Iced Earth Brings Heat to Stage AE; Texas Hippie Coalition at Altar Bar (CPs Wed., 4/9/2014)

1) Get your head-banging hair ready to rock out with metal band Iced Earth at Stage AE as part of their Worldwide Earth Tour. Known in earlier days as Purgatory, the band has been entertaining angst-filled audiences since the mid-1980s. They’ve been influenced by a variety of artists, from Pink Floyd to Slayer, and pull from multiple sub-genres for a one-of-a-kind metal experience. With 11 studio albums, including 2013’s Plagues of Babylon, Iced Earth offers metal heads of all backgrounds something to enjoy. In a song of the same name, “Plagues of Babylon” features classic suspense-building elements as well as new twists and turns to have any fan finding their way to the pit. With special guests Sabaton, ReVamp, and Vermithrax. Doors open at 7 p.m. 400 N. Shore Dr., North Shore.

2) When you think of Texas music, chances are its about country, not rock. Now is the chance to see the Longhorn State in a new light when Texas Hippie Coalition rocks out at Altar Bar. Don’t let the name fool you; these guys’ hard rockin’ songs aren’t about peace and love. A self-proclaimed “red dirt metal” band, THC’s (aah! I see what they did there) sound pulls from Southern rock and outlaw country for a strong musical cocktail best served on the rocks. Featuring strippers, liquor, and heavy guitar riffs, “Turn It Up” and other THC songs  give audiences a Texas experience we northerners had no idea existed. Opening acts include Anti Mortem, Chip Dimonick, and Demonwülf. 8 p.m. 1620 Penn Ave., Strip District.

3) Join the best in local stand-up for a night of laughs at Improv‘s Comedy Night, featuring Mike Travers, Mike Wysocki, and Tom Musial. Travers combines original music and stand-up comedy for an early Adam Sandler-like experience (remember those early days on SNL?). Songs like “I Love You Pittsburgh” make audiences laugh at their hometown and remember why they stayed (or came back). Wysocki has been a contributor to the WDVE morning show since 2006 and a member of the Jim Krenn No Restrictions podcast crew. Musial pokes fun of locals and our yinzer accent with his famous “Pittsburgh GPS” and other fresh material. Special guest—seasoned comedian and WDVE morning show DJ Bill Crawford—also makes an appearance. 7:30 p.m. 166 E. Bridge St., Homestead.

4) Patrick Sweany doesn’t limit himself to just one musical genre. Performing at Club Cafe tonight, the singer/songwriter’s repertoire includes folk, soul, punk, and bluegrass, all marinating in a single set. Deep rooted in the blues, Sweany experiments beyond  genre norms to show us that all music has merit, if we only listen. With special guest The Weathered Road. 8 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side.

5) Some songs have stood the test of time, whether it’s a summer anthem, a movie theme, or a song played at weddings. We know them and love them, and Time Tested performs them at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille. Enjoy classic rock from the ’60s and ’70s and “brand new” playlist songs from the ’80s and ’90s. Kick back, sing along, and feel free to reminisce! 8 p.m. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale.

6) There are only three more games in the Penguins‘ regular season! Watch our boys of winter (er, spring?) take on the Detroit Red Wings at the Consol Energy Center for a nationally televised rivalry game. 8 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

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