Wed. June 13th Shows - As Tall As Lions w/ School of Athens @ Club Cafe and EL-P w/ Mr. Dibbs, Hangar 18 and Mighty Quin @ Diesel
As
Tall As Lions w/ School Of Athens
Wed. June 13th @ Club Cafe 7pm
Long Island's
As Tall As Lions
have had a history of touring with emo bands but their sound is a more lush
ambient pop than emo. They have a rep for some very strong live shows and 2006's
self-titled release was well received by both critics and fans.
AS TALL AS LIONS - LOVE,
LOVE, LOVE
AS TALL AS LIONS - MAYBE,
I'M TIRED
EL-P
w/ DJ Mr. Dibbs, Hangar 18 and The Mighty Quin
Wed. June 13th @ Diesel 7pm
El-P
has been a force in indie hip hop for the past decade with his Definitie
Jux record label. The Def Jukies like Aesop Rock, Mr. Lif, Cage and Rob
Sonic have been one of the bright spots of modern day hip hop. Another one of
them Hangar 18,
joins EL-P on this tour along with Mighty Quin and Cincinnati's DJ
Mr. Dibbs, founder of turntablist collective 1200 Hobos.
Blowfly w/ Blueprint from Soul Position, BZE, J. Malls and Omar-Abdul and The New Alcindors - Tuesday June 12th @ 31st Street Pub
Blowfly
performs tonight at the 31st Street Pub with Blueprint from Soul
Position and locals BZE,
J. Malls & Omar-Abdul and The
New Alcindors. Blowfly is the alter ego of songwriter Clarence Reid who
collaborated with R&B acts from the 60's and 70's ranging from Sam &
Dave to KC & The Sunshine band. Reid created the alter ego, hid underneath
a low rent superhero costume, to protect his career as a songwriter. Read Manny
Theiner's article, "Raunchy
rapper Blowfly lands at 31st Street Pub" from this past week's Pittsburgh
City Paper. The article examines Blowfly's influence on rap music (1965's 'Rap
Dirty' is considered by some to be the very first rap song) and even indie DIY
culture. The video here is not of the greatest quality but you get an idea of
what the show is about. This content is obviously NSFW due to the lyrical content
of Blowfly
Coming To Pittsburgh: Ball of Flame Shoot Fire, Chris Smithers, Kevin Devine, Maserati, Detachment Kit and Amy LaVere
THURSDAY,
MAY 31ST @ GARFIELD ARTWORKS BALL OF FLAME SHOOT FIRE
w/ Heroes and Jessert
I know nothing about
these guys but they pretty much have an entire show from Garfield Artworks on
YouTube. You think of Man Man initially but they are different and a bit more
melodic. If anyone knows more about the band, please say something in Comments.
BALL OF FLAME SHOOT FIRE - DINNERTIME
Live at Pittsburgh's Garfield Artworks
BALL OF FLAME SHOOT FIRE - WHERE IS
HEAVEN
Live at Pittsburgh's Garfield Artworks
Kevin Devine is a
singer/songwriter from Brooklyn, NY that can be compared at times to Eliott Smith,
Bob Dylan or Conor Oberst. He was signed to Capitol Records, released an album
called "Put Your Ghost To Rest" in October 2006 only to find himself
dropped by the label four months later. Does the music industry get anything right
anymore?
Maserati are an instrumental
band from Athens, GA with a psychedelic post rock sound. Detachment Kit are from
Brooklyn, NY. It's hard to come up with a description for their sound. Tons of
instruments. Be sure to check out the locals, Ohmu and Sirens & Songbirds,
too.
