First Last-Casino Bulldogs

"Casino Bulldogs is a fantastic rock band that explores many genres to produce catchy music with a wonderful flow.  Since forming in 2008, the band has released nearly 40 original songs spread out across three full-length albums and two Eps.  Their music has been featured at PNC Park during Pittsburgh Pirate games, as well as on radio stations including 105.9 WXDX,  102.5 WDVE, and 92.1 WPTS.  Casino Bulldogs have even shared the stage with a handful of national acts including Everclear, Eve 6, and Jimmy's Chicken Shack, and have been hailed by local media as being "highly melodic, bouncy and fun, while retaining grit, volume, and a smack of punk rock enthusiasm".  In August, the band will be releasing a new 9 song album entitled "Fashion in Various Evils".

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, BandCamp, MySpace, YouTube and Twitter. They are finalizing their latest album, "Fashion in Various Evils" for a late summer release and you can preview the music tomorrow at the Deutschtown Music Festival, where the band play around 11 p.m. at Peanutz. They have quickly become a local favorite of mine and I want to thank Jason Hahn (Bass/Vocals), Brad Pfueffer (Drums) and Greg Trimeloni (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Jason Hahn: “The Stranger”, Billy Joel.
Brad Pfueffer: ‘I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues’, Elton John.
Greg Trimeloni: “Transmissions from the Satellite Heart”, The Flaming Lips (on cassette).

Your last album bought?
Jason & Brad:  “...Like Clockwork”, Queens of the Stone Age.
Greg: “Wild Water Kingdom”, Heems.

Favorite album of all time?
Jason: Definitely the debut album by Frank Black and the Catholics.
Brad: “OK Computer”, Radiohead.
Greg: Tough one. In recent years, I'd have to say it’s a toss-up between "Suck it and See" by Arctic Monkeys and "Real Emotional Trash" by Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Jason: Whatever the newest Green Day album is.
Brad: Kings of Leon's last one, I don't remember the name.
Greg: “Zeitgeist”, Smashing Pumpkins. The guitar work and drumming was excellent, but I could only really get into a few of the songs…it was a bit of a letdown after the excellent "Machina" and "Machina II" albums. But, I'm really enjoying their latest album, "Oceania"!

First concert attended?
Jason: Beck.
Brad: Tom Petty.
Greg: Aerosmith.

Last concert?
Jason: The Melvins.
Brad: Local Natives.
Greg: Silversun Pickups.

Favorite concert ever?
Jason: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at Strathmore in Washington, DC.
Brad: Steely Dan at Post-Gazette Pavilion in 2006.
Greg: Hum, their 2nd reunion show, in Champaign, IL. It was awesome meeting so many people who traveled there from all over the country.

Least favorite concert?
Jason: Social Distortion at Stage AE last year. There were so many drunk chicks and meatheads screaming stupid nonsense that I couldn't even hear the band, I was totally bummed by that.
Brad: Spoon at the American Eagle concert in the South Side.
Greg: Any "battle of the bands" show that I’ve ever played.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Jason:  Watching Sonic Youth play at the Three Rivers Arts Festival a few years back. It was one of the nicest summer days I can remember, and the beautiful sounds of guitar feedback echoing off the PPG building was surreal.

Greg: My favorite Pittsburgh experiences would definitely include all of the shows we've been lucky enough to play here.  Also, hearing two of our songs played at PNC Park during Pirate games was really cool too!
Brad: What Greg said!  Playing shows and getting to meet a bunch of awesome musicians has been a blast.

Thanks, fellas. I am really loving the new album! I also love how it sounds live!