First/Last-Spacewolf

"We formed out of the pieces of a couple of Jackson bands. Just kinda worked out and we've kept doing it."

Check out the band on Facebook and BandCamp. As part of my ongoing coverage of the Paste 50 States Project, I hit Mississippi with Spacewolf. The band is finishing up the follow up to their fantastic self-titled debut from 2011. Huge thanks to Drew McKercher (Guitars/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
The first album that I remember actually purchasing with my own money was En Vogue "Funky Divas". Haven't heard it in forever but I'm sure it's just as good as I remember it being. Those girls could wail.

Your last album bought?
Water Liars "Wyoming". Absolutely incredible record. And the new Queens of the Stone Age... also incredible work. Their best yet in my opinion.

Favorite album of all time?
Tough question, but I'm gonna have to go with Miles Davis "Live Evil". I never get tired of it... you can learn and un-learn a lot about music with that record.
Runner ups would be Led Zeppelin "Houses of the Holy", Buena Vista Social Club, Curtis Mayfield "Superfly", Flaming Lips "Soft Bulletin", National "Boxer", Wilco "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot", Tom Waits "Bone Machine"... better stop there. This could go on for days.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
This is a really tough one... I actually really liked the first two Coldplay records. I'd say anything after that is a complete disappointment.
Radiohead's "King of Limbs" was a bit of a letdown for me until I heard them doing it live on the "From the Basement" series. Now I love it.

First concert attended?
Clint Black... no comments there.

Last concert?
Yo La Tengo this past May at Tipitina's in New Orleans. One of the greatest bands around, fantastic show.

Favorite concert ever?
Hard to say. Maybe Modest Mouse at the House of Blues in New Orleans somewhere around '05 or '06. I remember the sound being fantastic and the band being spot on. Plus they had Johnny Marr with them on guitar at the time, which was a major bonus.

Least favorite concert?
Blue Oytser Cult at the Jackson Coliseum... love the band, but the sound was really disappointing. I was really pumped about the show and it was a huge letdown.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I've only been in the airport... would like to come check it out someday.

Thanks so much, Drew. Love the tease for the new album. Please let me know when it's available.

First/Last-Charlie and the Foxtrots

"A pop/folk six piece blending their unique styles to create a dynamic alliance you won't forget. By mixing folk and pop, this group will leave you with an emotionally enveloped feeling of comfort and musical satisfaction."

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, ReverbNation, Twitter and BandCamp. The Nashville band recently completed a highly successful Kickstarter campaign to help fund the production of their debut full-length, which should be dropping soon. The band has TWO local shows this weekend on their first ever national tour at The Center of Harmony tomorrow night on a bill with previously First/Last victims Science! and at the same venue Sunday night for a special acoustic performance. My thanks to Chas Wilson (Guitar/Banjo/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
“The White Stripes” by The White Stripes.

Your last album bought?
“Pillow Talk” by Wild Child.

Favorite album of all time?
“Drops in the River” by Fleet Foxes.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
There's a little good in everything.

First concert attended?
3 Doors Down/Breaking Benjamin.

Last concert?
Brendan James.

Favorite concert ever?
Fleet Foxes at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA.

Least favorite concert?
Baha Men.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
We can't wait to experience your city and meet you folks!

Thanks, Chas. Been totally digging your EP and can't wait to hear the new album.

First/Last-Camden

“Many years later”, the tenor saxophonist Branford Marsalis recalled, “a lot of younger musicians were hanging around with Elvin Jones, and they were talking about, ‘Man, you know, you guys had an intensity when you were playing with Coltrane. I mean, what was it like? How do you play with that kind of intensity?’ And Elvin Jones looks at them and says, ‘You gotta be willing to die with the motherfucker.’ They started laughing like kids do, waiting for the punchline, and then they realised he was serious. How many people do you know that are willing to die—period? Die with anybody! And when you listen to those records, that’s exactly what they sound like. I mean that they would die for each other.”

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, SoundCloud and BandCamp. As part of my coverage of the ongoing Paste 50 States Project, today I focus on Massachusetts and the pop-rock of Camden. They have released a few singles so far and are hard at work on finalizing their debut full-length this fall. I want to thank Jason Sibilia (Guitar/Keys/Vocals) and Jim Williamson (Bass/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Jason Sibilia: Smashing Pumpkins “Siamese Dream”.
Jim Williamson: Misfits “Static Age”.

Your last album bought?
Jason: Future “Pluto”.
Jim: Syd Barrett “The Madcap Laughs”.

Favorite album of all time?
Jason: Can “Future Days”.
Jim: No idea.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Jason: Anything Jay-Z has done since “The Black Album”.
Jim: Animal Collective “Centipede HZ”.

