Punk, Indie, Metal, Skaters. Pittsburgh Rocks Harder that anywhere else!

Jon Litle
Apr 27, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Jun 20, 2023

There was indeed a thriving skateboard punk scene in Pittsburgh during the 1980s and 1990s.

Pittsburgh's skateboarding culture was heavily influenced by punk rock music, which was popular among skateboarders at the time. Skateboarders in Pittsburgh would often gather at skate parks, DIY spots, and local punk rock shows, where they would showcase their skills on their boards and enjoy the music.

One notable figure in Pittsburgh's skateboarding and punk rock scene was Tom Groholski, who was a professional skateboarder and punk musician in the 1980s. Groholski was a member of the influential punk rock band Half Life and helped establish the now-legendary "Fukk Tour" of skateboarding events that traveled through the East Coast during the mid-1980s.

Other notable skateboarders and punk musicians from Pittsburgh include Andy Peters, who was a professional skateboarder and member of the punk band Mud City Manglers, and Ed Selego, who was a professional skateboarder and a member of the punk band the Working Poor.

Overall, the skateboard punk scene in Pittsburgh played an important role in shaping the city's culture during the 1980s and 1990s, and its influence can still be felt in the city's skateboarding and music communities today.

Where do the punk, heavy, metal, death, sped metal, goth, underground, unsigned, experimental bands play? Everywhere!!!!!! Underground venues we like: -Rock Room -Club Cafe -222 ORMSBY -Sub Alpine Society in Turtle Creek

-Porky's in Etna

-Gooski's -Smiling Moose -Bottle Rockets Social Hall -Black Forge II in McKees Rock

-Crafthouse Stage in South Hills (near White Hall I think, got lost) also Bowling and Axe Throwing.

-Mr. Roboto Project Yes, punk rock bands have played in the Millvale neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Millvale is known for its vibrant music scene and has been home to several venues that have hosted punk rock shows over the years, including Mr. Smalls Theatre, The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls, and The Attic.

Mr. Smalls Theatre, in particular, has become a popular destination for punk rock shows in Pittsburgh. The venue is a converted church that has been hosting concerts since 2003 and has welcomed many punk rock bands over the years, including The Dead Kennedys, Descendents, Bad Religion, and NOFX, among others.

The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls, which is located within the Mr. Smalls complex, is also a popular spot for punk rock shows. The Funhouse is a smaller, more intimate venue that has hosted a variety of punk and alternative bands over the years.

In addition to these venues, there are also several bars and clubs in the Millvale neighborhood that occasionally host punk rock shows, such as The Riverfront Grille and The Panza Gallery. Overall, Millvale has a rich history of supporting punk rock music and continues to be a hub for live music in the Pittsburgh area.

Black Flag @ The Altar Bar, 2014

Airplay in Pittsburgh WYEP 91.3 features Pittsburgh artists by 1. Artist of the Week 2. On air weeky plus they feature Pittsburgh bands intermittently in normal rotation. Submit your tunes here - https://wyep.org/pittsburgh/

Our favorite music are the unsigned underground bands. Listed in no particular order. Disclaimer - Sometimes songs don't convey over the air that's why we recommend showing up to the shows.

Music is not a competition. it's a form of art arranging 12 notes

in infinite number of formulas, a combination of rhythm, rhyme, repetition, backbeat, melody or lack of...

Millvale Music Festival May 19 & 20, 300 bands Catch "the Filthy Low Down" at Mr. Smalls. Plus too many Kickass Bands to name here is short Herbivore, Star Viper, Tiny Wars, DiLisio, Fuck Yeah Dinosaurs, Zinnia's Garden (ethereal) Stone Cold Killer, Dedicated Beats (instrumental), Plasmid (punk) Sommelier set at the Double L, Warehouse 11 (also at Double L) - Grand Piano...We're keeping an eye on Tire Iron featuring a fiery guitarist Bridget Riley (w/ the most rad pixy cut hairdo) For legit R&B, Soul, Music by the Black Community Arts Tavern in the Strip District is the "go to."

We're adding to this list, submit us your tracks via our contact link

Devour some kick ass killer rock songs via streaming platforms bandcamp, soundcloud, spotify...

Death Grind , high recommend

Stream it for your daily adrenaline fix and therapeutic sweat. Experience the anger and edge ... a catharsis of mind, body and spirit.

Listen to Pittsburgh gem // Narakah

Band name - The Neverweres Song title - Nothing to Lose

Written by Greg Loop a veteran of national and local punk / hardrock scene Video feature

YouTube (owned by Google) marked this video as age-restricted (ridiculous)

Next two shows: Sat June 24 at Club Cafe with Crooked Cobras Doors 8p $10 cover

Sat July 14 Chopper Show with Roadkill , Sub Alpine in Turtle Creek 6pm start

The Mexican War Streets New to Pgh, members of Ant Farmers, Neal Langford (original The Shins) Church Camp, Rivet Gang -a new genre called "Cartoon Rock"

Watch the Video

best skating video I've seen for Pittsburgh to date

Pro Skater Tyler Hannah aka JTH from Pittsburgh, PA

Follow Tyler Hannah on Instagram @JTH96, some of the most astounding videos w/ great shots of Pittsburgh. He tours US and just returned from West Coast tour (Oregon, California) in his 2020 Ram-Promaster (solar power and equipped with a bunk bed treatment.) It's part of Tyler's lifestyle. He's a likeable, brave, ballsy dude and surprisingly humble which is refreshing since many snowboarders, skaters, pro-athletes can be a bit over-bearing and cocky.

We're big fans of Tyler and just want to make sure he kicks some ass and doesn't blow out a knee or knock his skull around. Good kid with serious game.

Tyler doesn't make as much money as pro-golfers, NFL, etc and adopts the touring pro lifestyle almost like an underground band bumpin' around city to city looking for gigs, contests, exhibitions, etc. He's sponsored by various boards, accessories, merch suppliers including Adidas and OneUp a killer shop located near Apex Auto ( Gold Medal Winner) OneUp is located 1010 Freyburg St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, Tele - (412) 432-7007 Web https://oneupskateshop.com/ Instagram

John Tyler Hannah hails from Akron Ohio the home of DEVO. Since this is a skater, punk rock article we must transition to one of our favorite places besides Pittsburgh...Akron Ohio (the home of tires) Robert Pollard, the lead singer and songwriter of Guided by Voices, is also from Akron, Ohio.

He was born in 1957 and grew up in the city. Pollard attended the University of Akron, where he met and formed Guided by Voices in 1983. The band released their first album, "Bee Thousand," in 1990, and quickly became one of the most influential indie rock bands of the 1990s. Pollard has continued to release music with Guided by Voices, as well as with a number of solo projects and side bands. He is known for his prolific songwriting and his unique, often surreal lyrics. Pollard is a cult hero in the indie rock world, and his music has been praised by critics and fans alike. He is a true original, and his music continues to inspire and entertain.

Not just music.

Punk Art by Scott "SG" Gilday

// follow on instagram @sgartworx

These paintings are astounding.

Lovin' the Anarchy Theme (lower right over downtown)