“Do you remember Sunday school we held each other’s hand and it was cool”

Pat Coyle is a Pittsburgh based singer/songwriter/drummer from who infuses intimate pop songs with sounds from day to day life. His background in filmmaking and general love for movies provides the bed frame for his lyrical inspiration, usually manifesting in cinematic vignettes that imbue a sense of longing and wistfulness. He recently released his new album, Relic of a Rift, a continuation of his melancholy and emotionally cathartic songwriting with hues of futuristic dreams sprinkled throughout as evidenced from the stream below. I want to thank Pat (Guitar/Synths/Samples/Drums/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
The earliest purchase I can remember is So Much for the City by The Thrills. Fun, upbeat Irish indie/pop music! Gotta love it. This album made it into the book, “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”, so I guess I’m doing something right!

Your last album bought?
Kids Like Me by Swampwalk on vinyl 🙂

Favorite album of all time?
Room on Fire by The Strokes. Every song is perfect. Every song makes me wanna cry. Julian Casablancas shows up in my dreams sometimes and makes me feel like everything is going to be okay.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I feel like I haven’t been disappointed by albums a whole lot in my life. I’m more disappointed by movies. Seeing the midnight showing of Spiderman 3 when I was a kid still haunts me. I appreciate the campiness of the movie now, but oh boy, I invested a lot of emotional energy into that one and I came out of the theater with only a sense of pure disillusionment and loss. So maybe I should say the soundtrack to Spiderman 3? Ha-ha!

First concert attended?
John Mayer. Showed up because I loved John Mayer at the time but I walked out of that concert loving the drummer, Steve Jordan even more.

Last concert?
I got to be one of the singers in the Fleetwood Mac night that was put together by Pittsburgh Plays! It was such an awesome night. The musicians I got to be in the bands with are so freakin’ impressive and lovely.

Favorite concert ever?
I saw Deerhoof in Canada. I was right in front of the drummer, Greg Saunier. I cried. At one point his drumstick went flying in the air and I caught it and it made my life pretty much!

Least favorite concert?
The jazz band concert that I completely forgot to attend when I was in college. I was the drummer of the band and I was distracted that evening auditioning for a role in a student film. I get the call from my bandmate when the band is mere minutes from going on and I am way too far away to make it, with no tux on me and no immediate access to transportation. THANKFULLY, there was a drummer from a different jazz band that stepped in, faked his way through the charts and saved the day, but that was a nightmare scenario for sure. Walking into the band director’s office the next day is a moment I’ll never forget! He was very kind about it though

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Just getting to play in so many bands with so many lovely friends 🙂

 

 

 

Thanks, Pat. The camaraderie and support among musicians in this city never fails to amaze me. I hear of complaints of cliques and not po-pooing that experience from those who have had them but to tell you the truth, I have never witnessed it first hand.

 

 

 

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Song: “Dinosaur”

Artist: The Corbin Hanner Band

Album: For the Sake of the Song

Year Released: 1981

Genre: Country

Local Connection: Band formed in Ford City in 1979

Did you know? Bob Corbin and Dave Hanner began making music together in high school, forming the bands Lost Lambs and later Gravel

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “Shoo-D-Boop and Cop Him”

Artist: Betty Davis

Album: They Say I’m Different

Year Released: 1974

Genre: Funk/Soul

Local Connection: Moved to Pittsburgh at age 12 and quietly resides here presently

Did you know? Married to Miles Davis in 1968 and is credited to introducing him to the new fashions and music of the era, including Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “Fallen”

Artist: Lauren Wood

Album: Cat Trick

Year Released: 1981

Genre: Soft Rock

Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh

Did you know? In 1972, Lauren Wood provided back-up vocals on Frank Zappa’s album The Grand Wazoo not long after the breakup of her psychedelic country rock band Rebecca & the Sunny Brook Farmers

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “To Thee We Confess”

Artist: Acheron

Album: Rites of the Black Mass

Year Released: 1991

Genre: Death/Black Metal

Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 1989

Did you know? Acheron is named after the mythological river Acheron (Ancient Greek: Ἀχέρων – Akhérōn) located in the underground kingdom of Hades in ancient Greek mythology

