The Steel City Get Down!
By Natalie Sweet – 09/23/04

Let Me Break It Down For Ya:
Western Pennsylvania is ready to explode. It's true. Right now Pittsburgh, PA is erupting with musical creativity and talent. Pittsburgh has always been a city full of talented musicians (think Donnie Iris and the Jaggerz or the Del Vikings), but right now is one of the most brilliant eras of music the city has seen in years. Creativity seems to be at an all time high and the results are incredible, but don't think I'm the only one noticing.

Esquire magazine just named Pittsburgh the "Number One Breakout Music City," citing such local talent as alt-rockers the Clarks, organic, freewheeling traditional rockers Rusted Root, and garage rock revivalists the Modey Lemon. However, if Esquire had looked only slightly beneath the surface to Pittsburgh's underground scene, they would have been blown away to discover the cornucopia of musical phenomena thriving there. Passionate audiences, independent/alternative venues, and innovative musicians are at the heart of this revolution and deserve all the credit for putting the cool back in the 'burgh.

Yo Pittsburgh Raps:
Pittsburgh is usually remembered and recognized for its great rock music. Whether it is the rasping punk rock of Half Life, the addicting power pop of the Frampton Brothers, or the romantic doo-wop of the Skyliners, this place is a breeding ground for sound. But Pittsburgh's musical propensity doesn't end there. Recently, hip-hoppers Grand Buffet and the Foundation (consisting of three M.C.'s and two R&B vocalists) have been gaining local and national notoriety for producing an original, distinctive sound with genuine R&B flavor. Both have captivated the city by drawing massive crowds to local venues. One of the best places in the city to hear either or these groups, as well as other DJs and performers, is East Liberty's Shadow Lounge . Open well into the wee small hours of the morning, the Shadow Lounge provides a safe place where Pittsburghers can go to enjoy good music in a comfortable setting. The Shadow Lounge has been instrumental in creating a venue for hip-hop and R&B music and DJs in Pittsburgh.

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life:
Speaking of DJs, Pittsburgh is (as most cities are) chalk-full of them. Perhaps the coolest among these are the guys who aren't really into all that DJ hype --- they're just guys spinning records. John Greenwell and Justin Hopper call their gig Soulcalism , which is, in essence, various evenings dedicated to spinning their parents' old soul 45s to crowded rooms of eager, dancing kids. They are just out to have fun and play some great music, but what these two gentlemen do is nothing short of groundbreaking, opening the door of past music greatness to the young.

American Rock n' Roll Machine:
At the heart of this musical revolution are the good ol' rock bands. Black Tie Revue is a great taste of what's cooking in the Steel City. Creating a blissful blend of volatile energy, captivating keyboard and guitar work, and just generally kick-ass songwriting, BTR have made a name for themselves playing all over town. Likewise, the Wynkataug Monks' hyped-up indie rock focuses on a tantalizing rhythm section, ripping guitar riffs, and selection of charming choruses that really lure in the crowds. Both bands put on explosive and charismatic live performances that have just about made them legendary. They perform regularly at local venues like Pittsburgh's rock n' roll headquarters, the Strip District's 31 st Street Pub .

The British Are Coming:
Deriving influence from across the pond, Camera and Shade tear up Pittsburgh in equal shreds. A modern version of the 1960's British Invasion, Camera's unique take on mod-ern music is both beguiling and fresh. Their bouncy pop songs incorporate everything you loved from 1960's London (plus a kazoo and a trombone!) with a contemporary pop flavor, thus creating a sound that moves crowds to endless motion.

The boys of Shade mix 1990's British shoegaze textures with their own fanciful guitar work and memorizing rhythms to produce a brilliant, beautiful, brooding sound complimented by lyrics that are far from disposable. Shade works to captivate their audience, luring them in on their psychedelic wavelength. Regulars on the stage at the Millvale's Mr. Small's Theatre and South Side's Rex Theatre, Camera and Shade have both maintained a loyal and ever-growing fan base.

I Am An Anti-Christ, I Am An Anarchist:
But lest we forget another big Pittsburgh genre, after the success of Aus Rotten and Anti-Flag, Pittsburgh punk rock was really on the map, but it certainly doesn't end there. Holding it down for the today's punks are some of the best bands in town. Among the hottest are the Cheats whose ripped-up modern version of traditional punk rock is contagious. These guys attack every set with a certain fury that would make Sid Vicious proud. The Weekend Warriors also tackle punk rock and Oi with their own reckless abandon. They classically mix angst-ridden lyrics with tasty guitar riffs and remarkable drumming techniques. Both of these bands get a lot of stage time at the South Side's Smiling Moose, the 31 st Street Pub , and Oakland's Brave New World .

The Few The Proud:
Brave New World is an independent record store specializing in punk, rock n' roll and R&B/rap, they have created a home for Pittsburgh 's non-mainstream music consumer. Realizing the store's inevitable importance to independent music in Pittsburgh, they have opened their doors every Friday night to the public and allowed them to hear some up-and-coming local bands at no charge. Along with other local music purveyors like Paul's CDs , Eide's, Dave's Music Mine, and formerly the Rock Shop , Brave New World also allows local musicians to sell their records in the stores.

Sign On The Line:
So who produces these local musicians' records? Well, clearly there are many sources for this, but what's fascinating and exiting in Pittsburgh is that just recently, a new record label has emerged to join the ranks of AF Records and Get Hip. Bent on spreading the word of good music throughout Pittsburgh (and beyond), Lovely Recordings made its world debut on March 23, 2004 at the 31 st Street Pub, showcasing its four bands (which include the Wynkataug Monks and Shade) to a full house. Formed by three scenester/musicians who are truly passionate about local music, Lovely Recordings strives to get its bands heard.

Can't Touch This:
Now don't get me wrong, I have barely scratched the surface here. This musical insurgency does not stop with the few bands I have mentioned. In fact the list could go on forever, but I just wanted to give you a taste of what's about to smack this world upside the head. Pittsburgh is certainly not just a working class town with run-down steel mills and classic sports teams. No. Pittsburgh is a musical playground that is producing original, inventive, and untouchable music. I no longer have the burning desire to runaway to a bigger city in search of musical glory because it's very simple now – great bands flourish and thrive in the Steel City.

In the immortal words of our very own Andy Warhol, look out Detroit, "your fifteen minutes are up."

* For more information and links to these bands visit www.KillerDulce.com

Past Articles:
09/01/04 – Demos for Dummies: Several Cheap and Effective Ways to Create Demo Reels at Home