First/Last - Band of Lovers

"“It’s a golden road trip,” reflect the band’s lifestyle- born on the road in the fall of 2013 and living and touring full-time in their self-converted 1997 Dodge van, the music they write reflects their way of life. With a modern take on folk sound and pop structure, their songs draw inspiration from the stories and landscapes of North America. The constant travel draws new and evolving sounds from the duo, and their current tour (with San Francisco drummer Liliana Urbain) will bring them across the country to the hills of North Carolina, where they plan to hibernate in preparation for the recording of their sophomore album."

Band of Lovers is an acoustic chamber pop band from upstate New York who will be in Pittsburgh Tuesday night (5/31) at the comfy confines of Snake Hill with Pittsburgh folk fave Brad Yoder. I want to thank Dave Strumfeld (Guitar/Vocals), Sabina Beachdell (Ukulele/Vocals), and Liliana Urbain (Drums/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?

Dave Strumfeld: The Village People Greatest Hits, but we don't really talk about that. The Wallflowers Bringing Down the Horse was the first one I got when I knew what I was doing.
Sabina Beachdell: Ace of Base The Sign.
Liliana Urbain: Britney Spears Oops... I Did it Again.

Your last album bought?
Dave: Bird and the Bee Recreational Love.
Sabina: Cloud Cult Advice from the Happy Hippopotamus.
Liliana: The Dear Hunter Act IV: Rebirth and Reprise.

Favorite album of all time?
Dave: The Beatles Abbey Road.
Sabina: Modest Mouse This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing to Think About.
Liliana: Maroon 5 Songs About Jane.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Dave: Dang, that's a tough question.
Sabina: Anything I listened to from the ages of 8-12.
Liliana: All I can really think of is an album I made for my parents for Christmas.

First concert attended?
Dave: Beach Boys - my parents took me. John Stamos was playing with them.
Sabina: Lilith Fair circa late 90's.
Liliana: The Teddy Bear band.

Last concert?
Dave: Can't actually remember - but Bonnaroo 2014 was the last big one that I loved.
Sabina: Father John Misty at Hardly Strictly in San Francisco.
Liliana: Punch Brothers.

Favorite concert ever?
Dave: Paul McCartney without a doubt.
Sabina: I'm going to have to agree with Dave.
Liliana: When I was really little my dad played in Bolivian band, and at one show he debuted a song he wrote for me and I danced.

Least favorite concert?
Dave: Also too hard to say.
Sabina: Any concert that I want to see but can't get to.
Liliana: When I performed the album I wrote for my parents for Christmas.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Dave: Well, this will be our first time through Pittsburgh, so let's make it a good one, right!? Though I totally think of That Thing You Do - love that movie.
Sabina: I think I drove through there as a baby, but I'll let you know next time!
Liliana: Here I come, Pittsburgh!

Thanks, all. Snake Hill is one of my fave places in town to experience live music. Hope you have fun!

HughShows Weekend Independent Music Guide May 27-29, 2016

 

There are always shows happening in Pittsburgh over the weekend that are worthy of your attention and may not be widely advertised in our traditional media outlets with full page color ads. Please go out to #SupportPGHMusic!

Friday May 27, 2016

 

- Bayardstown Friday Happy Hour / Goin' Coastal Release Party

- Emo & Pop Punk Prom presented by Pop Punk Night

- Pet Clinic Record Release! LIve at Spirit! // Dazzletine // Strangeways // Choir

- Samantha Sears at Ellwood's Pub

- Jude Benedict & the Last Drop EP Release with The Vindys  

- Scroll Downers (Baltimore), Murder For Girls, Pop Thief, O Heiðrún

- Elkhound/Bindley Hardware Co./Jake Ward

- EMO NIGHT Live Band Karaoke

- Late Show at the Funhouse with The Van Allen Belt!
- An evening with 28 North at The Thunderbird
- ¡Arriba! Tequila-Aged Ginever Release with PSO's FUSE
- Greensburg Community Days Festival - Memorial Day weekend
- Sykosis
- John Petrucelli Quartet
- The Redlines, Highland Brothers Band, and Paul Joseph
- For Dizzier Heights at The Park House
- Live Band Karaoke at Howlers!
- Shaky Shrines, Talkers, Boiled Denim & Douglas and the Iron Lung
- The Rents Benefit for Child Life



