Pop Noise

The Avett Brothers shred again

Scott Mervis — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:44:00 GMT

I haven't missed an Avett Brothers show in Pittsburgh since I first caught on to them (admittedly a little late) when they played that Diesel show on a snowy night in March of 2007.

The North Carolina trio -- which had become a Three Rivers Arts Festival -- returned to town Tuesday just after the close of TRAF for a ticketed show at the Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead.

I skipped this one, but got the rundown from concert-going lawyer Kenny Steinberg...

"I have seen many rock musicians 'shred' their electric guitars in manic displays of finger/hand/unmentionable pounding of their instruments. But the Avetts have got to be the first band to simultaneously shred a banjo, cello, acoustic guitar, and double bass. Their somehow-controlled manic show successfully blurs the line between folk, country, pop, bluegrass and punk. Actually, they shred the line. (I wonder how the Cash song would sound: "Because you're mine, I shred the....")

"This may be the only acoustic group I know that can motivate a first floor crowd to stand for the entire show, myself included. And it is clear that the love that the mostly college-aged crowd showered on the Avetts was returned by the boys, no doubt remembering last-year's rain-soaked cheering crowd at the Art Festival as well as their prior shows there. This year, they drew the same numbers, but people actually paid real money for the privilege. And no one walked out without getting their money's worth.

Can't wait 'till they return. I'll continue to bring converts."

The Avetts are playing some shows this summer with the Dave Matthews Band, but not here, obviously. The next time they come back, it will likely be with a new album, "I and Love and You," recorded with legendary producer Rick Rubin.

Will see Kenny there...

Along the Cuyahoga with the Riverboat Gamblers

Scott Mervis — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:42:00 GMT

Blogger note: I apologize up front for writing about my kid, but this is also about a really cool band from Texas, so bear with me.

We pulled out of Pittsburgh with the radio tuned to the Penguins hoisting the Cup during the Victory Parade.

It was hard to leave the 'Burgh at such a moment, but we had a mission Monday in, of all places, Cleveland.

It was a punk-rock road trip fueled in part by my favorite little punk rocker -- Sawyer.

He's 5.

His previous music kick was BTO, but ever since he heard the Riverboat Gamblers, he's been hooked on punk. We can't go anywhere in the car now without listening to the Austin band, which rocks harder, faster (and smarter) than the Green Days and blink-182s of the world.

Because the Rise Against/Rancid/Riverboat Gamblers tour is skipping Pittsburgh this summer, we headed for Cleveland's Time Warner Cable Amphitheater mainly to see the Gamblers, but also pretty excited about Rancid ("And out Come the Wolves" is a still a classic). Rise Against is cool, but, um, why exactly were they headlining again?

Ten or 15 years ago, this would have been a rough scene for a 5-year-old or anyone for that matter, but most of the people who like this stuff are older these days and an outdoor punk show isn't the Doc Marten-In-Your-Face moshfest it once was. There were a few other kindergarten punks there, including one with a perfectly spiked mohawk. I kept putting earplugs in Sawyer's ears, he kept taking them out. I would lead him to the back of the tent -- where the crowd was more sparse and the sound less pummeling -- he would dash to the front, excitedly waving his poster around.

The Riverboat Gamblers had signed it earlier in the night. They were just hanging out by the soundboard (fairly anonymously) when we got there, so Sawyer and his 17-year-old sister Chelsea got to chat with them. They were incredibly friendly and kept slapping him five all night.

Guitarist Fadi El-Assad asked him his favorite song, to which he said "On Again off Again."Right before they played it -- and this is the coolest part -- Fadi yelled, "This one's for Sawyer!"Sawyer loved the whole thing, and I carried him out of the car that night sleeping in his Rancid T-shirt and hightop sneakers.

The next day his mom asked him how was the show. "LOUD! REALLY LOUD!" he said. "When I screamed as loud as I could I still couldn't hear myself." We pulled out of Pittsburgh with the radio tuned to the Pens hoisting the Cup during the Victory Parade.

