Smokey Bellows dances with the devil
bassist Kevin Harvey and multiinstrumentalist Tom Rinn, both from the post-hardcore band Worn Colors.
“‘Devil’ is louder, more aggressive and more focused,” Mr. Bigatel says. “We have our drummer on this album. We also tried a few new things, the opener is piano, acoustic guitar and vocals and the closer is just banjo and vocals. Similarly, they’re both aggressive, poetic and accidental concept albums. I tend to write subconsciously in themes and then realize it when I’m done writing.”
This album’s theme is plain from the title and began with “Devil II,” the first song he wrote for it.
“I was a bit over-intoxicated at my girlfriend’s old apartment and had passed out on the couch and apparently was sleep-talking in the middle of the night, something about the devil. This coupled with my obsession over society’s obsession with media, screens, phones and the end of the world was the idea behind that song. ‘I’ve been watching that TV and singing about the devil in my sleep.’ The rest of the songs kind of accidentally fell into place.”
They play The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls, Millvale, with Essential Machine and Bad Custer at 7:30 p.m. Friday. $10; ticketmaster.com.
Pittsburgh band Native Alloys celebrates the release of its new album, “Hallelujah, Baby!” with a show a free show at Hambone’s, Lawrenceville, on Friday.
It’s the second album for the Pittsburgh power trio — singerguitarist Bryan Lepri, bassist Joe Pisciotta and drummer Nick Kowalski — which formed in 2014 and released its debut, “Naked Light,” in 2016.
The album ranges from a punchy pop-rock opener, “No One Cares,” to “Straw Hat,” a slow-churning rocker that evolves into a screaming sevenminute guitar jam.
They are joined by Standard Broadcast and The Great Dane at 9 p.m.
Rusted Root’s Liz Berlin will play the “Rockin’ the Church” series at Christ Lutheran Church, 910 North Ave., Millvale, on Saturday at 7 p.m.
The church asks that attendees call 412-821-4300 and leave their name, phone and number attending. Free will donations benefit local charities. Refreshments will be served.