A.A. Bondy played a packed crowd at Brillobox this past Saturday night with Sean Bones and locals, Yankee Heat. I recently saw A.A. Bondy open for Conor Oberst at Mr. Smalls. I have to say that Saturday’s show at Brillobox definitely was my favorite. The show was small and intimate and full of Bondy’s fans.

Prior to this weekend, I had never been to a show where the entire crowd was silent during the first song of the set. Each audience member anticipated every word of A.A.’s song and promptly told anyone who was talking to stop. It was a somewhat surreal experience to see how much respect the audience had for Bondy’s music.

With Bondy’s newest album, When the Devil’s Loose, he is now backed by a full band where previously he played as a solo artist. When the Devil’s Loose continues themes from American Hearts with lyrics about Americana, vices, and spirituality. Bondy takes you on a journey through a different time and era that’s possibly from somewhere deep in the South. Bondy completed his set with songs from American Hearts that he performed solo armed only with a guitar and harmonica.

I had so much fun at this show. I was with good friends listening to excellent music – one of my best Saturday nights in a long time. Definitely check out Bondy’s music on his website and you can also download a free MP3 from one of my previous Geekstar posts.

Here are some photos from Saturday’s show:

Photo by kiDD wiDD

Where: Mr. Small’s, 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale PA 15209
When: Sunday July 12, 8 PM
Price: $5 (21+ show)

Bands:
A.A. Bondy
Deep Sea Diver
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band

A. A. Bondy is currently on tour with Conor Oberst, “Bright Eyes”, and the Mystic Valley Band. The tour stops this Sunday night, July 12 at Pittsburgh’s Mr. Small’s. Bondy will be performing music from his upcoming sophomore album, When The Devil’s Loose, along with songs from American Hearts.

Bondy previously was in the 90′s band Verbena which often toured under the name, The Alabama Boys Choir. However, Bondy has since migrated from his early alt-rock roots to country twang at Fat Possum Records. Fat Possum is home to blues artists such as T-Model Ford and newer artists such as The Black Keys.

Bondy, was recently highlighted on Spin.com as one of “10 Must-Hear Acts at Sasquatch Fest”. A.A. Bondy is alt-country at it’s finest delivering smooth vocals and soothing melodies. American Hearts consists of stripped-down blues and spiritually-minded lyrics. The upcoming, When The Devil’s Loose, follows with richer sound due in part to the new full band backing Bondy. However, Bondy remains loyal to his true southern roots.

DOWNLOAD THE SINGLE ‘WHEN THE DEVIL’S LOOSE’ HERE
(CTRL + Click on the Mac or Right Click to save on a PC)

NPR: “a real talent for hard-bitten blues-folk music…as well as an impressive arsenal of sneakily grabby guitar lines”.

Popmatters: “Sparse yet effective, powerful and poignant”

Pitchfork: “…an unfolding tableau…described with a troubadour’s guitar and an obsessive’s mastery of form and musical history”.

YouTube Direktvideo link

Where: Lava Lounge, 2204 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh (South Side) 15203
When: 10 PM
Price: $5 (21+ show)

Bands:
Stephen Tribou and The Vacant Sea
Ryan Phipps of Vowels
The Baker Family Band

FACEBOOK INVITE CLICK HERE

Come to South Side…watch the game…then head to Lava!

Two of my great friends and favorite local musicians are on the bill: Ryan Phipps and Stephen Tribou.

Ryan has played in a variety of local bands that have created quite a local following including Thee Adora and Soulharmonic. At Lava, Ryan will be performing music he has written that can be described as a mixture of trip-hop and rock. Ryan combines vocals and live instruments over electronic loops he has written on his Apple computer.

Ryan played last month as ‘Vowels’ at Brillobox and the show created such a buzz. Tonight, guest musicians including Stacy from Thee Adora will be lending vocals and instruments on several of the songs.

Stephen is also a local artist and musician. He often shows his paintings at art events throughoug the city. Tribou is a dedicated fan of live looping. His shows are a lot of fun to watch as he creates real-time tracks (rhythms, vocals, instruments) and layers them to create a full rich sound. Tribou’s music is often dark and haunting and I particularly enjoy the songs where he mixes vocals with spacey keyboards and guitars. Stephen will also be accompanying Phipps on several songs.

Here is a little taste of what to expect:

vimeo Direktvideo link

The Baker Family Band is an indie rock and alternative country band from Asheville, North Carolina, which features musicians Stuart and Elizabeth Baker, Nathan Ribner, David Barrett, and former Salisburian Daniel Resner. Stuart writes the songs for the band, but all the members contribute to the arrangements. With influences such as Neil Young, Jeff Tweedy, Donovan, Sonic Youth and Bruce Springsteen, the band fuses country and rock n’ roll with indie rock and electronic music.

I love rock. I love alt country. I LOVE electronica. Can’t wait to see The Baker Family Band too!

Are you a fan of Twitter?

