Photos and review by Randy Jarosz
Concert poster by Joe Mruk
Harlan Twins
Bayardstown Social Club
Pittsburgh, PA (Strip District)
July 26, 2014
Have you ever went to great lengths to see your favorite band perform live? Have you ever sat in pouring rain with lightning flashing all around to see one of the best bands in Pittsburgh? Well, 150 or so brave souls did just that Saturday night at Bayardstown Social Club in the strip. With support from Trapper’s Harp and Roger Harvey and the Wildlife, the Harlan Twins released their 7″ ep called “Leave it Buried.”
The 5 piece band is led by James Hart and Carrie Battle on guitar and vocals. The pair have split lead vocal rolls on their past two LP’s and that hasn’t changed on the new ep, where Battle sings “Leave it Alone,” on the A side and Hart tackles the tune “Buried Alive,” on the B side. Nate Campisi held down bass duties with Greg Decarolis on keys and Nick Charters on drums.
With rain taking over and lightning circling the city skies Hart greeted the crowd, “remember, if for some reason this is our last show, it was really fucking good, right?” The crew started off with “Quiet Little,” and immediately broke out “Leave it Alone,” where Battle howls out the catchy number. Hart and Battle trade lines on “Sailor’s Life.” The crowd snuck in their own song, singing happy birthday to Miss Battle, while eating some birthday cake. The Harlans fit in the foot stomping “White Light,” from their debut album. With a bottle of whiskey in hand, Hart blew away the drenched crowd with his Joe Cocker-esqe vocals on “Canine Teeth.” In similar fashion Hart also killed it on the new tune “Buried Alive,”
The stage lights flickered most of the night and the band was even wet, as water seeped through their pop up canopy, but on that night it wasn’t about the big stage or the bright lights. Hardcore fans stuck it out to hear three amazing bands and probably would have stayed until sunrise if the police didn’t rain on the Harlan Twins parade.
You can catch the Harlan Twins this Friday, August 1 for free at South Park Amphitheater with Serena Ryder, at R.A.N.T festival in Lawrenceville August 16 at Cattivo, Rumba Café August 22 in Columbus, or September 6 at Brillobox.
Roger Harvey and the Wildlife
Harlan Twins
