First/Last-The Midnight Ghost Train

Photo courtesy of the band

The Midnight Ghost Train

31st Street Pub

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Strip District

"On August 1st 2007, John Goff was pronounced dead. He died in his small house in Abilene, Kansas from a severe asthma attack. This was the influential event that caused John’s best friend Steve Moss, to start The Midnight Ghost Train, as a eulogy to John. “Something had to be done,” Steve says. “John’s memory and life has to be remembered in some way.” Moss then moved to his hometown Buffalo, New York with a plan to start a band, record a record, and go on tour. This was the idea and the drive that fueled The Midnight Ghost Train’s engine. With nonstop touring in both the U.S. and Europe, TMGT now currently spends ten months a year on the road, playing as many shows as they can book. If they had it their way they would play 365 days a year till the day they die. They have no booking agent, and even though there has been several offers the band has no record label backing them up. “Judging from their quickly growing fan base, their drive, determination, hard work, and mind blowing passionate live show, I don’t know why a great label hasn’t picked them up yet” –Torche Magazine. But TMGT is not concerned about signing with a label, they prefer holding out for the right one. Their main goal is to tour as much as possible and hope to leave their artistic impression on the world."

The band is touring behind it's newest release "Buffalo" which you can pre-order a limited edition with the first 500 copies of the LP pressed on a mixture of “ox-blood” spatter-and-opaque vinyl. Yeah, no shit. They return to Pittsburgh tomorrow at the Pub. My thanks to Steve Moss (Guitar/Vocals) for taking a few minutes to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
The Beatles, “Abbey Road”.

Your last album bought?
Leonard Cohen, “Songs from a Room”.

Favorite album of all time?
That's a tough one but if I have to choose one I'd say Tom waits, “The Heart of Saturday Night”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Against Me, “Searching for a Former Clarity”.

First concert attended?
The Mamas and The Papas.

Last concert?
Clutch.

Favorite concert ever?
Tom Waits’ “Glitter and Doom” tour.

Least favorite concert?
ween.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
We love coming to Pittsburgh. Especially now that we have found the 31^st St. Pub to play at. The old place we used to play was not anywhere as close to as cool as 31st Pub. Last time we played the Pub, a guy in the audience was going so crazy for us and during our last song he just ripped off his shirt and layer across the stage. It was pretty epic and the bass player from Truckfighters got it all on video. It was quite funny. See you soon.

Thanks, Steve. That vinyl option is the coolest thing ever...well, if you're not a vegan or anything.