Michigan invades Pittsburgh next Friday! The showdown’s at one of our favorite spots in Bloomfield…
The Bands:
Empty Orchestra– Facebook / Twitter / MySpace / ReverbNation ⍈ We are Empty Orchestra, and we are an American musical group from Flint, Michigan. Our songs are fistfights of traditions and generations and genres and tempos and hope and doubt and death and punchlines. Our roots are in punk rock and our ambitions are for song creation without boundaries. We are a community. We love making songs, we love playing songs, we love you. Thanks. This is fun.
Shores – Facebook / Twitter / Tumblr / ReverbNation ⍈ “Shores will pull you into a wintry, slowpaced haze and crescendos rising from the tinkling intros envelop you in a haunting, yet calming musical blanket. Shores make it all sound so effortless: subtle melodies twist their way around carved out guitar lines and prominent drums. It’s clean without being over-produced and offers dark and moody vibes, strung along by the constant promise of a climactic finale. Very much compelling, charming, subdued, delicate and mesmerising…” -Emily Kearns, rocksound.tv
So you’re coming to the show with The Beautiful View on Sunday at the Smiling Moose, right? We have a new cover prepared that will blow your mind. Well, maybe that’s a poor choice of words. You’ll be all like, “here we are, now entertain us!” So, we will. We always do. By prepared… I mean we sort of ran through it once, but not all the way… but we’re going to play it anyway. It’s what Ernie commands! We all know that you don’t F with Ernie (or the Berts).
Remember, it’s an early gig (6:30pm) because it’s all ages. You’ll be home in time to not be grounded & in time to get to bed so you can get up for work or school in the morning. Unless you party with the bands afterwards… then you may still be awake when that time rolls around the next morning.
"We've never heard of Ernie and the Berts, but if we had, I'm absolutely sure we'd be musically in love with them and their incredible rock ideals & punk work ethic."
Listening to the new songs from the San Diego based quartet The Beautiful View will make you think “sounds like this should be on the radio”, which isn’t a bad thing in this case. There’s a familiarity that the band brings to the table; an honesty; unpretentious, politically incorrect and (as a contrast to the current San Diego scene) they are as “un-indie” as a band can be —dressed in Gucci shoes, tailored clothes and their shows often end in a boisterous conversation at the back bar with a tab worth of shots as long as your arm.
The band blends traditional rock genres from Blondie and even Duran Duran with modern rock bands like The Killers and Franz Ferdinand and even Interpol. For some reason the band conjures up images from the Miami night club scene in Scarface and perhaps that’s because they grew up ten miles from the border in Chula Vista, a city close enough to the Tijuana headlines of cartel drug wars. The city was affected by the border violence but safe enough for kids to feel the conservative vibe of San Diego all while growing up across from a country stricken in poverty.
And Chula Vista (translation; Beautiful View) has a surprisingly rich tradition of successful artists in bands ranging from “indie” Black Heart Procession, “punk” The Zeros, and “rock” The Dragons and “hardcore” P.O.D. Those influences ring true beneath the rich vocals of Aaron Magnan, the tasteful leads of Adrienne Cordero and the masterful rhythm section of bassist Paul Rich and drummer Duane Allan. Each of them taking a prominent role in the group’s layered songwriting and performances.
Magnan, Cordero, Rich, and Allan all met in high school and the four have been friends ever since. The band started in May of 2007 and The Beautiful View earned their stripes playing a ton of new shows while earning a notable following and developing a stage presence with explosive live shows until the band decided to take a step off the stage in 2011 and dedicate all their efforts to creating a full length album. It was recorded at Black Box San Diego with Mario Quintero and mastered at D2 studios in Burbank.
The ten song release due out later this year on Requiemme Records. The songs are well written, well played, well recorded and yes, “alternative radio” friendly— perhaps because the band is just that good.
Look for more news on The Beautiful View’s new release Life is Beautiful later this year, more local dates and a national tour early next year.
We told you about this already, but in case you didn’t get it or didn’t do it… here’s your chance. Here’s all the info stolen right from the Backallie site:
“like” the Backallie FB page,”tag” your favorite band, fan, person, etc and list the category you want them to win.
Nominations will be counted by number of tags and likes.
– Categories –
Best Alternative Rock Band, Best Alt Album, Best Alt Video, Best Metal Band,
Best Metal Album, Best Metal Video, Best Punk Rock Band, Best Punk Rock Album,
Best Punk Rock Video, Best Indie Rock Band, Best Indie Rock Album,
Best Indie Rock Video, Best Hardcore Band, Best Hardcore Album, Best Hardcore Video,
Song of the year, Music video of the year, Best Live performance, Best venue,
Best local promoter, Best beard, Best “Oh, Shit!” moment, Youtube Idol
Please review official rules here.