First concert attended?
Jason: Blink-182 and Green Day, ‘Pop Disaster Tour’, 2002.
Jim: It was either a Bruce Springsteen show or KISS show.

Last concert?
Jason: Savages at the Middle East, July 2013.
Jim: Paul McCartney played at Fenway Park and we sat on a roof and listened.

Favorite concert ever?
Jason: Grizzly Bear at the MFA Courtyard Boston, MA, Summer 2008.
Jim: Same as Jason's, excellent show!

Least favorite concert?
Jason: Dave Matthews Band, Hartford, CT.
Jim: There is always fun to be had somewhere.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Jason: No experiences. Proud birthplace of Wiz Khalifa and Andy Warhol though! Would love to visit and play a show soon.
Jim: Gimme some food.

Thanks, fellas. It always cracks me up the perception of Pittsburgh and food.

First/Last-England in 1819

"Brothers Andrew and Dan Callaway have created their own unique 'grandwave' sound, combining Andrew's smooth vocals and Dan's soaring french horn with thick synths and pounding beats."

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, SoundCloud and BandCamp. As part of the Paste 50 States Project,  today I feature Louisiana and England in 1819. The band's latest album, "Fireball Electric Tomorrow" is released today and I want to thank Andrew Callaway (Keys/Vocals) for taking the tine to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Our dad took me and Andrew to buy a tape when we were very young. I got Nirvana “Insecticide”, and he got Tom Petty “Full Moon Fever”. Heard a lot of those two for awhile!

Your last album bought?
Future Islands “On the Water”.

Favorite album of all time?
Hard to pick, but The National "Boxer" is in the running.

First concert attended?
Not quite sure, but our dad took us to to see brass bands in England a lot! I would guess one of those.

Last concert?
Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun in Asheville! We were up there finishing our record and the band was on tour from Atlanta. Wonderful people, awesome band.

Favorite concert ever?
Sigur Ros in Philadelphia last year.

Least favorite concert?
One time we got hired to play an LSU frat party, they thought we were a DJ.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Well, we each went to high school in Baltimore, so we were a little hesitant before we got there. Absolutely beautiful place, super nice people. We also enjoy those Iron City beers! Nice bottle!

Thanks a lot, Andrew. I have to say, I love your band name. Not so easy to Google but still...

First/Last-The Artless

"The Artless is a 4-piece Indie-Rock outfit based out of Pittsburgh. We were formed out of a previous band that all the members were in. We created the new band with a collective agreement to explore new musical ideas, and to also tour and have our music be heard. The Artless formed at the beginning of 2013. We had a set written and played our first show on April 10th at 6119 with a great New York band called Team Spirit. Since then we have played quite a few shows with notable bands such as The Front Bottoms, The Boxer Rebellion, Fossil Collective, and many more."

Check out the band at Facebook, Twitter, BandCamp and Tumblr. The band has an EP release show for their debut "The Things We Don't Know", tomorrow at Altar Bar as they support Geographer and GRMLN. I want to thank Nick Gee (Guitar/Vocals), Edward Angelo (Drums/Guitar/Vocals) and Alex Medice (Bass) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Nick Gee: “Aaron's Party (Come Get It)”.
Edward Angelo: KISS "Greatest Hits".
Alex Medice: Green Day "Dookie".

Your last album bought?
Nick: fun. "Some Nights.
Edward: Phoenix "Bankrupt".
Alex: Portugal. The Man "Evil Friends".

Favorite album of all time?
Nick: fun. "Aim & Ignite".
Edward: Phoenix "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix".
Alex: The Smiths "The Queen Is Dead".

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Nick: fun. "Some Nights".
Edward: I don't know.
Alex: Any Panic! At The Disco album after "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out".

First concert attended?
Nick: Live and Collective Soul.
Edward: Britney Spears.
Alex: Third Eye Blind.

Last concert?
Nick: The Front Bottoms (I guess?).
Edward: Walk The Moon (I'm not counting our shows as concerts, that's silly).
Alex: Bonnaroo Music Festival (Too many bands to name).

Favorite concert ever?
Nick: Panic! At The Disco at Mr. Smalls (The lineup was stellar).
Edward: Passion Pit.
Alex: Morrissey at Heinz Hall.

Least favorite concert?
Nick: Luther Vandross.
Edward: Britney Spears.
Alex: The Lumineers (I was just unimpressed with their live performance).

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Nick: Everyone is generally nice. I like city atmosphere and smells. Bridges are neat too.
Edward: Great city for biking and eating food. Also playing music.
Alex: The views are unlike any other city. The culture is unique and great. Also, the biking is sweet too, thanks Edward.

Thanks, fellas. Looking forward to hearing the EP.