“Portland, Oregon-based singer-songwriter Barry Brusseau is celebrating the release of his sophomore full-length, The Royal Violent Birds, on Gorbie International Records. The album, available on vinyl and via digital retailers, finds the singer-songwriter creating at times lush, other times stark indie-folk music that is a complete one-eighty from his punk-rock days. It’s been said many times, “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey,” and nothing could be truer for Brusseau. He spent twenty years playing everything from metal to hardcore punk, with fifteen of those years spent touring in the pop-punk band The Jimmies, who signed to Lookout! Records before eventually disbanding. However, that journey lead to Brusseau’s complete one-eighty with the release of his debut solo album, A Night Goes Through, released exclusively on vinyl and digitally. Following it up with an EP on CD with handmade packaging, Brusseau is ready to return with his sophomore full-length, the stark, folk-based Royal Violent Birds.”

Check out Barry’s latest album, “The Royal Violent Birds“. My sincere thanks to him for taking a few to participate in this edition of First/Last.

• The first album you ever bought?
• Buddy Holly, ‘Peggy Sue’ 45”.
• Your last album bought?
• “OFF!”.
• Favorite album of all time?
• Nick Drake, “Pink Moon”.
• Least favorite/most disappointing album?
• Judas Priest, “Point Of Entry”.
• First concert attended?
• John Denver at the Memorial Coliseum, Portland Oregon, 1974.
• Last concert?
• Cotton.
• Favorite concert ever?
• Cheap Trick and Michael Schenker, 1981?
• Least favorite concert?
• Motley Crue, 1999.
• Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
• My punk band “The Jimmies” had a show in Pittsburgh, but when we arrived there was some kind of mix up, and no show was happening. The owners came down and opened up the club and made us pizza. It was an older couple, and they told about the Circle Jerks playing there many years ago and the singer pulling a gun on someone. Don’t remember the name of the place, but I think itwas a punk mainstay.

Thanks, Barry. There’s nothing I appreciate more when a musician takes a unique DIY approach the packaging/album art to their music. So very cool.