Upcoming Shows: What To Do In Pittsburgh TONIGHT (5 June 2012)


 

“The original Scottish Canadian punk band”

Vancouver BC’s The Real McKenzies coming to Pittsburgh tonight!

with The Goddamn Gallows, “twanged-out punk rock gutterbilly” from Detroit

and featuring The Bloody Seamen and Ernie and the Berts

Altar Bar 1620 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh (Strip District)

Doors 6:30, Show 7:30 | $13 ADV, $15 DOS | 21+ only

 
Around for nearly two decades now, The Real McKenzies were one of the first to come up with the idea of blending old Scottish drinking song styles with punk rock music — incorporating bagpipes into all their songs (as well as appearing in traditional highland dress). You can read more about the band’s inception and their long history here; then head on out to the Altar Bar this evening for some great, rowdy fun!

Shows in the middle of the week are always tough — I’m on my way to work right now and already feeling like I’m running out of gas; knowing I have to do this again tomorrow morning makes me especially unhappy. But they’ve really sweetened the pot with the rest of this line-up: you won’t want to miss this show!

Taking the rockabilly/psychobilly concept to ridiculous new heights, The Goddamn Gallows have augmented the typical “punk band with an upright bass” arrangement by also adding mandolin, banjo, accordion, and washboard; this has prompted the band to describe themselves as old-timey “gutterbilly” punk. You can read up on their story here.

And as an added bonus, there will be two a great local opening acts — pirate rockers extraordinaire The Bloody Seamen (recently profiled by Valley of Steel here) and sleazy muppet punks Ernie and the Berts (discussed in brief a few months ago, here)!

**UPDATE: Unfortunately, I’ve just learned that The Bloody Seamen will not be able to make it to this show tonight, but the other three acts should be performing as previously scheduled.**

Find all the details you’ll ever need here, including links to all the bands’ Facebook pages, information on buying tickets, and how you can win a pair of Ernie’s pants (there’s still time to get entered, but it’s running out quickly!) As an added bonus, there are additional Facebook events here, here, and here!

Get to Know: The Bloody Seamen (Pittsburgh’s Premier Pirate-Rock Band)

 
The Bloody Seamen is the premier Pirate-Rock band in the Pittsbugh area. They won an award from Backallie Music for “Best Live Band in Pittsburgh” in 2011. Also, little known fact, they’re actually better at playing baseball than the actual Major League Baseball team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. But the same could be said about practically anybody, so these guys tend to focus on their own unique skill-set, which involves drinking rum*, plundering booty (both kinds), and plenty of high-seas hijinks, but primarily their mission statement is to “crush your souls and melt your faces with sheer rock n’ roll power.”

Their songs range from traditional accapella shanties to blistering, bombastic rock n’ roll. Their music can only be matched by their stage shows which include swordplay, firearms, audience participation, fisticuffs, and all sorts of high-seas skullduggery.” See below for audio and video evidence of said skullduggery.

 
—–
 
* – And speaking of rum, these buccaneers embarked on a campaign a few weeks ago to attrack the attention and sponsorship of Sailor Jerry brand “Original Spiced Navy Rum” — the potent-potable maker has sponsored music acts, but never a pirate-themed rock band, and TBS have made it their mission to become the first. To this end, any fans are encouraged to get in touch with the company with a (polite) request to consider the band.
—–
 

Led by Captaine Maurice Lafiet Blaqueguttes (vocals), this band of cut-throats also consists of First Mate Mr. Alasdiar “Pipes” Quint (fife/accordion/bagpipes), Quartermaster “Filthy” Cheswick Springdale (guitar), Botswain “Keelhaul” Von Blaggard III (drums), Master Gunner Thom “Gunny” Castor (guitar), and Swabbie “Squid” (bass).

 
Continue reading

Upcoming Shows: What To Do In Pittsburgh This Weekend (25 May 2012)

Hello there, Pittsburgh-area readers. Once again, it’s time for me to share my weekly digest of shows and events that are happening in town. As it turns out, I’ve got a few pretty interesting ones, and they’re all taking place Friday night (the 25th). Below you will find all the necessary information and details, and then YOU can decide which you want to attend!

And once again, I can only write about what I know about — so if you work for a local promotion company, a venue, or a band, please be sure to get in touch with me with anything you want to share.

Continue reading

Upcoming Shows: What To Do In Pittsburgh This Weekend (19 May 2012)

Hello.  It’s time once again to talk about “What To Do In Pittsburgh” this weekend.  There are a couple cool goings-on in the world of heavy music, coming up this Saturday (19 May) that I’d like to bring to your attention — one in Pittsburgh, and one that’s a few hours away (but both involve local area musicians).  And just to remind you once again, if you work for a local promotion company, a venue, or a band, I can only write about the shows that I know about!  So get in touch with me if you’ve got something you want to share.

Continue reading

Upcoming Shows: What To Do In Pittsburgh This Weekend (12-15 April 2012)

Hello, readers! How are you? I think I’ve officially recovered from the holiday weekend and am ready to get back into the swing of posting updates. Did you have a nice Easter? I’ve been spending a lot of time listening to Ghost, since I finally got around to picking up Opus Eponymous on CD almost two weeks ago. I like it a lot, but I’ve kind of got a funny feeling about it. I haven’t tried slowing it down or playing it backwards or anything, but I get the impression that there might be some kind of hidden evil messages or something. Oh well. Hey, speaking of which, they’ll be coming to town in just a few more days! In fact, they’re just one of a whole slew of awesome bands playing in Pittsburgh over the coming weekend. Just keep on reading for all the details on this show and tons more.

 
Continue reading