments Club Cafe
Tuesday, August 2, 2011 Southside

I liked this local band. They were very lo-fi and well, dreamy. My only criticism is that their intensity level was steadfast and dronelike, which wasn't bad...just 'non-wavering'. That doesn't make sense, does it? Yeah, I write a music blog.

Image of the Day-"I Will Possess Your Heart"

Death Cab For Cutie
Stage AE
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Northshore

I can't say that I am an uber-fan of the group. I do like what I hear from them but it seems that with any 'indie band' I see anymore, there are some LOYAL fans. There were a lot of people at this show and although I don't have an exact count, it seemed to be the biggest crowd I have seen at the dozen or so shows I have been to at the venue. More photos here.

Summer Saturday Ticket Giveaway # 13 - Lindsey Buckingham

An Evening with Lindsey Buckingham
Carnegie Music Hall
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Homestead

With only one more week left in our Summer ticket giveaway series, my friends at Drusky Entertainment are offering up a pair of passes for the rare chance to catch Lindsey perform solo. Entering is as easy as emailing me at hughshows@comcast.net with the subject line 'Lindsey Buckingham' and the name of the person who will bring I.D. to the all-ages show in the message body, good for two tickets. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted this upcoming Friday and our final contest begins next Saturday. As always, thanks for reading the blog and good luck.

First/Last-Mike Medved

Image courtesy of Beth Mattocks

Mike Medved
Hard Rock Cafe
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Station Square

Mike is a local singer-songwriter who is working on his debut full length to be released later this year. He just put out the lead single 'All I See is You' on iTunes and is celebrating this Sunday with a free full band show at the Hard Rock. He was nice enough to take some time to participate in this edition of First/Last Friday.


The first album you ever bought?
Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits:1974-1978 (the one with the fiery blue horse on the front).

Your last album bought?
Amos Lee- Mission Bell.

Favorite album of all time?
A no-brainer...I played The Temptations Greatest Hits until the silver stuff started wearing off of the CD when I was in Middle School.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
When Garth Brooks retired after his Double Live album tour in 1998 and made a return under the name of "Chris Gains" in 1999. That happened when I was in 8th grade and I don't think anything could ever top the letdown I felt after listening to that album. He even called it "Greatest Hits" but it was his only record as his alter ego!

First concert attended?
It was Van Halen's Best of Both Worlds tour when I was in 9th grade. Probably 2000 or 2001. Sammy Hagar was doing lead vocals for them at that point and watching Eddie Van Halen on guitar had me trying and failing many things on my electric guitar for the next year. I think that's when I really started focusing on Acoustic; because I couldn't get the same sound he did when I put a power drill next to my pickups lol.

Last concert?
GIVERS at Club Cafe in May. Gig...I saw Jim Relja and the Regular Joes at The Trailside in West Newton a few weeks ago. Jim is mesmerizing to watch play the guitar, and I don't make statements like that lightly.

Favorite concert ever?
I hope I don't catch too much grief for this but it was John Mayer on his Continuum tour in Pittsburgh a few summers ago. We were 10 rows from the front/center of stage and he played all of his greatest guitar songs. The concert didn't have a cheesy pop feel people sometimes associate with him because of "Your Body Is a Wonderland" and "No Such Thing." He played extended solos to all of his best songs, including a 6 minute solo on Covered in Rain, which has yet to be released on an album. He is a phenomenal musician and that show was incredible.

Least favorite concert?
I saw an 80s cover band at the Honi Honi Bar in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland and although we were out drinking and having a good time, they almost killed my buzz.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
This is difficult to answer because I grew up just south of the city in Elizabeth Township so I could go on forever about all the great things I remember about Pittsburgh...my dad taking me to Pirate games and Pitt and Duquesne basketball games when I was a kid, family outings to Kennywood (of course I had to get my new Kennywood outfit every year ha ha), going to the Santas from around the world display and the gingerbread house display every Christmas with my family at PPG Place, going to the big train display in the Science Center and just the Science Center in general. My dad was a social studies teacher so he was always dragging us around to something historical on his father's day outings. Sometimes we went to the Heinz History Museum, or the Warhol Museum, ect., ect.