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “Big Body”

Artist: PK Delay

Album: KIMBO

Year Released: 2021

Genre: Rap, Hip-Hop

Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1994

Did you know? PK Delay wrote a song every day (365 in total) in 2019

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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“If there is a God, He probably took one look at the blood that poured out of Abel’s head, crimson hands of Cain and cried out, “What have I done?“

VYLTS are a hardcore/punk band from Pittsburgh, PA. They strive to be as DIY and as ethical of a band as they can be. They aim to provide an emotionally honest, sincere, and high energy performance every time they play. Their recently released debut single entitled “Genesis” from their upcoming EP Spiritual Traumas is self-described as “an examination of the human race as a whole and the world we live in today. One that we have all played a part in creating.” You can listen to the song below as I thank Christian Freeberg (Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
I think the first album I actually bought with my own money was the 1999 hit self-titled LFO record. I think my first ever album I owned though was Backstreet’s Back (Backstreet Boys). What can I say, It was the 90’s.

Your last album bought?
The last full album I purchased was my favorite album of 2020, The Great Dismal by the band Nothing from Philly. It’s a masterpiece of heavier shoegaze stuff. Nothing is one of my favorite modern bands and they have an insane/fascinating history of misfortune within their band and the singer Dominic Palermo‘s life that also makes them one of the most interesting bands and singer out there.

Favorite album of all time?
Couldn’t pick one for the life of me. But one that would always be in the running is Illusion of Safety by my favorite band Thrice. There are other Thrice albums that would be in the running as well. Just depends on the mood I’m in that day.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I’m most disappointed that this Philly hardcore band called One Dead Three Wounded never put out a third record. So the lack of that theoretical album is my biggest disappointment “album.”

First concert attended?
The Last Hope (Pittsburgh punk band) at our local Chevy Chase Community Center in my hometown Indiana, PA. It was my first time experiencing a mosh pit and a circle pit and crowd surfing. I got the wind knocked out of me the moment I got the nerve to get in the pit when someone accidentally hit me in the throat. My little brother was there as well, and he got crowd surfed into an operating ceiling fan and was knocked out for a hot minute. I was hooked from then on.

Last concert?
The last time I got to see live music was when I went to Florida and got to see my friend Jon’s band Hollyglen that he drums for. It was at the Crowbar in Tampa. The pandemic has prevented me from going to any shows for a while now. Can’t wait to get back to that someday.

Favorite concert ever?
That would probably be when I saw White Wives (Pittsburgh punk band with Anti-Flag members and my friend Roger Harvey), Koji, Balance and Composure, and Touché Amore in some sort of mason lounge in Altoona. There wasn’t any stage and it just felt very intimate. There was so much PA friendship/connections since all but one band were from PA. Touché Amore’s performance felt like a religious experience and my poet friend William James got to intro them with one of his poems. It was a really special evening and one that sticks with me above countless other shows I’ve attended.

Least favorite concert?
This One Dead Three Wounded show that I missed because my dad grounded me. My friends had the lead singer Tim call me to say hi though and that was pretty exciting for a young fan boy like myself at the time.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Pandemic aside, there are so many good places to eat and there’s always somewhere to experience art/music. There are also so many bands with forward thinking people and so many people in general in the community who are striving to make Pittsburgh a safe and inclusive place for everyone through direct actions and true ally-ship.

 

 

 

Thanks, Christian. Pretty powerful stuff you are producing. I really do hope that this outlet can resolve some of the issues you have been dealing with.