Pittsburgh Net Radio MIx: Peter Divito Presents the 20/20 Proof Premo & Friends Mix
PREMO AND FRIENDS MIX
This is an earlier mix that Peter Divito did back in late 2005 for the Pittsburgh
Net Radio broadcast stream. I always dug this mix because it gives some props
to some unheralded soul, jazz and R&B songs that were sampled in modern
day hip hop. It's a good education and a real interesting listen. Setting the
playlist to random is not recommended here. - Brian Cosgrove
I
am a publisher/editor in chief/therapist. I work full time for Mercy Behavioral
Health as a milieu therapist and also put out a music zine, 20/20Proof. I took
a two year hiatus, which involved me trashing an entire magazine and starting
from scratch. The fourth issue of my magazine will finally be released Nov 10th
at Brillobox. After speaking with Don King (actually it was Jeremy Bolen) I decided
to start promoting indie shows in Pittsburgh and have booked bands like Chin Up
Chin Up, Man Man, Elf Power, Mommy and Daddy, Part Chimp, Oxford Collapse, Tight
Phantomz, Appleseed Cast, Rahim, and more. I also released a compilation of Pittsburgh
music entitled Steel City Scene Dead End World on my label 20/20Proof Records,
to positive reviews in the Pittsburgh CP and Post Gazettte. I have also written
for Deek Magazine and Venus Magazine. An excerpt from an employee of the month
write up on yours truly: 'He is best known for his witty sense of humor, analytical
responses and critical views on movies and music.' I live alone with my kitten
Basquiat, who has his own mental health issues. I love Morrissey, Tom Atkins,
and my ma. I also have a fondess for pints of Guinness and cats.
Courtesy
of Unicorn Mountain - Andy
Beckerman are a small mammal. He is
interested in the following things: palaphysics, phenomenology and nonsense.
When he is not doing school work, he creates fantastic cap guns and static
sung packs for bitter giants. In his spare time he is part of the bioluminescent
comedy duo Wrestling
Team and edits a zine of experimental
literature.
He
is fond of saying "A parenthesis
is a friend you've never ended".
Andy Beckerman on My Space
Concert Preview: Grand Buffet and Gil Mantera's Party Dream @ 31st Street Pub Thursday May 24th
Grand
Buffet and Gil Mantera's
Party Dream tag team again at the 31st Street Pub tonight. This will probably
be a better setting to catch their act than the last time I saw them together
at the Rex Theatre in Pittsburgh. In retrospect that show, with Girl Talk also
on the bill, was amazing and a lot of fun but I was miserable the entire time
with the fact that it was an All-Ages show and the Rex had their infamous drinking
cage spoiling my night. The company that accompanied me also didn't appreciate
the insanity that they were witnessing. Nothing ruins a concert experience more
than miserable company. Pittsburgh's Grand Buffet most recently toured in 2006
with Of Montreal while Gil Mantera's Party Dream toured with Art Brut and were
invited several times to play New York with The Rapture. Gil Mantera's Party
Dream were named Best Show at SXSW by the Village Voice in 2006 and were also
featured in Spin magazine.
GRAND BUFFET - CANDY BARS
GRAND BUFFET - SHE GAWT
GRAND BUFFET - AMERICUS w/ BLEUBIRD
GRAND BUFFET w/ GIL MANTERA'S PARTY DREAM - THINGS THAT GO UP IN THE NIGHT
GIL MANTERA'S PARTY DREAM - ELMO'S SONG
GIL MANTERA'S PARTY DREAM - BEST OF SEX
GIL MANTERA'S PARTY DREAM
Live From The 31ST STREET PUB
Concert Preview: Grand Buffet and Gil Mantera's Party Dream @ 31st Street Pub Thursday May 24th
Grand
Buffet and Gil Mantera's
Party Dream tag team again at the 31st Street Pub tonight. This will probably
be a better setting to catch their act than the last time I saw them together
at the Rex Theatre in Pittsburgh. In retrospect that show, with Girl Talk also
on the bill, was amazing and a lot of fun but I was miserable the entire time
with the fact that it was an All-Ages show and the Rex had their infamous drinking
cage spoiling my night. The company that accompanied me also didn't appreciate
the insanity that they were witnessing. Nothing ruins a concert experience more
than miserable company. Pittsburgh's Grand Buffet most recently toured in 2006
with Of Montreal while Gil Mantera's Party Dream toured with Art Brut and were
invited several times to play New York with The Rapture. Gil Mantera's Party
Dream were named Best Show at SXSW by the Village Voice in 2006 and were also
featured in Spin magazine.
