Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Image of the Day-"The Sequel"

Saturday, January 21, 2012
Southside
Midway through the set, a drunken former roommate of Adam came in to the place and along with his friends started celebrating hard, in front of the stage no less, his engagement that night. It was kind of hilarious to see one of the guys hand Adam a bottle of beer, as he was playing a solo! He was actually waiting for Adam to take it! Nice move. One thing the dude did mention that I couldn't have said better was, "You guys sound better and better every time I see you play!" So true. Wait till everyone hears the new album. So good.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Image of the Day-"Black Waves"

Saturday, January 21, 2012
Southside
 
The band's bassist Paul 'Miser' Werkmeister was cool enough to drop me a line inviting me to the show. I had a fairly packed schedule but was able to end the night down at the Southside. The enticement of my boys Triggers opening up surely help persuade me to stay up past my bedtime.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Saturday Vault


Brillobox
Saturday March 28, 2009
Larryville

My favorite album of 2009 and I got the setlist from the CD release show. MOIP never, ever wrote setlists back then. This was the first time  I ever saw one on stage. They always played it by ear but for some reason this night Jeff needed the list. It was on his keyboard. My score. It was written on the back of an envelope addressed to Danielle M. from the New York Times and is still sealed. The band is raising money to make their next album here.

Friday, January 27, 2012

First/Last-The Kalob Griffin Band

 Photo courtesy Stella Wiki

The Kalob Griffin Band
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Southside

I consider myself so lucky to be in the very dubious position I am in to be on the receiving end of publicists, record labels, or musician's email lists. I get a ton of requests to showcase a band that's coming through Pittsburgh to maybe preview, shoot or mention the gig. I don't think I have ever been publicly jaded about it. Frankly, I never appreciated other people moaning about a influx of demos, or badly worded bios, or worse, bad music sent their way. For me, it's an honor and a pleasure to flirt with the possibility of helping out a band I never heard of and in return...well, we'll see.
That said, The Kalob Griffin Band is playing Club Cafe next Friday. They hail from Philly. Oh, and I found out that I actually like them! Not settling for Kalob himself to be answering alone, they have been kind enough to participate in this extensive edition of First/Last.

The Kalob Griffin Band
Members:
Kalob Griffin (lead vocals/rhythm guitar)
Nick Salcido (Electric/Upright bass)
John Hildenbrand: (keyboards/backup vocals)
Eric Lawry (drums/backup vocals)
Rob Dwyer: Lead guitar/mandolin/banjo



The first album you ever bought?
Kalob (lead vocals): Rage Against the Machine, Battle of Los Angeles. It was explicit.

Nick (bassist):  When I was twelve, my mother gave me fifteen dollars to “start” a CD collection and I chose Californication by the Red Hot Chili Peppers as my first album, because I knew they cursed on the record and it didn’t have one of those Parental Advisory stickers.

John (keys): Oh wow, I actually had to look this up to get the album name right, but it was the great album from 1994, Live's Throwing Copper. I was in second or third grade and this album rocked when i heard some of it on the radio, so I thought a trip to the Wall would garner this purchase with many to come afterwards.



Your last album bought?
Kalob: Paul Kelly's greatest hits, Songs From the South. His storytelling is so captivating.

Nick:  Well...Spotify has kinda given me an excuse to stop buying new music, but I still buy records, and the last one I bought was this great old Impluse! jazz compilation.  It has lots of great rare cuts by greats like Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, and Shirley Scott.

John:It is funny because there are so many of these listening sites and YouTube is one of them I go to frequently. I’ve been listening to King Crimson albums from cover to cover the last few days. Man, they are so british, scary, and epic. I love it. The last album I purchased was The Lake Bottom LP by The Chapin Sisters. I heard their set on Mountain Jam and liked what I heard. Their next album Two is even better.

Rob(lead guitar/mandolin/banjo): The Dave Brubeck Quartet "Time Further Out". After getting into their prequel "Time Out," I had to listen to more, especially Paul Desmond’s saxophone tone. It's got such an airy quality to it.

Eric (drummer): Head and the Heart self-titled. I bought it because of “Lost In My Mind,” stayed for the rest. Solid album through and through. I’ve also been Spotified, but I try to buy a new album at an independent store down the street every few weeks. I fail more than succeed.




Favorite album of all time?
Kalob: John Prine's self-titled debut album. Those songs never get old to me.

