I first met Hugh Twyman in 2004 at The Quiet Storm when Vale and Year was playing with One Star Hotel. Since then he has graciously taken photos of a few of my projects (Assembly, DJ Responsibility, Host Skull "Totally Fatalist" music video (below)). He has been a constant in the Pittsburgh music scene and the internet is ablaze with his local and national music documentation. Definitely check out the growing archive of warm, well-crafted photos on his website.
On the same website, Hugh keeps a First/Last series going on the blog. The series gives a number of folks the chance to indulge in their earliest tastes, favorite shows and albums, and recent concert-goer activity. I thought it appropriate to turn the tables on Hugh. See below for Hugh's First/Last.
The first album you ever bought?
My mom took us kids to National Record Mart and said we could each buy two albums for the new record player we just got. I chose 'Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits' and Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours'.
Your last album bought?
The Kinks’ “Face to Face’ and “The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society” Deluxe Reissues. I am on a ‘Kinks Kick’ right now and am gobbling up as much as I can afford…damn you, Paul’s CDs!
Favorite album of all time?
Grant Lee Buffalo “Mighty Joe Moon”. If anyone ever says that an album can change their life, I believe that because this one changed mine. Too long of a story to tell here.
Least favorite/most disappointing album?
World Party-“Bang!” The previous album “Goodbye Jumbo” was such a favorite that the expectations for the next one was way too high. A couple of great songs on there (‘Is it Like Today?’, ‘Sooner or Later’) but there are a few that I can’t even listen to (Rescue Me, ‘What is Love All About?’).
First concert attended?
Not counting John Sebastian opening for Steve Martin at Heinz Hall in 1977, my dad took me to see The Eagles at the Civic Arena in 1979.
Last concert?
As of this writing…the awesome Donora CD 2 release show at The Rex last night. That will change with WYEP’s Rock The Block tonight, Lindsey Buckingham on Tuesday, The Felice Brother/Dodos/The Luyas Wednesday, Foo Fighters/Weyes Blood Friday…I think I see TOO many shows.
Favorite concert ever?
Camper Van Beethoven at Metropol in 1989. Just exactly perfect!
Least favorite concert?
Tim Easton at Andyman’s Treehouse in Columbus in 2002. What a nightmare. The Band at Metropol in 1994 was maybe just as bad.
Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
This ‘music scene’ that I would like to think I am somewhat a part of is full of the most talented, friendly and supportive group of people anywhere. When you go see a local band and there are ALWAYS half a dozen other musicians from different bands in the audience…that to me is the coolest thing ever.
Favorite concert that you photographed?
The Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Tour at Brillobox in 2008 or the WYEP Holiday Hootenanny 2 rehearsals in 2009.
Favorite Pittsburgh band records?
Lohio-‘Fainting Goats’, Meeting of Important People-‘List Show’, Good Night, States-‘Neighborhood Roofs’, Local Honey-‘Glore’, Host Skull-‘Totally Fatalist’, Donora-‘Weekend Tongue’, Big Hurry-‘Pushing Daisies’, Triggers-‘Contagious’, The Chad Sipes Stereo-‘Scrap’, The Harlan Twins-‘Stones in my Passway’, Boca Chica-‘Blackberries’. Small Cities-‘Washed in the Blood’, Satin Gum-‘Dance Me Home’, Brewer’s Row-‘Benny’, Chet Vincent & The Big Bend-‘Shut My Mouth’, Emily Rodgers-‘Going Away’, The Wreckids-‘What I Mean to Say’, Colonizing The Cosmos-‘C the C’, Rusted Root-‘Beautiful People’, Ben Hardt-‘Avalanche’, New Shouts-‘Answers on a Postcard’, Nik Westman-‘You’re the Blues’, Horse Or Cycle-‘Billy’, Mariage Blanc-‘Famous Last Words’.
Thanks to Hugh for the answers! Now check out thousands of Hugh's photographs, run very quickly together in the video below:
