Photo courtesy of Hugh Twyman

Words by Brendan

It’s another one of those weekends coming up. You know, the kind where there’s way too much to do and looking at the concert schedule makes you just wanna bounce around town all evening and see everything all at once. Is it just me? I bet not, because there are plenty of choices for live music in the next few days, you’re bound to find something you like. Stream some mp3s right off the bat and read on after the jump for all the details. I guarantee you’ll find something that strikes your fancy.

Bright Eyes / Shell Games
David Dondero / Less Than The Air
Smith Westerns / Weekend
The Slow Reel / Only Foolin
Delicious Pastries / Gonna Cut A Record Soon
Neighbours / I’m Losing You [live, Temptations cover]

Thursday 06.09.2011

Bright Eyes / Dawes / Stage AE (all ages) / Doors 7:00 / $35
Chances are you have your mind made up about Bright Eyes already. Conor Oberst has built quite the following under that moniker over the course of 10ish LPs, and if you count yourself among those fans, shelling out $35 to catch him and his band indoors at Stage AE for their first stop in The Burgh since 2003 should be a no-brainer. Also playing are mature-beyond-their-years folk rockers Dawes, who got a solid write-up recently in the Post-Gazette, as well as a feature in yesterday’s City Paper. Music starts at 8:00, presented jointly by Opus One, 91.3fm WYEP, and Promo West Live.

Facebook event / Call 800.745.3000 about tix
Bright Eyes on the web: Website / Facebook / Twitter
Dawes on the web: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Blog

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David Dondero / Dandelion Snow / Wifebeater! / Bloomfield house / 7:00 / $5
It’s a little ironic that on the same evening that Bright Eyes plays to a huge crowd with pricey tickets, an amazing songwriter by the name of David Dondero, he who influenced Conor Oberst in the first place, plays across town at a tiny house show for a handful of dollars. Life ain’t really fair, and Dondero‘s songs will remind you of as much while making you laugh and cry and wanna drink and sober up all at the same time. In fact, a few of Dondero‘s albums were released by Oberst’s record label, Team Love, and the track you see above features Oberst’s backing vocals. How about that for full circle? Anyway, you’ll wanna check out our Essay Test interview segment we did with David Dondero yesterday, and you’ll wanna see this show. Also playing are local songwriter Roger Harvey a.k.a. Dandelion Snow (his song “The Grand Scheme Of Things” is awesome) and local folk/punk youngsters Wifebeater!. I’ve seen all of these guys before and am totally eager to see them all again, together.

Facebook event
David Dondero on the web: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
Dandelion Snow on the web: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Bandcamp
Wifebeater! on the web: Facebook / Bandcamp

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Friday 06.10.2011

Smith Westerns / Satin Gum / I Am A Sea Creature / Mr. Small’s / Doors 7:00 / $12
I wrote a full preview of this show a couple weeks back when we had two tickets to give away, thanks to Opus One, but I’ll reiterate my enthusiastic sentiments here: This will be awesome. Smith Westerns‘ blend of power pop and garage rock and glam somehow makes sense and sounds great live (this will be my 3rd time seeing them in Pittsburgh, believeitornot). The same goes for Satin Gum; they have some serious punky energy about them and their pop-rock tunes, plus a great sense of humor, apparently, given some song titles and lyrics. And I Am A Sea Creature are new to me but Mr. Small’s should be a great-sounding place to be introduced to them, so I’m looking forward to that. Can’t wait for this one.

Facebook event / Buy tix online / Call 412.821.4447 / Show poster
Smith Westerns on the web: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
Satin Gum on the web: Website / Facebook / Bandcamp
I Am A Sea Creature on the web: Facebook / Myspace

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Saturday 06.11.2011

Rock The Streets Benefit Concert / Mr. Small’s (18+) / 5:00 / $15-$30
This charity concert extravaganza has been raising money for homeless charities annually since 2009. The event gathers local bands, artists, and businesses/sponsors to raise money and awareness, and last year collected over $5000 in just its second incarnation. This year, $15 general admission gets you performances by Pittsburgh bands Truth in Advertising, The Turpentiners, The Jim Dandies, School of Athens, and Nik & the Central Plains (double duty that day, see below!) You can also bid in an auction for items by local painter Mike Egan and photographer Sarah Chillson. Pittsburgh standup comedian Gab Bonesso is also listed, and I really hope she’s doing a set because she is fucking hilarious (I’ve seen her like four or five times). For the VIP price of $30, you’ll get early entry at 4:00 with an acoustic performance by Paul Luc and John Rokosz, plus local cuisine and door prizes. Check out the event’s website for more info and a list of sponsors, follow the CHS charity on Twitter, RSVP for the event on Facebook, and buy tickets ahead of time by calling 412.821.4447 or ordering online.

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The Slow Reel CD Release! / Nik & the Central Plains / Carousel / Brillobox / Doors 9:30 / $6
There’s something endlessly appealing about the way The Slow Reel puts a modern spin on classic rock vibes and winds up with some catchy tunes. And they put on a hell of an energetic live show, to boot. They’re set to release their second LP, Governor’s Daughter to the world at large and the cheap $6 admission gets you a CD, as well, so there’s no excuse not to go. Jim has already lauded the tale of the governor’s daughter in his Song Diary post on “We Get Along” and we’ve got another album track above. Also playing are folk-rock pals Nik & the Central Plains (you know we love them, c’mon) and Carousel. This will be a sweet party, for sure.

Facebook event / Buy tix online / Call 412.621.4900
The Slow Reel on the web: Facebook / Bandcamp
Nik & the Central Plains on the web: Website / Facebook

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Delicious Pastries / Triggers / The Nervous Jerks / Howlers / 10:00 / $5
Delicious Pastries are a Pittsburgh band that I’ve always hoped to catch but somehow keep missing. Judging by their recordings I’ve heard and what I’ve read about their live show, they would fit snugly into the Elephant 6 collective without batting an eye. They’re playing at smoky (or maybe not anymore?) Howlers with indie-pop outfit Triggers (self-described as the “mutant musical child” of “Elvis Costello [shagging] The Cars and XTC”) and a noise-rock rock band from Ohio, The Nervous Jerks. This oughta be interesting, and it’s right down the block from the Brillobox, so you can bounce back and forth between this and the Slow Reel show, if you so desire. I might try to do that.

Facebook event
Delicious Pastries on the web: Facebook / Last.fm / Myspace
Triggers on the web: Facebook / Twitter
The Nervous Jerks on the web: Facebook / Bandcamp

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Sunday 06.12.2011

Neighbours / Carnegie Library – Main Branch / 1:30 pm / FREE + all ages
I don’t know how a Brit-pop/garage-rock/soul kinda revival band will sound in the halls of a public library, but here’s your chance to find out! Pittsburgh’s Neighbours (now with a British “u”!) are playing at the 11th annual “Summer Reading Extravaganza”, an all-afternoon event with live music, a used book sale, puppet shows, a meet-and-greet with local celebs, dance workshops, and more. The band will perform in the Quiet Reading Room (!?) at 1:30, so be sure to catch their set amidst a cavalcade of activities inside and out. Check out the library’s website for more info.

Neighbours on the web: Facebook / Twitter / Bandcamp

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So many choices, so little time! Where will yinz be this weekend? Let us know, and see ya around town.

Filed under: Homegrown Goodness, Live Music