August 2009 Pittsburgh concerts

MUST-SEE SHOW:
8/6 Fiery Furnaces @ Brillobox
I've seen this quirky twosome a few times and never been disappointed. Their last Pittsburgh show was at Mr. Small's and fewer than 100 people showed up. They'll fare much better at the more intimate Brillobox. 2007's Widow City was brilliant, and on July 21 they just released I'm Going Away, so look for plenty of new songs tonight.

ALSO WORTH ATTENDING:
8/3 Dan Deacon, Deerhunter & No Age @ Mr. Small's
A superb trio of acts hitting up Mr. Small's together for what is billed as a round-robin performance. In what is sure to be a memorable event, the three bands will perform together, playing each other's songs throughout the evening.

8/15 Jill Sobule @ Club Cafe
Jill Sobule was singing about kissing girls when Katy Perry was still in grade school. Jill's a bit of a strange bird but that's why she is interesting. She plays Club Cafe quite frequently and has a pretty loyal following around these parts. Hopefully she'll play the fun "Mexican Wrestler."

Others to keep in mind:
8/1 Jo Dee Messina @ PNC Park
8/2 Patty Smyth & Scandal @ Hartwood Acres
8/4 David Cook & Green River Ordinance @ Mr. Small's
8/8 O.A.R. @ PNC Park
8/11 Jason Mraz, K'Naan and G Love & Special Sauce @ Amphitheatre at Station Square
8/13 Keith Urban @ Mellon Arena
8/14 Decemberists & Heartless Bastards @ Byham Theater
8/16 Blue Oyster Cult @ Amphitheatre at Station Square
8/18 Colin Hay of Men at Work @ Diesel
8/22 Breeders @ Diesel
8/22 KC & the Sunshine Band @ PNC Park
8/25 Staind @ Amphitheatre at Station Square
8/26 (hed)pe & Mushroomhead @ Diesel
8/27 Vivian Girls @ Andy Warhol Museum

I just saw the Fiery Furnaces, and now my nose is freezing

CONCERT REVIEW: Fiery Furnaces
November 2, 2007
Mr. Small’s Theater, Pittsburgh

Yes, that's my totally awesome cell phone photo from the show. This is going to be a somewhat uninformed review, because I barely know anything about this band. I’d heard exactly one song of theirs (My Egyptian Grammar) prior to the show tonight. But I went because they are a buzzworthy, brother-sister indie rock duo from Brooklyn. That’s good enough for me.

The show started off strange because the crowd was so sparse. It was the smallest crowd I’ve ever seen at Mr. Small’s – less than 100 people. But they had the air conditioning up high like usual, so my fingers and face were freezing. Nobody cheered when the band came out, because I guess a lot of us didn’t recognize them, and because Pittsburgh crowds are just lame in general.

The keyboard player was clearly thrown by the lack of enthusiasm and said sarcastically, “Hi. Happy Friday.” He wasn’t using a mike. And everyone could hear him. Despite the slow start, it got much better. Eleanor was (or acted) very happy and appreciative of those who did show up, and when the band really hit its stride (notably, during Clear Signal from Cairo), the crowd got into it.

I was very captivated by this group’s odd song structures and the contrast between the soft, melodic keyboard parts and the loud, hard-rocking sections. They struck me as a cross between Radiohead and the Dresden Dolls, who, by the way, just happen to be my two favorite bands. So obviously I’m hooked.

With most concerts, even when it’s a band I really really like, by the end I’m ready to go home. I’ve had my fill and I’m tired and I want to go to bed. But this was one of those rare shows that I just did not want to end. I’m looking forward to catching up on the rest of their catalogue.

MP3: Fiery Furnaces - My Egyptian Grammar