Comment below, or register to comment

Lukewarm on Coldplay

Scott Mervis — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:42:00 GMT

"Wow, you really liked Coldplay!"

"Sounds like it was a great show!"

I heard this throughout the week after running a pleasant review of the Coldplay show at the Post-Gazette Pavilion.

And yeah, it was totally, um, OK.

Coldplay puts on a lively show with fun visuals and no one doubts the four guys can play.

The thing is, I don't much like Coldplay and never listen to them. It's pretty but bland. Saturday afternoon I prepped for the show by trying to listen to the songs they would do, but quickly grew bored and moved on the main course: "The Bends" and "OK Computer."

I know, I know. Everyone's tired of hearing that Coldplay made millions by watering down Radiohead. But it's true. My wife Mary, who took the photos for the PG (like the one right there, never really got into Radiohead but holds certain Coldplay songs like "The Scientist" and "Clocks" near and dear, so this was a source of tension on the long drive out there. (Yeah, I shouldn't have said "It's Radiohead for Dummies.")

She just thinks I'm being a music snob (which I try really hard not to be -- I mean, listen to blink-182) and even got the big excited guy in the Penguins jersey next to us at the show to turn on me.

Even though the Pens were opening the Stanley Cup final against the Red Wings that night, he turned out to be one of the dudes there who wasn't dragged to the show by his wife (or girlfriend). In fact, I think it may have been the other way around.

I'm glad she didn't reveal my secret to the rest of the people in Section 7 who were jumping up and down. They may have pummeled me.

Would Coldplay fans do that?

Comment below, or register to comment

Exene, of X, suffering from MS

Scott Mervis — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:25:00 GMT

Exene Cervenka, of the legendary punk band X, revealed today that she is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, but says she won't let it get in the way of her plans with the band.

X last appeared in May of 2008 at the Rex Theatre in a show that didn't sound much different than the band in vintage form.

Here is her statement:

After some months of not feeling 100% healthy, I recently had some medical tests run and the prognosis is that I am suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. Apparently, it has been affecting me for quite some time.

Although this is obviously unfortunate news, I am choosing to see the positive in it. I, and X as a band, have supported the Sweet Relief charity since the mid-1990's; the irony of this is not lost on any of us. Sweet Relief was started as an aide to uninsured artists by musician Victoria Williams when she herself was diagnosed with MS in 1992.

While this diagnosis will most certainly mean some changes for me, personally, it will not affect my commitments to the current X U.S. tour, nor will it affect my solo album that is slated for release this fall on Bloodshot Records.

My focus will certainly be on maintaining my health--many people remain strong and continue to live their lives as productively as they had before an MS diagnosis and I plan to be one of those people.

More memorable moments from the PG Pavilion

Scott Mervis — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:01:00 GMT

Last week, on the 20th anniversary of the Post-Gazette Pavilion, I offered what I considered to be the Top 20 Most Memorable Moments at the Burgettstown amphitheatre. Just about all of those took place on the stage.

But Joe Katrencik, a former publicist for Star Lake, had a much more interesting view, seeing everything that happened behind the scenes. He offered us the following memorable moments:

Bob Seger faces his critic

On the day of Bob Seger's concert at Coca-Cola Star Lake I got a call from Post-Gazette reviewer Ed Masley. He said he was going to be hosted at that night's concert by a Bob Seger fan who took offense to Masley's review of a previous Bob Seger concert - where Masley stated that "...Seger doesn't rock." The fan was going to show Ed that he was wrong.

So I arranged for the Seger fan and his wife to sit next to Ed in the reviewer section, about 20 rows from the stage. The Seger fan was pumped.

During the opening act I went backstage to the tour production office to ask for a set list. I casually mentioned to the road manager the circumstances regarding Ed Masley

"Excuse me," he said. "I'll be back in a second."

Returning a few minutes later, he said, "Bob would like to meet Ed Masley and this fan. Do you know where they are?"

