Former Kyuss singer John Garcia on his day job, reunion talk and the desertVideo
As far as John Garcia is concerned, living a “normal” life is just fine with him, with the biggest angst getting his 14-year-old son to make his bed. “You know, I hate to really admit it, but my life is boring, which is exactly the way I want it to...
Westmoreland bands earn 2024 nominations at independent Josie Music AwardsVideo
Three Westmoreland County bands have earned nominations for the 2024 Josie Awards, which recognizes independent musicians. Greensburg’s Derek Woods Band was nominated for “Social Impact Music Video of the Year,” for their song “Thank You For Being Here.” The song celebrates unity and diversity, and explores the importance of embracing...
Annual rich list says Paul McCartney is Britain’s 1st billionaire musician
LONDON — Paul McCartney is a billionaire Beatle. According to figures released Friday, the former member of the Fab Four is the first British musician to be worth 1 billion pounds ($1.27 billion). The annual Sunday Times Rich List calculated that the wealth of the 81-year-old musician and his wife,...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend, May 17-19
TGIF! Music, food and fun can be found around town this weekend. Here’s what you can do to unwind before Monday. Millvale Music Festival With 330 music acts, 28 stages, all within 0.6 miles, the Millvale Music Festival is back this Friday and Saturday — and it’s got more than...
Rapper NF brings intensity and vulnerability to PPG Paints concert
NF, the stage name of Michigan-born rapper Nathan Feuerstein, may not be a household name, but to the cheering crowd Wednesday night at PPG Paints Arena, he was a huge presence. On tour to promote his latest album, 2023’s “Hope,” NF bared his soul with an intensity that can knock...
The Academy of Country Music Awards are here; Luke Combs leads the nominations
Reba McEntire is hosting Thursday’s Academy of Country Music Awards, promising a night of memorable performances, including a tribute to Toby Keith. When McEntire takes the stage at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, just north of Dallas, it will be a record 17th time she’s emceed...
Soulful singer Michael McDonald looks back in his new memoir, ‘What a Fool Believes’
NEW YORK — Something stopped Michael McDonald from telling his story publicly — him. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer with multiple Grammys just didn’t think he had one. McDonald, a member of both Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers who became a singular soul solo artist with such...
Sudden Little Thrills music festival canceled
The Sudden Little Thrills music festival, which was slated to take place Sept. 7 and 8 at Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood Green, has been canceled. “We were excited to bring a new world-class music festival to Pittsburgh. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, the Sudden Little Thrills festival will not take...
Empire State Bastard guitarist Mike Vennart on the band’s origin, touring, Twitter and moreVideo
Guitarist Mike Vennart traces the beginnings of extreme metal band Empire State Bastard to about 12 years ago. “It was sort of a mythical sort of joke band — everybody goes through this stoned idiot phase of let’s pretend we’ve got a band but never actually do anything — and...
Childish Gambino drops surprise album, announces world tour with Pittsburgh stopVideo
A day after the surprise release of an album, hip-hop artist Childish Gambino announced a world tour that includes a show in Pittsburgh. Gambino, the stage name of actor Donald Glover, will bring The New World tour to PPG Paints Arena on Aug. 20. The new album “Atavista” is, according...
They Might Be Giants brought out deep cuts, fan favorites in 3rd sold-out night in Pittsburgh
They Might Be Giants have always been undefinable. The duo of Johns (John Flansburgh and John Linnell) released their first record in 1986 and have made 22 more studio albums since. They are prolific, certainly. Their lyrics are often absurd and funny, and their voices aren’t conventional, but they have...
Jeannette Community Band kicks off 36th season on Memorial Day weekend
The Jeannette Community Band will open its 36th season with a May 26 concert at the Jeannette American Legion, 109 S. Fifth St.. The 7 p.m. concert will feature the band of more than 60 volunteer musicians from the city and surrounding communities. In addition to director Ron Stemple, Maria...
Free outdoor concerts bring Irwin community, businesses, artists together
Borough groups and businesses are taking advantage of the warm weather to bring a summer full of music to Irwin’s downtown. “We wanted to please a variety of crowds with different types of music, so we branched out this year with some acts little different from what we’ve done in...
