February 22, 2009 - In the 1990s, Oakland was the hub of live music in Pittsburgh.

The Decade on Atwood Street, Graffiti in North Oakland, and Club Laga on Forbes Avenue hosted an array of national and local bands.

As the first decade of the millennium ends, Oakland has faded as a nexus of live music, with all of the above venues long shuttered.

Every vacuum, however, creates an opportunity. Two areas have picked up the live-music mantle -- the Lawrenceville-Bloomfield corridor, and the South Side.

"I think from the perspective of someone looking to hear local music or up-and-coming national bands, Lawrenceville-Bloomfield is the spot," says Greg Dutton, a singer and guitarist for the band Lohio.

Dutton points out six venues -- Brillobox, the Thunderbird Cafe and Belverdere's in Lawrenceville; and Howler's Coyote Cafe, the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern in Bloomfield, and the Garfield Artworks -- as venues that are "friendly to the scene. ... It's easy for Pittsburgh bands to book shows there."

The 31st Street Pub in the Strip District, and Arsenal Lanes and Your Inner Vagabond in Lawrenceville, also host live bands.

Jon Belan, a musician with the bands Punchline and Gene the Werewolf, said Diesel in the South Side and Mr. Small's Funhouse Theatre in Millvale are clubs that appeal to the under-21 crowd while also catering to adult audiences. But he's aware of the noise coming from the northeast corner of town.

"The fact that there is another place in the Pittsburgh area that has live music definitely gives you a reason not to be bored," Belan says.

The South Side features Club Cafe, Diesel and the Rex Theatre, which host a variety of national touring bands. Other clubs on the long strip that is Carson Street include the Smiling Moose, the Lava Lounge and Excuses; all are geared toward hosting local performers.

The nature of the South Side, however, has changed, according to Abby Krizner, a musician in the Motorpsychos and a producer and music director at WXDX-FM.

"The South Side has changed in the last five years or so, with an increase of hip-hop and pop clubs," Krizner says. "So bands will find themselves limited. Bloomfield, Garfield and Lawrenceville are definitely picking up the slack, not only offering the audiences more eclectic choices in music, but giving more bands stage time."

Dutton especially raves about how the staff at Brillobox treats performing musicians.

Cindy Howes, host of the Morning Mix on WYEP-FM, points out another reason for the venue's popularity.

"With the smoking ban in effect (at Brillobox), it has made it all the more pleasant to go see local bands perform," Howes says. "And it's good to see that the ban did not affect their business. The place is always packed -- lately more so than ever."

Although the number of venues has diminished, there still are places to hear live music in Oakland.

At Carnegie Mellon University, two sites -- The Underground, a lounge area with a cafe, and the Rangos Ballroom, a larger space -- host live music.

"These were both easy to find and the tickets (one free admission, one $7) were well priced," Howes says.

Read more: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/s_612711.html

Publication: Pittsburgh Tribune Review

<< Back to Newsroom