Nick:  Hands down Voodoo by D’Angelo.  I know I’m young but I still think it’s one of the best engineered albums you’ll ever hear regardless of genre.  An absolutely classic lineup of R&B, hip hop, and jazz musicians perform on it as well.

John: This is a tough one because I could go all over the place. My favorite has to go to The Beatles' Rubber Soul. This album I can always return too if need be and the reassurance is always there. This album did a lot for that time and quite frankly still is doing a lot for music. My parents raised me on the Beatles and their catalogue is great because you see the way they changed from Please Please Me all the way to Let It Be.

Rob: Cake  - Comfort Eagle. While being one of the hardest questions ever asked, I had to judge my answer based on my how I enjoy listening to music. Some people dig the concept or only the lyrics while I think of the many hours, blasting the CD, whether it be in a car or my headphones, knowing each note and lyric a second before it comes out, and not getting tired of it.

Eric: Want One by Rufus Wainwright. My all time favorite has changed probably four times in the past six years, but I’ve had this one since high school (Avonworth) and I still listen cover to cover at least once a month. It gets an extreme emotional response from me, and I learn new things every time I hear it. Certain songs seem more influential given my state of mind, and I like that it can do that. Reach out and find something to grab onto no matter what I’m going through. By the time it’s done, I feel like I’ve lived an entire day. The first song is the sunrise, and the last song is sunset, and I’ve done a hell of a lot between the two. 



Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Kalob: Now 23.
Nick:  Hmm...if I didn’t like it that much I probably just blocked it out of my memory.
Eric: Agreed with Nick, I don’t like what I don’t like and I try to avoid it. If something I usually love disappointed me I can’t find it right now.



First concert attended?
Kalob:  I was twelve when my dad took me to see John Prine live and in person.

John: I was in 8th grade I believe because I really don’t think I went to a concert before this. I went to see Dave Matthews Band at Old Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. I was so far away I had no idea what was going on. Ben Harper opened that night as well. I remember getting separated from my one friend in the concourse and then they opened with “Ant's Marching” and at that point I got even more separated from my friend. The end result was me finding my friend and getting back to the show. I definitely had my 8th grade thoughts and dance moves in the wise year of 2000.

Rob: Willie Nelson, just a couple of months after he was busted for tax fraud. My dad’s friend (wealthy, may I add) had a huge party with literally 2,000 people. Willie Nelson played because he needed cash fast. I wish I paid as much as attention as my dad and uncle did but I could have cared less. 



Last concert?
Kalob: Ryan Adams at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.

Nick:  Trombone Shorty at the 9:30 Club in D.C..  Great show, one of those shows where the band has more energy than you!

John: The last concert I attended was Steely Dan, yes you heard me right. Our whole band was there. We just played a set at Musikfest in Bethlehem and after our set we had the privilege to see them perform, and it was a mighty show to say the least. They are tight as hell and put on a fantastic show.

Eric: Tally Hall, a band from Ann Arbor, Michigan that I’ve been obsessing over for about four years. It was my fourth show of theirs, downtown in Philly at Johhny Brenda’s. Great little venue, sorta in the same vein as Mr. Smalls if we’re comparing to a Pittsburgh venue, where they also played on that tour.



Favorite concert ever?
Kalob: A group of friends and I saw The Mars Volta open for The Red Hot Chili Peppers
on Halloween night in 2007. Everyone was dressed for the occasion and the atmosphere was perfect.
Nick:  Erykah Badu.  Best $100 I’ll ever spend.  Her creativity is unmatched by other major label artists, and her band’s bassist made me rethink everything I knew about improvising.  I spent the whole summer studying how that guy laid it down!

John: Their have been some fantastic Phish shows I have seen over the years. Some great Phil Lesh and Bob Weir shows I have seen. But in the summer of 2009 I got a chance to see Nine Inch Nails live and I was completely blown away. My friend won tickets on the radio and asked me to go. It was face melting rock with incredible visuals all done by Trent Reznor. Incredible performance and energy. That ended up being their last tour. Now he just wins Oscar awards.

Rob:2/25/03 Phish at The Spectrum. In the beginning of my musical exploration, I got this ticket and was pumped to experience my first Phish show. Being so young, I was not into the stereotypical drug scene but that doesn’t mean I didn't feel like I was transported to another dimension. It is because of that night that I went on to see them 23 more times to date. 



Least favorite concert?
Nick:  George Clinton - not because the music was bad, but touring is the only way George can make money these days because of some horrendous business deals that he got himself into during the peak of his career that leave him with no publishing royalties.  It’s really disheartening to see your idols running themselves into the ground for chump change because they weren’t informed about the business side of the industry.

