Spoon Takes Scoop Out of CLMH; The Orwells Occupy Altar Bar (CPs Thurs., 9/11/14)

1) Indie alternative rock band Spoon takes the stage at Carnegie Library Music Hall. Readers who subscribe to satellite radio service may already be aware that Spoon has been absolutely plastering XM airwaves since their most recent release, They Want My Soul. And, when you hear a band played as often as Spoon on a hip indie radio station like XMU, it’s easy to assume that they’re the “hot new thing”; fans know they aren’t. In fact, they’ve been around for over 20 years, originating in Austin, Tex., in 1993. Since their founding, they’ve released eight full-length studio albums, which have met with considerable success. Comprising the band are founders Britt Daniel and Jim Eno (lead guitar/vocals and drums, respectively), along with bassist Rob Pope, multi-talented instrumentalist Eric Harvey, and keyboardist/guitarist Alex Fischel. Put these five men together in a recording studio or on a stage and what emerges is a clean, mellow, and ultimately mature indie rock sound. Indeed, these fellas have earned their chops in the music industry, through and through. Joined by Hamilton Leithauser and Operators. 8 p.m. 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall.

2) Though they wouldn’t be out of place at all on tour with a band like Spoon, Chicago indie rockers The Orwells serve as a stark contrast to them, given the fact that they are the “hot new thing.” Formed in 2009 by two brothers (Grant and Henry Brinner), a pair of cousins (Mario Cuomo and Dominic Corso), along with friend/familial fifth wheel Matt O’Keefe, The Orwells immediately hit the ground running. They signed their first record deal in 2011, released their debut album in 2012, graduated high school and began touring nationally in 2013, and, in 2014, released their sophomore album on a new label, Atlantic, alongside a national tour with the Arctic Monkeys. With a youthfully high energy level that you just can’t fake, as well as a raspy, raw, punk-influenced sound, it’s no wonder that The Orwells have gotten as big as they are as fast as they have. The hype is real—see for yourself as they headline at Altar Bar, with openers Skaters and Chase the Monkey. 7:30 p.m. 1620 Penn Ave., Strip District.

3) Decidedly darker, faster, angrier, louder, and raspier fare, Skeletonwitch stops off at Mr. Smalls Theater. The name “Skeletonwitch” says it all. Whether you call ‘em thrash metal, black metal, death metal, or something else entirely—it really doesn’t matter. Skeletonwitch isn’t concerned with genre—just know that they’re about as metal as metal bands come. Compared to more mainstream acts like Avenged Sevenfold, Skeletonwitch thrashes a bit harder, screams a bit louder, drums a bit faster, and generally wastes a good bit less time on melody. Formed by Ohio University students in Athens, Oh., a little over a decade ago, the band has since ballooned to national fame on the active and fanatical metal scene. Skeletonwitch serves as a great example that truly hard-working musicians can find success in an ever-more saturated and varied music industry: The guys have toured on a constant basis for almost as long as they’ve been a band, and they’ve simultaneously pumped out five studio albums, the most recent of which is 2013’s Serpents Unleashed. Joined by Ghoul, Black Anvil, and Lady Beast. 7:30 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale.

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