WDVE Local Live Series
Chet Vincent and the Big Bend
Wreck Loose
Meeting of Important People
The Commonheart
The Rex Theater
November 27, 2015
Photos and re-cap by Randy Jarosz
This line up is one you’ll tell your kids about some day. These bands are that good. WDVE assembled the perfect list of bands to kick of the first local live series, spear headed by radio personality Randy Baumann. The free show was designed to celebrate Pittsburgh’s homegrown talent and introduce them to a larger audience. Both goals were met and drew a sizable crowd on one of the busiest musical weekends of the fall.
Chet Vincent and the Big Bend kicked off the evening with their brand of dirty blues rock. Vincent is known as one of Pittsburgh’s finest song writers, evident most recently on the bands latest recording, “Unconventional Dog.” They began their set with “Doubter’s Blues,” and fan favorite “Limousine,” testing newer material like “Finger Trap.” CVBB could have easily closed out the event, but proved to be the perfect way to start it.
Wreck Loose is quickly becoming a favorite to many in Pittsburgh. Max Somerville on keys and lead vocals leads a cast of big personalities and stellar musicians. With only an ep to their name, put out in 2013 and a singe released each year after, we are all feigning for a new Wreck Loose album. Their live sets actually boast a pretty deep catalog though. Always a treat to hear live are songs like “Stranded In the Kitchen,” “Hard Drugs,” and “Only You.”
Introduced by Pittsburgh mayor Bill Peduto, Meeting of Important People took the stage ready to bring down the house. The trio played a raucous set with favorites “Britney Lane Don’t Care,” and “I Know Every Street.” The highlight of their set came with the impressive new song “Only Half Grown.” A grungy blues fueled number that really shows off Josh Verbanets guitar prowess.
The Commonheart sort of came out of nowhere earlier in 2015 and have been one of the hottest bands of the year. If there was a musical event happening in the city these guys were likely part of it.
“Everybody take four steps closer,” demanded lead vocalist Clinton Clegg. The crowd obliged as the 7 piece broke into the song “Aloysius.” There is nothing quite like this band live, with Clegg’s enthralling voice grabbing the attention of everyone in the room. They continued with the song “Questions,” the groups latest single, and the sign of some more great things to come.
“These bands are on par with a any in the country,” said Randy Baumann during introductions. He is right. You can easily pick any musical genre and Pittsburgh has a band/musician as good or better.
Be on the look out for a big 2016 from these four acts with Chet Vincent and the Big Bend working on new material and Meeting of Important People already confirming back to back cd release shows at Thunderbird Cafe, February 26 and 27. If we are lucky enough maybe a full length from Wreck Loose and The Commonheart.
The Commonheart
Meeting of Important People
Wreck Loose
Chet Vincent and the Big Bend
Video courtesy of Chris Leya and LiveBurgh