 

 

 

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Song: “Angel’s Serenade (Braga)”

Artist: Valentine Abt

Album: Single Release

Year Released: 1905

Genre: Instrumental

Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 1857

Did you know? Valentine Abt was credited with creating the duo-style of mandolin playing, in which one musician plays back and forth between melody, counter-melody and harmony so quickly that it sounds as if two instruments are playing

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “Blue Moon”

Artist: The Marcels

Album: Blue Moon

Year Released: 1961

Genre: Doo-Wop

Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 1959

Did you know? The group was named after a popular hair style of the day, the marcel wave

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “Main Title”

Artist: Jay Chattaway

Album: Maniac Cop OST

Year Released: 1988

Genre: Film Score

Local Connection: Born in Monongahela in 1946

Did you know? Jay Chattaway won an Emmy for Outstanding Music for a Series for the final episode of Star Trek: Voyager

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “Bullet”

Artist: Chandra Rhyme

Album: Single Release

Year Released: 2021

Genre: Pop, R&B infused Hip-Hop

Local Connection: Currently residing and working in Pittsburgh

Did you know? Chandra Rhyme is an accomplished choreographer and dancer

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “Grover’s a Puppet”

Artist: Blogurt

Album: We Like to Eat

Year Released: 1995

Genre: Shleprock

Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in the early 1990’s

Did you know? Blogurt was a satirical, politically bent, indie rock band that featured bassoon

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “A River Flows in You”

Artist: Robin Meloy Goldsby

Album: Waltz of the Asparagus People

Year Released: 2011

Genre: Instrumental Piano

Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh 1958

Did you know? Robin Meloy Goldsby is the daughter of drummer Bob Rawsthorne, who was a regular band member on the television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “Dull Days”

Artist: Carsickness

Album: Shooting Above the Garbage

Year Released: 1980

Genre: Post punk

Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh 1979

Did you know? Carsickness disbanded around 1988, eventually morphing into Ploughman’s Lunch. They reunited in 2017 for two shows to celebrate the release of a compilation of their two albums via Get Hip Records

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “Moody’s Mood For Love”

Artist: Eddie Jefferson

Album: The Jazz Singer

Year Released: 1952

Genre: Jazz vocalist

Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh August 3, 1918

Did you know? Eddie Jefferson is credited as an innovator of vocalese, a musical style in which lyrics are set to an instrumental composition or solo

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “I Love Your Smile”

Artist: Shanice

Album: Inner Child

Year Released: 1991

Genre: R&B, Pop, New Jack Swing

Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh May 14, 1973

Did you know? “I Love Your Smile” features a saxophone solo by Branford Marsalis as well as laughter from Janet Jackson and René Elizondo Jr. near the end of the song

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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Song: “List-Show”

Artist: Meeting of Important People

Album: Meeting of Important People

Year Released: 2009

Genre: Garage Pop, Indie Rock

Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 2008

Did you know? “List-Show’ is the theme song to HughShowsTV and my upcoming podcast HughShows Live at Just-Records

PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music

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“Here we go again, I’m crossing your path. Meeting of the minds, blurring of the lines. We will never die, we’re beyond time.“

Pittsburgh’s beloved yogi and mystic, Michael Miracles, formerly known as the party-shaman Sneaky Mike, is the rebooted persona of his past indefatigable identity, but with a more spiritual and yoga-centric musical vision in the form of his new band Michael Miracles and Love Evolution which recently released the album Love Evolution. Think butterflies meet tasty riffs. Prince riding a pegasus. Carpe momentus. I want to thank Michael (Songwriter/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Aerosmith Pump.

Your last album bought?
The Mars Volta Deloused in the Comatorium vinyl re-release. Haven’t bought too many albums recently in this era of streaming, but I still buy vinyl here and there.

Favorite album of all time?
Prince and the Revolution Purple Rain

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
That new Led Zeppelin album from 2021 The Battle at Garden’s Gate. I didn’t know they were still putting out albums!

First concert attended?
Hole 1994 at Metropol. I told my mom I was going to the mall because I wasn’t allowed to see concerts yet.

Last concert?
Marc Rebillet in Baltimore, 2020.

Favorite concert ever?
Radiohead August 2001 in Liberty State Park, NJ. Right across the river from Manhattan, and you could see the Twin Towers in the background. They played 3 encores.

Least favorite concert?
Ozzfest 2003. Tool was supposed to be the headliner but backed out of it. I tried to sell my tickets in the parking lot and got arrested for scalping.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I love Pittsburgh through and through. It’s been an interesting journey being an artist and eccentric character in such a sports town. I consider myself an art yinzer. I’ve learned the hardware not to schedule shows that conflict with any Steelers game or Penguins playoff game!