"Sure," I said. "Be back in less than 10 minutes."

But Masley was hesitant to participate, since he had written that less-than-favorable review of Seger's previous concert, and might have been wary of a confrontation. I told him it would probably just be the usual "meet & greet" with quick handshakes, smiles and so forth.

Backstage the fan, Masley and I were escorted to Bob Seger's dressing room.

Upon seeing Bob Seger before him, the first thing the fan said was "Hey, Bob, this here is the man who wrote those mean things about you the last time you were in town!"

"See, I told you he was young," said Bob Seger's wife, standing beside him.

Then Seger laughed, his wife laughed, and we all laughed.

A Jewel of a Girl

The delicate little girl was about 12 years old, and accompanied only by her best friend as they awaited a backstage meeting with her favorite singer - Jewel. As I recall, I think this was arranged by Make-A-Wish.

We sat at an outdoor table - where I learned that she had a rare neurological disease that affects involuntary functioning of certain organs. A sister had the disease, and another sister had died from it.

Visibly excited, she would hold her friend's hand and repeated more than once, "I have to remember to breathe."

Expecting a quick "meet & greet," I was surprised when the girls were invited to Jewel's dressing room, where they talked with her for nearly 15 minutes. Then Jewel wrote and gave the little girl a special message inside a copy of her book of poems.

Stung by a Sting Photo

Paula Hill was Group Party Director at Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheatre, and adored Sting. A prized possession was a large photo of Sting on the wall next to her desk. It was much better than the photos I had to publicize the upcoming Sting concert, and it was also in color, so I asked if I could borrow it to copy and distribute to the media.

The photo was mounted only on foamcore, so it was light and easy to carry to my car.

I set it against my briefcase on the ground as I reached for the car keys, but a sudden gust of wind picked it up and blew it onto the parking lot access road - where a Coca-Cola delivery truck promptly ran over it.

Paula was saddened to see Michelin treads and gravel pock marks on Sting's face, but was so understanding and forgiving that I vowed to make it up to her some way on the night of the Sting concert.

Luck was with me the night of the concert - I found out that the star was scheduled for a small meet & greet with guests of one of the tour sponsors. I told my story of the crushed photo to the tour manager, and he gave me a guest pass so that Paula could meet Sting in person backstage. She was thrilled, and even more so at the meet & greet when I asked Sting if she could kiss him on the cheek. "My pleasure," he replied. And now Paula has the photo to prove it.

And here are more:

Britney Spears: It was the morning of the Britney Spears concert and I was backstage with an NBC cable news producer looking for an empty dressing room where they could interview Britney later in the day. Usually the dressing rooms are empty until early afternoon when the tour arrives, so it surprised me when I knocked on one dressing room door and a sleepy eyed young woman opened it. "Sorry, " I said, and we turned and walked away to look for another room. I hadn't realized the woman was Britney until two burly bodyguards arrived and ordered us to the production office, where we were severely chastised for disturbing Britney's sleep.

Destiny's Child: One year I was preparing for the Pavilion's 10th anniversary by videotaping congratulatory messages from as many artists as I could get. Destiny's Child manager Matthew Knowles (Beyonce's dad) agreed that the girls would do it and said to come back to their dressing room in about 10 minutes. Used to off the cuff one liners, I was surprised with a polished, sparkling skit, created special for the occasion.

Iggy Pop: After their Pavilion performance, Iggy Popp gathered his band on the catwalk outside the backstage dressing rooms and proceeded to analyze the entire performance, suggesting ways to make it better musically the next time.

Jackson Browne: On the afternoon previous to his performance, Jackson Browne was rollerblading the paved walkway around the lawn, occasionally stopping to chat with and sign autographs for workers who were busy stocking the concession stands and making the place ready for the night's show. This was a rare and appreciated opportunity for some of the behind the scenes people to actually meet a rock star.

Joan Baez: During a day long folk festival, practically never leaving the immediate backstage area, encouraging the performers and enjoying the social opportunities tremendously.

