11-17 Russian Circles, Deafheaven, Instructions, Pittsburgh @Smiling Moose

I was suprised by how many people were there. The show started a little bit late, but the place was packed. The most people I've ever seen at a Smiling Moose show. I'm glad it drew the way it did. Pretty obviously everyone was there for Russian Circles and no one knew of the other bands.

Instructions - Two bass players, one drummer, thats it. They had some decent songs. The second to last song had a specifically sweet bassline. I kinda enjoyed the set.

Deafheaven - Death metal vocals, death metal music with a little bit of ambient rockish stuff mixed in. I enjoyed listening, but ultimately was disappointed. They were not as good as I had hoped they would be. Stage presence was practically nonexistand. They are one of the newest bands on Deathwish Records, and sometimes Deathwish backs some weird bands like this. So I'm not suprised by what they brought.

Russian Circles - Set was extra good. They don't have vocals, so they focus their energies on creating ambiance with their music. They brought the easy metal, but still ripped shit up. I don't know any song names or anything, but every song was good. I'll go see this band the next time they come through.

Hi's - turnout, Russian Circles, cheap beer, pizza before the show
Low's - the cold, Deafheaven disappointing

10-25 Crunk Witch, Brzowski & DJ Halo, Sneaky Mike, Pittsburgh @Garfield Artworks

This show was a trip from the getgo. We arrived like half an hour after it was supposed to start, and we were the only people there. Got so many laughs at this show. All in all it was a great time. A total of three people paid at the door. We were two of them.

It's not often that I go to shows like this, so it's a bummer that turnout was so completely horrendous. Hip-hop and electro pop aren't my normal, but as long as they're ethically sound underground groups it's within my realm.

Sneaky Mike - He's a hip-hop/pop artist from Pittsburgh. The only local who actually played. He was EPIC. Just a dude rapping and singing to the music being played on his laptop. He is a complete goofball weirdo. He had a song about being a weirdo, which was fitting. None of his songs were especially good, but the badness of the tracks is what made him great, combined with amazing energy. He would be the Weird Al of pop and hip-hop if Weird Al didn't know he was a goof. Some great things happened during the set like him stripping down, gyrating the mic stand in such comical ways, and getting his hair caught in the mic stand. I really hope he keeps his act going because if I never see him again I'll die a little bit inside.

Brzowski and DJ Halo - DJ Halo is a good DJ. He was spinning stuff with skill using a few cd tables and a laptop. But he wasn't just playing tracks, he was mixing and cutting with skill. I enjoyed watching him for sure. Brzowski is a rapper with a gruff voice. Pretty distinguishable. I didn't so much like when they were paired together because they were putting down some ambient drum and bass tracks and rapping over them, but it was good and entertaining anyway.

Crunk Witch - I'm just a fucking pumpkin. I liked this group. A eletro pop/screamo type group made up of a young husband and wife, which made it all kinds of cute I guess. The singer has very good vocal range. Sweet couple. They were talking to us and gave us free treats because we were 2/3 of the people there. Super nice, and if they come around again it'll be awesome and I'll go see them for sure.

Hi's - My company, the night in general was great, bands/groups
Low's - turnout, that the night had to end.

10-19-2011 Drug Lust, Barren Scepter, Elitist, Salvation, Mower @Kopecs

Kopecs is such a great place for shows like this. The regular patrons of the bar are black folks and older guys. It was funny going from the heavy punx going on upstairs to the rap and jazz fusion going on from the jukebox down at the bar. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

It was good to see a bunch of hot chics at the show. The bike punks were there in effect. Turnout was good but not great. This was the cheapest show option for the night. There was an Earth Crisis/Path to Misery/Gutrench show at the Altar Bar that cost $30 to get into because it was headlined by the Cavalera Conspiracy and Otep. Glad I didn't break the bank going to that show and drinking $5 beers. There was also a ska show going on at the Rex for $15, but I stand by our decision to hit up the cheap punk show. Good call.

Some girl gave me a nice compliment on my Homewrecker long sleeve right before we left after Drug Lust. "Pure filth. Nice shirt." Sweet. Thanx!

Mower - Opened up the night. A two piece fast punk band from Pittsburgh, drums and guitar. The two guys in this band look like they're probably brothers. I enjoyed the songs they played. Perhaps the volume was up a bit too high, but I like that most of the time.

Salvation - I didn't know at the time who they were when they played, but after reflection I do remember the singer for his antics and energy. He gets those crazy eyes when he's rippin up the mic. I liked this band and will probably go see them the next time they're in the Burgh. Fast and heavy at times. Hardcore punk.

Elitist - The best band of the night. They were probably the most riff heavy band of the night. Were lyrics audible I suspect we'd have been assaulted with a bunch of anti-Christian ramblings. I liked this band's merch, of which I got a back patch and a t-shirt. I really liked all of this band's songs and I'll be getting whatever of their material I can get my hands on.

Barren Scepter - I loved this band too. Female singer who was hot and good. Sweet riffage, heavy punk. The best Pittsburgh punk band that I've seen in a while. Upstaged Drug Lust in my opinion. I'd like to see more of this group. I was very impressed. Often hardcore punk bands end up all sounding the same, but I felt their songs were a bit better than your standard fare.

