The Long Time Darlings

What happened to the days of good old fashioned rock n’ roll? In today’s musical culture, we’re seeing an infiltration of shock-pop while rock music slowly fades away. Seemingly gone are the days of artists like the Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bob Dylan to name a few. So I have to ask, are rock musicians a dying breed?
After listening to a few songs from Pittsburgh band, The Long Time Darlings, my definitive answer is no; rock musicians are still alive and well. The band is comprised of Brett Staggs (vocals, guitar), Brian Sproul (guitar), Doug Kochmanski (drums), Reid Wellock (piano, organ, vocals), and Martin Lunn (bass).
Recently, I sat down with lead singer Brett Staggs to discuss this band that restored my faith in the relevancy of rock n’ roll.
The Long Time Darlings originated in January of 2009. On the eve of being together for two years, the band has released two E.P’s: Baby Doll and G.F.Y and is discussing the release of a full-length album. Staggs describes the band as “straight up rock n’ roll,” and I would agree.
“The song writing is one hundred percent collaborative,” Staggs explains, and the band is always willing to try something out at least once. The piano on “Baby Doll” is especially reminiscent of Jerry Lee Lewis, but the rest of the music is authentically a sound belonging to the Long Time Darlings. Quite refreshingly, their sound is tried-and-true, hard-hitting, passionate rock n’ roll.
On being a musician in Pittsburgh right now, Staggs says it’s the greatest. “It is so exciting to play in this city,” He proclaimed. Staggs lived in Austin for a while and really loved coming back to the ‘Burgh. The band plays often, and has a few dates coming up around the city.
We discussed at length the topic of rock n’ roll today and why it’s in the state it is. “It’s a fragile industry,” He says, “a lot of artists are afraid to step out of line.” Not the Long Time Darlings, though. As a band, they are ready and willing to just go for it. Staggs says he misses the days when a rock n’ roll band’s personality was “authentically huge.”Fortunately for rock music fans in Pittsburgh, the Long Time Darlings are keeping rock n’ roll music relevant. “There are no rules anymore in rock n’ roll,” Staggs explains.
The Long Time Darlings are on the edge of becoming a house-hold name amongst Pittsburgh rock fans. We haven’t seen anything yet from this band, and I’m eager to hear what’s next. Both of their E.P’s can be purchased through iTunes and you can check them out also at www.thelongtimedarlings.com.
Their next scheduled local performance will be at Gooski's on Monday, October 4 at 10:00 P.M.
Author Disclaimer: Autumn Moss is the Associate Editor for The Point. Her columns are featured every Tuesday. - The Point Press

Andy Mulkerin has described their music as, "straightforward rock and roll somewhere between classic rock and the nineties alternative scene," noting that it, "might not have been out of place on the harder edge of the Pittsburgh scene that brought us The Clarks and The Gathering Field over a decade ago." Live, the band lays out the occasional Americana-tinged ballad, but mainly gravitates to fist-pumping good-time rock. (Aaron Jentzen of Pittsburgh City Paper) - Pittsburgh City Paper