Bob Dylan: Sent the Security department into overdrive when he unexpectedly called the audience to join him onstage.

Steve Miller: Lifting weights in the production office before the show.

Spice Girls: Tour manager asking KDKA TV's broadcast truck to retract its antenna, fearing they might bootleg the music.

Wynona Judd: Show delayed while security searches for Wynona's lost puppy. Found safe but frightened under Wynona's tour bus.

Pantera: "Hi-jacking" a hi-lift backstage after the show, after an afternoon when they ran golf carts ragged at a local country club.

Tommy James, Peter Noone, Davey Jones, Bobby Sherman: In a backstage bull session, Noone relates how the relatively unknown The Who once opened for Herman's Hermits, and many, including critics, thought The Who were smashing guitars because they were angry that the crowd kept chanting "Herman, Herman" during their performance.

Michael Bolton's daughter: Trying to convince security that she can take photos of Michael Bolton from her front row seat, despite not having a photo pass, because she is Michael Bolton's daughter. Backstage, the tour manager confirmed her claim.

Steven Tyler: Wearing a sweatsuit and jogging through the parking lots before the show. Fans realize too late who just whizzed by.

Snoop Dogg: Playing basketball with roadies in the backstage parking lot.

Kid Rock: Looking cool while tooling slowly on his motorbike through the parking lots, the bike stalls, and he has to push.

Brian Wilson: Led by the elbow to the backstage dining tent by his manager, Wilson later proved his mettle onstage, besting a Paul Simon performance according to some critics.

Eagles: Perfect weather conditions - a great sound system - and a terrific band produced an ethereal sound that literally stopped me in my tracks ( I moved around a lot in my job as media coordinator)

Black Crowes: Rich and Chris Robinson fishing in Star Lake before the show.

Comment below, or register to comment

Coldplay singer ailing

Scott Mervis — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:50:00 GMT

If Coldplay even makes it to Pittsburgh Saturday night for the opening of the Post-Gazette Pavilion season, what kind of shape will they be in?

Coldplay canceled its show Wednesday night in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., due to singer Chris Martin losing his voice. According to The Sun, "He has also been in agony after burning his arm on scorching hot electrical equipment backstage."

Saturday's show is the first one after that cancellation, so we'll have to see if he can bounce back.

And we'll have to stay tuned for the chance of a last-minute postponement.

The show has been bumped up to 7 p.m. with Howling Bells and Pete Yorn.

How many rock critics does it take...?

Scott Mervis — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:57:00 GMT

How many rock critics does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

Two: One to write a bloated review of the new Green Day record; one to fall and crack his ribs.

Unfortunately, the second one is me.

Went like this: Saturday night I left the Squirrel Hill Little League field and stopped at home before planning to head to the Arena to watch the Pens on the big screen. First, I decided to change the lightbulb on the front porch, using a wobbly IKEA stool. I succeeded in changing the lightbulb! Then the stool gave way and I flew up in the air, landing squarely on the wooden legs.

My 5-year-old, the only with me at the time, watched in horror as I crawled into the house gasping for air.

Anyway, would you believe the South Side Emergency Room doesn't have Versus? We had to get game reports from a worker there following it on the computer. Pens won!

So, now, for the soul-crushing pain, I'm on Percocet the last four days, which is a bipolar experience. Since this a music blog, I'll give you one highlight. Riding my 13-year-old son's bike down the Jail Trail Wednesday morning to work just after a dose shouting along to Rancid's "And Out Come the Wolves" on the iPod (I never said I was responsible).

I think that's my favorite of the '90s pop-punk records. Maybe even better than "Dookie." Sorry, Green Day.

Comment below, or register to comment

RIP Jay Bennett: former member of Wilco

Scott Mervis — Mon, 25 May 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Jay Bennett, a founding member of Wilco, died Sunday in Urbana, Ill., of unknown causes, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He was 45.

Bennett was working in a VCR repair shop in Champaign when he joined Wilco in 1994. He was with them until 2001, playing a big role in crafting the sound of the acclaimed albums "Being There," "Summerteeth" and "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."