Rob: Slightly Stoopid...it was stupid.

Eric: Same with album, I try to avoid shows that I won’t enjoy. But I’m going to have to go with Bob Dylan. It was actually in Pittsburgh during the New American Music Festival in the South Side. There were a sold out 15,000 people in the audience when The Raconteurs left the stage to uproarious applause. I love The Raconteurs and waited all day to get a good spot so I was one of them. By the time we left about half way through Dylan’s show, there were probably 6,000 left. I said with my friends as we left, “At least we can say we saw Bob Dylan.” But I’ve never been so compelled to leave a show I paid for half way through. 




Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
John: Being born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, we (except for Eric) didn't know too much about Pittsburgh. I went to Penn State and met a lot of good people from there with whom I still keep in touch with. I've been to Pittsburgh a few times and liked all my visits. We played a show there last year at the Rex Theater and that was such a great experience. It is a very cool looking city as well. The bridges give the city a lot of charm. At Fort Pitt, George Washington decided that this area must become a city, henceforth it became Pittsburgh. I cannot wait to get back there to play and to visit again.

Eric: Born and raised here, grew up along the Ohio River Boulevard, and froze in my tracks when I once saw Malkin at my local Giant Eagle. I wear my Crosby jersey to pick up take-out food, and go to the closest Steelers bar every Sunday to watch with kindred spirits amongst the overwhelming masses of E A G L E S chants and Claude Giroux is better than Crosby nonsense that flies around Philly. I love living in Philadelphia, but there’s not another place in the world I would want to call my home tahn.

Rob: Nice people, weird sandwiches, lots of bridges


Thanks for the contact fellas. Been really diggin' your music.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Image of the Day-"Funeral Song"

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Southside

As much as I dig The Wreckids and as much as I know very little about Jaymay, I wanted to trek out last night for one reason only. I had never seen a solo set by Lohio's main man Greg. He mainly played new tunes (here's hoping some of it will be recorded/released soon!) and although the band's future is somewhat up in the air(?), it was reassuring to see no less than three of his Lohio mates in the room for support. Hmmm...who's down for helping start a "We want more Dutton!" campaign?

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Image of the Day-"I Got High"

Saturday, January 21, 2012
Millvale

This was the second stop of the night and I would have caught first opener Daryl Hance but  as I was in line to get into the sold out gig, I realized I left my phone in my car so I had to sludge back through the snow to get it. Yet another hassle to shoot in the pit was resolved in time to catch JC, who I featured on the blog the last time he was here. He had an Otis Redding vibe with whiffs of '80's synth, weed and Wilco as influences. This was the last stop on their tour and they pretty much tried to tear up the joint. I was nestled in the back kind of getting too tired to notice if they accomplished it. From my vantage point they sure came close. Very fun band.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Image of the Day-"Wonderful Maker"

House Rehearsal
January, 17, 2012
Troy Hill

The band is preparing to release their debut LP (on vinyl, no less) at The Shop on February 11. They were cool enough to send me a preview and I have been cranking it for over a week now. I wanted to hear this live and it worked out I could 'sit in' on one of their practices. I've said this before, there's nothing like a 'personal' concert as a band plays to a room of...me. So great.
I have to warn those of you attending the gig, this band is LOUD! Imagine being surrounded by the band as I was in that little room? It was awesome! As I went to leave, the band kept roaring on downstairs and I couldn't believe that the dishes in the kitchen cupboard were actually rattling. Yeah, bring some earplugs to The Shop.
I'll have more on the band before the show.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Image of the Day-"Lost in Love"


Saturday, January 21, 2012
Northshore
 
As I seemingly went a tad overboard last week gushing about seeing this band, I have to say they met my expectations and then some. This was one hell of a fun show. Maybe because it took place at the casino, there was a 'Vegas-revue' style atmosphere to the show right from the start. The band sounded really good and they totally engaged the overly ecstatic crowd, even coming off the stage posing for pictures and giving kisses and hugs DURING the song! It's no easy feat selling out two 500 seat shows but Air Supply did just that. I suppose after touring for 35 years it shouldn't come as any surprise.