GRAND BUFFET - CANDY BARS
GRAND BUFFET - SHE GAWT
GRAND BUFFET - AMERICUS w/ BLEUBIRD
GRAND BUFFET w/ GIL MANTERA'S PARTY DREAM - THINGS THAT GO UP IN THE NIGHT
GIL MANTERA'S PARTY DREAM - ELMO'S SONG
GIL MANTERA'S PARTY DREAM - BEST OF SEX
GIL MANTERA'S PARTY DREAM
Live From The 31ST STREET PUB
Concert Preview: Low Water @ Gooskis and Nouveau Riche @ Shadow Lounge - Saturday May 19th
LOW WATER
w/ WORKSHOP & SKIDMORE FOUNDATION
SAT. MAY 19TH @ GOOSKI'S in Polish
Hill
Low
Water have a sound that takes you back to The Replacements
or even Big Star or Exile on Main Street era Rolling Stones. They avoid
the "drink whiskey, smoke cigarettes, sing in a gravelly voice about broken
hearts" bar band trap by writing good songs that stick in your head. Not to mention the girls in their videos are kinda cute. Aaron Jentzen
from the Pittsburgh City Paper wrote
about former Pittsburgher John Leitera and Low Water's "Who Said That Life
Is Over?"
LOW WATER - MOMENT OF WEAKNESS
LOW WATER - NEVER ALONE
LOW WATER - NEW COMPANY
NOUVEAU
RICHE
SAT. MAY 19TH @ SHADOW LOUNGE
Philadelphia's
Nouveau Riche
played their first show with TV on the Radio, Deerhoof and the Roots. Ironically
if you mix those three bands into some kind of mashup with Gang of Four, Radiohead
and The Clash you would end up with something very similar in sound to Nouveau
Riche. Their press release says that Nouveau Riche defines the 'post-genre'
sound due to their fearless experimentation in crossing genres, etc. These videos
on YouTube were actually my first exposure to them. It seems like this would
be a fun show.
Concert Preview: The Album Leaf, Young Galaxy and Belong @ Diesel Thursday May 17th
Jimmy
LaValle's vast resume includes stints with Tristeza, The Locust,
GoGoGo Airheart, The Blackheart Procession, and Sigur Ros. The
Album Leaf is a solo project of his that he will be bringing to Diesel on
the South Side on Thursday May 17th. The Album Leaf's previous effort, In A
Safe Place, was less personally charged for Lavalle and more of a band effort.
There was some level of mainstream success with music from that particular album
featured on The O.C and CSI: Miami. "On Your Way" in particular was
one of my favorite tracks for months. "Into The Blue Again" sees LaValle
again handling the bulk of the vocal and instrumental duties.
Young Galaxy
is a Canadian indie pop outfit comparable at times to Slowdive, Luna, Cocteau
Twins and Galaxy 500. Stephen Ramsay (vocals/guitar) was a former member of
Stars. Their self-titled debut was released on April 27th, 2007. Opening is
Belong from
New Orleans.
Pittsburgh Net Radio Mix: David Bernabo Episode #9 (Archive Show)
Richard
Youngs- Soon It Will Be Fire (Sapphie)
This mix was originally a mix of my favorite songs from the Jagjaguwar and Secretly
Canadian catalogue. After compiling some songs, I realized that I just wanted
to include Richard Youngs, Julie Doiron, and Early Day Miners, possibly a few
others. So, in the interests of interest, I have combined select tracks with
other tracks from records I have recently purchased. The first track is from
Richard Youngs's Sapphie record, re-released by Jagjaguwar in the early 00s.
This record has surpassed Mingus's Black Saint as my favorite record of all-time.
Along with that, this is one of my favorite songs of all-time. Recorded simply
to a DAT machine, Sapphie is an amazingly minimal record, an ode to his deceased
dog. My favorite memory of listening to it occurred when trying to find an alternate
route to Broadway in McKees Rocks. The main road was closed for construction
and I needed to get to work. I ended up driving through what seemed like a forest,
occasionally passing some small run down houses.
