Weird Al on new music, Sabrina Carpenter, a decade of ‘Mandatory Fun’ and 40 years of ‘Eat It’
Ten years ago, “Weird Al” Yankovic made history, as he is wont to do. “Mandatory Fun,” his 14th and final studio album, hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It was not only unprecedented for Yankovic, but it was the first comedy album to reach the top spot since 1963’s...
Priscilla Presley suing former associates for elder abuse, theft of $1 million
Priscilla Presley is suing several former business associates, alleging financial elder abuse and seeking over $1 million in damages. The widow of legendary rock musician Elvis Presley filed the legal documents on Thursday, claiming she was forced into “a form of indentured servitude,” according to TMZ. The 79-year-old is accusing...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 19-21
If Picklesburgh isn’t your jam, there are still plenty of things to do around the area this weekend. Whatever your hobby or favorite pastime, you can check out one (or more!) of these five things to do. Tekko 2024 Anime fans from all over the region will come together throughout...
Stephen Pearcy concert review: Former Ratt singer celebrates 40th anniversary of ‘Out of the Cellar’ album in Pittsburgh showVideo
Stephen Pearcy, the former lead singer of Ratt, is touring to mark the 40th anniversary of the glam metal band’s landmark album, “Out of the Cellar.” With hits like “Round and Round,” “Back for More” and “Wanted Man,” the band’s debut studio album went triple platinum and later launched the...
English folk-punk artist Billy Bragg brings activist show to Palace Theatre
Although Billy Bragg, a folk-punk artist from Great Britain, has been coming to the U.S. for 40 years, he’s never been to Greensburg — before this week. When he arrives, Bragg said he plans to stroll through the downtown to get a feel for the character of the communtity. That...
Jack Black ends Tenacious D tour after bandmate’s Trump shooting comment
The comedy rock duo Tenacious D — made up of Jack Black and Kyle Gass — has canceled the rest of their tour after Gass’ remarks about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. While onstage at a concert in Sydney on Sunday, Gass was presented with a birthday cake and...
Mastodon bassist Troy Sanders talks about 20th anniversary of ‘Leviathan’ ahead of Pittsburgh showVideo
Doing a tour tied to the anniversary of any old album would not really appeal to Troy Sanders, the bassist/singer for the heavy metal band Mastodon. But the band’s upcoming tour, marking 20 years since “Leviathan,” their seminal concept album based loosely around “Moby-Dick,” was released is a different story....
Ingrid Andress offers explanation for panned national anthem performance at MLB Home Run Derby
Country singer Ingrid Andress’ performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Monday night at MLB’s Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas, has been been universally roasted. With painful pauses, the Grammy-nominated singer’s a cappella version has been called “the Star-Strangled Banner” and worse on social media. By Monday afternoon, Andress released...
Wiz Khalifa arrested after smoking cannabis in Eastern European country
Wiz Khalifa was arrested in Romania on July 14 on illegal drug possession charges. The Pittsburgh rapper was found with “over 18 grams” of cannabis, according to the translated official press release from the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism in Romania. Cannabis is considered a “risk...
Chris Stapleton comes off as smooth as ‘Tennessee Whiskey’ at Star Lake
Country musician Chris Stapleton is just plain good in concert. With no frills, only great musicians behind him — including his wife, Morgane, onstage singing backup — the multi-platinum singer-songwriter put on an unforgettable show for a sold-out crowd at the Pavilion at Star Lake on Friday night as part...
Train jams at Stage AE as Pat Monahan enjoys home state welcome
Pat Monahan was over the moon to be back in Pennsylvania. The Erie native — and last remaining original member of Grammy-winning pop rock band Train — made sure to let the crowd know about his local roots throughout Train’s Thursday night show at Stage AE. “It’s so good to...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 12-14
From bombastic battle demonstrations to silent parties, a variety of events will be taking place around Pittsburgh this weekend. It’s always a good time to try something new. Find an activity to fit into your busy summer schedule here! Quiet Reading Party Haven’t managed to finish that beach read just...