  

Saturday May 28, 2016

- Blairsville Riverfront Music Festival 

- The Live Oaks at Grist House Craft Brewery

- The Cheer'ly Men & Friends Memorial Day Bash

- Yellow Couch Studio Presents: The Go Rounds w/ The Antivillians

- MDW Ballroom Bash at James Street

- J.R. Bohannon & Gabe Birnbaum Duo w/ Dan Petrich and Sheri Streeter

- Mosaic Foundation (Original Roots Reggae), Stationary Pebbles & Manic Soul

- Right TurnClyde at the Westwood GC  

- The ChopShop at PIttsburgh Winery
- Down & Derby "10 Year Anniversary
- Punk and Ska Night ft. Hub City Stompers, Submachine, The Pressure, Tommy Gutless
- Melinda Colaizzi Live at Wigle Whiskey Barrelhouse 
-THE NUDE PARY, BAT ZUPPEL (FREE SHOW) at Sonny's
- Delaney Chevrolet Westsylvania Jazz & Blues Festival 2016
- Skull Kid // The Hills & The Rivers // Teenage Halloween // The Magic Fountain // Rue
- School of Athens - The Silver Thread at Thunderbird Cafe
- Future Punx//Empty Beings//It It//dance Party
- Larry Belli & The Mercs Feat Wendy Koulouris at The Saxon Inn 
- 2016 Summer Concert Series at Braddock's Inn Present the Corn Liquor Saints! 
- Big Memorial Day Party with Dallas Marks at Mt. Pines Resort


 

Sunday May 29, 2016

- Memorial Day COOK OUT with Middle Children! It's a brand NEW album release show too!
- KayaFest 2016
- Alba Flamenca
- Memorial Day BBQ w/ Stump Tail Dolly and Mickey & The SOBs
- Linear Downfall / Night Vapor / Radon Chong / Joey Molinaro
- All the People You Hate
- MISA HISTERICA (Chile!), EMPATHY BOX, SOOTHSAYER: Una Noche de Crust
- Memorial day Grill Out Before TSOL

 

First/Last - Yes Yes A Thousand Times Yes

"Cartman fan fiction, Maniwest Westiny, cute lil otters/puppies, physics, dragon ball Z, also baby goku, veganism, pinegrove."

Yes Yes A Thousand Times Yes is an indie math rock pop punk band from Pittsburgh who just released their debut album Not Once, Not Never via Broken World Media. I want to thank Dan Hagendorf (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
AC/DC - Back In Black. My dad/'Santa' forgot for Christmas so I bought it with my xmas money.

Last album you bought?
The Killers - Hot Fuss. We were just on a weekender with Roof Doctor, promoting our split with them coming out this summer, and bought a bunch of throwback CDs from Philly’s AIDS thrift store (Third Eye Blind and the like).

Favorite album of all time?
Pile - Magic Isn’t Real.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Probably the most recent Arcade Fire record. I love James Murphy so that was a bummer.

First concert attended?
Puddle of Mudd, with Saliva opening, at the TLA in Philly. Not proud.

Last concert?
Broken World Fest.

Favorite Concert ever?
Dr. Dog at the TLA.

Least favorite concert?
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the Wachovia Spectrum in Philly. I kept yelling from the nosebleeds asking him to shut up.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I've lived here almost my entire life. Every single neighborhood is beautiful for completely different reasons. I live in a neighborhood called Friendship, there are trees and dogs everywhere. Lucy's Bahn Mi in the Strip, PNC Park, Gooski's and the Rock Room in Polish Hill, wiffleball games in Troy Hill, First Fridays in Garfield, the list could go on forever...

Thanks, Dan. Was looking to see if you were playing any shows soon? Would love to check you out.

First/Last - A Little Less Human

"They are an American rock duo who met while playing for another Steel City based rock group, and immediately found chemistry. They soon left to start their own project in late 2015. Their massive sound is harsh yet melodic, and at the very least, an aggressive punch and feel that will keep you moving from the first song to the last with influences ranging from pop to punk and funk to classic rock. The band's music feature the multi-layered harmonies and bouncy riffs that A Little Less Human is known for and is a great opener to what they have to offer musically."

