Tag Archives: Pittsburgh

December 1, 2009 · 7:25 pm

Mad Caddies Show

I'm no photographer, but I tried!

As soon as I found out punk-ska group Mad Caddies were coming to town, I was pulling out the datebook and marking it down. I’ve been a fan for years, and had no idea that they were even touring.

The band formed in 1995 in California, and they’ve got 6 albums to date. (They’ve also got 6 band members…what if they added on a bandmate for every new album? Hmmm…)

Anyways, I told some friends about the show and convinced them to come. A couple of them didn’t know their music, and asked what kind they play. That’s actually a tougher question that you’d originally think. I mean, they are ska. They are punk. But, they’re also many others in between such as swing, reggae, and jazz. Put it all together in a blender and you’ve got a MAD freakin’ time!

I prepared for the show for about a week by digging out my old Caddies albums and dancing around my apartment. I was really pumped. The night of the show I had sushi and cocktails beforehand and got to the venue right in time. The band had just started their first song of the set.

The crowd was perfect. What made it even more awesome was that a lot of them knew the words to the songs! Hooray! The band did a great job of being lively on stage, especially Ed Hernandez on his trombone. He stood out on the edge poking that thing out into the crowd, lovingly. There were at total of 3 songs that I was praying to hear: “Wet Dog”, “Backyard”, and “Drinking for 11”. They DID play the latter (which I figured there was a good  chance of hearing that one because it may very well be their most popular song), and I DID love dancing and singing the words. I tried to yell out to them “WET DOG! WET DOG!” but they couldn’t hear me.

Regardless of not hearing the other 2 songs, they did play a brand new song and they still put on a great show. They made a couple new fans in my friends out of it, too. AND if I heard correctly, they’re planning to come out with a new album next year!

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September 18, 2009 · 3:53 pm

Shwayze Next Month

This month, new artist Anjulie has began her tour with Shwayze. Her music video for her smash dance hit “Boom” was up for nomination for “Breakout Video” at the MTV Video Music Awards. Her songs have also been featured on shows like “The Hills” and “The City”.

But, I’m more excited to share that Shwayze (Aaron Smith) will be performing with Anjulie in Pittsburgh on October 3rd, at Diesel in the Southside.

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Did you hear his hits “Buzzin” and “Corona and Lime” last summer? I did, and I immediately liked this California chill-hop rapper. He works a lot with Cisco Adler, too, who you may (or may not) remember as being an old flame of Mischa Barton’s.

In March 2009, Shwayze released a non-album track called “Rock n’ Roll” for free download on his MySpace page. They also released a music video on YouTube. The new album, Let it Beat, will be released November 3rd.

Anjulie / Shwayze Tour Dates:
9/15: Houston, TX @ House of Blues
9/16: Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
9/17: Lawrence, KS @ Grenada Theatre 
9/22: Milwaukee, WI @ TBD
9/23: Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
9/24: East Lansing, MI @ The Small Planet
9/25: Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s Concert Club
9/26: Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero Theatre
9/28: Norwalk, VA @ Norva
9/29: Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
9/30: New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place 
10/1: Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance
10/2: South Hackensack, NJ @ School of Rock
10/3: Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel
10/4: New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
10/6: Providence, RI @ Lupo’s
10/7: Boston, MA @ Harper’s Ferry
10/9: Buffalo, NY @ Frightworld Buffalo

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July 22, 2009 · 9:49 am

TONIGHT: VH1 Support the Music at Houlihan’s

Vh1savethemusic

Jam Night at Houlihan’s

Starting tonight, Houlihan’s at the Mall at Robinson will be holding Jam Night every Wednesday starting at 9 pm. For a $5 donation at the door, you can help benefit the cause and check out some local music talent. I think it’s awesome, and I’ll definitely be checking it out. I’ll let you know how it goes, but if you’re in the area, you should check it out, too!

From the press release:

Houlihan’s of Pittsburgh and VH1 Save The Music Foundation ‘Tune-Up’ for Encore Fundraiser

Hip-Casual Restaurant Aims to Help Restore Schools’ ‘Instrumental’ Programs

PITTSBURGH, PA – As public schools suffer more than ever before due to the faltering economy, Houlihan’s Mall at Robinson restaurant is energized to support the chain’s second nationwide fundraising campaign to support the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and help restore instrumental music education programs. 

Now through Sept. 4, 2009, for every Mojito Margarita and S’Mores Fondue dessert sold at Houlihan’s Pittsburgh restaurant– and nearly 90 other Houlihan’s corporate stores and franchises across the country – the restaurant will donate $1, up to $30,000, to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. Guests who dine at Houlihan’s Mall at Robinson restaurant, located at 100 Robinson Center Drive in Pittsburgh, can also opt to make personal donations to the fund by noting a desired amount on their guest checks.

