“The Cold War was about tension, propaganda, and the struggle for global influence. So is Rock and Roll. Metropolis America began in Philadelphia in 2010 when musician and songwriter Cristian Mora connected with drummer Rick Eddy. Mora and Eddy, both children of the Cold War, forged a bond that led to the creation of a sound they call “Cold Pop”- a 21st Century take on the sound and sentiment from the Cold War era in the United States. The first product of this connection and sound was the band’s “The Cold Pop Singles” ep in 2011. The addition of Greg Kinter on guitar in 2012 helped to shape the latest creation.”

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr and SoundCloud. The band have just released their latest singles, ‘Bittersweet‘ and “A Burden of Youth‘, both available as free downloads. I want to thank Cristian Mora (Bass/Vocals), Rick Eddy (Drums) and Greg Kinter (Guitar) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

• The first album you ever bought?
• Cristian Mora: Tears for Fears “Songs from the Big Chair”.
• Rick Eddy: Iron Butterfly “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”.
• Greg Kinter: KISS “Double Platinum”.
• Your last album bought?
• Cristian: Charlie XCX “True Romance”.
• Rick: Sound City “Real to Reel”.

Greg: The Jesus and Mary Chain “Automatic” (iTunes).

• Favorite album of all time?
• Cristian: Thompson Twins “Into the Gap”.
• Rick: David Bowie “Diamond Dogs”.
• Greg: Too many (based on mood), but I’ll go with Vince Guaraldi Trio “A Boy Named Charlie Brown”.
• Least favorite/most disappointing album?
• Cristian: I hate when bands get lazy. I feel songwriters have to stay sharp and continually challenge themselves to grow. This is very hard to do, so I feel don’t say anything if you have nothing to say – or just don’t make a new record. My answer for most disappointing is “The Cure” self-titled.
• Rick: The Clash “Cut The Crap”.
• Greg: Anything industry-created in a board room, especially the current twee folk rock tragedy, e.g. The Lumineers. There once was a time when hipsters were actually hip…
• First concert attended?
• Cristian: Cutting Crew at Sunrise Musical Theater in Miami, 1987 (remember “I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight’?).
• Rick: J. Geils Band with The Poodles.
• Greg: Judas Priest back in 1987.
• Last concert?
• Cristian: Wang Chung at a casino in Atlantic City (remember ‘Everybody Have Fun Tonight’?).
• Rick: Journey.
• Greg: New Order, 2013.
• Favorite concert ever?
• Cristian: Human League at The Pageant in St. Louis, 2003, I think.
• Rick: Pink Floyd, ‘Animals Tour’.
• Greg: Uhhhhh… Well, we just saw New Order (2013) which was a DANCE PARTY! Johnny Marr (2013 Troc/Philly) AWESOME!, Radiohead (Tower Theater, year?, 13th row for free) which we won on a radio show, The Jesus and Mary Chain (‘Stoned and Dethroned’, Troc/Philly).
• Least favorite concert?
• Cristian: Cutting Crew at Irving Plaza, NYC in 2010… that is because i had been waiting to see Cutting Crew again since the first time i saw them back at my very first concert in 1987. I ate bad sushi that day and had to watch the show sitting on the floor holding an empty can in case I vomited… which I did many times during the show.
• Rick: Dream Theater. I was front row center and could not be more bored.
• Greg: Joe Satriani for sure. I went with a friend… of a friend… for free.
• Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
• Cristian: My wife is a huge Steelers fan, so I took her to a game at Heinz field for our anniversary. Amazing city, I love it and have gone back. I always make it a point to eat Primanti Bros. sandwiches when there.
• Rick: Would like to visit and take in all Pittsburgh has to offer.
• Greg: I’ve never been in Pittsburgh. I hear great things such as: the music scene, the city is clean, and there’s a great place to buy chocolate-covered pretzels.

Thanks, guys. Cool that you guys have the balls to define an entire genre of music in ‘Cold-Pop’. I love that!