Babehoven’s Maya Bon on co-writing ‘Water’s Here In You,’ defining meaning in songs, compilation albumVideo
Maya Bon, the frontwoman of the indie folk rock duo Babehoven, said the band’s new album involved letting go of some of her control, but the new dynamic felt really exciting. In the past, Bon wrote the songs then brought them to bandmate/partner Ryan Albert for further collaboration. This time,...
Bad Religion and Social Distortion, titans of punk, can still rock
Even after more than 40 years, both Bad Religion and Social Distortion can still rock harder than many of the bands they’ve inspired. Touring together for the first time, the punk pioneers put on a show full of face-melting guitar solos, mosh pits and a lot of nostalgia Friday night...
Latrobe rapper prepares to head out on 2nd international tourVideo
Sean Lewandowski started writing rhymes in high school after discovering hip-hop in the early 1990s, but he began taking it seriously after hearing Kanye West’s 2004 record, “The College Dropout.” “It gave me the confidence to pursue rapping, because it was such a breath of fresh air and expanded my...
Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber are expecting a baby, renew their vows
NEW YORK — Cue up his 2010 megahit “Baby.” Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber (nee Baldwin) are expecting their first child together — and have renewed their vows. A representative for Hailey Bieber confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that the model is just over six months pregnant. The...
Duquesne student’s journey from a cracked violin to master’s degree, fellowship
At age 9, Jesse Thompson heard a violin for the first time and was mesmerized by it during a student assembly as a public school student in Williamsport, Pa. There was one problem. There were not enough violins in school for him to study it in class. “I was bawling...
Live Casino Pittsburgh releases summer concert lineup of local artists
The three venues at Live Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield will put on a summer concert series, with a lineup comprised of local artists. The performances are free. Here’s the lineup for each of the venues: Sports & Social May 10: Brothers Kelly May 17: Tres Lads May 24: Metro May...
Live Nation’s $25 sale in Pittsburgh includes Jennifer Lopez, Robert Plant, more
Jennifer Lopez, Bret Michaels and Robert Plant/Alison Kraus highlight the Pittsburgh shows available for just $25 per ticket in Live Nation’s Concert Week sale. Running from Wednesday through May 14, the all-in price of $25 includes fees but doesn’t include sales tax. Supplies are limited for the tickets, available online...
The Decemberists highlight new album in 1st Pittsburgh show in 6 years
After the Decemberists finished playing their new song “Burial Ground” — an ode to hanging out in graveyards — frontman Colin Meloy mused about the crowd vibe Tuesday night at Stage AE in Pittsburgh. “I hope I didn’t bring people down,” he joked. There was little chance of that happening,...
Taylor Swift bill is signed into Minnesota law, boosting protections for online ticket buyers
MINNEAPOLIS — People buying tickets online for concerts, sporting events and other live events in Minnesota will be guaranteed more transparency and protection under a so-called Taylor Swift bill signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Tim Walz. The law, prompted by the frustration a legislator felt at not being able...
The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis deliver powerful punk/jazz punch in Pittsburgh showVideo
The Messthetics are not a typical jazz band by any means. With a rhythm section comprised of bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty — both formerly of punk legends Fugazi — alongside guitarist Anthony Pirog, the Messthetics blur the lines between jazz and punk. On their third album, the...
Police investigating shooting outside Drake’s mansion that left security guard wounded
TORONTO — Police are investigating a shooting outside rapper Drake’s mansion in Toronto that left a security guard seriously wounded. Authorities did not confirm whether Drake was at home at the time of the shooting, but said his team is cooperating. The shooting happened around 2 a.m. Tuesday in the...
With help from AI, Randy Travis got his voice back. Here’s how his first song post-stroke came to be
With some help from artificial intelligence, country music star Randy Travis, celebrated for his timeless hits like “Forever and Ever, Amen” and “I Told You So,” has his voice back. In July 2013, Travis was hospitalized with viral cardiomyopathy, a virus that attacks the heart, and later suffered a stroke....