A Little Less Human is a relatively new Pittsburgh based rock duo who are beginning to make a big splash on the music scene with their debut single "Warchild". As they plan on making new music for us, please join me in thanking Mike Show (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

 The first album you ever bought?
Wow. The first albums I remember listening to in grade school were Will Smith's Big Willie Style and The Offspring's Americana. I remember hearing a bad word on the Offspring album, and giving it back to my Mom so I wouldn't get in trouble later.

Your last album bought?
Since I pay for Spotify I rarely purchase new music. I made sure, however, to purchase Random Access Memories by Daft Punk. It's some of the most intricate and detailed music I've ever heard.

Favorite album of all time?
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik. If that doesn't get you going I don't know what will. I also listen to Philip Glass' album Solo Piano almost every week.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
St. Anger really was probably the most disappointing album for me and my friends when it came out. It didn't stop us from going to their concert that year.

First concert attended?
Spice Girls at the Post-Gazette Pavilion. Awesome.

Last concert?
Just went to an Experience Hendrix Show in Ohio with my family. We had a full night of Hendrix music from the likes of Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Zakk Wylde, and Eric Johnson, to name a few of the performers.

Favorite concert ever?
Most memorable was the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert, I believe in 2009. It was on Halloween, and Flea flew out from the stage floor dressed as a witch playing a bass solo to open the show. They played their Stadium Arcadium set, and then busted out every single hit song I could've asked for. Awesome night. Favorite band.

Least favorite concert?
Can't think of one off the top of my head.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
A Little Less Human was chosen to compete in this year’s Hard Rock Winter Rock Showcase. We were competing against established bands in the area, and it was literally our first show on stage together. Needless to say, I was nervous. We ended up having an incredible turnout, and crushed the show, winning that event. The feeling was incredible.

I'm also really happy that my family is around and close to me. We're always finding excuses to see each other, whether it's fishing or hunting, or going to a show. Western PA is a major part of who I am, and always will be.

Thanks, Mike. I am hearing very cool things about you guys. Looking forward to seeing you play soon.

First/Last - The Rents

 

"Simple songs, played simply. No frills, no excess. The Rents are a Pittsburgh based band that came together to build upon a group of raw, but powerful songs written by Jocelyn Rent, singer and guitar player for the band.  After spending a number of years fronting the popular Pittsburgh based band, Omega Love, Jocelyn Rent, and husband Jon Rent (drummer for Omega Love and The Rents), settled into a quiet life in the suburbs, raising their children.  Eventually, Jocelyn found that the quiet life didn’t quite fit her, and she began composing music once again, when she found the time, in order to maintain sanity. These songs form the core of the sound of The Rents, and work through a number of universal themes like love, longing, children, growing older, desire, dreams, and death."

The Rents is an indie rock band from Pittsburgh who are somewhat new to the Pittsburgh scene while bringing with them a well worn history. Born from the ashes of Omega Love, the band has started to play out regularly and can be next caught this Friday (5/27) at Hambone's playing a benefit for Child Life. I want to thank Jocelyn Rent (Guitar/Vocals), Mary Beth Kletter (Vocals), Tony Henderson (Bass), Jason Pietropaulo (Mutli-Instumentalist), and Jon Rent (Drums) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Jocelyn Rent: License to Ill, The Beastie Boys.
Mary Beth Kletter: Wayne’s World Soundtrack, Various Artists.
Tony Henderson: Billy Idol, Billy Idol.
Jason Pietropaulo: L.A. Woman, The Doors.

Your last album bought?
Mary Beth: The Wall for Babies, Gustavo Zavala.

Favorite album of all time?
Jocelyn: Kind of Blue, Miles Davis.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Jocelyn: Frozen Soundtrack, Various Artists (although I do know all of the words).

First concert attended?
Jason: Mighty Mighty Bosstones & Face to Face at Metropol.

Last concert?
Jocelyn & Mary Beth: Pittonkatonk 2016 May Day Brass Bands at Schenley Park.

Favorite concert ever?
Jocelyn: RUBBLEBUCKET at The Rex.

Least favorite concert?
Jocelyn, Jason, and Tony: Phish at the Civic Arena.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Jon Rent: Pittsburgh is home.  It is hard to describe what your home smells like, but you certainly recognize it.  The great thing about a nice home, is it make you feel good no matter how tough your day was.  It also is warm and inviting, has great food, and plays great music.  Pittsburgh is all of these things.

Thanks, all. Great description of our lovely town. I couldn't have said it better.