Iron Butterfly Set to Soar Again at Altar Bar; Stage AE Hosts City and Colour and Bahamas (Wed., 12/2/15)

1) Although you can’t really call Iron Butterfly a one-hit wonder, the band’s one big hit was so iconic that it has taken on a life of its own. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”— captured above in its full 17-minute glory—was the title track on the first album to be certified platinum, one that has sold over 30 million copies since its 1968 release. The song also embodies just about everything that made rock of the late ‘60s lovable, infamous, and trippy—from an unmistakable downbeat to inscrutable lyrics (which may or may not be an intoxicant-induced garbling of “In the Garden of Eden”), a distinctive drum solo (which starts at around 6:25 in the video), a spacey yet hard-driving sound that’s somewhere between psychedelic rock and heavy metal, and an attitude that says We are flyin’ high and y’all better watch out. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” has been parodied on the “The Simpsons” and used as the theme music for a New York fashion show. The tune has inspired countless private air-guitar solos by fans of all ages … and it’s fun to think that in some distant future age, when archaeologists dig through the relics of our civilization, they may seize upon “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” as a cultural artifact that typifies our rituals and values.

As for the band: Iron Butterfly itself has refused to die, surviving three breakups by re-emerging from the cocoon of dormancy each time. Iron Butterfly’s current lineup visits The Altar Bar to play a set including other songs from the repertoire, such as “Stone Believer” and “Butterfly Bleu.” But you know what the highlight will be. With Hepcat Dilemma, From the Feet Up, and The Even Three. 7:30 p.m. 1620 Penn Ave., Strip District.

2) Singer-songwriter Dallas Green needed only to look to his name when he was searching for a performance moniker. His first name is a city; his last, a color. (Or, “colour,” as they spell it in his native Canada.) Ergo, City and Colour! Green began City and Colour in 2005 as a side project while a member of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. Although Alexisonfire’s future is in flux these days, City and Colour is still going strong. Green recently invited his touring band into the studio with him. (Members include Jack Lawrence, bassist for both The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.) The result was this year’s If I Should Go Before You. The album went to number one on the Canadian charts and number 29 on the US Billboard 200. If the states have warmed to City and Colour, City and Colour has warmed to the states. Although Toronto will always be home, he recently bought a house in Nashville, and he’s currently touring the U.S. His first post-Thanksgiving stop will be Stage AE. Like City and Colour, opener Bahamas is the project of a single person—Afie Jurvanen. Before Bahamas, Jurvanen played guitar in Feist’s touring band, and he has also opened for Wilco. Doors open 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (CM)

3) By the Sea – Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt star in this romantic drama … written and directed by Jolie. The two haven’t appeared together in a movie since 2005’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith – it was on that shoot they met and fell in love. This time they’re playing a married couple in the 1970’s. She’s a former dancer and he’s a writer and the two have been going through a few rough patches. As a last-ditch attempt to save their marriage they take a vacation in out-of-the-way European towns where in one they encounter eccentric villagers. Don’t know if it’ll be any good, but they’re beautiful and it was filmed in Malta, which is also beautiful, so if nothing else it’ll be a good-looking movie. Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

4) Love the Coopers – I was recently in a store looking to purchase balloons for a Halloween party I was hosting … and had to shove the Christmas decorations out-of-the-way to get to them! I’m convinced the day after Christmas is soon going to be considered the start of the next Christmas shopping season. If that makes you happy and you’re one of those people who thinks Christmas doesn’t come soon enough, you’ll definitely want to check out this ensemble comedy film about four generations of the Cooper family who come together for Christmas and discover, even with all the family drama and whatnot, there’s no place like home for the holidays. With Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, Marisa Tomei, John Goodman, Diane Keaton, Anthony Mackie, Alan Arkin, and Ed Helms. The film, incidentally, was shot here in Pittsburgh—let’s hope it meets a better fate than the most recent Pittsburgh-lensed film The Last Witch Hunter. Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

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