First/Last-Jack & The Bear

"Take three young siblings; one, a horn player; another, a guitarist/writer; and the last, a drum lord. Now, add to the mix two more heart throbs, equipped with keys, enthusiastic vocals, and of course a bodacious, booming bass. Mix all of these things together and you’ve got yourself a meal, a very different kind of meal, a kind of meal intended not for consuming through your mouth, oh no, but for your listening and viewing pleasure."

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, BandCamp and Twitter. The Michigan folk-rockers roll into Pittsburgh on Sunday to play a show at Howler's Coyote Cafe. I want to thank Brandon James (Guitar/Lead Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
I was in 6th grade and it was “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” by AC/DC.

Your last album bought?
“Sail Away” by Randy Newman.

Favorite album of all time?
That's a tough one, currently I'm going through an intense Randy Newman obsession with his 1999 release "Bad Love" being my most listened to album at the moment. Every song off that album is pure gold.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Hmm, that's a tough one as well but I have to say, I was a huge Mumford and Sons fan when they released "Sigh No More" so you can well imagine I strongly anticipated the release of their sophomore album, and when it finally came "Babel" turned out to be one of the most disappointing albums of all time for me. I don't know of it’s because the songs all sounded quite similar to the first or I'd just grown tired of the pop/folk genre all together but man am I not a fan of that album.

First concert attended?
The first noteworthy concert I can remember attending would be Aerosmith with Motley Crue... I was a huge classic rock fan throughout my freshmen year in high school... yeah.

Last concert?
I recently saw Gordon Lightfoot with my brother Adam and my grandmother and man was that incredible, and just a week later I took my lady friend to see the almighty Randy Newman.

Favorite concert ever?
Randy Newman was the best concert I've seen since Bruce and his E Street Band. It really is a toss-up between the two.

Least favorite concert?
I saw KISS with special guest Motley Crue with my brother Adam about a year ago to relive our high school glory days and KISS delivered (even with the two new guys) however, Motely Crue should have never took their show back out on the road. I can describe their show in one word "Headache."

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is grand. I'm pretty picky and opinionated when it comes to cities making my "cool list" but Pittsburgh made that list.

Thanks, Brandon. I have to admit, I know next to nothing about Randy Newman other than 'Short People' and Toy Story. I have to say that your glowing enthusiasm is making me reconsider that.

First/Last-Thee Open Sex

Trippy, psychedelic and groovy would just cover half of Thee Open Sex’s most recent and self-titled LP. Its the group’s third since 2009 and is extremely tight and cohesive—just like its live performances." - Patrick Filbin PASTE

The 'stoner droners' are featured on the Paste 50 Project representing Indiana and their latest release is a self-tilted 12" via Magnetic South Recordings. I want to thank Rachel Weidner AKA Miss Mess (Organ/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Mariah Carey “Rainbow” on CD.

Your last album bought?
Today I got a mono original pressing of The Rolling Stones “Aftermath”, a Gangsta Boo "Nasty Trick" 12" single, and the Lee Hazlewood album “Houston”.

Favorite album of all time?
In no particular order, these all tie: Scarface “The Fix”, The Velvet Underground “The Velvet Underground”, UGK “Underground Kingz”, and The Troggs “Wild Thing”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I compulsively purchase beat up soul and country records from dollar bins and sadly, I have been burned once or twice.

First concert attended?
Peter Frampton and Kansas in Muncie, Indiana. Some awesome all-lady Heart cover band opened.

Last concert?
The memories in Los Angeles (my buddy Mikey's band) with Colleen Green.

Favorite concert ever?
Tough one. BITCHPORK wins all-around fave freaky music and homies, but every Nobunny show I have ever attended has been wild and ecstatic in the best way. Seeing Roky Erickson in Louisville was life-changing. I've also seen Tom Petty like 5 times and never been disappointed. Chatting with Fred Cole and Toody after seeing Pierced Arrows the first time was amazing. I'm so inspired by them. Geto Boys at SXSW this year, fuuuuuuck.

Least favorite concert?
Shows suck all the time, but I almost always enjoy them. However, music school juries and recitals can suck a big one. So much talent, but so incredibly boring.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is awesome! Great records, great hoods. Also, Steelers win hands-down best football jerseys--bumblebee swag. Gotta shout out to The Lopez, My favorite band from the ‘burgh!

Thanks, Rachel. Nice shout out to The Lopez. Love them as well.

Thee Open Sex Facebook


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First/Last-Raindeer

"Sugary and nostalgic Baltimore synth-pop. A mix of influences from the 50s and 80s. An extremely accessible sound that will please twee-ginas and hipsters alike." - Ongakubaka

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, Spotify, Twitter and BandCamp. Hitting up Maryland on my travels through the Paste 50 States Project, I discover Raindeer who's latest album, "Tattoo" as released this past July. I want to thank Charlie Hughes (Synth/Guitar/Lead Vocals) for taking a few minutes to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Technically the first album I ever actually bought with my own money was a cassette of the Nirvana compilation, “Incesticide”, but was forced to immediately return it when my mom saw the album title. Since I never actually got to hear it I believe my first album was either Queen “Greatest Hits” or Guns N' Roses “Appetite for Destruction”.

Your last album bought?
Arcade Fire “Reflektor”.

Favorite album of all time?
Impossible question, but if I had to pick one album that is consistently really special I'd have to go with...Pixies “Bossanova”? Or maybe “Gorillaz” Self-Titled... or Mr Bungle “California”. Did I just cheat? (Echo and the Bunnymen “Porcupine”)...