Joe Pass- Stella by Starlight (Virtuoso)
I've been after this record for a few years and found it used at Paul's last
week. Oh my god, it's great! It's so beautiful. Takes me back to Mr. Rodgers
days and Johnny Costa. Check it out.
Hills- Red Bird (Hills Street Blues)
One of the highlights of 2006 was my good fortune to meet Will Dyar, Skinks
drummer and now solo artist. Hills Street Blues is a six track EP that Will
recorded himself with some musical help from Chris Cannon, Brian Dean Richmond,
and Eric Graf. But mostly it is Will on guitar, Will on drums, Will of bass.
It's a lot of Will. But after hanging out with him a bit, a lot of Will is a
lot of a good thing. You can hear more of Will on the recent Skinks record,
the future Skinks record, my new solo record (in May), and the Ninth Ward disc
(forthcoming).
The Impossible Shapes- Florida Silver Springs (Tum)
Another group that I became acquainted with was The Impossible Shapes. Vale
and Year played a show with them in Indianapolis, IN a year or two ago. Let
me tell you, the Shapes have one of the best vibe-d shows around. Guitarist
Jason was on tour with Magnolia Electric Co. at the time, but as the trio, they
held it down real right! This track is from a limited edition record that was
re-released in an unlimited number. Great melody on this one.
Jack Nitzsche- Prelude #4 in G, Op. 28 (Chopin '66)
Found this used at Paul's. I'm nuts about Jack Nitzsche production and this
record of Chopin pieces done up in a 60s soul orchestra outfit fits me fine.
Short, but very sweet.
Songs: Ohia- Two Blue Lights (Didn't It Rain)
Even though this was the record that brought Molina and crew into the spotlight,
I always liked it the best. Always thought the lyrics and mood of this track
was extremely beautiful. Sadly, I haven't kept up with Magnolia lately, but
there's still time.
Peter Bjorn and John- Young Folks (Writer's Block)
Lately, I've been worried that no one is making good pop records anymore. I've
found myself avoiding anything with words and really haven't been into many
new bands, but I think that is changing. I heard this Peter Bjorn and John song
on my friend's Myspace page (yeah, I guess it does work for networking and promotion).
Anyway, the production is really sweet with lots of panned reverb, a natural
drum sound, and a kicking bass line. Faith restored.
Lady Sovereign- 9 to 5 (Public Warning)
I found my way to Lady Sovreign through another friend. This record is wild
and from what I hear her earlier eps are better. Anyway, it's a good bit of
fun with tons of multi-tracked vocal parts. Oddly enough it reminds me of Paul
McCartney when he would inject his songs with all those heavy accented asides,
jokes, and narratives. This is like a whole album of those. So, you'll be alternately
bopping your head and cringing.
Erlend Oye- Sudden Rush (Unrest)
Erlend Oye of Kings of Convenience made a really brilliant low key dance record
with Unrest. A different producer did each track, but the record is seamless.
Check out this chorus. Untoppable.
The Sea and Cake- One Bedroom (One Bedroom)
I'm going to continue on with another dance-y tune. Sea and Cake are easily
one of my favorite bands. Sam Prekop's voice never gets old and I really can't
get enough those clean instruments and polyrhythms. Supposedly, there is a new
record set for the spring. Can't wait!
Oliver Lake Trio- 5/1 (Zaki)
Currently, in addition to my usual music projects, I'm also playing in an improv
group with a vocalist and a flute player. This record was lent to me, because
my free playing style seemed similar to Michael Gregory Jackson (the guitarist
in this trio rounded out by drummer Pheeroan Aklaff). Eerily enough, I noticed
a lot of the same phrasing techniques and melodic turns. But that's fine, since
this record is extremely hot. The liner notes state how democratic the group
was with everyone getting enough face time to investigate ideas within the group.
It's always nice to happen upon some new music, even if it is 30 years old.
LaDonna Smith- Viola Coaster Rainbows (Eye of the Storm)
Last night I checked out violist LaDonna Smith's performance at Garfield Artworks
and was blown away not only by her sheer virtuosity, but also by the emotion
that seems to underlie her music. I often feel that free music sometimes loses
the emotional core that seems to be the center of a lot of music. And often,
when the emotion is there, it is pure aggression. But Smith, in addition to
getting fierce, has a wonderful grace to her playing. It's really very captivating.