Northside Music Festival returns for 2nd year
Last July, the first Northside Music Festival, featuring 75 bands, brought a wide variety of music to the Deutschtown neighborhood. Festival organizer Ben Soltesz was pleased with the results of that inaugural offering. “It worked out really well,” he said. He cited two aspects as particularly successful. The first was...
Taking Back Sunday’s Adam Lazzara on Pittsburgh return, new album ‘152’ and moreVideo
When Taking Back Sunday played here last August, a tornado just a few miles from the Four Chord Music Festival wreaked havoc with their plans. “The festival got shut down, delayed, everybody seek shelter, that kind of thing,” singer Adam Lazzara said in a recent Zoom call. “So rather than...
Redd Kross bassist Steven McDonald on double album, documentary, memoir ahead of Pittsburgh showVideo
As far as Steven McDonald could remember, Redd Kross has never played a headline show in Pittsburgh. The bassist for the longtime power pop/punk band recalled driving through the city sometime in the 1980s, but their only shows here were in support of other bands (1997 with The Presidents of...
Latrobe rapper returns from tour, will headline August Hard Rock show
Latrobe rapper Sean Lewandowski, who goes by the moniker Sean Ski, spent his spring playing Canadian venues with fellow MC Chris Webby on his “Last Wednesday” tour. And after a couple more shows, he’ll get a chance to headline his first Pittsburgh performance in August. “After I do two shows...
Joe Bonsall, celebrated tenor in the country and gospel group Oak Ridge Boys, dies at 76
Joe Bonsall, Grammy award winner and celebrated tenor of the country and gospel group the Oak Ridge Boys, died Tuesday. He was 76. Bonsall died from complications of the neuromuscular disorder Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, according to a statement from representatives of his family. “Joe loved to sing. He loved to...
Pittsburgh vocalist Aryana Kapree heading to Grammy Camp
Woodland Hills High School rising senior Aryana Kapree is just a few days away from heading to Grammy Camp 2024 at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles — the highly selective music program begins July 13. Cheerleading is one of her many passions, along with football and live music; she...
Norah Jones concert review: Soul singer hits all the right notes in Heinz Hall show
After exploding onto the music scene in 2002 with her debut solo album, “Come Away With Me,” Norah Jones has been a decades-long fixture in pop jazz. She has released more than a dozen albums — both as a solo artist and with collaborators — with her most recent release,...
Rapper Jeezy highlights hip-hop’s political influence at Pittsburgh event
Rapper Jeezy — folks may remember him as Young Jeezy, which he was known as when he released his first major label album in 2005 — was in Pittsburgh on June 27, the same day as the first presidential debate. The Grammy-nominated, Atlanta-proud rapper and one of the architects of...
Train’s Pat Monahan on the band’s career, new single, live album and San FranciscoVideo
Pat Monahan, lead singer for Grammy-winning pop rock band Train, spent his formative years in northwestern Pennsylvania, moving from Erie to California when he was 19. “Do I miss the lake effect snow?” Monahan said with a laugh in a recent call. “I can’t say that I do.” Although he’s...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 5-7
Still want to keep the party going after all of the Independence Day fireworks? Here are some ways to make the best of your post-holiday weekend around town. Carnegie Independence Day Celebration For those who could still use some more fireworks and red, white and blue spangled decorations, Carnegie Borough...
Red Hot Chili Peppers concert review: Veteran rockers bring their California love to sold-out Pittsburgh showVideo
The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ love of California cannot be underestimated — with some Internet estimates putting a reference to the Golden State in about 20% of their songs. That was on full display Tuesday night in a sold-out show at the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, where the...
Ann Wilson announces cancer diagnosis, postpones Heart tourVideo
LOS ANGELES — Ann Wilson, lead singer of rock band Heart, says she has cancer and the band is postponing the remaining shows on its Royal Flush Tour while she undergoes treatment. Wilson said in a statement Tuesday that she underwent a surgery to remove a cancerous growth and is...
Jeannette resident makes most of new musical directionsVideo
So, you find yourself thinking about what it would be like to make a new start. For someone who actually followed through, meet Jeannette resident Mick Francis. As lead vocalist and primary handler of details for the up-and-coming Pittsburgh pop-punk band Lotus Kid, he seemed to be headed in what...