Drug Lust - Supposedly the last show for this Pgh band. I wasn't too impressed. The set was good but not too good. The singer spent half of the set trying to get you to not like the band. "We all hate this song." "I hate this song." "You should hate this song." Oh well, I didn't hate any of the songs. Great band name though.

Hi's - The bands, the bar, turnout was ok, I'm thinking 40 people paid and everyone stayed until the end, Primantis beer and pizza was good, we had fun all night goofing and etc. Punx

Low's - Rain, my fire didn't catch.

10-6 Leftover Crack, Plastered Bastards, Scattergun, Hipster Death Machine, more @Altar Bar

Going into this show I was pretty stoked on the Pittsburgh portion of the show. Leftover Crack was the only touring band on the bill, and I'm glad it was that way. Altar Bar was big enough for this show, but I hate that they wouldn't put on the Penguins game until 11 or so and beer there is so fucking expensive. We saw some people there from back home who I didn't expect to see.

Eat the Government - We missed them, but heard some going on from outside.

The Scratch and Sniffs - Half of this band wore makeup. I don't care to see them again. Generic punk.

Hipster Death Machine - Great set. I had not seen them before, but really enjoyed the performance. Metal ska that's good. Not that chaotic 13PFP shit. Rumor is that it may have been their last show or they're going to be going through a lineup change. I hope they don't call it quits. People were into the set.

Scattergun - Mature punks playing fast punk rock stuff. I enjoyed the set. The singer was talking about the occupation of Pittsburgh and whatnot that is supposed to happen next week. People were into this set too.

Plastered Bastards - Loud street punks. I enjoyed the set, though they sounded a lot like Scattergun. They were probably the most polished local band who played. Though, both of the bands playing before them had more interesting frontmen.

Leftover Crack - The only disappointing thing about this set was that So You Wanna Be a Cop didn't get played. Everything else was sweet. Great sing-along street punk. They played all the bangers, and played them well. This was my third time seeing them and I think I'll probably go see them again when they come back.

Hi's - Primantis for happy hour, good company, most of the bands.

Low's - Price, money issues.

8-11 Bane, Forbearance, Sinking Sun, one more @Garfield Artworks

This was an especially cool show because pretty much all my friends were present. It's a rare event to get all three Mancinis at a hardcore show. There was maybe 40 people there. I was suprised at the underattendance, but it was a great time anyway. Spak Brothers hooked up the food beforehand. It was great. Buffallo chicken sandwich.

Sinking Sun - I've been to several shows that they played, but I've been late to all of them and never seen them. This show was no different. I missed them.

Next band, something about honoring hope - This band sucked. Two singers acting tough. I hope I never see them again.

Forbearance - Fastish hardcore. I didn't like the singer. I'm sure I'll see them again sometime, but I don't really care for them.

Bane - Awesome set. Sing alongs. The only song I didn't know was Young and the Restless. They always bring the energy and the good commentary between songs. Like always, can't wait to see them again.

Hi's - Bane, good company, food, beer
Low's - attendance, work afterwards

8-10 The Swellers, Fake Problems, Daytrader, The Catastrophe, Trophies @Smiling Moose

This show didn't have me super excited when the day began. Shame on me because I should have been stoked. This show was extra sweet. One thing I love about going to the Smiling Moose is the food. It's not bar food, it's something completely way more awesome. I got the Habanero Burger, A+++.

Trophies - The show started extra early so we missed them.

The Catastrophe - We got to see one last song. It took us too long to eat downstairs in the Smiling Moose. Hopefully they'll play another show sometime and I'll catch them.

Daytrader - Cool band. Standard pop punk. Like the Ataris. The singer had 'the head jerk' going on, which bothered me a little bit. And his hair wasn't cool. Very New Jersey. Also he had on one of those tank tops on that makes you look gay and way skinny. Sorry dude.

Fake Problems - This band was the fucking shit. Great set. It's the singer that made them so awesome. He has a dirty rock and roll voice and is a great showman. His demeanor reminds me of Rob Thomas for some reason. We all enjoyed the set very much. Set of the night. I'll go see them again.

The Swellers - This was the best performance by them that I've seen. Good energy. Good songs, good crowd. I'll be seeing them again in November when they come back, I hope.

Hi's - Food, company, beer, music

Low's - None

7-13 Reverend Peyton and His Big Damn Band, Stack and the Wages, Pittsburgh @Club Cafe

I wasn't sure how this show would go. Rockabilly like this isn't my style specifically. My company either. But The Rev is the shit and his songs were awesome.

Stack and the Wages - This is a local band with a 12 year old drummer. They were good, but not too good. A nice beat, varying songs. The singer was faking having a real deep voice, like Johnny Cash.

Reverend Peyton and his Big Damn Band - Great set. Sooo upbeat and fast. The band really isn't that big. His wife on the washboard was amazing. The Rev was great on harmonica and guitar. Sing alongs. New album is awesome. Can't wait till the next time he comes to town.

Hi's - my company, turn out, the Rev, cheap beer.
Low's - nothing