First/Last-Madeline and the Metropolis

Madeline and the Metropolis

Club Cafe

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Southside

"Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, Madeline and the Metropolis carefully blends its vast musical influences to create an indie-rock sound that is both captivating and unique, which translates seamlessly into their high-energy live performances. MatM has been tirelessly working to piece together the songs for the release of their upcoming full-length album, Madeline and the Metropolis, which will be available 12/1/2012. With over a year of experience playing the local Pittsburgh scene, MatM is just hitting their stride and looking forward to an exciting end to 2012, and an even bigger 2013."

Check out Madeline and the Metropolis online at Facebook, ReverbNation, Twitter and Bandcamp. The locals have their debut CD Release gig tomorrow at Club Cafe for the late show with support from Balloon Ride Fantasy. My Thanks to Chris Rowe (Vocals/Guitar), Howard Brumberg (Lead Guitar), Mike Smales (Drums/Percussion) and Darren Hammel (Bass) for taking some time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Chris Rowe: Third Eye Blind, “Third Eye Blind”. I might have been 10 years old. I still listen to this one a lot.
Howard Brumberg: Van Halen, “1984”.
Mike Smales: Soundgarden, “Superunknown”.
Darren Hammel: Cheap Trick, “Dream Police”. KISS was my introduction to rock music, mainly because of their stage show, but Cheap Trick was the first band I liked solely for their music.

Your last album bought?
Chris: Japandroids, “Celebration Rock”. I love the powerful sound these guys are able to get as a two piece.
Howard: Arcade Fire, “The Suburbs”.
Mike: The Walkmen, “Heaven”.
Darren: Rush, “Clockwork Angels”. 60-year old farts still showing the kids how it should be done.

Favorite album of all time?
Chris: Always a tough question, but I’d have to go back to the self-titled Third Eye Blind album. The guitar work is awesome, but it’s subtle so you really have to listen to pick some of the parts out. A lot of people write off these guys because of the radio hits, but there are some real gems on this album. ‘Motorcycle Drive By’ is still my favorite song after all these years.
Howard: The Beatles, “ Rubber Soul”.
Mike: The Walkmen, “Bows and Arrows”.
Darren: Rush, “Moving Pictures”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Chris: Anything Rush did after 1981.
Howard: Coldplay, “Mylo Xyloto”.
Mike: N/A.
Darren: Judas Priest, “Turbo”. I was a huge metalhead back in the '80s and Priest was my favorite band all throughout junior high (my god, I'm old!), but that album was a drastic departure for them and a big letdown for me.

First concert attended?
Chris: I don’t remember.
Howard: The Steve Miller Band.
Mike: AC/DC in Pittsburgh, ’02.
Darren: Cheap Trick, May 6, 1979 at the Stanley Theatre. I’m really showing my age now.

Last concert?
Chris: Dr. Dog. Those guys are a lot of fun live.
Howard: Coldplay.
Mike: The Walkmen, 9/30/2012.
Darren: Rush, September 11, 2012 at Consol Energy Center. See above comment on Rush.

Favorite concert ever?
Chris: I saw Butch Walker in a small bar outside Baltimore a few years ago. He puts on such a great show. Easily one of my favorite songwriters too.
Howard: Coldplay.
Mike: The Foo Fighters at Mellon Arena about five years ago was pretty awesome. They played a five-song encore.
Darren: Our last show.

Least favorite concert?
Chris: I don’t know if there has been one yet. I love live music, and can get into just about anything.
Howard: Mariah Carey.
Mike: N/A.
Darren: Lycia at Club Laga sometime in the mid-90's. Goth-band from Chicago, I think. They put on an unspirited show and just about ran off the stage when they were done.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Chris: I like it, just not the traffic.
Howard: It’s tough to reach new fans.
Mike: Pittsburgh is a great place for people to play music. It would be awesome if more places had a "built-in" crowd and if more people came out to listen to live music, but I'm always just happy to get the opportunity to play out. Perhaps with the local population on the rise, the music scene will improve.
Darren: No comment.

Thanks, guys. I can kinda sympathize with the seemingly 'lack of appreciation' here in town but keep on keeping on and the music will eventually speak for itself!

First/Last-The Ceiling Stares

The Ceiling Stares

Gooski's

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Polish Hill

 

"The Ceiling Stares, Pittsburgh’s newest underground rock heroes,  embrace the lo-fi movement in the correct manner. Less-than-polished, analog-sounding recording techniques shouldn’t be used to mask the deficiencies of the band that utilizes them, nor should they be employed because the current wave of indie music trends indicate lo-fi’s (supposed) importance."-Patrick Bowman

 

You can check out The Ceiling Stares on Facebook, Soundcloud, and Bandcamp. The band plays Gooski's on Saturday and I want to thank Stephen Patchan (Guitar) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
“Crazy From the Heat”, Diamond David Lee Roth. I bought it not for myself, but for a friend's 9th birthday. Well, actually, I got my mom to buy it. Nevertheless, I hated DDLR. I was distinctly anti-DDLR because I supported VH (although DDLR's videos were pretty stellar). With maturity and wisdom through the passage of time, I've since come to a point in my life where I greatly appreciate solo DDLR (the English versions). Not to mention, a band with Vai and Sheehan....Gadzooks!

Your last album bought?
“Eat 'Em and Smile”, Diamond David Lee Roth. As a 12 year old, I believed everything Eddie Van Halen said. If EVH said that DDLR was the devil, then, well, so it goes. I was a Sammy Hagar fan. Over the years, EVH's influence over me has waned. His threat of kicking DDLR in the groin ("better wear a cup") illustrated a weakness in the EVH armor. I'm now at the point of YouTubing ‘Yankee Rose’ 2x's more than ‘Right Now’. What more can I say?

