Burger King Of All Media

Back on tour. Day two finds us in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is a very cool town. We always have a good time there. In the past, we’ve played the Andy Warhol Museum, the Club Cafe, Rosebuds, a free show at Hartwood Acres with Lucinda and once we even played a gig in a Sports Bar during a biblical downpour against the Steelers who were in the playoff’s or something, and STILL had a decent gig.

When Pittsburgh “Filmmakers” put on Media Tonic 3 and asked us to play, we didn’t hesitate. We played in the parking lot, and there were one-night-only art installations inside the media complex.

Pittsburgh’s indie film scene is as healthy as ever. And these folks have been doing the indie film hustle since the Dead Sea was sick. “Filmmakers” itself started out as a kind of equipment co-op in the 70’s and later evolved into a film school and now a full fledged digital media center (whatever that is). Most holier-than-thou indie movie geeks weren’t even born when Night of the Living Dead came out in 1968. George Romero dreamed up Night of the Living Dead in response to what he called the public’s “thirst for the bizarre”. We’re happy to report: The “thirst for the bizarre” is alive and well in Pittsburgh. Speaking of thirsty work, it was a record hot sticky one on the bandstand in the parking lot. Luckily, the VIP bar was open.

Here’s a fun fact:

They tell me that Waterworld (made in 1995 and adjusted for inflation) cost exactly $238,089,566.93 to make. On the other hand, George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead was made for $114,000, and it’s gone on to gross some $12 million dollars. Which almost makes George Romero the King of the Delta Blues or something to that effect. Anyway, do the math.

“We do not discriminate against race, color, creed, religion or budget!”