Pittsburgh has seen its ups and downs in the local music scene in the past few years. Between… Pittsburgh has seen its ups and downs in the local music scene in the past few years. Between Club Laga closing, Rosebud closing, then re-opening as The World, then closing again, and venues like The Rex struggling to keep their doors open, the local music scene looks pretty bleak from the outside looking in.

But what the casual observer doesn’t notice is that there is a strong community of local musicians and promoters who are willing to work to keep the scene alive. For every band that calls it quits, there are two more trying to get their names out there. And the little venue that could, Mr. Small’s, is doing everything it can to help out the bands from the ‘Burgh.

If you don’t already know, there’s a little thing called “100 bands in 31 days” going on right now. The month of January is littered with local bands on display. The next big night everyone should notice comes Monday when Cherry Monroe, Science Fiction Idols and the Yards play Club Cafe.

Cherry Monroe, which consists of members from Pittsburgh and the Cleveland area, has recently been signed to a two-album deal with Universal Records through the indie label Rust Records, the label that was the first to push the band. The Yards are also on Rust and have their album coming out later this year. With the talent that they possess, they will be sure to follow Cherry Monroe’s lead and get picked up as well.

February brings us to the 19th annual Graffiti Rock Challenge, Pittsburgh’s largest battle of the bands, held at Mr. Small’s every Saturday of the month, with the final night taking place on March 5.

Every year, bands battle for a multitude of prizes that include things like recording time and a CD-release party.

In the past two years, I have participated as a judge for the Rock Challenge and have seen a good mix of talent grace the stage. Audience members fill the venue and support their favorite bands like it’s their job.

Beyond these events, there are local showcases at Hard Rock Cafe, 31st Street Pub and Mr. Small’s just about every weekend.

In a time when the local scene is struggling, it rests on the people of the city to decide whether they want it to survive. It seems that the population of Pittsburgh is increasingly growing older and that there isn’t a push for young talent. Everyone is content with having the old-school rock of Pittsburgh as its calling card.

Bands like The Clarks, Rusted Root and Donnie Iris are great to have as representatives of our music scene, but there is so much more to this scene that needs to see its way past the concrete jungle that is the Steel City.

There is youth in the music scene now, and the bands are filled with talent. They’re just itching to break out and be heard, but with venues closing and a lack of support from the citizens in this city, it seems harder and harder for them to do so.

This is where Pitt students come into play.

Many of you have friends who play in a band or at least know someone who knows someone who is in a band. Go out and support that band. Listen to the band they’re playing with — they’re probably local too — and then check out a future show of that band. Pretty soon, you’ll be a local music fan, singing along to songs that someone your age wrote — and the band will appreciate you for it.

Brian Palmer is the A’E editor of The Pitt News and an avid local music supporter. He asks that you support local music in whatever capacity you can. E-mail him at [email protected].