For questions or comments please email us here.
So go nominate, then come back & vote. You’re on Facebook, right? Of course you are. Go, go now. Why are you still reading this? GO! It would be cool if you nominate us or some of our friends, but most importantly do it to let people know you’re involved & care about your local music scene.
OK, maybe you should read the rules:
– Rules –
1) Dates:
Nominations start Saturday, Nov. 5th at 12:00 AM and end Thursday, Dec. 15th at 12:00 AM. 2nd round of voting begins on Dec. 15th and ends January 1st. 2nd round is only open to judges and nominated bands/people. The actual ceremony is Sunday, January 15th at Club Diesel.2) Who can nominate:
Anyone who has a facebook can nominate whoever they feel deserves to be nominated.3) Who can be nominated:
Any band, musician, fan, venue, or person that fits the criteria to meet the appropriate category that is from Pittsburgh or the greater Pittsburgh area, and currently resides in Pittsburgh. If for some reason a fan or person nominates someone for the incorrect category, the band or person being nominated must make this known to fans and to me, and the nomination will still count towards that particular person or band.4) How to Nominate:
If you are nominating yourself, first “like” the Backallie facebook page, then post on the backallie page, Hi, I am Tim Schlong, and I nominate myself for best beard.” If you are nominating someone else, tag them in the post and post on the backallie page. “I nominate Dikkplow for best hardcore band.” If you are nominating a band or person for multiple categories, they must each be separate posts to count for individual votes. If a band is nominated for multiple categories in one post, it will be removed and discounted. Both “tags” AND “likes” will count as votes, so if you are already tagged, share the status with your fans to get as many “likes” as you can. I am going to attempt to update and retally votes and nominations on the backallie website every week.5) Additional info:
in order to win “song of the year” or “video of the year” your song/video had to be released within the year 2011. “Best beard” sort of a relative category, and person (fan or musician) that is a part of the Pittsburgh rock scene that has a noteworthy beard should be nominated for best beard. if you would like to nominate yourself, upload a video or picture to the backallie music page and get your friends to “like” your post. “Youtube Idol” is a category that was created for people who do their own songs or covers and post them to youtube, particularly for musicans who are looking to showcase their talent to find a band. This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t be in a band to win this category, but this category is for any INDIVIDUAL, not a full band. “Best ‘Oh Shit!’ moment” is the type of moment in a song or live performance where the whole audience is so excited with anticipation that they all are thinking in their heads… “OH SHIT!!!!” (in a good way) ex: a really awesome breakdown in a catchy song, or a one-line chant that everyone sings along to; something cool that a band member does, etc.Thanks for your time, and get ready to nominate!!!
So, it’s come to our attention that there are going to be some local music awards by local record label Backallie Music. Ernie would like to earn your votes for “Best ‘Oh Shit’ Moment”, and any other category that you’d like. Feel free to jump on this bandwagon, or start your own!
Ernie has had more than a few literal “oh shit” moments, earning punk rock points for multiple shits in the infamous 31st Street Pubbathroom (once without toilet paper), and more recently going to take a shit in the middle of a set at Howler’s.
Listen to Ernie tell the tale of the 31st Street Pub incident in this video:
We’re still waiting on video to surface from the Punk Rock Sock Hop in Pittsburgh where Ernie had to take an emergency poop break. The DJ was recording video, and DVD’s are to be made… but get that stuff on YouTube dude!
The cool part about this awards thing is that it aims to bring together bands from all around the Pittsburgh scene, and maybe just make us a little more aware of each other. We can celebrate each other, and build up the existing friendships & camaraderie while forging new ones.
OFFICIAL RULES/FAQ (also in the “discussions” tab)
Alright everyone, I’m going to try and keep this pretty simple and straightforward. please message me if you have any further questions.
1) Dates: Nominations start Saturday, Nov. 5th at 12:00 AM and end Thursday, Dec. 15th at 12:00 AM. 2nd round of voting begins on Dec. 15th and ends January 1st. 2nd round is only open to judges and nominated bands/people.
The actual ceremony is Sunday, January 15th at Club Diesel.
2) Who can nominate: Anyone who has a facebook can nominate whoever they feel deserves to be nominated.
3) Who can be nominated: Any band, musician, fan, venue, or person that fits the criteria to meet the appropriate category that is from Pittsburgh or the greater Pittsburgh area, and currently resides in Pittsburgh.
If for some reason a fan or person nominates someone for the incorrect category, the band or person being nominated must make this known to fans and to me, and the nomination will still count towards that particular person or band.