Friday, January 20, 2012

First/Last-Mind Fish

Friday, January 20, 2012
Larryville

Mindfish are a four piece self proclaimed 'Nerd-Rock' band from Toledo, OH. They are releasing their new album 'Watch Out!' this month and are celebrating with a tour that includes a stop at the Thunderbird tonight. Also on the bill are Pittsburgh bands White Like Fire and SleepyV. I want to thank Mind Fish's lead vocalist Dean Tartaglia for taking a few minutes to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Nevermind by Nirvana...and it is still my favorite/most influential to date.

Your last album bought?
I stopped buying albums once I got Spotify, ha ha...But no in all seriousness, I recently purchased a local band from Cincinnati OH, 'The Yugos' first LP (titled, 'The Yugos'). I LOVE it. They are these 16 year old kids we played with once (except their bassist is 35). It sounds like they fell backwards into a perfectly produced record...it's effortless...can't stop listening.

Favorite album of all time?
See first question... But I will give "... Is A Real Boy" by Say Anything a close 2nd. First "Indie" record I ever became obsessed with. I learned that you could 'Break the 4th Wall' as a song writer.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Nickelback's new album.

First concert attended?
It was a 'Weird Al' concert when I was 7. I cried in my mother's arms from the moment he got on stage and didn't stop until he left. He had a projector playing his video for "Jurassic Park" during the performance of that song. I got real nauseated when Barney's head got eaten.

Last concert?
My favorite live band from Detroit, MI called The Hard Lessons played their big Christmas Blowout show at St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit. It was a great show with 6 bands in total. An all-girl teen band called Smudge Candy ended their set with ACDC's "Big Balls". It was the highlight of the night....The Hard Lessons killed it as well, but they have a 6 month old son, so the show ended promptly at 11:30, ha ha.

Favorite concert ever?
Too many, ha ha...I've seen Crash Kings 3 times, and they are some of the most talented musicians I've been lucky enough to see... Foo Fighters is the best ROCK/ARENA/LETS WHIP OUR DICKS OUT kind of concert I've ever been to, mostly because they understand everyone's there for the Bud Light, Dave Grohl and man sweat... and OK GO gets the runner up for most confetti at one place ever witnessed.

Least favorite concert?
Again.. probably gotta go with the whole 'Weird Al' experience...
OH, actually...Another band I play saxophone for opened up for Coolio at the end of 2011... Weirdest shit ever...That dude is still going at 48, but he played to like 100 very bored middle-aged white hicks, and he looks like an alien now, with his two remaining braids...Sorry Coolio!

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
From the two times I've ever stopped on tours I love it. It seems like a hip town that is trying to make more of a name for itself than just that fact that it's the Steel City. I see lots of art, people and just STUFF happening when I'm there...Hope to see a lot of you great people out Friday night to greet me, my band and our new album! Let's party!

Thanks Dean. I am really digging the album preview. That 'Weird Al' memory almost has a scary clown vibe to it.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Image of the Day-"Pittsburgh is a Christmas Kind of Town"

 Marah
Kollar Club
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Southside

Billed as a 'Marah Hot Metal Christmas', it was a two night stand organized by fans turned friends turned supporters Dr. Mike and Jimmy. The dedication these guys have towards the band is nothing like I have ever seen in music and although the band plays regular gigs in the city, these are always something special indeed. Scroll down for a nice writeup of the shows here.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

First/Last-Air Supply



Wikipedia defines 'guilty pleasure' as...wait...take two.
Hi everyone, my name is Hugh T. and, ahem,  I am an Air Supply fan. As any music blogger knows, his or her tastes define a lot about what they listen to and write about and eventually who follows their online presence. Admittedly, to be able to sustain some sort of 'indie cred' could end up being difficult to maintain with a statement I just made. But guess what? I could care less. I have always done what I wanted and saw who I wanted with nobody telling me different. The most incredible facet of music blogging in Pittsburgh is I am my own boss when it comes down to it, and I was way excited to find out that the band was coming to play the casino.
I was a lean (read:skinny), somewhat intelligent (read:nerd) teenager discovering strange feelings for the opposite sex in 1980 and I will forever remember the soundtrack to those times which included bands like Journey, Little River Band, and Air Supply. Yeah, I admit they were somewhat cheesy but did you ever try playing "Lost in Love" on an acoustic guitar to swoon a girl? Believe me, it works! Seriously, give me a couple beers and I'll slay a roomful of people with my 'hillbilly>rap>goth metal' version of "Making Love Out of Nothing At All". No joke.
 The group just released a new digital single Sancuary and are touring with a full band to promote it. It will be fun to see the crowd they get on Saturday as they perform two shows at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. I am way geeked that the duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock took the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.