Thanks, Michael. New Led Zeppelin album? Good one! You got me when I had to look it up!

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“Here I am the next big thing. Wave that flag, hear them scream. Ready for the new sensation, running wild across the nation.“

Post Traumatik is a rock and roll band from Homer City, PA who have been making you drink since 2008. Proudly sponsored by Iron City Beer and featured on the Shudder exclusive movie “Hell House LLC 3: Lake of Fire” as well as The Chuck Mosley (Faith No More) Tribute We Still Care A Lot. The band is currently readying their new album for a 2022 release entitled Flight of the Mothman. I want to thank Anthony Malandro (Bass) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Hysteria – Def Leppard. After seeing the “Pour Some Sugar on Me” video on MTV I was hooked on rock n’ roll. I was in 3rd grade and remember finally getting Hysteria, followed by Lies, Lies, Lies by Guns n’ Roses and Who Made Who by AC/DC.

Your last album bought?
Arrows by Red Fang. Red fang was a group I found by accident a few years back when you could still go to record store and buy CD’s. I’d seen Red Fang album Whales and Leeches sitting in the new release metal area at FYI. The album artwork intrigued me so I picked it up and the first song on the album “Blood Like Cream” blew me away and I have been a fan ever since. The new album Arrows is amazing and if you haven’t heard it check it out.

Favorite album of all time?
Appetite for Destruction by Guns n’ Roses. This album pound for pound is not only my favorite but the best rock album ever made. Hit after hit. and it sounds just as good as the day I heard it the first time.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Let it Rock by The Black Keys. I absolutely love the Black Keys and it just seems the more popular they got the more they got away from that bluesy, raunchy rock n’ roll sound. I was so excited for the Let it Rock album to come out and it was easily forgettable.

First concert attended?
Rage Against The Machine and Wu-Tang Clan with opener Atari Teenage Riot. I was lucky enough in 1997 to be driving, back then I lived in the Mon Valley not too far from Burgettstown. I remember waiting in line at JC Penney at Century III Mall to get these tickets as soon as they went on sell. Amazing show and was lucky enough to see one of the 17 shows they did together before the tour ended when Wu-Tang dropped off the tour.

Last concert?
Christopher Cross at Carnegie Library in Munhall. Amazing show! I was always a huge fan of his music. You would have thought you were listening an album by how good he sounded live.

Favorite concert ever?
KISS. I have seen so many live shows in my life and nothing has beat a live KISS show. So much energy. If you haven’t seen KISS live, do it before the retire… again. Ha-ha, you won’t regret it!

Least favorite concert?
The Avett Brothers at Peterson Events Center. No disrespect to this band, but it was the most boring show ever. Every song they played was slow, if this show was in a small club / venue it would have been so much more enjoyable. If you going to play arenG, bring it. get the people standing up and pumped up.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
So many great venues and local bands. We were lucky enough to get to play some of those venues and play with some of these amazing bands! Not to mention the great sports, food, and beer!

 

 

 

Thanks, Tony. Ah, the days of waiting in line at the ticket local outlet is a past that I remember fondly. Sometimes, I had as much fun doing that as I had in the actual concert.

 

 

 

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Coltt Winter Lepley is a folksinger, songwriter, poet, author, folklorist, and retired race car driver originally from Bedford, Pennsylvania. He is currently an MFA candidate at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. He’s been billed as “Bedford’s own poet laureate,” and described as “a young songwriter with chops beyond his years” by Pennsylvania Musician Magazine. His latest release from last November is “City Living'” from the Wallflower Wanderer YouTube Songwriter Series which he will more than likely play next Thursday, December 16 at Levity Brewing Company in Indiana, PA. I want to thank Coltt (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Mom – Radio and Albums.
Grandma – Elvis cassettes.
Me – Green Day. First one I had to ask parental consent to buy was American Idiot, and Townes Van Zandt was like me discovering a new religion and I tried to buy a lot of physical stuff from the companies running his music like vinyl and CDs.