Follow Ryan and Stephen!

Ryan Phipps: @ryan_phipps

Stephen Tribou: @StephenTribou

Self plug: @geekstar

This past Sunday, Stephen Tribou and Dirk Miller from Rusted Root played a guest set at Discovery Urban Campus (Discovery Christian Church) in Pittsburgh’s South Side. Discovery meets at J. Verno Studios which is a photography and artist loft that hosts parties, art openings, and photo shoots.

Stephen Tribou is a talented painter and musician who plays locally throughout the city.

painting by Stephen Tribou

He performed several songs that were dark and moody in nature. Tribou often plays instrumental songs that fade from one song into another. This time, he added a layer of haunting vocals over live looping created with keyboards and guitars.

Stephen Tribou and Dirk Miller at Discovery Urban Campus:

Discovery South Side meets every Sunday night at 6:30 PM at J. Verno Studios.
J. Verno Studios, 3030 Jane Street Ext., Pittsburgh 15203. Plenty of street parking.

After the concert and service, we headed over to OTB Bicycle Cafe which happens to be my favorite bar in Pittsburgh. It is a bicycle themed cafe and bar that serves the most amazing food (love the vegan options!) and craft micro-brews. If you have been reading geekstar.com, then you know by now that I am a super fan! We packed out OTB from wall to wall!

View photos from the OTB Bicycle Cafe After Party here!

Stephen Tribou and Ryan Phipps (from Discovery) will be playing this coming Thursday June 4 at Lava Lounge in South Side.

This will be a fantastic show and a great way to kick off summer! Geekstar.com will be covering the show.

View the Lava Lounge Facebook Event Invite.

Website Links:

Stephen Tribou and The Vacant Sea

Dirk Miller and Rusted Root

Ryan Phipps Blog and Ryan Phipps Music 

Discovery Urban Campus, South Side

OTB (Over the Bar) Bicycle Cafe 

Lava Lounge

photo by Wendy Lynch Redfern

Cursive with opening act Man Man
Diesel (South Side: 1601 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203)
Time: 7 PM
Tickets: $16

YouTube Direktvideo link

Click here to download a free MP3 of Cursive’s From The Hips.

Cursive is one of indie rock’s most recognized bands since they formed in back in 1997. Their breakout album was 2003′s, The Ugly Organ, which landed them an opening spot on The Cure’s 2004 Curiosa Tour alongside Interpol, The Rapture, Mogwai, Scarling, and The Cooper Temple Clause.

Cursive is known for their introspective lyrics and broody musical arrangements that often feature lush strings and brass instruments. I recently spent some time listening to the band’s new album, Mama, I’m Swollen. Surprisingly, I liked it right away. Usually, it takes me a few listens on any album but this one clicked instantly. It’s perfect in the background as I’m working away on my computer all afternoon.

However, I felt a little depressed and like I needed a stiff drink after listening to What Have I Done. BUT this track is reminiscent of the Cursive that long time fans expect and love. It is one of the album’s strongest tracks with it’s crashing guitars and drums which are overlaid with painfully emotional vocals.

Speaking of which, Tim Kasher’s vocals on Let Me Up felt reminiscent of the band Ours with his high falsettos and deep lows. The song Donkeys starts with a somewhat creepy audio loop from a music box. Slowly, harmonica laden melodies develop with whispering lyrics about debauchery and difficult family relationships. Cursive successfully mixes technically complex guitars with thick rhythms and unexpected instruments such as flutes and strings throughout.

Caveman even has a country influence with it’s swingy drums and twangy guitars. I also enjoyed this song’s lyrics:

I want to live life duty free
Let my instincts take the lead
I want to take what I can get
Don’t want to choose don’t want to bet
I want down from this family tree
I don’t need no upward mobility

Cursive is currently on tour in support of their new album, Mama I’m Swollen, and will be playing in Pittsburgh Tuesday, May 5.

Philadelphia’s Man Man is the opening act. Man Man is known for their high energy shows that feature the band wearing war paint and all white outfits. The band also plays a wide assortment of unexpected instruments including a honky tonk piano. I had to post their newest video, Rabbit Habit because it is so fantastic and silly!

YouTube Direktvideo link

Last Saturday night, local fashion design company, People’s Cartel, sponsored Decade, an art and fashion event at the Double Wide Grill in Pittsburgh’s South Side. People’s Cartel designs and sells trendy T-shirts which come in a variety of neon colors (love it!).

The event was packed with concert goers and wannabe fashionistas. Decade featured local bands Life in Bed, Wizdom Band (reggae), and Landline. Geekstar was able to catch Landline and Life in Bed’s sets which sounded great. Pittsburgh has a fantastic local music scene and bands such as these are part of the reason.

The People’s Cartel fashion show consisted of American Apparel-esque models dancing on a lime green shag rug stage next to the band’s stage. The models threw People’s Cartel T-shirts out into the crowd and Geekstar happened to catch one. Click here to view the Decade event T-shirt.