The first album you ever bought?
Graham Russell: "Please Please Me" The Beatles.
Russell Hitchcock: The first record I bought was "I'll Never Find Another You" The Seekers.

Your last album bought?
Graham: 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' soundtrack.
Russell: The Beatles Box Set.

Favorite album of all time?
Graham: "Abbey Road" The Beatles.
Russell: "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band" The Beatles.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Graham: The new Tori Amos CD.
Russell: Don't have one.

First concert attended?
Graham: The Beatles in 1963.
Russell: The Beatles 1964 in Melbourne.

Last concert?
Graham: Little Big Town on New Year’s Eve.
Russell: AC/DC.

Favorite concert ever?
Graham: The Beatles.
Russell: Paul McCartney.

Least favorite concert?
Graham: Crowded House!
Russell: Don't have one.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Graham: Pittsburgh is a great city in a beautiful State!
Russell: THEY ROCK !!

Thanks so much Graham and Russell. Really looking forward to the show.



FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The links helps to support this site and will allow me to keep writing about local music.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Image of the Day-"Can't Go Back to Jersey"

 
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Millvale

I was surprised to see that this show sold out. I like my white boy rappin' blues as much as anyone else (well, not really) but filling Smalls on a Thursday night? Dude must be doing something right. Maybe it was the promise of a 'meet-n-greet' to the first 75 fans who bought merch? Why all musicians don't go that route is beyond me. As an added bonus they were giving away cassettes with every purchase. Cassettes? Really? That's an issue for a future post. Check out some more images from the night here.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Kickstarter-MOIP


Of all the bands I have covered in Pittsburgh, I have easily photographed Meeting of Important People more than any other. Since seeing them for the first time in 2008, they quickly became one of my favorite bands, local or otherwise. Their debut album was my favorite of 2009 and now they working on their third release which is where you, Joe Public music fan, come in. They are going the Kickstarter route which enables you to secure a copy of the album, and a host of other incentives, by donating now to assist in funding the album making process. For all the info go here.


Friday, January 13, 2012

First/Last-The Winter Sounds

Friday, January 13, 2012
Larryville

The Winter Sounds are a band hailing from Nashville and as they seemingly tour constantly, they stop in Pittsburgh tonight for a show at the Brillobox. Supporting them are hometown favs Triggers and Satin Gum. Really can't miss with that line-up. Singer Patrick Keenan and bassist Ellen Angelico also run Vulcan Army Booking, an independent promotion and booking company. Sounds daunting but as Ellen explains, " We don't have to wait around for a label or manager to approve a t-shirt design, tour dates, or mix of a song. We can give away our music if we want." Right on! The duo were nice enough to take some time to participate in this 'DIY edition' of First/Last.




The first album you ever bought?
Patrick Keenan: The "Bad Boys" single off the COPS television soundtrack by Inner Circle.
Ellen Angelico: The first one I can remember is "Blue" by Third Eye Blind.

Your last album bought? 
Patrick: The Pepper Rabbit record, I can't remember what it's called.
Ellen: "Wildfire" by Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun. Amazing record, great band.


Favorite album of all time? 
Patrick: Probably the Blue Album by Weezer.
Ellen: "Ellipse" by Imogen Heap.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?   
Patrick: I have no idea. Let me think for a second.
Ellen: I feel weird answering this question.
Patrick: Let's skip this one for now.
First concert attended?
Patrick: Green Day and No Doubt, I think it was them. No wait, it was Bush and No Doubt.
Ellen: My first concert was seeing U2 on their Elevation tour, or maybe it was Vertigo.

Last concert?
Ellen: We've been on tour forever. I can't remember the last concert I went to that I wasn't playing in.
Patrick: We saw Givers in Chicago. 
Ellen: Oh yeah, forgot about that one.
Patrick: They were really, really good.
Favorite concert ever? 
Patrick: Andrew WK at the 40 Watt in Athens, GA in, like, 2005.
Ellen: I'd have to go with Lollapalooza 2006. I saw Nickel Creek, Wilco, Matisyahu, Of Montreal, and a bunch of other incredible bands.

Least favorite concert?
Patrick: My first show ever was my least favorite ever. Covering Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" at Spring Fling and not being able to finish the song.
Ellen: Band concert, sophomore year of high school. It was a disaster.
Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Ellen: I'll let Patrick handle this one. I like Pittsburgh a lot but it's Pat's favorite town ever.
Patrick: Oh, Pittsburgh. [wistfully] Sirens and Songbirds- incredible band. A bunch of people became friends and a great connection came out of that band. Partying at Rat Manor is pretty incredible too.