It’s the people of Pittsburgh that I hold in the highest regard though. I've been fortunate enough to travel all over the world though studying abroad and playing basketball in Europe and the people who make up the city of Pittsburgh are second to none in their kindness, their hospitality, their work ethic, and pride in themselves and their city. I've been in London (and just about every other city in the UK) and Rome and Zurich, Switzerland and Luxembourg and all over Australia and everywhere I go people recognize the Steeler's logo and if someone asks me where I'm from and I answer Pittsburgh, they almost always say 'oh the steel city!' and have something nice to say about it. I really wouldn't want to be from anywhere else in the world.


Thanks Mike, I appreciate it. Funny thing is that your first album bought was also one of my first albums! You know what they say, great minds...oh, forget it. Drop a line when the album is ready.

Image of the Day-"Joey"

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

Hartwood Acres

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Hampton Township

This band can really lay down that boogie-woogie, blues rock. I haven't seen Hartwood this crowded in a long time. These free Summer shows cannot be beat. More photos here.

Image of the Day-"Honey and the Moon"

Joseph Arthur
WYEP Studios
Friday, August 5, 2011
Southside

Having never seen Joseph play before, I was always curious how he was able to actually produce artwork during his concerts as he usually plays solo. One word-looping. He would strum a chord and hit a pedal and that would repeat as he played a riff, hit the pedal and so on and so on. I was actually digging it and would have definitely attended his evening show but had another gig to shoot. Art + Music = Love! Listen to the set here. More photos here.

Image of the Day-"Save Me From The World"

Meeting of Important People
Allegheny County Summer Concert Series
Friday, August 5, 2011
South Park

The last time I saw Josh play by himself there were about eight people in attendance. This night there were several dozen times that many. What struck me during his set is that the vast outdoor audience were actually listening to him! I was expecting a lot of talking and the usual park noise but I was surprised how quiet the place was during the entire acoustic set. Certainly not pin drop silence but maybe brick drop. Really nice.

Image of the Day-"The World Is Ours"

Donora
Some rich dude's guest house
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Sewickley

Today my friends in Donora have announced a release date for their new record "Boyfriends, Girlfriends" (September 27th) and a date for the CD release show at The Rex (September 16th). AOL Spinner has just premiered a new video from the album track 'The World is Ours' here. If you look real close you can spot the entire HughShows clan throughout the mayhem.

Image of the Day-"Can You See Me Now?"

Emily Rodgers Band
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
Monday, May 2, 2011
Shadyside

Emily was interested in some full band promo photos and I was more than happy to oblige. I really loved the museum setting. Nothing like some cool artwork as a background. If you are in a band and would like to work together, feel free to contact me at manhugh1@comcast.net!

Summer Saturday Ticket Giveaway # 12 - John Hiatt/Big Head Todd & The Monsters

John Hiatt

Big Head Todd & The Monsters
Carnegie Music Hall
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Homestead

As the summer ticket giveaway season is winding down, we aren't going out with a whimper by any means. With only a few weeks left, today's contest is for a co-headlining show that should be fantastic. The cool folks at Drusky Entertainment once again step up and are providing two tickets to a lucky reader of this blog. If you are on Twitter and don't follow Drusky, do so now as they give away all kinds of passes to their shows there.
To enter here, email me at hughshows@comcast.net with the subject line 'John Hiatt' or 'Big Head Todd' and you will be entered to win. Provide the name of the person in the message body who will bring I.D. to will call the night of the all ages show and they will have two seats waiting for them. I will be randomly picking and contacting the winner on Friday of this week. Remember, next Saturday starts a new contest and as always, good luck!

First/Last-Whitney Matheson of Pop Candy

Screen grab courtesy VYou

A few years ago, my brother told me to check out Pop Candy. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I would be visiting the USA Today blog daily ever since. It's dedicated to what's going on in the world of pop culture, or as the subtitle suggests, unwrapping it's hip and hidden treasures. The site is somewhat addicting, mainly due it's author Whitney Matheson. Her always fun and positive personality is as much a part of the site as the subjects she writes about. She highlights what's happening in movies, television, comics, celebrity, the Internet and music through 'Early Buzz' headlines, interviews, fan meetups at various events she attends and my personal favorite, her killer musical mix podcasts. You can follow her on Twitter and there is even a new Pop Candy App through iTunes and Android. Whitney was nice enough to take time out of her seemingly impossible schedule to participate in this "bloggy love" edition of First/Last Friday.

