Cool band from Boston in town to give ‘sisterly’ support to the Big in Big Hurry. Flatleys were all over the place that night and I am surprised the Brillo is still standing. Oh yeah, they sounded really good….

So the word spread rather quickly Friday that this show was taking place in two days. The university’s AB Board has been dormant, so it came as a surprise to me and many others that this show was even happening at all. I am not that familiar with the band but I did like their last release enough to check them out. The sparse crowd of 100 or so were treated to a fantastic set. They were sounding awesome in the ‘hall’ and kudos go out to the techs who know how to mix and light a band in that room. I also have to say again how much I appreciate the fellas who hook me up for these shows. Thank you guys…

When the awesome Key Party comp was released a few years ago, one of the highlights for me was Triggers contribution. I never had the chance to see them play until this show. They were so great! The guys had no merch due to leaving their bin at a previous show…bummer. I will definitely remedy that soon, as the guys are playing some upcoming shows that I, and you, HAVE to check out. I will have more from this band in a future post or two. More pics here…

I am losing count on how many of these annual events I have been to. This year featured Nik & The Central Plains, The Wreckids, and J.D. Eicher & The Goodnights. Three hours of free local music is always a good thing. More pics here…

Image courtesy the band. It turns out that I am shooting this band tomorrow. There are four bands playing and the only one I am familiar with is Gold Motel when Greta succumbed to the First/Last juggernaut last May. Looking forward to ‘discovering’ some music and meeting musicians on a Saturday night. Today it is Forrest’s turn to succumb in this edition ‘power pop’ edition of First/Last…

I have never seen this band more “ON” than I did this night. They were tight as can be, the mix was perfect (Justin’s the man!) and the sold out crowd was definitely throwing some major love vibes toward that stage. The band had several family members in attendance and it was a pleasure to be able to meet most of them. We even got one of my friends in low places to guest on banjo. It will be hard pressed to see a more fun show this year…and it was only still January! If you missed it, don’t fret, you can catch the band tomorrow night at Lava Lounge…

I had absolutely zero expectations going into this show for the simple fact that I never heard a note from them ever. I was very shocked how much I enjoyed it. I had the impression that they were granola eatin’ folkies as they very might still be (Sarah is Arlo’s kid) but they were literally ‘electric’ for their show. It’s no surprise to find out later that Vetiver’s Andy Cabic co-produced the new album. Very cool. Listen to a more mellow acoustic WYEP studio session from earlier in the day here. More photos here…

Bill is a true blue-collar troubadour. He wears his roots on his sleeve and even though his acoustic and harmonica setup was cool, I would really like to see him rock out with a full electric band. Soon enough I’m sure…

As we get closer to the big game on Sunday, I couldn’t ask for a better artist to spotlight than the ‘Princess of Pittsburgh‘ herself, Miss Kellee Maize. She has a video blowing up entitled appropriately enough, City of Champions. I am thrilled that Kellee took the time to participate in this Super Bowl edition of First/Last…

Donora have seemingly been dormant for awhile. I can’t tell you the last time I saw them play. Fortunately for us, they have been busy prepping the follow-up to their awesome debut CD. I was lucky enough to hear some of the album which is about half done. The songs have taken the band in a more ‘mature’ direction and I was blown away by what they are cooking up.

They are starting their Winter Tour tonight which takes them through the midwest for two weeks with pals Lohio in tow. The tour closer is at the Thunderbird on the 19th and expect to hear a handful of those new tunes which should sound as tight as can be as is the case with the band after a string of dates to work out the rough edges…

Opening up for Liz Phair, these local guys brought the RAWK. Now, I am not the avid hard rock listener but they surprised me how much I did like their set. The guys can wail on those guitars for sure…

From the years 1985 and 1995, there is a black hole in my musical appreciation. I was too busy at the time following the Grateful Dead and racking up 30 shows in those years to appreciate any current bands releasing what would become seminal albums in rock history. Among them was Liz’ 1993 album Exile in Guyville. I never realized how badass she was until later and even then didn’t give her much notice. That being said, last Monday was a revelation of sorts. She was charming, easy to look at (we are both the same age) and rocking. A very enjoyable introduction to her and her music. The packed audience at the Rex obviously weren’t listening the Dead during those years as they were loving every second of the show…

I am going to attempt to begin the new year by hopefully exposing the readers of this blog to new music released within the last 30 or so days that might have slipped under your radar. Yeah, The Decemberists and Iron & Wine came out with their highly anticipated new music but these little artists’ that could deserve as much attention, therefore my new segment…Artist of the Month!…

The Joy Formidable are a Welsh band releasing their debut album in March and are touring the US to celebrate. They have been described as “primal epic grunge rock à la The Breeders, Arcade Fire and Yeah Yeah Yeahs“. They make a stop in Pittsburgh with support from The Lonely Forest. Courtesy of my friends at Drusky Entertainment, I have a pair of passes to the …

p>It’s been several years since I saw the band play. I was surprised how much they have grown musically in that time. They reminded me of the “Gram Parsons” era Stones, which is great thing. They reside in State College, PA so I should have ample opportunity to catch them again…

Whether you realize it or not, there are a ton of live music options occurring in Pittsburgh tonight. One of them is the Joshua Radin show at Mr. Smalls. Booked as support is Portland musician Anya Marina. She was way cool enough to participate in this edition of First/Last Friday….

I was asked by David Bernabo to contribute my meager talents to a new music video he is directing for a song by yet another project he is associated with called Host Skull. What…

This show was really good. Really. The band sounded excellent and if you took away the fact that almost everybody in the room was patiently waiting to hear more Zep tunes, I think that the anticipation …

I am starting a new feature today that will sporadically highlight some other blogs in town. It’s great living in Pittsburgh and being a music lover right now. Besides the incredible musical talent popping up constantly, there are many of us who live here and are working hard to promote the wide array of musicians and bands that are homegrown. One such blog is The Pittsburgh Scene…

Jon Belan’s alter ego, Gene The Werewolf, is one of the city’s more popular rock bands playing. They have TWO big performances tonight. The early show is at Stage AE opening for The Clarks in celebration of the Steelers AFC Play-off game on Sunday. They also play later on at the Altar Bar in celebration of my friends at Drusky Entertainment’s 5th Year…