Blog

HughShows Blog has featured thousands of original live band photos and has conducted over 1000 musician interviews (including Brian Wilson, Mavis Staples, and Bruce Hornsby) since starting. With the original ‘First/Last’ questionnaire, you get a sense of where the musician has come from and where they are going with their artistic expression.

First/Last – Bruiser Beep

Photo courtesy of Zim Syed Bruiser Beep, aka Seven Dee, is a Pittsburgh-based experimental composer and performance artist who uses hyperbolic performance to explore themes of inner-child healing, delusions and psychosis, rapid observation, and romanticism of failing and learning. She composes swelling epics of dissonant electronic soundscapes with loose, deconstructed melodies and dramatic vocals that […]

read more ➜

First/Last – Swiss Army

“Something for everyone is how you could describe the nostalgia-punk of Swiss Army. Fury. Mistakes. Empathy. All of the ingredients of personal growth as told through blazing riffs and deep lyrics.“ Swiss Army is a punk band from Pittsburgh on A-F Records who’s latest release is the barn burner “On Top of the World” featuring […]

read more ➜

First/Last – SUREFIRE

Posted on October 4, 2019

“Music can bring you closer to someone else, and when you’re family, it can strengthen an already unbreakable bond. Natalie Flango and Jason Duty formed Surefire as two musician/songwriters (and in-laws) getting together to merge passions and communicate stories via chords and lyrics.” SUREFIRE is a pop duo from Pittsburgh who have and EP and […]

read more ➜

First/Last – The Anxious Hearts

“Drawing inspiration from their own struggles with love, life, and mental health issues the group bares their souls for all to see as they take listeners on a musical journey of faith and optimism that is bound to get heads bobbing, toes tapping, and hearts beating.” The Anxious Hearts is a Christian genre-busting band from […]

read more ➜

First/Last – Take Me With You

Take Me With You is an electro synth wave band from Pittsburgh who released their debut full-length this past summer entitled a building, a dreaming.  This album immediately takes me back to the early eighties when punk gave way to new wave and the first generation of alternative music. You can catch the band this […]

read more ➜

First/Last – RonManGone

“I am a young Artist from Pittsburgh trying to get a message across and hope to spark a mind.“ RonManGone is an up and coming Pittsburgh based hip-hop artist who’s message of positivity and hope in these dark times is a refreshing take on the genre when it is most needed. I first met Ron […]

read more ➜

First/Last – The Richard Move

Photo courtesy Crawfo Productions “C’mon guys…It’s punk rock. Maybe you need a refresher course. Between the late 16th and the 18th centuries, punk was a common, coarse synonym for prostitute; The term eventually came to describe “a young male hustler, a hoodlum, or a ruffian” The Richard Move is a brand spankin’ new punk band […]

read more ➜

HughShows Radio – Brooke Annibale Live at Eide’s 2014

Streaming at the bottom of the website for a limited time is the exclusive never before heard full set Brooke Annibale Live at Eide’s from May 2014. Thanks to JVega for this wonderful recording.   Discover Brooke Annibale #SupportPGHMusic #HughShowsX

read more ➜

First/Last – INEZ

Posted on August 30, 2019

Photo courtesy of Nicolette K. INEZ is a Pittsburgh based singer-songwriter, musician, producer, and audio engineer who is quickly gaining attention in the local music scene. Unapologetically breaking down barriers and refuting long held stereotypes by bringing out front and center the discrepancies between artists and opportunity while becoming an essential collaborator in the exciting […]

read more ➜

Introducing the Pittsburgh Music Database

Posted on August 16, 2019

Attention Pittsburgh (and surrounding areas) musicians: I have created a public Pittsburgh Music Database on my website. Being the curator for the Deustchtown Music Festival, we get hundreds of submissions to perform on our site each February and we are privy to a wealth of information on bands and musicians at our fingertips. I always […]

read more ➜

First/Last – Berry Breene

Posted on August 16, 2019

“A thoughtful, honest songwriter with a unique voice ranging from mellow to full, balancing between traditional folk and outsider.“ Berry Breene is a folk musician who also is an accomplished visual artist. Her vibrant work ranges from commissioned portraits and landscapes to public murals dotting Western PA public spaces. Her solo music reflects her art […]

read more ➜

First/Last – Sarlacc

Posted on August 10, 2019

“Star Wars, head banging, ancient video games, destroying every vehicle we tour in.“ Sarlacc is a grind/doom metal duo from Pittsburgh who incorporate science fiction (particularly Star Wars) into their vibe. As stated in a recent post, “We didn’t turn on Star Wars. Star Wars turned on us.” Aren’t we all kind of feeling that […]

read more ➜

First/Last – Drauve

Posted on August 2, 2019

“four pals making hazy tunes for hazy days“ Drauve is a brand new dream pop band from Pittsburgh who are playing out all over town promoting their fantastic debut single “Haunted”, which was released last month. Catch the band tonight (Friday, August 2nd) as they perform at The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls with The Vics […]

read more ➜

First/Last – Chris Hannigan

Posted on July 26, 2019

“Chris Hannigan is a nationally touring singer/songwriter from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Today, he’s playing shows locally, working on his new record, and working on living the good life.” Chris Hannigan is an indie folk singer-songwriter who is currently just beginning to produce his next album. A regular fixture at Acousticafe at The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls […]

read more ➜

Video Premiere – HughShowsTV with Swampwalk

Posted on July 19, 2019

#SupportPGHMusic #HughShowsXV #HughShowsTV

read more ➜

First/Last – Mark Browning

Posted on July 19, 2019

“Born into a military family, I have traveled all my life. Must have gotten into my blood. Never cared much for routine. I started out in biology, collecting reptiles for zoos and museums, but then traveled. Pruned apple trees in NY, farmed wheat in WA, painted houses in Key West, drove truck in NYC, published […]

read more ➜

HughShows Turns 15

Posted on July 18, 2019

When I launched a music website on July 18, 2004 that would focus on my photos, ephemera, and setlists from concerts I attended in Pittsburgh, I could never imagine that I would still be doing it 15 years later, let alone the way it has evolved since then. Based on what I was feeling at […]

read more ➜

First/Last – niku daruma

Posted on July 12, 2019

“niku daruma is three hopeful young women loving each other the only way they know how to“ niku daruma is a industrial noise band who came to my attention through the Deutschtowm Music Festival submission process. They are totally on their own wavelength as a band and perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea but I […]

read more ➜

First/Last – Luxury Machine

Posted on July 5, 2019

Image courtesy of Luxury Machine “Pittsburgh based grunge/blues three piece band. drums. keys. whiskey.” Luxury Machine are grunge rock duo taking a cue from The Black Keys in adding soul and blues to the mix to create an energetic sound that reminds the listener of a classic rock vibe while still sounding fresh. Experience the […]

read more ➜

Video Premiere – The Dead End Streets

Posted on July 3, 2019

What better way to celebrate Independence Day than a “Snowball Fight on the 4th of July” Happy burfday, ‘Murica! Discover The Dead End Streets #SupportPGHMusic #HughShowsXV

read more ➜