The first album you ever bought?
"Thriller," of course!

Your last album bought?
Actually, I think it was "Appetite for Destruction" by Guns N' Roses. I got it about a month ago (a few decades too late).

Favorite album of all time?
"Lifes Rich Pageant" by R.E.M.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
There are too many disappointing records! I can't single out just one ...

First concert attended?
Tori Amos in Fredericksburg, Va. (where I grew up) -- I think it was 1991?

Last concert?
Anvil at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City, a couple weeks ago.

Favorite concert ever?
Hard question. Either R.E.M. on the "Monster" tour or Paul McCartney earlier this year.

Least favorite concert?
I love Cat Power, but I went to a couple odd shows she did, including one where she panicked and made us all sit down on the beer-soaked floor.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I love Pittsburgh! In fact, my dream job is to work for the Warhol Museum in any capacity. Maybe they'll see this and give me a call ...

Thanks so much Whitney. I couldn't think of a better person to be my first non-musician participant for the questionnaire. I'm still gunning for a Pittsburgh meetup. If there was only an ideal place to have it? Hmmmm....
 

Image of the Day-"Civilians"

Wye Oak
Club Cafe
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Southside

For the last several visits to Pittsburgh, the band has been playing the Brillobox. Their inaugural stop at Club Cafe was a sell out. A STR only sell out. Listen, I have been to Club Cafe countless times over the years and have been noticing a strange trend as of late. Instead of standing five deep by the bar, which sucks for sure, patrons are nestling themselves around the foot of the stage for the show. I tried it for Joe Pug (just to get the shot) and it was literally a pain in the ass after awhile. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't hang in that cross legged position too long and bailed early on in the set. Really dumb move on my part because they did sound great. My onle caveat is that they seem to play here often and I am sure they will be swinging through town soon enough. I just realized that the new normal of sitting down at the CC started when I became a cranky old bastard. Another perspective on the show here. More photos here.

Image of the Day-"Livin' in the Jungle"

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Allegheny County Summer Concert Series
Friday, August 5, 2011
South Park

This was such a fantastic concert. The weather was beautiful, the price was right and most importantly, the band was smoking! Joe isn't a flashy guitarist by any means but he and his band are so tight, they make it look effortless. With a three piece horn section to add muscle, this is one of the best shows I've seen all year. More photos here and here.

Image of the Day-"Soon Go"

Frightened Rabbit
Stage AE
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Northshore

As the band came on stage they seemed a little taken aback at the size of the crowd to welcome them. One thing I have been noticing at Stage AE (especially outdoors) is the large crowd already in the venue to show up early for the openers. Talking to Grant afterward, he stated that this was their best show of the tour. Good for you Pittsburgh, representin'! The band obviously fed off that love as they sounded really good.

Image of the Day-"Dumpster Dive"

Black Lips
Mr. Small's Funhouse
Monday, August 1, 2011
Millvale

I was surprised how different these guys sound live than on their record. They have a much more melodic groove when they play. Maybe I am hallucinating? I don't know. What I am trying to get across is that they were good.

Image of the Day-"Puppet on a String"

Night Beats
Mr. Small's Funhouse
Monday, August 1, 2011
Millvale

Never heard of these guys before. They were joined by members of Black Lips and played a cover of Count Five's 'Psychotic Reaction' that was truly sloppy to end their set. They probably meant it to be. As a side note, this is addressed to the people in the front row who think it is O.K. to poke me and tussle my hair while I am shooting in the PIT. I just wanted to let you know that it is not cool at all.

