2-4 Sneaky Mike, RSK, Dazzletine, Ag Ag Lady, Melody Joy, Boyfindery, Powell, @Rex Theater

We were super excited to go to this show. Sneaky Mike was such a great surprise the first time around we had to go see him again. Now, the first time we were the only two people there, so we got a big laugh when we walked into the Rex at about 8:35 and we were the only people in there. Oh no, here we go again. Fortunately people showed up a little later and it was all grand from a turnout point of view. Supposedly some dub dj named King Moody was supposed to play, but I don't think that happened.

Melody Joy - She reminded us of Lady Gaga because of her crazy outfit and shitty songs. I enjoyed watching, but I really hate how some acts will sing their songs over a recording of the songs being sung. It's like way generic. However, I enjoyed watching this. Melody Joy was pretty hot.

Powell - She's a black lady that sung some pop type songs. She was ok. I really enjoyed the weird dancing. I didn't so much enjoy when she brought a bunch of ladies onto the stage and did some weird choreographed dance. She was ok. We skipped out right at the end to go smoke and drink.

Ag Ag Lady and Boyfindery - On the bill these two were listed separate, but I'm pretty sure they played together. They were the worst of the night. My dance music vocabulary isn't enough for me to categorize them, but it was kind of weird and without a strong beat. They were making stupid beats on the keyboard. Though, they were enjoying themselves which was good to see. The crowd evacuated pretty much.

R$K - This guy was probably the best of the night. He's a DJ who spun some heavy dub and maybe some breaks and house mixed in. I really enjoyed the dub parts, really did not enjoy the other parts. Either way, I'd like to go see this dude again and dance.

Sneaky Mike - I admit, I liked him better when we saw him as the only ones in the audience. It was absurd. But last night he brought the weirdness as well. Some things that happened that I hadn't seen before are a mass leap frog, and a communal taking off of shoes and rubbing feet together, and lots of hair/wrestling belts/shiny tights. I enjoyed it greatly and we got a free cd out of it.

Dazzletine - This band sucked. They're like a glam rock faux 80's band. We left after two songs.

All in all this show was good. I think about 100 people came out for it. We enjoyed ourselves.

Hi's - turnout, Sneaky Mike, R$K, being weird
Low's - not drunk enough/too drunk, it was fucking cold outside

1-22 Heartless, Complete Failure, Blood Red, Pray for Teeth, Pittsburgh @Mr. Roboto Project

Last night's show ended up being pretty cool despite the touring band who I really wanted to see cancelling. But word is that when Homewrecker's new cd comes out in March that they're going to come through then. Also adding to the decency, after the show we went to Primanti's. Luckily on Sundays they are open and serve food until midnight. I got a lamb gyro and halapeno poppers, both of which were amazing.

Turnout was great. I bet there were 80 people there. And it seemed like 75% of them stuck around until the end.

Pray for Teeth - Members of Old Accusers and Failure to Fall. This band was heavy, but took too long getting to the raw raw raw. They sounded like the Old Accusers a lot. But I think they need some more good songs before I can say that I really like them. But it was solid for a first show.

Blood Red - The singer opened the set talking about forgiving people for internet drama. Asking everyone to hold hands and repeat the stupid shit he was saying. It was a horrible start to the set, even though some people there looked like they enjoyed it. I didn't enjoy the set all that much either. The singer sounded like a cross between HR from Bad Brains and the singer from Since by Man. The music was on the faster side, which is good. But all in all I wasn't feeling most of the songs, and I also wasn't feeling the mosh call because the music wasn't good for moshing.

Complete Failure - I've seen this band a bunch of times. I always leave the set thinking about how fast the drummer is. He's fucking fast. And I'll always support this band's set because a few years ago at Sincerity Fest the drummer gave my car a jump when it had died in the parking lot. They're super heavy and head bangy at times. At other times they're very fast. I enjoy the set always.

Heartless - They were very entertaining as always. Very good as well. I've seen them a handfull of times and they didn't disappoint this time.

Hi's - Primanti's was bangin, good bands, innebriation

Low's - Homewrecker dropped

1-9 Rust Belt Lights, Maker, Still Rings True, Run Forever, Pittsburgh @Mr. Roboto Project

Felt in the mood for some pop punk tonight. Went to check out this show even though I didn't know any of the bands. I was hoping to see Run Forever, since I've missed them play tons of times. BUT that didn't work out because my girl wasn't feeling good so we left before they played. As a whole the show was ok but left much to be desired.

Still Rings True - A band on tour. They were the best band of the night. They reminded us of No Trigger and Bayside a little. Great energy. Good variations in the music. I'd go see this band again.

Maker - If the vocalists would have been any good this would have been the best band of the night. But the singer sucked hard. To watch him you'd think he was taxing his vocals to match the wigging out of his body. But no, he was nicely and quietly singing poorly while making it look like he was belting it out. The guy was a douchebag anyway. I'm pretty sure he dropped the N bomb at the end of his set. He went on a mini "fuck politics" rant. All in all he ruined the band. The backup vocalist wasn't any good either, but he didn't give anyone a good reason to hate him.