His strained relations with leader Jeff Tweedy and departure from Wilco were captured in the 2002 documentary "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart."

Earlier this month, Bennett filed a lawsuit against Tweedy for breach of contract and unpaid artist's royalties, arguing that Bennett was never paid for his role in the film and that Tweedy "never obtained the necessary releases for the use of Bennett's performance in the film."

Bennett released five albums and toured as a solo artist after leaving Wilco.

Bill Deasy pitches in on song for Fallen Heroes

Scott Mervis — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:10:00 GMT

Bill Garrison, a cousin of fallen police officer Paul Sciullo, approached well-known Pittsburgh songwriter Bill Deasy to write a song in memory of Sciullo, Stephen Mayhle and Eric Kelly, who were shot on April 4 in Stanton Heights.

The result is "I'll Come to You," which likely will be performed Monday at the Fallen Heroes concert at the Amphitheatre at Station Square.

"It is a song of hope in the midst of despair," Garrison wrote. "A story of courage in the face of danger. A promise that every officer makes when he or she puts on the uniform -- to be there when we need them. That day in April will forever be etched on my soul and on the souls of thousands, as will the memory of my cousin, Paul, and his brothers and sisters in blue."

Here are the lyrics:

I'll Come to You

(Garrison/Deasy)

Life-size mother Mary

Watches from the yard

As he runs across the sidewalk

And jumps into his car

Darkness turns to daylight

His watch nearing its end

The peaceful morning shattered

By the senseless violence

Through the smoke the fallen hero says --

I believe in what I'm doing

I believe in who I am

I signed up for this danger

And I'm proud to take my stand

I will not rest my brothers

And my sisters dressed in blue

I will stay on guard forever

Just call, I'll come to you

Round the brothers and the sisters

The mothers and the dads

The children and the cousins

And the friends each of them had

The grieving city gathers

As hearts are opened wide

Streets washed clean by teardrops

The population cries

The heroes' words still echo through the skies

I believe in what I'm doing

I believe in who I am

I signed up for this danger

And I'm proud to take my stand

I will not rest my brothers

And my sisters dressed in blue

I will stay on guard forever

Just call, I'll come to you

Just remember the words

To protect and to serve

And believe in what you're doing

No matter what you face

Stand your ground through danger

With courage, strength and grace

Do not rest my brothers

And my sisters dressed in blue

Stay on guard forever

And when you call, I'll come to you

I'll come to you...

I will come to you

Springsteen covers Dylan: And it feels great

Scott Mervis — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:33:00 GMT

I've seen Bruce Springsteen more than 20 times and still remember the Stanley Theater shows as my favorites, but Tuesday night's Mellon Arena concert is way up there.

I'm still floored that Springsteen covered "Like a Rolling Stone" -- and did it so magnificently.

As the Springsteen fan site backstreets.com pointed out, it was the "E Street Band's first-ever performance of the first Bob Dylan song Bruce ever heard. As he told it when inducting Dylan into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, ‘I was in the car with my mother listening to WMCA and on came that snare shot that sounded like somebody'd kicked open the door to your mind.' "

According to Backstreets, it was requested last week in Albany, but we got the premiere. It appeared as though Springsteen had the lyrics on a teleprompter in the floor, because he was looking down for the first part of the song, but later into it, he had his eyes closed as he was singing it. Either way, it was phenomenal. I partly expected him to lapse into a Dylan parody, but he wisely resisted that urge, if he had it.

This morning I got an email from a woman named Michele, who had a hand in the request: "The ‘Like a Rolling Stone' request was from a woman my husband and I befriended [that] evening. She had two signs, and I helped her with the ‘Rolling Stone' one. The guys in front of me said ‘pass it up,' and when Bruce took the sign, I thought she was going to pass out. She is a die-hard Bruce fan and this was one of the many highlights in her career of following Bruce."

She made the night for a lot of us ...