“When a couple of Long Island punks walked into Manhattan’s darkest dive bar to find an Aussie blues singer howling from behind a beat up guitar, one of NYC’s most unique new punk bands was born. Before long, Freya’s grated ironies and violent bluesy riffs were sitting right at home atop a rhythm section of equally sarcastic and surprisingly talented twenty-somethings, spreading songs about lying to lovers, falling for assholes and fighting for all the wrong things.”…

One of the greatest aspects of being a music fan in Pittsburgh is the endless opportunities to see local bands play their music in different settings. Radio station 105.9 The X has been putting on a monthly Studio X showcase for bands and broadcasting/archiving the set at a later time. This particular show will be aired on the radio tomorrow for Mother’s Day at 8:30 pm. I love what Nevada Color are doing. I actually shot their second ever gig and watching them grow and mature as performers is awesome…

“The key element of The Vacant Lots’ minimalist, primitive rock’n’roll songs is their boundless energy, which tears up the psychedelic rock template with a genuine punk spirit. Combine that with the use of synths and drum machines, and it’s not
surprising to see why the band have won over Suicide’s Alan Vega, with whom they will be working very soon. Another famous friend is former Galaxie 500 and Luna frontman (and now Sonic Cathedral label mate) Dean Wareham, who plays guitar on ‘Tomorrow’.”…

“The Dusty Gray Band is a powerhouse roots rock/country band hailing from the woods of New Hampshire. Led by Nashville songwriter Dusty Gray, the five-piece group has performed around the northeast, opening for such acts as Willie Nelson, Blues Traveler, Randy Houser, Lee Brice and others. Noted for their high-energy shows, the band was nominated for a New England Music Award in 2014, and continues to bring their soulful good ol’ rock n roll to clubs, parties and festivals around the region.”…

There You Are is a 4 piece rock band from Pittsburgh Pa. The band was foundedby members Tom Chorba (vocals, guitar) and Matt Bean (drums) who were childhood friends and jam buddies. Through the years, these two members have played in a variety of projects in the area, occasionally crossing paths, until late 2013, when they decided to write together…

“For the moment, Joe Pug has it figured out, career if not life: Just write the songs that have to be written, play them for anybody who will listen, tour as if you had no home. Oh, and give your music away. Which isn’t to say he won’t be selling his debut full-length offering, Messenger ( Released 2/16/2010 on Lightning Rod). But free is how he came to make it, more or less. It worked like this, for Joe Pug anyhow: The day before his senior year as a playwright student at the University of North Carolina, he sat down for a cup of coffee and had the clearest thought of his life: I am profoundly unhappy here. Then came the second clearest.”…

“Working Breed is a scintillating quintet from Pittsburgh, writing eclectic rock utilizing guitar, bass, drums, keys, synth, lush 3-part harmonies, trombone, trumpet, musical saw, and whatever else they get our hands on. Leading ladies Erika Laing and Chelsea Attwood combine their multi-instrumental musical talents with guitarist Mike Dugan, bassist Jonah Petrelli, and drummer Sam Stein, coalescing to form unique songs that hop from country leaning indie to brass-laden space jams to spy music to french acoustic reggae. There is no sound off-bounds for this genre-bending group!”…

Tonight at Brillobox is a very sweet bill consisting of Robin Vote, Blød Maud, Littler (Philadelphia) and the gals of Dream Phone. This is one fun band to see. They have a ’60s girl group inspired garage pop sound and contain members of local faves The Harlan Twins, The Lopez, Roulette Waves, Paddy the Wanderer and Delicious Pastries. You can thank me later…

“Based out of Pittsburgh, PA, Houdini’s Psychic Theatre creates a genre-bending musical experience. The collision of 5 friends and their different musical tastes, influences, and experiences builds a layered and dynamic sound that hopes to make it’s mark. This Pittsburgh-based progressive-rock jam band is dedicated not only to writing, improvising and recording their own music, but also to supporting other up-and-coming artists in the area and bringing fresh tunes to the people’s ears.”…

“Abducted as children, and again in early 2014, the members of Spacefish have since been surveyed and deemed worthy by galactic travelers to form a static twosome of a band in pursuit of world-change and betterment for the terrestrial lifestyle.”…

A self-proclaimed “failed scholar and modern-day hobo,” 24 year-old Caroline Rose has broken her long string of short circuits with a live-wire national debut, I Will Not Be Afraid (August 19th / Little Hi! Records) that draws on her roots in rockabilly, vintage country, and blues to capture her unique and distinctive vision…

Forming in early 2014, Grand Vapids spent the course of a year recording its debut album Guarantees with producer and engineer Drew Vandenberg (of Montreal, Deerhunter, Kishi Bashi) at Chase Park Transduction in Athens, GA. On the album the
sonic palette is wide…

“circle pits, skate tricks, and hipster chicks = what we’re about it’s like mixing spoons and a seagull in a blender.. add a dash of circle pit, skateboarding, hating your job, and every day life and you have CRAB LEGS”…

“Botanical, spooky, umbilically-resonant folk. Words about myth, love, wishes, disappointment, friendship, potential futures, and the ends of things.”…

“Coquette is a wildly energetic American indie band with Franco Anglo roots based in Central Vermont. Influenced by Prog Rock and Punk, they have created a varied, frenetic kind of Alternative Rock, with a strong focus on composition. They play regularly in Montpelier, have played several festivals around Vermont, occasionally headlining. They are continually writing new material, play at any opportunity they can grab, and have plans to conquer first New England, then The World!?”…

The Deutschtown Music Festival Fundraiser with Working Breed, André Costello and the Cool Minors, Chet Vincent & The Big Bend and Big Gypsy at the Andy Warhol Museum on Saturday, April 11, 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA…

“Destroyer of worlds. Believer in FUZZZZZZZ. Foolish son of a foolish son. LOW & BEHOLD…..”

elle belle is a psych garage rock band from Los Angeles and is the moniker for songwriter Christopher Pappas (Guitar/Vocals). They have a cool single out called ‘You Better Mean It‘ which is a huge tease for an impending full length. I want to thank Christopher for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last…

“The 2012 Pittsburgh’s X Winter Rock Showcase Winners, WINE & SPIRIT, is bringing back some soul at a fast rate of punk rockin blues!! This local rock n roll band has been making their presence known in the greater area for the past five years Since forming the band at Slippery Rock University in 2006, Wine & Spirit has grown to what most locals say the coolest rock n roll band in town. …

Granville’s music started with a record that emphasized roots Americana styles. But even on that first record I was trying to do something more than be rootsy. Experimenting with tape, electronics and arrangement and production style: I come from a place of roots music, but personally my roots are in so many styles and sounds that I find myself always searching for whatever is the correct style and feel for each individual song. I feel each needs to be done in its own way. I think that happens a bit more on this sophomore album…

Now in it’s 18th year, Art All Night is the one of the coolest events of the year. The DIY aspect permeates everything about it and along with displayed artwork and many activities, there are local bands playing around the clock. Here is a first look at the current schedule starting Saturday, April 25th at 4 pm with blog fave Heather Kropf and running straight through till Sunday morning. Also this year will be what’s dubbed as a ‘Jam Space’ consisting of different themes of one hour blocks where visitors can actually play along!…