I was able to capture a few photos during Life in Bed’s set and one little video. Enjoy!

YouTube Direktvideo link

all photos  © geekstar.com.

Low Water (with Good Night States WYEP’s Artist of the Year)
When: Friday, 2/27/09, 10 PM (21+ show)
Price: $7
Location: Club Cafe, 56-58 S 12th Street, Pittsburgh PA 15203 (South Side)
Phone: (412) 431-4950 (Club Cafe)
Website: www.ClubCafeLive.com

Brooklyn’s Low Water will be playing Friday night at Club Cafe with locals, Good Night States. I missed Low Water’s last Pittsburgh show in December due to one of this winter’s now infamous blizzards. I’m excited to have a second chance to see them live after having kept their new record, Twisting the Neck of the Swan, on constant rotation the past few days.

I often associate bands to how and where I will listen to their music. For example, any form of indie electronica (Santo Gold, Justice, Black Kids) is always blasting from my stereo, as I get ready for a night out with the girls. I tend to wake up to Radiohead’s, Hail to the Thief. I fall asleep to anything by Air or Beta Band. I instantly knew Low Water will be my new fix for long drives home after an all-nighter. Since I love to go out, Low Water will be getting plenty of airtime in my ride. Holla.

I would describe Low Water as a pure rock band that features laid back beats, gritty vocals, and airy bright melodies. Low Water definitely has a unique sound where I hear influences by folksy bands such as Wilco and also touches of 90′s UK rockers, The Stone Roses. At Geekstar’s listening party last night, one of my associates clearly pointed out that the production quality on their new CD is top notch. The audio is rich and clean throughout. (Be sure to get a CD at Friday’s show!) Also, some of Low Water’s more upbeat songs give a definite nod to 60′s rock.

One of my favorite songs is Go. This song features a string section written by Dave, the band’s bassist. Low Water recorded the score with members of the Momenta Quartet at NYU. The end result involves slightly hypnotic strings that give an extra level of depth to the song. Go is lush yet slightly moody and dark. The song also has a video that was made in collaboration with sleepdance.org. You can see the video on FUSE’s On Demand channel or below:

YouTube Direktvideo link

Fans of local bands, Lohio, Good Night States, or The Central Plains, should definitely check out Friday’s show. Also, the weather forecast so far seems to be cooperating!

The Dig (with Round Black Ghosts, Willis Tree, The Central Plains)
When: Saturday, 2/28/09, 9 PM (21+ show)
Price: $5
Location: The Thunderbird Cafe, 4023 Butler Street, Pittsburgh PA 15201
Phone: (412) 682-0177 (Thunderbird)
Website: www.thunderbirdcafe.net

Band Websites:
The Dig
Round Black Ghosts
Willis Tree
The Central Plains

Don’t look any further for plans, Saturday night the 28th! Head over to The Thunderbird Cafe in Lawrenceville for a fabulous show featuring NYC’s The Dig along with local favorites Round Black Ghosts, Willis Tree, and The Central Plains (love ‘em!). All for 5 bones!

The Thunderbird is best known for attracting an eclectic crowd, their great beer selection, and grilled cheese. Oh, and punk rock karaoke!

The Dig’s band mates have played together in some capacity since they were each 12 years old. They currently are touring the east coast in support of their new EP, Good Luck and Games. Last night, The Dig played with local boys, The Takeover UK, at their Baltimore gig. Recently, they opened for Pittsburgh’s own, Girl Talk (another Geekstar fave!).

I first experienced The Dig when I visiting their website where I was greeted with neon colors and robots. My two favorite things! However, The Dig’s music sold me with their blend of fuzzy guitars, breathy vocals, and upbeat rhythms. I’m reminded of the Stereophonics mixed with The Helio Sequence (minus the elecronica).

Download ‘She’s Going to Kill That Boy’ for free and decide for yourself.

This should be a pretty killer show but if The Dig brings robots on stage, then Geekstar will be a fan for life! (Just a suggestion!)

Hope to see you there!

Live music from ANNASAY, THEE ADORA, and REPUBLIC OF ONE. the event benefits Rapha House, an organization committed to rescuing young girls who are victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and prostitution by providing them with a safe home where they can heal and receive an education, which will allow them to make good choices for their future. Come support really great bands for a good cause. I’m friends will Thee Adora and they have been getting quite a buzz around Pittsburgh. This will be a fun night. See you there!

When: Saturday, January 31 2009
Time: 7 PM-10 PM (doors 6:30 PM)
Price: $5
Where: The Capital Theater, 500 Salem Lane, Gibsonia PA 15044

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photo by SteelCityHobbies

So, one of my good friends, Joby, wrote the next great Steeler fight song.

Check it out here on it’s own myspace page: myspace.com/steelernationrise

Help get the word out. I love that it has a Rage Against the Machine Vibe. The X should be all over it anyday now…