First/Last - Kaelber

"On December 10th, 1999 at 7:30 PM in Santa Cruz, California, the bassist for Kaelber, Tabor McLeod, was born. Two hours later and 2,700 miles away in Morgantown, WV, lead guitarist/lead singer for Kaelber, Noah Myers, was born. Who would have guessed that 15 years later these two would meet and form the nucleus of Kaelber. During the summer of 2016, the addition of Matt Reese on drums was the final piece to Kaelber and sealed the band's hard driving, yet fluid sound."

Kaelber is an up and coming alt rock band from Greensburg who infuse their sound with eclectic elements of funk, psychedelia and thrash metal. They tore it up at the Deutschtown Music Festival this Summer and the sound tech from the venue they performed at, made it a point to let me know that these dudes were the best 'young' band he has seen in a long while... if ever! Come see what he was gushing about as the band takes part in The Skyline Party at 2pm, sharing the stage with God's Green Apples (Noon), Old Game (4pm), and Dinosoul (6pm). Be sure to check out the adjacent stage with performances by London Johnson's Magnificent Street Entertainment (1pm), Colonel Eagleburger's Highstepping Goodtime Band (3pm), and Timbeleza (5pm) rounding out the all day festivities hosted by your's truly. I want to thank Noah Myers (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Nirvana – Nevermind.

Your last album bought?
Gary Clark Jr – Blak and Blu.

Favorite album of all time?
Opeth – Pale Communication.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Don’t have a least favorite album… like all of the albums I have purchased.

First concert attended?
Dinosaur Jr in Austin, Texas – 2014 (my Uncle lives in Austin, Texas – we were visiting during the fall 2014 and I realized Dinosaur Jr. was playing in town that weekend and asked to go.)

Last concert?
Dinosaur Jr. in Pittsburgh.

Favorite concert ever?
Buckethead in Pittsburgh at Altar Bar.

Least favorite concert?
Don’t have a least favorite concert. All concerts I have attended have been fun.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I got to play with Marty Friedman of Megadeth on stage at Altar Bar on 9-11-15. There is a video of this on YouTube titled “Me Jamming with Marty Friedman (9-11-2015 Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA). Also, I have seen several of my favorite bands at the awesome Pittsburgh venues (i.e. Gary Clark Jr, Opeth, Dinosaur Jr., Lucky Chops at Rex Theater, Marty Friedman at Altar Bar, and Buckethead at Altar Bar.)

Thanks, Noah. Jeez, you are a youngin'. First show in 2014? I was a decade into HughShows by then. Looking forward to hearing you rock out, man!

First/Last - God's Green Apples

"4 piece alt rock band from Pittsburgh that began playing thorough out the tri state area back in the early 90's. Recently re united and playing live while writing new material for release."

God's Green Apples will be opening up the festivities this Saturday at Noon for The Skyline Party that I am thrilled to be serving as host at. I never heard of these guys until I listened to their music as they submitted to be included in the Deutschtown Music Festival and was blown away. I cannot wait to see them rock out live. I want to thank Michael Evans (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
12” Village People debut, I remember it distinctly. I was spending the evening with my grandparents; we went out for the dinner and afterwards off to K Mart where I convinced them to put it in the buggy for me.

Your last album bought?
The Horrible Crowes – Elsie. Pretty much had the Brian Fallon solo stuff repeating, I’ve been re visiting some of the Gaslight Anthem material as well.

Favorite album of all time?
That’s a tough one, probably should list a Beatles record which would hold true. Going to go with The Replacements - All Shook Down. Everything is perfect from the song writing to the production and arrangements, probably into it even more based on the evolution of the band from the early records that I love as well.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
The National by The National, it comes to mind right out of the gate for some reason.

First concert attended?
Hall and Oates, at the Civic Arena in the early 80’s. My Mom took me; I remember the grand scale of everything and smelling funny cigarettes for the first time.

Last concert?
The Shins last month.

