War on Drugs Play Stage AE; Donnie Iris and The Cruisers + Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers at The Palace

1)  The War on Drugs’ songs are long, slow burns, conjuring images of flattened vistas, and harking back to artists like The Waterboys and Bruce Springsteen. Synthesizers and horns, plus the occasional “woo!” from Adam Granduciel, assist in the ambiance. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, band has played various stages including Lollapalooza, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The War on Drugs are touring in support of their 2021 album, I don’t Live Here Anymore. Doors open 7 p.m. Stage AE, 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (R.H.)

2) Things are going to heat up a lot this month with a double bill of two outstanding Pittsburgh rock groups at the Palace—Donnie Iris and The Cruisers and Joe Grusheky and The Houserockers. Sure to be on the set list for “King Cool” and his Cruisers are top favorites including “Ah Leah” and “Love Is Like a Rock.” Iris was once a member of the Pittsburgh group The Jaggerz in the early ’70s who had a monster hit with the “The Rapper,” which reached no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Pittsburgh rock royalty Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers have remained a constant on the Pittsburgh music scene as the city morphed from steel mills to high-tech foundry. Grushecky is a consummate singer/songwriter. Grushecky and The Houserockers in 2018 released a new, first-rate album, More Yesterdays than Tomorrows. There are many hot tracks on the release including “The Voice.” 7:30 p.m. tonight with a second show on February 19, Palace Theatre, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. (R.H.)

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