Thanks Patrick and Ellen. There's nothing more I appreciate in the music biz than people doing it for themselves and getting it done. Can't commend you enough!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

First/Last-Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter


Admittedly, I was only vaguely familiar with Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter and their music. What really made me stand up and notice the band was the release their fourth full length album, Marble Son, this past August. I describe it as dark, psychedelic twang. Right up my alley. It's an amazing album full of terrific music anchored by Jesse's haunting vocals. The band toured hard this fall and winter promoting the album and as they rest up before a spring sojourn, Jesse was kind enough to take some time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Blondie’s "Parallel Lines".

Your last album bought?
Can's "Ege Bamyasi".

Favorite album of all time?
I really don't have one...I have many...right now it's "This Cloud Is Learning" by Nicolai Dungar. That has sustained me for the last 5 years or so...it's my constant. Before that it was "Tonight's The Night"....maybe.

Least favorite/most disappointing album? 
Honestly there isn't one...I mean I have bags full of CDs that aren't very good, but I don't listen to them...many were given to me either by labels or other bands on the road. If something I sought out or had expectations of doesn’t resonate with me, I just move on assuming it may be more of a reflection on me at the time, then the artists music lacking in anyway. Relationships to music change so much over the years...what seems lacking in the moment may be essential later on, you know? And what seems essential now, years later can seem really silly and unsophisticated...I think sometimes we like things for sentimental reasons or for familiarity only-that doesn't mean they are good, artistically challenging or culturally relevant!

First concert attended?
Rossington Collins Band in 1979. My grandma took me and waited in the car while I went in with my dad's secretary!

Last concert?
The last show I saw that we weren't involved with somehow, was I think Black Mountain in Seattle.

Favorite concert ever?
It's a tie between The Sadies and Nicolai Dunger.

Least favorite concert?
I wouldn't want to hurt any feelings....the thing is...it's one of "those" things...if you aren't having fun you might write the whole night off as being lack-luster...I don't like how now people blog about a show sucking, but it's clearly more about their personal deal then the show actually sucking...like they aren’t seeing that it's different for everyone in that room...just where you stand can make such a huge difference....if you have any emotional baggage on any given night it'll ruin the whole experience. That's how I feel....and if you think a band sucks because it is not "your thing", well, again it's just not "your" thing...for someone else it may be life changing. Sure, some bands do suck, sadly it's true....but, I think it's mean to say these things in written form, so I don’t!!

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I lived in a house the last 10 years, and the two other tenants were from Pittsburgh. I've never been there, but I feel a kinship through my awesome neighbors and their stories and the kind of people they are...very down-to-earth, good people.


Thank you so much Jesse. I find myself loving the album more with every spin. Hopefully Pittsburgh will be on your radar for your upcoming itinerary!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Image of the Day-"Too Dramatic"

Saturday, December 17, 2012
Oakland
I love being at a show and recognizing a song that the band is playing from someplace deep in my memory. I cannot tell you where I heard the tune before but it becomes instantly familiar. That was the case as Ra Ra Riot performed their third song of the night. I never saw them play and I don't know their music all that well, but I have heard and liked 'Too Dramatic' and it becomes a sweet little moment for me. You can check out more of my photos from the show here.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Image of the Day-"Wave Pool"

Saturday, December 17, 2012
Oakland

Only the second time I have seen the band but have been digging their debut release for awhile so it's always nice to hear live arrangements of familiar tunes. Strange venue for the band though. The austerity of  lecture hall has the audience 'sitting on their hands' for every show I have seen there. The band seemed a bit taken aback from the drop dead silence in between songs. Regardless, they soldiered through with a terrific set.  I am sure the vibe was quite different at the sold out Brillobox gig this past weekend.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Hope in the face of a tragedy


As a longtime fan of the band Marah, I was saddened to hear of the devastating house fire yesterday of guitarist Serge Bielanko and his young family. I never met his wife Monica in person, but have been internet 'friends' with her for years through social media sites. The good news is that they and their children escaped unharmed. A fellow blogger has set up a fund page for the family here.  Please consider donating and spread the word.


Monday, January 2, 2012

Image of the Day-"Later 2011"

Saturday, December 31, 2011
Downtown

As I have done for the past several years, I close out the musical year Downtown with WYEP's artists of the year. Can't think of a better way to celebrate.