Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers at Crafthouse; Bill Toms and Hard Rain and Sun King Warriors Play Jergel’s; PPG Paints Hosts the Globetrotters (Fri., 12/26/25)

1) Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers are Pittsburgh rock royalty. They have risen through several incarnations—from the Brick Alley Band to Joe Grushecky and the Iron City Houserockers to the unit’s present day form—Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers—to become one of Pittsburgh’s top bands. Over the years Grushecky’s sound is one of both hard-driving rock and roll and insightful ballads. The lyrics and music seek higher ground, and find it. Top songs include “Pumping Iron,” “Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive),” and “Rock and Real.” In 2024 Grushecky released Joe Grushecky Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology and followed that up by releasing a fantastic new album with The Houserockers, Can’t Outrun a Memory. (See our story and interview with Grushecky regarding the making of the album.) A track from the LP, “This is Who We Are” made Little Steven’s Underground Garage Coolest Songs in the World 2024.

Grushecky has also released a CD version of his 1981 recording with the Iron City Houserockers, Blood on the Bricks. And most recently Grushecky dropped a hot new track, “Living in a Blues Song.” Tonight is the Third Annual Houserockers Holiday Extravaganza. Special guests at this performance will include several members from the original Iron City Houserockers. 8 p.m. Crafthouse Stage & Grill, 5024 Curry Rd., Whitehall. (R.H.)

2) Bill Toms and Hard Rain with the Soulville Horns will be rockin’ out Jergel’s Rhythm Grille this month. Toms latest album is Keep Movin’ On, released in 2021. See our story on the making of the album. Toms’ slightly raspy, deeply soulful voice and his guitar playing prowess combine with the drums, horns, and rest of the band to create a hot rock sound. He will be joined tonight by Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors. Donovan was part of the highly successful Pittsburgh rock band Rusted Root. Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors latest album is 2024’s “Like a Light.” The group stays very active in the region. 8 p.m. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale. (R.H.)

Bill Toms plays some killer lead guitar riffs (c.) while Hard Rain and the Soulville Horns jam on at a previous holiday show at Moondog’s.

Jim Donovan (jumping guitarist) & Sun King Warriors. (Photo: Erica Dilcer.)

3) As that classic whistled version of “Sweet Georgia Brown” filters through the overhead speakers, the star-spangled Harlem Globetrotters will be at PPG Paints Arena today to show off their incredibly well-coordinated, stylish b-ball tricks. They continue to tip-off against their longtime rivals the Washington generals. 1 and 6 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

4) Bill Deasy’s musical career had been successful with the Penn Hills native performing solo shows and in a band called Shiloh. It took off to a higher level in a Grove City apartment when he and a few locals got together for a jam session. Those guys, and Deasy became The Gathering Field, the ’90s-era regional favorite with the big hit “Lost in America.” Since that humble beginning, Deasy has stacked up a résumé that would help him “make it” in a place like New York or L.A. He’s had a contract with Atlantic Records, opened for Springsteen and Dylan, and his “Good Things Are Happening” was a theme song for a “Good Morning America” video. Yet he’s remained rooted in Pittsburgh. In particular, Deasy likes to celebrate the day after Christmas here with his annual Boxing Day show—that’s an official holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, and other British-related countries, as you may know—so join him for a tuneful Boxing Day at Club Cafe. 8 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. (R.H.)

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