First/Last - Chip & The Charge Ups

 Image courtesy Chip

"Chip & The Charge Ups is the new power pop band from internationally-known and Pittsburgh-based recording artist, Chip DiMonick.  Taking cues from a diverse array of power pop luminaries such as Green Day, The Ramones, and Marvelous 3/Butch Walker to name a few, Chip & The Charge Ups are ready to deliver an eclectic and electrifying experience to music fans world wide."

Chip & The Charge Ups is blasting onto the Pittsburgh music scene this year with an in your face power pop sound featuring catchy hooks courtesy of longtime Pittsburgh stalwart punk rocker Chip DiMonick. The band will make their live debut at the Second Annual Millvale Music Festival on May 12th at the Strange Roots Experimental Ale Stage at 4pm. They will be releasing two EP's starting later this year but you can actually hear new music starting next week (3/20) via the band's Patreon Page. I've heard some and it's really good! I want to thank Chip (Guitar/Lead Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Yikes!  I think it may have been either Colour By Numbers by Culture Club or Business As Usual by Men At Work. Could have been Michael Jackson's Thriller. I know for sure my first cassette was Led Zeppelin IV, bought when I actually knew I had a passion for music and to keep definitive track of such things.

Your last album bought?
Vale by Black Veil Brides.

Favorite album of all time?
Twelve-way tie between Led Zeppelin II, Blizzard of Ozz by Ozzy Osbourne, Appetite For Destruction by Guns-N-Roses, ...And Justice For All by Metallica, Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz by Pretty Boy Floyd, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich by Warrant, Black Out In The Red Room by Love/Hate, Wasted in America by Love/Hate, Let's Rumble by Love/Hate, Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette, Sycamore Meadows by Butch Walker and The Strange Case of... by Halestorm.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Chinese Democracy by Guns-N-Roses. It's not that it was that bad. But after what? Waiting 17 years for one of the most iconic rock bands in a generation to release an album? I think, along with the rest of the world, I was hoping for a timeless classic but didn't get it.

First concert attended?
Cinderella & Kix.

Last concert?
Anti-Flag on February 10, 2018.

Favorite concert ever?
You're gonna hate me, but I have another multi-way tie. Motley Crue/Warrant (‘Feelgood’ tour), Metallica (‘Justice’ tour), Marilyn Manson (‘Mechanical Animals’ tour), Shinedown/Saliva/Halestorm 2009, Uproar Festival 2010, and Carnival of Madness 2013.

Least favorite concert?
When I was in college at Duquesne University, they brought in the Gin Blossoms to play the Palumbo Center. It was only $3 for students. It was the worst $3 I ever spent. I had only been to metal concerts up 'til that point. And I was shocked at how lame a concert and its attendees could be when there wasn't a metal band on stage!

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I love many things about Pittsburgh, but mostly my fellow yinzers. We all seem to be happy here, like there's no other place in the world we'd rather be. A high percentage of my friends that do leave end up coming back. For all that we have to complain about: weather, tunnel and bridge traffic, the limitations of the music scene... we stay here. And I think it's because, deep down, we know that Pittsburgh is the best place to live if you wanna be surrounded by the best people on the planet.

Thanks, Chip. Seriously, I get dibs on the band name, Twelve Way Tie!