Rust Belt Lights - I liked this band. They're kind of like Hot Water Music or Small Brown Bike, but just a touch less agressive and raw. Good songs. They enjoyed playing it. I'd like to see them again.

Hi's - decent music, Spaks
Low's - illness, the cold

1-6 Downfall of Gaia, Old Accusers, Vestiges, HumanError, Pittsburgh @Kopecs

I hadn't been to a show in about a month, so it was good to get out even though I'd only ever heard the Old Accusers from the bands on the bill. As always Kopecs provided the desired experience. The show started way late, I think one of the locals, Egality, cancelled. But time wasn't an issue so all went well. Turnout was good, not great. I'd say around 40 people.

HumanError - Tough hardcore/metal. The band was good. The singer was intense. I could see getting into this band, even though they didn't do anything spectacularly.

Vestiges - They had some heavy stuff, but a lot of slow drawn out build up that never reached adequate climax. I enjoyed about half of their songs. Punk metal/weird metal is how I'd catagorize them. I was hoping they'd be better.

Downfall of Gaia - This band was very much like the last band except more slow less very heavy. I didn't enjoy them all that much.

Old Accusers - I've seen them many times now. They were good, the best band of the evening by far. Good intensity. What I expect from this band.

Hi's - good trouble free evening, Steak and Shake, fire, turnout
Low's - having to work in the morning

11-26 Sticky, Highway 13, Lucid Music, Cultivator, Short Dark Strangers Remix, @Kopecs

I don't often get to go to shows on weekend nights, but I got out on this night. It was an interesting show because of all the unknowns. Most of the night's bands shared the same members.

The show ended up being free, no one collected money at the door. The drinks were cheap, so thats awesome. They had free rigatoni and bread. We may be adults now but we freaking love us some free food. Gorged myself on rigatoni and bread.

Highway 13 - A rockabilly trio who played about ten songs. They were good. I get the feeling the bass player isn't all that good, but he was good enough. They were entertaining and set a good mood to the night.

Sticky - Dana from Short Dark Stranger's new band. They were ok. The lyrics were meh, realy simple, and great at the same time. "I'm gonna get fucked up. Fuck you." But that kind of made it cool. The music was cool too, really early 1980's punk sound. Nothing complex. I'd like to see this band again as much as I don't care if I ever see this band again.

Cultivator - The best band of the night. Fast three piece punk rock, but not so fast and noisy that they border as a noise band. The vocals were real shoutyscreamy and they were extra good. The singer was entertaining. I'd like to see this band again.

Lucid Music - The only rap group on the bill, but they were freaking good as all hell. They remind me so much of the Jurassic 5. Good lyrics, great delivery, good dj'ing. I liked everything about it.

Short Dark Strangers Remix - Huge disappointment. Their new singer, the guitarist from Cultivator, sucks compared to Bob. Bob's dead. Suit jacket dude is whack. Short Dark Strangers with Bob singing were one of my favorite live bands ever, and I couldn't stomach this set without him. F it. We left early at my behest.

Hi's - bands, rap group was sick, cheap drinks, free show, free food
Mid's - weed dude, not sure if I like him or not, he sure was drunk as a f though
Low's - Short Dark Strangers stinking it up, let it die please.

11-20 From the Back of the Room: A Documentary About Women in Punk, Icon Gallery @Mr. Roboto Project

This evening was an interesting evening. First off this was my first time to the new Mr. Roboto Project location. I'm happy to see that it's larger than the old space, nicer than the old, and better in pretty much every way. The only con is that in front of where the band plays at is a wooden structural support. But that's a small problem. The bill for tonight was a screening of a new documentary about women in punk rock, and then a band played a set.

From the Back of the Room: A Documentary About Women in Punk - I was suprised at how many people turned out to see this film. Roboto was pretty much packed to the hilt. We got there right before they put the film on and we had to stand for most of it against the wall because all the seats and spots on the floor were taken. It ran about 90 minuites, which was about 30 minuites too long by my take. I thought they could have edited it better to have some of the audio interviews playing while showing a band's set to cut down on runtime. Also I think they could have cut down a few of the topics talked about because some points were rehashed a few times in different segments.
There were some things I liked very much about the film. I liked how they didn't bash men at all. The film didn't demean the presence of men in the underground. I also liked the perspectives on the Riot Girl movement, with a few of the women interviewed saying how they never got into Riot Girl bands because they weren't mean enough and were too normal or friendly. The film had a few laughs and a vast assortment of punker ladies interviewed. All in all I thought it was pretty well done and documented an important issue.

Icon Gallery - It was ironic how immediately following a film that gives big props to women in punk rock, 60% of the people in the house left and didn't stay in support of a punk band with a female singer. All the film nerds and hipster fucks bounced and didn't stick around for the band. Bullshit. Icon Gallery's singer is awesome, she sounds great on the mic. I enjoyed the short set very much. Though, to my dismay, I don't think I'll ever hear my favorite Icon Gallery song live. It's from the demo and they just don't play those songs, I don't think.

Hi's - turnout, the band, most of the film, Mr. Roboto Project in a great new location and very much improved
Low's - it was hot in there during the movie, having to stand

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