This is a track from a solo viola record entitled Eye of the Storm. Also, check
out her magazine, The Improvisor.
Thom Yorke- Rat's Nest (Splitting Feathers)
I just got the Splitting Feathers EP, which combines all the b-sides from The
Eraser, and like many Radiohead related b-side records, it is very nice and
interesting, but lacks the greatest of the album tracks, hence the b-side status.
But, usually, I would like to hear more from an artist I admire than less. B-sides
always give you a more complete picture of how the record was shaped. Or at
least the ideas that were censored in the recording process.
Pairdown-
Burning Up A Winning Ticket (Woodlab Vol. 1 February)
David Leicht of Pairdown has quickly become one of my favorite songwriters and
Pittsburgh is very lucky (they don't apparently know it yet) to have Pairdown
live within city limits. This song is featured on the first Woodlab compilation.
(Woodlab is a new music series held at ModernFormations every second and fourth
Wednesday of the month) I recorded this track in my kitchen with David and Raymond
Morin on guitars and voice boxes. It was a nice intimate show for me and it
was great to document it. Pairdown has an EP on Sort Of Records and there are
plans for a full length possibly this year.
Richard Hawley- Long Black Train
I first got into a Richard Hawley project when I spent a few weeks in England
in 7th Grade. The band Longpigs released a great double ep single thing where
you paid a few pounds to get half of the single and then another few pounds
to get the other half. Probably turned out a little expensive, but it was worth
it. I really think their first record and especially those b-sides hold up today.
I was saddened that the sophomore Longpigs album was horrible. It took a few
years, maybe 5, before I happened upon Hawley's solo records. They have a strange
quality. They seem classy. Classic, but not in the Springsteen, Neil Young,
or Bob Dylan way. More like updated folk songs that don't seem to have an era
or time. "Long Black Train" might be my favorite song ever. I waver
on that, but if I had to listen to one song, continuously, for the rest of my
life, this would be the song. Completely lovely.
ABOUT
DAVID BERNABO
Courtesy
of Unicorn Mountain - Dave Bernabo is a
graduate of Carnegie Mellon's Tepper Business School, is an active writer, musician,
and artist. His poetry has been published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Falderol,
and Oakland Review, and a collaboration with Greg Cislon yielded Holy Music
and Art, a book of vignettes and experimental writing published by Incredibly
Thin. David's musical output consists of five full-length albums and three EP's
with Vale and Year,
a solo album, and compilation and guest appearances. David is currently working
on a book of writing and drawings called Real Titles.
8. Wilco - "What
Light" I've been reading mixed opinions on the new Wilco CD but it's growing on
me with repeated listens.
9. The Willowz - meet
your demise Very cool garage rock band from Anaheim, CA. Finalist in December 2005 Yahoo.com's
Who Next competition.
10. Vandaveer
- The Streets Is Full Of Creeps Debut record, Grace & Speed was released on March 20th, 2007 on Washington,
DCs new imprint, Gypsy Eyes Records.
18. A Band of Bees - Listening
Man Known in the U.K. as The Bees. From the new album Octopus out May 22 on Virgin/Astralwerks.
Really cool retro touch.
26. Interpol - The
Heinrich Maneuver first single from the upcoming 'Our Love to Admire' set for a U.S. release
on July 10th, 2007 - sorry for the poor sound quality!
27. Dr. Dog - The Way
The Lazy Do 60's sounding psychedelic pop from Philadelphia.
28. The Eames Era -
Could Be Anything Indie pop quintet from Lousiana.
