January Concert Guide: Drive-by Truckers, Lotus, Rubblebucket, Papadosio, The Silencers, The Skyliners, and Billy Price

Rubblebucket’s lead singer and saxophonist Annakalmia Traver performing near the front of the stage at the 2016 Thrival Music Festival. (photo: Rick Handler.)

January is usually a slower month for concerts. However, it’s good sometimes to travel in less frothy water. This allows other quality acts to get a turn in the limelight. Such is the case this month. Several jam bands will be visiting the ‘Burgh: Lotus at Mr. Smalls Theatre and Papadosio plays two nights at Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall. Another band that knows how to jam is Rubblebucket. See them at Mr. Smalls as well. The Drive-By Truckers and The Strumbellas are there too. Martin Sexton is in concert at City Winery.

Several legendary Pittsburgh performers are in action this month. One of Pittsburgh’s first big bands, The Skyliners, play Jergel’s Rhythm Grille. Another big group, The Silencers, are in concert at City Winery. Perennial Pittsburgh favorite, Billy Price, plays Hard Rock Cafe.

The Concert Guide features (in chronological order) Spotlight Picks, Other Shows of Interest, and Big Shows on the Horizon. Get out and see what pleases you, whether it’s one of our concert picks or something entirely different. Mike Vargo (M.V.) also contributed to this guide.

Spotlight Picks

Saturday, January 11

Pittsburgh soul and blues legend Billy Price knew from an early age that he wanted to be a singer. Growing up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Price (then known by his formal name, William Pollak) sang in grade school and had the most popular bands in junior and senior high. And of course the band was doing all soul songs. He also had a band while attending Penn State University. After graduating he was in the Rhythm Kings, even playing the famous Fox Cafe in Shadyside. He was noticed by the late renowned blues rock guitarist, Roy Buchanan, who drafted him to be the lead singer of his band. Post Buchanan, Price formed the highly talented Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band. And after closing the chapter on the Keystone Rhythm Band after many years, he went on to have a richly rewarding solo career which included being nominated for and winning numerous national blues awards including the prestigious Blues Music Award. He even recorded an album with the late great soul singer Otis Clay. Now Price is ready to reach a new zenith in his career with his first ever album of all original songs, Person of Interest. See our story on the making of the album. He will be performing these and many of his classic tunes at Hard Rock Cafe. KOZ opens. 7 p.m. 230 W. Station Square Dr., Station Square. (R.H.)

Billy Price is always ready to sing the blues.

Wednesday, January 15

How on earth did The Strumbellas get their name? Contrary to what some believe, it wasn’t from an exotic variety of mushroom. Back in 2008—when the alt-rockers first formed in Lindsay, Ontario—songwriter-vocalist Simon Ward was noodling over potential band names. Somehow he fastened onto “The Umbrellas.” But that sounded too plain, so he tweaked it to Strumbellas, and they’ve been rocking ever since. The band has won Juno Awards (Canada’s equivalent of the Grammys) and other honors. Their 2019 album Rattlesnake had mutliple popular tracks, such as “Salvation” and “One Hand Up”—the latter being used as the election theme song that year for Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party. Currently The Strumbellas are touring in support of their latest album, 2024’s Part Time Believer. Simon Ward no longer performs with the group but the rest of the lineup remains loaded. They bring their Part Time Believer Tour to Mr. Smalls Theatre, with special guest Wildermiss. Doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (M.V.)

Friday, January 17 

Rubblebucket mixes indie, jazz, and psychedelic rock. The band started a dance party during its set at the 2016 Thrival Music Festival. The party culminated with the band parading through the audience during “Came Out of a Lady.” Alex Toth sat on one concert-goer’s shoulders while still playing the trumpet. Singer and saxophonist Annakalmia Traver then announced it was his birthday. Toth and the audience couldn’t have looked happier. Traver and Toth met at the University of Vermont as music majors; Rubblebucket, active since 2007, is based in Brooklyn, New York City. The band has played “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and NPR’s “Tiny Desk.” In 2024 Rubblebucket released a studio LP, The Year of the Banana, and an EP, Rattlesnake. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes to Mr. Smalls Theater.  Special guest is Hannah Mohan. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (C.M., R.H.)

Saturday, January 18

The Silencers were one of Pittsburgh’s top bands in the early 1980’s and featured a talented lineup of rock and rollers that included Frank Czuri (vocals), the late Warren King (guitar), and the late Byrd Foster (drums). The group’s original material combined rock, new wave, R&B, soul, and reggae. Their main claim to fame was a video of the Silencers’ medley “Peter Gunn Theme/Remote Control/Illegal” which aired on MTV on the very day the network premiered in 1981. The video won several awards. The group released two major-label albums and three singles. Billboard magazine said of the Silencers’ debut LP Rock’n’Roll Enforcers: “The Silencers are armed with a hard hitting debut. Fronted by the aggressive vocals of Frank Czuri…the Silencers show an amazing command of rock history…This is slashing rock which goes for the jugular.” The Silencers have reloaded and you can celebrate The Silencers Live in 25. 7 p.m. at City Winery. 1627 Smallman St., Strip District. (R.H.)