Your last album bought?
Miles Davis from Barnes and Noble. Download new music every day.

Favorite album of all time?
Depends on the day. Townes Van Zandt’s Townes Van Zandt, John Prine’s John Prine, Bob Dylan’s first 3, 4 albums. Johnny Cash’s “American Recordings” Collection with Rick Rubin, Guy Clark’s Old No.1, Smithsonian Folkways stuff – Woody, Leadbelly, Dave Van Ronk, Phil Ochs. Blues Records – Robert Johnson, Son House. Carter Family, Lucina Williams, Dolly Parton. Really does depend on my mood and the day.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I think it’s been a lot of stuff from rock and punk bands I listened to that tried to shift towards a poppier sound. It seems like that shift happens a lot and folks lose their direction and sound in pursuit of a broader audience and they lose sight of what garnered their audience up front. Money will do that.

First concert attended?
First live music was seeing local bluegrass bands at area festivals and ox roasts. Lonestar was my first official “big-time” concert. I think I was 6.

Last concert?
Answering this, it will have been Pokey LaFarge. When we do the interview, it will be Charlie Parr. Last conert in Pittsburgh was Twenty One Pilots. Also saw Tyler Childers there before he blew up and he covered Dr. Hook’s “I Got Stoned and I Missed It,” which I also cover in my sets.

Favorite concert ever?
Twenty One Pilots was actually awesome. Garth Brooks was great. Bruce Molsky was really incredible. Also got to see Justin Townes Earle (Steve Earle’s son) play before he passed and he taught me a lot about stage presence. It was my first month after I moved to Boston and he made an outsider kid feel at home. He had a great back and forth banter with the audience, and he jokingly threw out a line from Billy Joe Shaver’s “Fast Train to Georgia,” where he says, “I got a good country raisin,” to which I responded “and an eighth grade education!” Justin laughed and said, “That kids the only one that showed up to listen to music and not drink wine. How’d the rich folks let you sit with them kid?” I laughed. Made me feel as good as the guy next to me with a Rolex on. It might have been fake, who knows.

Least favorite concert?
The bad ones are learning experiences. I don’t know if I can come up with one off the top of my head. Elementary School me, which makes sense for their audience considering their subject matter, wanted to see Big N’ Rich and maybe it was them.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I saw James McMurtry play about three years ago now. I went by myself because none of my friends knew who he was. I took my car and followed the PA Department of Corrections bus the whole way out. Parked in an open lot across from the Buffalo Exchange after I got caught in traffic and my car started overheating. Had to go into a Dairy Queen and lie and said I just drove ten hours to see a concert to get quarters because the reader wouldn’t accept my card. They gave me something like 10 dollars in quarters, bless that woman’s heart or I’da have been screwed. Then I went back and ordered chicken tenders because I felt bad. Met a man in line waiting to get in who just drove actually six hours to see McMurtry. Apparently, he had seen him like fifteen times before and he was just hoping they had a ticket left. We were like sixth in line at the door. He asked for a ticket and ended up getting the last ticket they had left. We walked in and Elizabeth Cotten’s “Shake Sugaree” was playing as I ordered a Crown and Coke. His name was Dave Gillard. He told me his life story and that he knew McCurtry’s bass player, “Cornbread,” and he did come over and talk. Dave is an awesome dude and we still check in with each other. Before we left, he bought me James’ live album and I still listen to it all the time on long gig drives. Has “Choctaw Bingo, Red Dress, No More Buffalo, Lights of Cheyenne, Levelland,” and a bunch of other McMurtry hits.
First time I played in Pittsburgh was over at Wigle Whiskey, which no longer hosts musicians outside. I think the feeling of being Pittsburgh is just something unique from other cities. Washington, DC feels a certain way to play in, NYC feels a certain way, Boston feels a certain way, and Pittsburgh just has an authenticity about it that always makes me excited to get here. They say it’s the Paris of Appalachia, and it really is one of if not my favorite cities to play in.

Thanks, Coltt. So cool randomly running into you at Millvale Music Festival last Summer. I love discovering musicians through serendipity.

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