Concert Preview: Pretty Girls Make Graves (final tour) with Moonrats and Call Me Lightning @ Mr. Smalls Theatre Monday May 14th
Seattle's
Pretty Girls
Make Graves will be playing Mr. Smalls Theatre tonight in what will be their
last tour. The band announced on January 29th, 2007 that they were breaking
up after Nick Dewitt drums, samples, keyboards, trumpet and vocals -
announced he was quitting the band. The band formed in 2001 from scattered pieces
of Murder City Devils, Death Wish Kids, Beehive Vaults and Kill Sadie. They
released a debut EP on Dim Mak before releasing their first full-length Good
Health on Lookout Records in April 2002. The band signed to Matador Records
who released The New Romance in 2003 followed by Élan Vital in April
2006. The band's poppy punk with great hooks and catchy choruses appealed to
audiences of both modern day music like At The Drive In and classic alternative
like Sleater-Kinney.
Opening tonight's
show are Milwaukee's Call
Me Lightning who have a release, Soft
Skeletons, on Frenchkiss Records. Moonrats
are from Seattle/LA and most recently toured with The Blood Brothers and Celebration.
13. Born/Dead
- C.R.W.M. California hardcore crust punk similar to Aus Rotten, Econochrist and Tragedy
14. Flux
of Pink Indians - Charity Hilarity/ Some of Us Scream, Some of Us Shout anarcho-punk/post punk band that originated from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire,
England
18. D.O.A. (with Jello)
- That's Progress hardcore punk from Vancouver
19. Fleas and Lice - Squat Euro Disney crust punk/anarcho-punk band from Groningen, Netherlands
20. Rancid - Rejected punk band from Berkley, CA with some nineties mainstream notoriety
21. Red Alert - Screaming
of a Nation legendary punk band from England
22. Rudimentary
Peni - Army of Jesus anarcho-punk band from the U.K.
23. Suicidal Tendencies
- War Inside My Head influential for their mix of skate punk, heavy metal, thrash, funk &
hip hop
24. Witchhunt
- Legistlative Bodies Legislating Bodies ABOUT
DAVE TRENGA
I'm very into music and have been playing in bands for awhile now. I'm also very
into politics and music gives me a good opportunity to address the issues that
anger me, it's a great way to blow off steam. I really enjoy writing lyrics and
creating original music. I have such a good time playing shows and playing with
or seeing other angry, political bands. I really respect people that think for
themselves and have something to say and people who get involved and try to create
change. I'm really into art as well and again mostly focus on politics in my art.
I like to tour, travel, see new places and meet new people. I love cooking, and
eating at vegetarian places. I love getting tattooed, I think tattoos are very
theraputic, they are for me anyway. I've been learning sign language which i really
enjoy and want to get into interpreting. I love sharks and hope to some day go
swimming with sharks and see them up close. I really want to see a great white
up close but would prefer to be in a cage for that one. I just love going to the
ocean, I think water is so relaxing and it's great to get out in the ocean or
anywhere else where you can look around and see nothing but nature, no sign of
people, billboards, advertisements, pollution, etc.
Concert Preview: RTX, Totimoshi and Dirty Faces @ 31st Street Pub Saturday May 12th
Jennifer Herrema,
formerly one half of Royal Trux, an offspring of Jon Spencer's Pussy Galore,
leads RTX to the 31st
Street Pub in the Strip on Saturday May 12th. The band's second album, Western
Xterminator, has been compared to Too Fast For Love era Motley Crue (minus Tommy's
cowbell) and The Ramones and Stooges. Aaron Jentzen from the Pittsburgh City
Paper had an opportunity to interview
Jennifer Herrema for the May 9th issue.
Totimoshi are a throwback,
kind of Melvins-esque, sludge rock capable of some pretty intense emotionally
charged sounds. Plenty of classic heavy metal energy, mystery, instrumental
improv, guitar noise and post-punk dynamics that just moves you.
Mike Machosky,
in a review for the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, summed up the Dirty
Faces better than I ever could. "They play rock and roll like the Stillers
play football hard, angry, muddy, with a chip on their shoulder, and
a playbook that has all the unnecessary pages ripped out. It's heavy, but not
really punk, not really metal, and not garage rock in the color-coordinated
matching-suits sense. It's rusty, dirty Pittsburgh rock with bad attitude to
burn." The Dirty Faces also have Pittsburgh dates set for The Brillobox
on May 25th and are back at the Pub for a June 16th show.