Houlihan’s executives hope to build on the success of last year’s inaugural campaign, when more than $54,000 was donated to VH1 Save The Music Foundation to provide music education programs for two schools – one in Wilkinsburg, PA and the other in St. Louis, MO. From the organization of Guitar Hero competitions to concerts put on by local high school bands, Houlihan’s restaurants galvanized their local communities to collect funds for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and raise awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s education.

“Music is a critical piece of Houlihan’s customer experience,” said Tony Mercurio, General Manager of Houlihan’s restaurant in Pittsburgh. “Our music selection draws from the many lesser-known artists as we feel it is important to give budding artists a chance to be heard. Similarly, we strongly believe that every child should have the chance to play an instrument, join a band, and enjoy the many benefits music brings to life. In partnering with VH1 Save The Music Foundation, we hope to help restore music education in our schools and generate awareness about the fact that many kids are growing up with out access to instruments or music programs.” 

 

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May 12, 2009 · 10:48 am

Wished for a Better Lineup

I have come up with a theory. When you (or me, her, him, whoever) go to a concert to see a band that you know and love…it’s never as great as you hoped.

But, when you go see a band that you hardly know about, they’re usually better than what you expected.

I have realized this since I started writing show reviews and such. Like when I had the opportunity to go see the band Mahjonng, I checked out their stuff on last.fm, thought it was cool, and said I’d go. And it was a fun, good show. But, if I’d been a huge fan of theirs and went to their show, it probably wouldn’t have been as impressive.

I recognized all of this after last night. For months, I looked forward to TV on the Radio’s show. MONTHS. Do you know that 1 day before the show, I realized I hadn’t gotten my tickets in the mail. Hmmm, okay, I’ll check my emails for the confirmation. Nada. I’ll check my credit card statement. NO. Nothing. My transaction on TicketWeb that I without a doubt thought went through, did not. I freaked.

I went to TicketWeb. Of course, the show is sold out. I went to StubHub.com. Nothing. I went on Craigslist. Everyone that I emailed had already sold their tickets. How could this happen?

So, yesterday when I got in the office, I emailed my friend who was supposed to be going with me. There were to be four of us total. But, there were only TWO tickets. I told her the terrible news. “That’s okay,” she wrote back. “You can have my other ticket and we’ll both just go.”

Ahh! My savior! I still felt bad all day that only the 2 of us instead of 4 were going, all of which was my fault. But, I’d been SO excited, so I tried not to think about it. At the end of the work day, my friend called. “Another friend called me and has box seats at the hockey game tonight and wants me to go! You can have both of my tickets…is that okay? Do you mind?”

Nope. Didn’t really mind much. I called the boyfriend, who by this point had to be ready to poke his eyeballs out, and asked if he wanted to go (again). He said “sure” as long as he got to see some of the hockey game before the concert.

Phew. Ok. So…after all of that…I get to the show. And I’m disappointed in TV on the Radio’s lineup. I got very excited when “Wolf Like Me” came on…that was my favorite part. “Golden Age” and most of the others were very good, too. But, I’d wanted to hear “Love Dog”. I also wanted to hear “Staring at the Sun”, which they did play, but it was their very last song. I’m glad they played it, very glad, but I was halfway out the door to beat the crowd, and I was EXHAUSTED. Therefore, I didn’t get to enjoy it as fully as I would have liked.

All in all, I am glad I got to go. I would have been kicking myself if I hadn’t, especially after all of that built up anticipation. But, there were many elements to it all that kept me from having the BEST. TIME. EVER.

Hope Coldplay’s better at the end of the month!

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April 29, 2009 · 3:38 pm

TV on the Radio

TVontheRadio

Silly me never posted about it, but I’ve been looking forward to TV on the Radio’s arrival for months!!! They’ll be here May 11th for a show at Mr. Smalls. If you haven’t gotten your tix yet, what are you waiting for?!

The show falls on a Monday, but who cares? I will gladly go out on a “school” night to see them!

Click here to get to TicketWeb and order yours…hopefully they’re not sold out!

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April 9, 2009 · 9:24 am

Ya Know, Jupiter is My Fave Planet

I just found out today, (WHY am I finding out things late?) that one of my favorite bands, Jupiter One, are coming to town on Saturday!

I am trying to remember how I discovered New York based Jupiter One a couple years ago. It’s quite hard to say, BUT I do know that once I heard a couple of their songs, I was a HUGE fan.

