First/Last-The Kickback

"Familiarizing oneself to The Kickback may seem like an exercise in confronting consistent sets of seemingly opposing ideas: A band that prides itself on its love of Muppet Christmas specials and youthful naiveté but has no problem admitting to a paralyzing fear of death and decline. The group seems to strive for brutal honesty, all-the-while realizing they’re a pop band playing pop music. Even the membership of the group itself may seem odd: one-half brothers from South Dakota, one-half Chicago transplants from Washington D.C. and Mexico."

Check out the band on Facebook, Tumblr, BandCamp and Twitter. You can preorder their latest deep violet vinyl 7", 'Please Hurt' at Instorerecordings. My coverage of the Paste 50 States Project takes us to Chicago via South Dakota with The Kickback. I want to thank the brothers Yost, Bill (Guitar/Keys/Vocals) and Danny (Drums/Programming), for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Billy Yost: “WWF The Music, Vol. 3”.
Danny Yost: “Pretty Hate Machine”.

Your last album bought?
Billy: ”Thriller”.
Danny: "The Information", Beck.

Favorite album of all time?
Billy: “Is This It”, The Strokes.
Danny: "Dear You", Jawbreaker.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Billy: “First Impressions of Earth”, The Strokes.
Danny: "Spellbound", Paula Abdul.

First concert attended?
Billy: A bunch of our brothers' shows, then Hootie and the Blowfish at a race car track.
Danny: The Specials and The Foo Fighters.

Last concert?
Billy & Danny: Randy Newman.

Favorite concert ever?
Billy & Danny: Randy Newman.

Least favorite concert?
Billy: Animal Collective, Lollapalooza 2009.
Danny: Tool, Sioux Falls, SD.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Billy: We had maybe the worst experience in Pittsburgh than almost any other city than Memphis and haven't been back since. My amp exploded and I had to buy a new one at a Guitar Center in the area using money that I did not have. A bunch of what the bartender called "Jager Girls" came in to the bar we were playing to hand out promotional swag and really classed up the joint. I mean, we were four gentlemen riding around in a van for two months straight and weren't desperate enough to even contemplate approaching that train wreck. There was porn in a claw machine, the guy who let us stay with him told us we should never play Pittsburgh, and the band that was after us borrowed part of Danny's kit and permanently broke part of it and when Danny called him on it, he was a real dick. We haven't had luck getting on any shows since and we see it as a curse that we need help lifting.
Danny: Jag girls, porn prizes in a claw machine.

  
Thanks, fellas. Such a bummer Pittsburgh memory. I don't blame you for feeling that way at all after all that went down. Hopefully you come back and can somewhat erase your feelings towards here.