Sunday, January 19

If you are from anywhere in the local area and you’re a fan of golden oldies, you know that the definitive short list of great oldies by Pittsburgh groups includes The Skyliners’ 1958 hit “Since I Don’t Have You.” The slow-dance single charted high nationally. Over the years, it went on to be covered by artists ranging from Don McLean to (believe it or not) Guns ‘N Roses. And most important, the song was credited with launching The Skyliners on an amazing career that has featured more hit singles, multiple studio albums, high-profile concert tours, and wide recognition. Although the group has often been described as a doo-wop ensemble, they’ve  preferred to call themselves simply “harmony” singers, and also sometimes get categorized under blue-eyed soul. 

But let’s not nitpick genres. The big news is that The Skyliners are marking their 66th anniversary. Naturally, the lineup has changed quite a bit. All original members are now gone, including the fabled lead singer Jimmy Beaumont (who passed away in 2017) and longtime producer-manager Joe Rock, who predeceased Beaumont. But the group keeps on harmonizing, with a current roster of vocalists Donna Groom, Mark Groom, John Sarkis, Jim Gregorakis, and Eric Bruce. Celebrate with The Skyliners at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille. Doors open 4 p.m., music at 5 p.m. 103 Slade Ln., Warrendale. (M.V.)

Saturday, January 25

Lotus has a history of playing shows on or around New Year’s Eve in Pittsburgh. The band, originally from Indiana, is known for incorporating electronic elements into its music. On 2016’s Eat the Light, the group tried something new: vocals, with a different guest musician on every track. Concerts include elaborate lighting and occasionally themed shows. One 2009 concert saw David Bowie costumes. The band members play covers as well as originals during themed shows. 2024’s How to Dream in Color is Lotus’s latest album. In 2023 they recorded a live album in Pittsburgh, Live from Steel City. They chose to record here as they consider Pittsburgh their second home. The album is a tribute to their late percussionist Chuck Morris, and his son Charlie. Both died while kayaking in 2023. It’s not New Years Eve, but you can see them at Mr. Smalls Theatre. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (C.M., R.H.)

Sunday, January 26

Drive-By Truckers are pulling the rig off the road for a show at Mr. Smalls Theatre. A stirring combination of guitars, vocals, and drums gives their music a soulful, rocking, country sound, such as on “Surrender Under Protest.” Their latest album is 2022’s Welcome 2 Club XIII. The group is from Athens, Georgia, and singer-songwriter Jason Isbell was a former member. They are  on their Southern Rock Opera Revisited tour. Southern Rock Opera is a double album by Drive-By Truckers which was released in 2001. It chronicled the adventures of a fictional southern rock band named Betamax Guillotine. This album led to early success for the band. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (C.M. R.H.)

What makes a singer-songwriter “authentic”? Well, for openers, you can’t try to be authentic, because that would be inauthentic. You’ve just got to be it. And Martin Sexton—the man with an astounding vocal range, high-hopping rhythms, and all-around top chops—has been hailed as harboring the very essence of authenticity. So far, Sexton has released 10 studio albums. Since 2001, after leaving Atlantic Records, he has been producing on his own label, Kitchen Table. Which is a nice, homey name for a recording enterprise. And nice and homey is how he likes to perform live. You won’t catch Martin Sexton in an arena concert. Instead you will find him playing intimate venues like City Winery, where he visits on his “Abbey Road Show” tour. And in case you wondered: yes indeed, the setlist is drawn from Beatles songs done Sexton style. Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. 1627 Smallman St., Strip District. (M.V.)

Friday, January 31 &  Saturday, February 1

Asheville, North Carolina has long had a reputation as a laid-back, hippie town, a Californian city which somehow drifted to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. No surprise it produced Papadosio, who play “space rock,” an amalgamation of electronic, jazz, and rock. 2023’s To Live a Making is the group’s latest album. (Also, the music video for “Epiphany” is very cute.) You can catch Papadosio at Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall where they will be performing for two consecutive nights. 8 p.m. 4053 Butler St. Lawrenceville. (C.M., R.H.)

Other Shows of Interest

Saturday, January 4
Sun King Warriors (Moondog’s Pub)
Jeff Jimerson & Airborne (Hollywood Casino at The Meadows)

Tuesday, January 7
Chad Taylor Quintet (Lounge at Greer Cabaret)

Friday, January 17
Silverstein (Stage AE)
Justin Fabus and Mary Ours (City Winery)

Saturday, January 24
Bill Toms & Hard Rain Birthday Show (Moondog’s Pub)

Monday, January 27
Silkroad Ensemble: Percussion All-Stars (Byham Theater)

Thursday, January 30
Toronzo Cannon (Moondog’s Pub)

Friday, January 31
“Beyond Stolen Moments” with The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra (MCG Jazz)
Catherine Kolos (Greer Cabaret Theater)

Big Shows on the Horizon

February 2
Hippo Campus (Stage AE)

February 4
Billy F. Gibbons (Jergel’s Rhythm Grille)

February 5
Lettuce + GZA (Stage AE)

February 7
Kelsea Ballerini (PPG Paints Arena)

February 16
Boyz II Men (Rivers Casino Event Center)

February 21
Parmalee (Roxian Theatre)

February 22
George Thorogood (Rivers Casino Events Center)

February 27
Grand Funk Railroad (Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall)

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central.

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