Two years ago, I wrote up a blog post review of some sort about them. Then I sent it to them, etc. I talked through messages via MySpace with them and when they came here for a show on my BIRTHDAY weekend, I couldn’t have been more ecstatic. Plus, I thought I was super cool since I’d been in touch with them before they even came here. I was a few steps ahead of everyone else, like Jupiter One were my treasures that not too many people knew about yet. They are very, very cool people. I felt like I was hanging out with friends I’ve known forever.

ANYWAYS, whoa…getting a little bit off track…
I am very sad to say that I’m not sure if I am going to be able to make their show Saturday at the Hard Rock, with Easter and everything. Plus, I didn’t even know about it until 20 minutes ago, and I’ve got my itinerary for the weekend pretty set. *sigh* We shall see.

Even the flyer is cool! Mr. Rogers LOVES Jup One

Even the flyer is cool! Mr. Rogers LOVES Jup One

BUT, if YOU have the chance to go…DO IT!!! It’ll be a blast, I promise!

Preview their stuff on Myspace by clicking here.

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February 3, 2009 · 8:07 pm

It Wasn’t an Accident

Cover from self-titled debut album
Cover from self-titled debut album

“Will disappear into the horizon in the blink of an eye, leaving your panoramic ocean view fathomless and without object.” That is the last sentence in the description on last.fm for The Accident That Led Me To The World. That one sentence sums up their entire persona.

Sometimes we need to be reminded that being a musician takes more than being able to pick out cool beats and mix ’em all up. Mark Mandeville, Raianne Richards, and Zack Ciras can show you all about being musicians. Just listening to their melodies forces you (in a good way) to remember and appreciate the skills necessary in making music.

It’s impossible to get bored by their sounds because of how many instruments they play. They’ve got guitars, bass, a banjo, and clarinet. Not to mention their voices themselves.

They’re a folk music trio from Massachutsetts, and they’re coming this way! They’ll be here in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, February 18th, playing at the Morning Glory Coffeehouse. (I’ve added the event onto their page on last.fm that you can find here.)

If you love listening to music in a relaxed, intellectual setting with like-minded people, you should definitely come to the show. Even if you don’t go to relaxed settings to listen to ‘quieter’ music often, you should still come to this show. It’s a Wednesday people, save your fist-pumping drum-blaring jams for the weekend! (ha!) Show these guys how awesome Pittsburgh is!

Cover from newest album "The Island Gospel"
Cover from newest album “The Island Gospel”

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December 2, 2008 · 4:44 pm

That’s What I’m Talkin’ About

dsc008391A few weeks ago, I went (finally!) to see Greg Gillis aka Girl Talk. It was at a venue called Gravity that I’d never been to, but when I walked in you could feel the electric charge throughout the place.

There were opening acts, of course, and I admit to getting the chills when one of them yelled out, “Next we have yet another act that isn’t mother-fucking Girl Talk, but he’ll be on soon!” The whole crowd went crazy!

When Gillis did take the stage there was a huge line formed of people waiting to jump onto the stage with him. My friend, just hopped on over the “cord line” that was separating the stage area from the fans and ran onto the stage with some others. Me, on the other hand, weren’t quite as quick and ready as she. By the time I was going to do it, I was of course being watched.

So, after security let so many people on the stage, they held us back and said after 2 songs they’d let more through. In this process, I tried to weasel my way up there by being honest and nice (note: It doesn’t work). I told them my friend was up there by herself, could they just let me through?! Nope. Nada. Not even a touch of sympathy.

Instead, I had some young teenage girl all up in my grill. She was completely rude for no reason and I explained that I was just trying to move up closer so I could get to my friend soon. “Um…no…you’re not,” she huffs. “Excuse me?” “No, these are ALL of my friends right here.”

Ooooooooooookay. I left it alone knowing that she didn’t know what the hell she was talking about. And this was definitely not a time or place for attitude. So, while waiting I befriended another girl that noticed the bitchy too young to know girl and said, “Ugh, some people just don’t understand that it’s all about the music…not them.”

HALLELUJAH!!!!! Damn right!!! I was happy to finally be next to someone like-minded. While we stood there, another person suggested we break through the “corded line” of security and just all rush through onto the stage. Almost happened…but none of us took that extra step to make it happen.

Soon, I saw my friend (who by this time must have been bored of dancing by herself) start to climb off the stage. So, I made my way back through the mob of people waiting. By the way, they definitely didn’t let more people on after 2 songs. BUT, anyways, I met back up with my friend and we went to get a much needed beer…where no snotty teenaged girls would be, either.

The show was awesome. I had a BLAST!!! The whole scene was just nuts.

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