Summer Saturday Ticket Giveaway # 11 - Alkaline Trio

Alkaline Trio
Club Zoo
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Strip District

Alkaline Trio are melodic cult rockers hailing from Illinios. They are supporting their new album 'Damnesia' and headed to Pittsburgh this Tuesday on their 15th Anniversary tour. Opening the show will be the cool dudes in mewithoutyou and The Drowning Men.
As always, my awesome friends at Drusky Entertainment are offering up a pair of passes to the show. This is an all-ages event with doors at 6 p.m. and the music starting at 7. To enter, be the first person to email me at hughshows@comcast.net with the subject line 'Alkaline Trio' and the name of the person who will bring I.D. to will call the night of the show good for two passes in the message. Being that I am accepting the first entry, I'll say that this contest will run about and hour or so, if that. The last time I did this it took twenty minutes to declare a winner. I will contact that person immediately and announce the winner in the comments of this post and on twitter. Next week starts a new contest and as always, good luck!

First/Last-Joshua Christopher of I Am ❤

Image courtesy ReverbNation

I Am ❤
Shadow Lounge
Saturday, August 6, 2011
East Liberty

Hailing from West Chester, PA I Am ❤ is a band that celebrates life with a 'carnivalesque-folk' vibe. They will be bringing their party to Pittsburgh tomorrow and the show is a benefit for bandleader Joshua Christopher's non-profit FEDAP charity, which aims to raise the quality of life in Haiti. Joshua was nice enough to take some time to participate in this edition of First/Last Friday.

The first album you ever bought?
“Head on the Door” by The Cure.


Your last album bought?
The latest from The Builders and the Butchers.


Favorite album of all time?
It tends to vary. Honestly, that could change at any given moment. Probably “Velvet Underground and Nico”.


Least favorite/most disappointing album?
“Interpol” by Interpol. Never lived up to “Turn on Your Bright Lights”.


First concert attended?
A Tribe Called Quest in 1992.

Last concert?
M. Ward.

Favorite concert ever?
Devotchka this year.


Least favorite concert?
From Kaitlyn Burhman-John Mayer


Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
All I know about Pittsburgh is that it's got a bit of film scene on the rise. I had a friend spend 6 months there making a film that the executive producer went and spent all the money up on cocaine and hookers. Film never got made obviously, it was called Big Highway.

Thanks so much Joshua. I really admire your efforts. Have a good show but beware there might be traffic detours on the way to the gig due to the filming of Batman. I am sure Christopher Nolan won't be spending too much money on hookers and blow!

Image of the Day-"Sludgie"

Big Hurry
Brillobox
Friday, July 29, 2011
Larryville

What more can I say? I really dig these guys. Getting a shout out from the stage? Bonus! Thanks Kelly.

Image of the Day-"Scrap"

The Chad Sipes Stereo
Thunderbird Cafe
Friday, July 29, 2011
Larryville

I have been listening to the band's latest a lot since I got it and for their release show they played the whole thing straight through, guest musicians and all. The fifth song on the album is quickly becoming my favorite song so far this year and it's about collecting junk? Sweet.

Image of the Day-"Wachusett Blues"

Triggers
Thunderbird Cafe
Friday, July 29, 2011
Larryville

Near of the end of the band's set as they were blasting through one of their last songs, I remember wondering to myself, "Could this be the best band in Pittsburgh?" Do yourself a favor and catch these guys live. No matter if they are opening for Weezer or playing a bowling alley, they rock out as if their lives depended on it. So much fun. More photos here.

Image of the Day-"Chelsea Hotel #2"

Sean Rowe
Schenley Plaza
Friday, July 29, 2011
Oakland

Sean Rowe is a NY based singer songwriter who recently released his album "Magic" on ANTI-. He's been compared to Leonard Cohen and Bill Callahan and just finished opening up for Josh Ritter. He is also a naturalist and has a cool wilderness survivalist blog here. He kicked off WYEP's summer concert series Final Fridays in Oakland this past week. It was cool to see his merch table which consisted of a box of CDs and a big 'ole bottle of wine. Nice. More photos here.

Image of the Day-"Work is for the Bees"

Bluegrass Jam
The Park House
Every Wednesday Night
Northside

For the past month or so, I have been heading down to the Northside for this live jam featuring a rotating cast of local bands including The Shelf Life String Band, Panther Hollow String Band, The Moonlighters and The Armadillos. Very informal and very fun. There is nothing like unplugged bluegrass music. You should definitely check it out. More photos here.