4) How to nominate: If you are nominating yourself, first “like” the Backallie facebook page, then post on the backallie page, Hi, I am Tim Schlong, and I nominate myself for best beard.”
If you are nominating someone else, tag them in the post and post on the backallie page. “I nominate Dikkplow for best hardcore band.”
If you are nominating a band or person for multiple categories, they must each be separate posts to count for individual votes. If a band is nominated for multiple categories in one post, it will be removed and discounted.
Both “tags” AND “likes” will count as votes, so if you are already tagged, share the status with your fans to get as many “likes” as you can.
I am going to attempt to update and retally votes and nominations on the backallie website every week.
5) Additional info: In order to win “song of the year” or “video of the year” your song/video had to be released within the year 2011.
“Best beard” sort of a relative category, and person (fan or musician) that is a part of the Pittsburgh rock scene that has a noteworthy beard should be nominated for best beard. if you would like to nominate yourself, upload a video or picture to the backallie music page and get your friends to “like” your post.
“Youtube Idol” is a category that was created for people who do their own songs or covers and post them to youtube, particularly for musicans who are looking to showcase their talent to find a band. This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t be in a band to win this category, but this category is for any INDIVIDUAL, not a full band.
“Best ‘Oh Shit!’ moment” is the type of moment in a song or live performance where the whole audience is so excited with anticipation that they all are thinking in their heads… “OH SHIT!!!!” (in a good way) ex: a really awesome breakdown in a catchy song, or a one-line chant that everyone sings along to; something cool that a band member does, etc.
Thanks for your time, and get ready to nominate!!!
So, pop on over to the Backallie Music Facebook page now, nominate Ernie, and all of your local favorites for their prospective categories. (Hey, we’ll take Best Punk Rock Band & Best Live Performance if you want us to too!) “Tag” us, “like” people’s tags of us, and tell your friends to do the same!
Share this link with your friends & favorite bands in the music scene!
More importantly, while you’re on their page… check out the other bands that people are nominating too. I bet you’ll find something that you like.
Well, unfortunately Disgust in Disguise had to drop out, so here’s your new lineup along with a sweet new flyer from Sarah who’s organizing the show:
P!$$ ON CANCER - Fri. Nov. 21st, 2011
All the other show details are here:
When your body is your enemy, how would you choose to fight?
Join us as we take a stand against a friend’s cancer.
Help us fight his silent war.
March with us, beside him, as we tell his cancer to F@#! off!
He’s ours. We’re not done with him, yet!
The Bands:
12:00 AM | Voices and Vessels | FB / RN / My_ / @t | (Metal / Post-Hardcore)
Howdy, friends! One week from tonight we’re going to require your attendance at the P!$$ ON CANCER benefit show. It’s not only an ALL AGES show, it’s packed full of bands from a potpourri of musical genres, and your money is going to help pay some medical bills of a currently anonymous benefactor. Obviously we’re all about such things. This is why your attendance is not requested, my friends… it’s required.
We need a name for the fans. The Misfits have Fiends, the Grateful Dead have Dead Heads, what should we call you people? Ernienians? Bertians? Pigeons? Bottle Caps? Rubber Ducks? Duckies? The Unibrows?
We have a show coming up that you ought to make an extra effort to attend. We don’t do many all ages gigs, so this may be your only chance for a while.
A friend of Bert’s has set up the show, and it looks to be (the good kind of) chaos. Disgust in Disguise are a bunch of cool cats and it looks like there’s a really diverse set of musical genres happening, as well as a silent auction and some food & drink specials.
We’re asking you to come out, support a good cause, listen to some music, eat, drink, & be merry. Please don’t literally pee on anything or anyone. (This means you, Brad.)
Here are the details in case you missed ’em!
When your body is your enemy, how would you choose to fight?
Join us as we take a stand against a friend’s cancer.
Help us fight his silent war.
March with us, beside him, as we tell his cancer to F@#! off!
He’s ours. We’re not done with him, yet!
The Bands:
12:00 AM | Voices and Vessels | FB / RN / My_ / @t | (Metal / Post-Hardcore)
F@#! Cancer: A Musical Collaboration to fight for a friend’s life!
When your body is your enemy, how would you choose to fight?
Join us as we take a stand against a friend’s cancer.
Help us fight his silent war.
March with us, beside him, as we tell his cancer to F@#! off!
He’s ours. We’re not done with him, yet!
The Bands:
12:00 AM | Voices and Vessels | FB / RN / My_ / @t | (Metal / Post-Hardcore)
Ernie and the Berts 