Favorite album of all time?
This is a tie between the Professional Nouns' debut, “Deep Pain”, and their sophomore joint, “Deep Spain”. Psychedelic jams including ‘Driving to the Sun’ and ‘Sneaky Librarian’ are perfect to spark one to.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
“Sonrisa Salvaje”, David Lee Roth. This is the spanish version of “Eat 'Em and Smile”. It’s entirely in Spanish. I don't speak or hear Spanish. I can't understand a word Dave's saying.

First concert attended?
The first one I technically attended: Dionne Warwick at the Point (maybe 1979?). The first one I paid with my own hard-earned money: Dig, 1994 at Graffiti. I succumbed to the buzz bin. ‘Why don't you believe?’ This album actually still holds up for me.

Last concert?
Neil Young and Crazy Horse. No one hits the high peaks and low valleys like Neil. Only Neil can make me rock to ‘LIke a Hurricane’ and wince with pain at ‘Born in Ontario’.

Favorite concert ever?
Will Oldham, York, PA. in  2011. The reason why it was my favorite was how Will dressed (while performing a song with the opener). He looked like a modern day Dennis Connor captaining ‘Stars and Stripes’ ‘87. He looked normal. It was great.

Least favorite concert?
I saw Peter Frampton in Visalia, CA. He covered ‘Black Hole Sun’ and used the vocoder throughout the entire song. This was the highlight.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Our city is pretty safe from natural catastrophe. Aside from the occasional tornado, we avoid most of Mother Nature's wrath. Our property values are set to soar once the sea waters flood the coastal cities, Earthquakes flatten CA, and volcanoes blast the northwest.

Thanks, Stephen. Nothing like looking ahead and being positive, huh? At least you think our property values will go up!

First/Last-Pete Bush and the Hoi Polloi

 

"This holiday season, ThePittsburghScene.com is raising money for Project Bundle-Up. A beloved Pittsburgh charity for 25 years, Project Bundle-Up provides winter coats and accessories for young children and elderly in need.
To kick off the season of giving, we are hosting a benefit concert on Saturday, December 1st.. The show will feature all local musicians, who have graciously offered to donate all proceeds to Project Bundle-Up.
Project Bundle-Up needs our help this year more than ever, as they have recently lost one of their biggest financial contributors, UPMC. Please join us on December 1st for a night of phenomenal local music, as we come together to help those who need it most during the frigid winter months."

This benefit gig will be chock full of local talent including Broken Fences, Michael Cali, The Weedrags, There There, The Mike Medved Band and headliners Pete Bush & The Hoi Polloi. You can check out Pete on Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube and Twitter. You can also buy tickets in advance here or at the door. My thanks to Pete for taking the time to not only contribute his talents to the show but for participating in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
“Vivid” by Living Colour.

Your last album bought?
“Forever So” by Husky.

Favorite album of all time?
“For Your Own Special Sweetheart” by Jawbox.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
“Liz Phair” by...Liz Phair.

First concert attended?
Lollapalooza in 1992.

Last concert?
Fiona Apple.

Favorite concert ever?
Charles Bradley.

Least favorite concert?
Rancid (Metropol, 1998).

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
One of my favorite experiences has been playing the last two ‘Beatles Tribute’ shows. Last year, I got to bring my mom out to sing with me, and this year I got to bring my sister onstage. Both sold out shows, and it was both of their first times onstage. Watching them go through the nervousness, the performance, the relief of getting through and then getting that applause, priceless.

Thanks, Pete. Being dragged up onstage by family members to sing definitely takes some guts to do. Kudos to your mom and sis for going along with it.

First/Last-Kiernan McMullen

Kiernan McMullen

Howler's Coyote Cafe

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Bloomfield

"My parents met on a plane, so being a gypsy was always in my genes.."  For the last ten years, Irish-Australian artist Kiernan McMullan has made an impression around the world at sold-out shows, festivals, and touring with well-established talent.  With nothing but a plane ticket, a hiking bag and a guitar, he flew to the US and hitched and bussed from gig to gig, playing shows every other day.  His most recent record, Two Years, was recorded in Ireland and tells the story of the last two years he spent in America, and follows up as his second full-length album."

Check out Kiernan McMullen on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Reverbnation. He hits Pittsburgh tomorrow night at Howler's touring behind his latest release, "Two Years", with support from Zack Schmitt and Ryan Taylor. My thanks to him for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
My first tape was Hootie & The Blowfish, “Cracked Rear View”.

Your last album bought?
“Corner Store” by Sidewalk Chalk.

Favorite album of all time?
The Temptations, “Rage Against The Machine” by Rage Against The Machine, “Transatlanticism” by Death Cab for Cutie, “Bleed American” by Jimmy Eat World.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
“St. Anger” by Metallica.

First concert attended?
‘Monster Jam’ (Nelly, Ja Rule, Pink, Eve, Destiny’s Child, DMX, Lil’ Kim, etc.).

Last concert?
Rufus Wainright at The Ryman.

Favorite concert ever?
Oxygen Festival in Ireland (James Brown, The Who, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against The Machine).

Least favorite concert?
Deicide (a metal band) in Dublin, Ireland.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
My first show in Pittsburgh was when I was hitchhiking in 2008, and I played at Chatham University in a basement that looked like a scene from Saw. My next show after that was in a video game arcade. You guys know how to drink.

Thanks, Kiernan. Thankfully, Howler's doesn't look like the room in 'Saw'...well. not that much???