Favorite concert ever?
I guess that’s a tie with my first concert of Hall and Oates and seeing 7 Seconds at the Banana in 89’ I believe. Pretty cool experience when you first start attending club shows and the intimacy of it all, nothing like seeing a band you’re totally into playing  a few feet away from you, then getting to chat with them afterwards.

Least favorite concert?
I don’t think I’ve come out of any show really that disappointed, probably just have to say politely that any show out at Key Bank Pavilion can be a little “disappointing”. If nothing else it’s the logistics and the venue, I’d be fine with it if I could teleport in or have access to a helicopter.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I love the civic pride the Pittsburghers have, we’re always quick to point out a new award or distinction and put it out there. The music scene is tremendous as well, with getting out and seeing/playing more shows, I’m blown away by all of the bands and artists that are in the region these days and how much talent there is, it’s truly awesome to be a part of. Pittsburgh probably doesn’t get enough credit for being a smaller city that has all the amenities and options just like a bigger town, the art and culture along with a great musical community and of course great sports teams to boot, ha-ha.

Thanks, Mike. I have to reiterate how excited I was to discover your music this past Summer and I am so looking forward to your set.

First/Last - Lawn Care

"For a while there, it was just Cameron writing songs, mostly about travelling, trying not to be a shithead, and the looming inevitability of death--you know, the things you worry about in your twenties. He released a couple of lo-fi solo EPs, a split with Boston's The Michael Character, and shouted in a lot of basements throughout the midwest and northeast.
Towards the end of 2015, Lawn Care went full-band to record the high-energy, three-song EP "Out of Sorts." The new lineup, featuring Harrison Thurman on bass and John Paul Zigterman on drums, honed their live sound, playing shows with Chris Farren, Emperor X, Mal Blum, Sinai Vessel, and Koji."

Lawn Care is a Pittsburgh based mathy pop punkish emo kinda of quintet who dropped their debut full length entitled Replacement Therapy a few months ago. From what I hear, the band is already working up new tunes for their follow-up. I want to thank songwriter Cameron LeViere (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
The first album that I ever bought with my own money was Europop by Eiffel 65. Disappointing, I know. The "cool" answer would be Dookie by Green Day, but truth be told, it wasn't until a few years later that my dad would give me that one.

Your last album bought?
I got a Diana Ross & The Supremes anthology and a live Miriam Makeba record. More recently, I received Magnolia Electric Co. by Songs: Ohia as a gift.

Favorite album of all time?
The Monitor by Titus Andronicus.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I don't know what happened to Joyce Manor, but BOY HOWDY I just can't stomach their new stuff.

First concert attended?
Ehhhh, I think Streetlight Manifesto. I don't think I've seen a band with more stage presence since.

Last concert?
Not counting ones that I've played, the Ratboys show in Oakland.

Favorite concert ever?
Probably one of the ones I booked on the roof of Spider House. We did an 8-band show last year and called it "Fuck It, It's a Fest." A lot of our good friends from Ohio and Massachusetts came.

Least favorite concert?
Aw I dunno, I saw Foghat and they played "Slow Ride" for like 45 minutes, but even that was kinda sweet it its own way.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I don't know where to start, really. Our next album is going to be all about Pittsburgh; suffice it to say that I never thought I'd feel truly at home in a place until I lived in Pittsburgh.

Thanks, Cameron. Yeah, I really don't see anything that wrong with a 45-minute "Slow Ride" jam. Something to see at least once in one's life.

Farm Aid Pre-Show with Banditos

Farm Aid returns to the Pittsburgh area this Saturday (9/16) with a stacked all day lineup that promises to be an amazing time. Prior to that there are several events associated with the show that highlight the need for this ongoing charitable program now on it's 32nd year.

A full list of happenings can be found here, although if you are into music as much as I am, you want to head on over to Wigle Whiskey Barrelhouse Friday night for the official Farm Aid Eve Pre-Show catered by Kimberly Ashlee utilizing food from local family farmers and featuring a performance with Bloodshot recording artists Banditos.
Long a fave of this blog, the Birmingham/Nashville honky tonk,rock band is touring behind it's fantastic sophomore full-length, Visionland.

The show kicks off at 6pm and you can RSVP here.