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I know if I hear the song ‘Summer of ‘69’ by Bryan Adams one more time I might explode into a thousand spiders that crawl our way into the nearest body of water to drown. As for worst album though, I'd have to go with whatever album that song is on.

First concert attended?
Long Beach Dub All Stars at 9:30 Club in Washington DC.

Last concert?
Gary Numan at Black Cat in Washington DC.

Favorite concert ever?
Grandaddy with Super Furry Animals at 9:30 Club in Washington DC. I believe it was in 2003. First time ever seeing a band with a strong presence of visuals alongside the music. I remember the best moment was during the song ‘The Crystal Lake’ by Grandaddy, feeling really overwhelmed and weird in the best possible way. Close second was during the song ‘Man Don't Give a Fuck’ by Super Furry Animals with accompanying visuals of different dictators and evil people edited to look like they were almost dancing to the music. Then there was a 10 minute solo with the keyboardist doing an insanely loud electronic section kinda in the style of a really intense Aphex Twin. The band finished the song/show coming back on stage dressed in Yeti costumes.

Least favorite concert?
I've seen a TON of bad concerts working in music venues running sound, but the worst that I actually paid to see I guess would be Limp Bizkit at a festival in Washington DC. They were headlining and for some reason I stayed to watch them. I left pretty shortly into their set and on my way to the exit a girl with a pacifier and really big pants jumped in my face and sang "I did it all for the nookie" at me really aggressively. I was really frightened.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I've never been to Pittsburgh. Something I plan to change very soon as we're currently booking a tour with our friend Gage in mid to late January with Pittsburgh being one of our planned destinations. I'm definitely excited to experience it.

Thanks, Charlie. I too have vivid memories from that final Grandaddy tour where the band was jamming while seemingly totally mesmerized by the visuals behind them.

First/Last-Rodeo Ruby Love

"For the last seven years, Rodeo Ruby Love has tried to become synonymous with Indiana: honest, hardworking, non-assuming and a little bit behind the times. The songs are rooted in the pop-country radio and church hymns that shaped founding member Zachary Melton’s childhood, while the energy and passion bloomed from the central Indiana hardcore scene. Rodeo Ruby Love has always sought to tell real stories, vulnerably exploring truth in the emotions we experience when life and love collide—the heartaches of friendship, the exhilaration of relationship, and the innocent angst of trying to get to second base. The songs were distinctly Mid-western: small town problems of small town boys and girls played to the biggest sound they could muster."

Check out the band on Facebook, Twitter, BandCamp and Tumblr. I hit Indiana today on my journey through the Paste 50 States Project with the pop/rock of Rodeo Ruby Love. The band's latest effort their fourth full-length, "The Pits" via The Pentimento Music Company. I want to thank Zachary Melton (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
When I first started buying music, I was very into buying CD singles. I remember buying Fiona Apple's ‘Criminal’ single, as well as Dru Hill's ‘Somebody's Sleeping in my Bed’.
The first full length album I bought may have been the “Az Yet” self-titled album.

Your last album bought?
Dengue Fever's "Sleepwalking Through the Mekong" DVD/ soundtrack from Village Green Records in Muncie, Indiana.

Favorite album of all time?
That is a tough one so I will give you top 5: Twothirtyeight “Regulate the Chemicals”, Songs:Ohia “Ghost Tropic”, Counting Crows “August and Everything After”, At the Drive In “Relationship of Command”, Canterbury Effect “An Exercise in Humility”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I was pretty disappointed in Fiona Apple's "Idler Wheel." I waited so long because I love her other albums so much. I still try to crack into it, but there are only about 3 or 4 songs that I enjoy. Now I have to wait another 8 years for the next one!

First concert attended?
My first big concert was when I was about 12 years old. My dad took my sister and I to see Counting Crows and The Wallflowers at Deer Creek in Indianapolis. It was a makeup present because he didn't take me to see Hootie and the Blowfish earlier that year. I'd say it was a pretty great makeup!

Last concert?
The last show I saw, I think, was a bunch of my friends playing in our basement. The last big concert I attended was Ben Folds Five at the Old National Center in Indianapolis, which was a dream come true. I thought I'd never get to see them!

Favorite concert ever?
Seeing Do Make Say Think at The Metro in Chicago. I took this girl with me as my date. She was bored and was texted throughout the performance. I was brought to tears. They put on an incredible show. Needless to say we didn't go on another date and now she's a lesbian.

Least favorite concert?
People will probably hate me for this one. But I bought a ticket to see a show that featured Minus the Bear, These Arms Are Snakes, Criteria, and Big Business. When I got to the show I found out that Criteria, the only reason I came (and to this day one of my favorite bands) had dropped off the tour. I really didn't care for the other bands. I was excited to see TAAS but they were so silly on stage. I was in a pretty rotten mood that night!

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I've only been to Pittsburgh twice. The first time was magical. I forget which highway it is, but you are coming around a corner and through a tunnel and suddenly there is the city on the water. What I saw, I loved. The second time was one of the most disastrous shows of my life. Our van broke down and we ended up sleeping in a college dorm lobby. So I have mixed reactions. Plus, I'm still bitter about that Colts defeat back in 2005.

Thanks, Zachary. I can relate about that least favorite show. I went to see R.E.M. in Hershey and was gassed to see opener Grant Lee Buffalo. I was pissed when they weren't there and could care less about the opening band taking their place... Radiohead. I kinda wish I did pay attention. Also, Nice call on "Ghost Tropic". First time I saw Songs;Ohia, I asked Jason to pick any one album of his I should buy and he picked that one.