First/Last - Dressy Bessy

"KINGSIZED is the band’s first full-length release in seven years, but it contains the same indie pop/rock dynamic for which they are known.  Special guests on the album include, R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, who appears on the first single, “Lady Liberty”.  Other guests include Scott McCaughey (R.E.M., The Minus 5), Eric Allen of The Apples In Stereo, Rebecca Cole of The Minders and Wild Flag, Jason Garner of Polyphonic Spree and Andy Shernoff of The Dictators."

Dressy Bessy is an an indie pop rock band from Denver, CO who are currently touring behind their latest release, KINGSIZED via Yep Roc Records. They return to Pittsburgh Thursday night (9/29) with local support from blog faves The Garment District opening. I want to thank songwriter Tammy Ealom (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Michael Jackson Off the Wall.

Your last album bought?
Just picked up a minty copy of David Bowie Diamond Dogs.

Favorite album of all time?
Ooh, that's a tough one... I'm gonna say Sex Pistols Never Mind The Bullocks... :)

First concert attended?
Lollapalooza '92.

Last concert?
Pylon Reenactment Society at Johnny Brenda's in Philly, PA.

Favorite concert ever?
I took my daughter to see the Spice Girls in '96. We were third row right in front of Baby Spice… it was pretty sweet.

Least favorite concert?
None.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Love Pittsburgh! We've always had fun shows here.

Thanks, Tammy. Usually when The Spice Girls are mentioned, they are the answer to someone's first concert. It's cool that you replied as your favorite concert and that your daughter was involved as well.

First/Last - Honeyriders

"The Honeyriders are *of* Pittsburgh, yes, but where are they from? Best we can tell, three Americans, a Mexican and a Brit all met in the witness protection program, and this marvelous musical endeavor (whose influences run the table from reggae and ska to twangy pop to good ol' gravelly rock with some bebop thrown in for good measure) is their plan for 'hiding in plain sight'. Go see them before their case officer finds out what they're doing."

Honeyriders are a Pittsburgh based rock band who's debut album Tautology can be described as a throwback to 80's pop. The band plays out often around town and while they continue to work on new music, I want to thank songwriter Mark Fern (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Not sure but it was most likely On the Level by Status Quo.

Your last album bought?
Robot Face by Caravan Palace - this video blows me away every time I see it.

Favorite album of all time?
Changes often. I’m more a song guy, not a whole album guy.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
See above.

First concert attended?
Probably The Clash or The Stranglers - some English punk band or other.

Last concert?
Noel Gallagher.

Favorite concert ever?
Dunno about "ever" but I LOVE seeing Barenaked Ladies live. They're just brilliant.

Least favorite concert?
Hah! I try not to go to concerts I don't like. I've been to lots where the sound left a lot to be desired.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Funny you should ask...

Thanks, Mark. I am definitely more of an album guy. I remember buying singles on 45 when I was a kid and never really getting into albums until much later. Now with digital formats, I can see the interest in single songs gaining favor but I will always prefer entire albums to discover those buried gems.

HughShows Weekend Independent Music Guide September 16-18, 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 September 16, 2016

 

- Scott and Rosanna LIVE at Wigle Whiskey!

- Bayardstown Happy Hours: Paul Luc & Andre Costello

- Chet Vincent and the Big Bend + The Shiners @ The Oaks Theater

- Brinner, Thanks Dad, Wings For Armor

- The Jasons at The Fallout Shelter w/ The Scutches, Crisis in America, and F

- Absolution Key Album Release Show w Sound of Urchin & Bad Custer

- Goonland/Hedonism Bots/Horus Maze at Grille 565~

- Steeltown Horns w/ Anjroy and GloPhase at Spirit

- O'Hara Album Release w/ Ferdinand the Bull

- Dan Bubien CD Release with Clinton Clegg of the Commonheart

- The Clock Reads & Intrepid Travelers at Howlers

- Thomas Wendt Quartet

- Goodfoots at Hambone's

- Rock N Roll in the southside!

- #OWB On The South Side!

- Ghost Bath, Numenorean, Frosthelm, and Slaves BC at Smiling Moose

- Steel City Ruins // Primer and Grayscale // +more

- Twisted Fate: Pittsburgh, PA!

- West Philadelphia Orchestra at Babyland

 

Saturday September 17, 2016 

 

- The Elliotts at Narcisi Winery

- Ray Lanich Band LIVE at SouthSide Works

- The Story Changes / Old Game / Erik Pitluga

- Christopher Mark Jones & Camela Widad

- The Seeds: Pushin Too Hard w/ director Neil Norman and live music

- Special Reserve at Double Wide Grill

- Voodoo ☾ A Monthly Goth/Industrial Ritual ☽

- The Struggle Bus, at Howlers!

- Murder For Girls // Holy Rivals // Chupacabra

- Ladies Night at James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy!

- Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers

- Chris Trapper with Bea

- Fall Fest

- NO REASON TO LIVE CD RELEASE W/ ENEMYMIND AND MORE

- No Shoes Sound Series with Zach Rock of Nameless in August

- Halfway to Paddy's Day

- Nieds Hotel Amphitheater Welcomes Bill Toms and Hard Rain

- Angry Gods / Moral Void / Thrown / Scrultch

- Boxford Apple Festival

- It All Flows

Sunday September 18, 2016

- Angelspit, Die Sektor, The Dead Room

- Downtown Brown w/ Super Fun Time Awesome Party Band & Only Flesh

- Justin Fabus - Set Me Free Tour 2016

- Tilley HAWK at Cruel Noise Records

First/Last - Buffalo Rose

"The energy shines through in their performances, where the combination of each distinct voice with the others creates a swirling web of sound and harmony. Paired with evocative and catchy lyrical phrases drawn from life experience and the American lexicon, Buffalo Rose's songs are ones that you will find yourself singing along to before they come to an end."

Buffalo Rose is a soulgrass quartet who are just starting out. They are currently working on their debut release and it won't be hard to catch them out, whether at a show, open mic or busking all about around Pittsburgh. I want to thank the band's two vocalists Mariko Reid and Lucy Clabby for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Mariko Reid: The soundtrack to "Pokémon: The Movie".
Lucy Clabby: Home by The Dixie Chicks.

Your last album bought?
Mariko: In the Brazilian Bag by the Sergio Mendes Trio.
Lucy: Blonde by Frank Ocean.

Favorite album of all time?
Mariko: Grace by Jeff Buckley.
Lucy: Rumours by Fleetwood Mac.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Mariko: First Impressions of Earth by The Strokes. Is This It and Room on Fire are two of my faves, so First Impressions was a letdown.
Lucy: The Dead Weather's Dodge and Burn comes to mind, but only because their first two albums were so much better!

First concert attended?
Mariko: Britney Spears.
Lucy: The White Stripes.

Last concert?
Mariko: Mahler 5, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Lucy: LCD Soundsystem.

Favorite concert ever?
Mariko: The Pixies.
Lucy: Andrew Bird makes me cry every time.

Least favorite concert?
Mariko: Big Boi.
Lucy: Radiohead. Saw them twice nearly ten years apart, left early both times.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Mariko: Pittsburgh is a city of bridges in more ways than one. The music scene, as well as people in general, are just so open, welcoming, and unafraid of making connections.
Lucy: A city that's all substance, no flash. A welcoming home to weirdos of all kinds. If you don't feel at home anywhere else, Pittsburgh might be the place for you.

 

Thanks, ladies. That is a most unpopolur opinion on Radiohead, Lucy but I am in agreeance with you on it. I saw them open for R.E.M. in '95 and was bored to tears, as I am with their albums.