WPTS brings indie favorites The Wrens to campus

Ah, indie music. The trials and tribulations of being a lesser-known rock band, taking a… Ah, indie music. The trials and tribulations of being a lesser-known rock band, taking a low-budget tour on the road in a minivan or Winnebago — depending on just how low-budget the tour is — and still rocking the pants off the few tens of people that come out to that random venue to see you play.

A few giants among the indie-rock scene make their way to Pittsburgh tonight for a very special show sponsored by “the University of Pittsburgh’s No. 1 radio station,” 92.1 FM WPTS.

The Wrens, a four-man assault on the music world, have been at it for well over a decade, having started right around the close of the 80s. An airy guitar sound that goes from soothing to rocking is a nice touch to their poignant lyrics and sleek style. Their latest album, The Meadowlands, released on Absolutely Kosher Records, has received rave reviews from music publications such as “Pitchfork” and “Stylus Magazine.”

Because The Wrens have been around for so long, they have found their way around the music industry, making their own atlas of sorts along the way. Going through several different record labels in hopes of producing a solid record and receiving the support to promote such a record seemed a never-ending search for The Wrens.

They have done work with the Saddle Creek label, which released a single for the band, and Grass Records, which released their album Secaucus in 1996. Grass Records later changed its name to Wind Up Records and unleashed the band Creed on the music world — whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is still to be determined.

The Wrens later found their way to Drive Thru Records and MCA, and have had their music played on various MTV programs, a large feat for a band that is on an independent label and doesn’t even have a video on the station.

Playing with The Wrens are local anti-heroes The Karl Hendricks Trio. The three-man band from Pittsburgh also has received rave reviews for their history of works, including their most recent release, The Jerks Win Again.

Released in the summer of 2003, Jerks is filled with distortion and a powerful, offbeat rhythm section, making for some interesting music. They bring humor into their music with titles like “The Overweight Lovers” and “The Summer of Warm Beer,” but with thoughtful lyrics and incredible musicianship, The Karl Hendricks Trio is a great band hidden under the radar in our local music scene.

This show is the first of two that WPTS has planned for this week. Read tomorrow’s section for a preview of the other great show that features Mates of State, Palomar, The Oranges Band and Missing Pilots.

The Wrens and The Karl Hendricks Trio will play at the Public Health Auditorium tonight at 9 p.m., with tickets costing a mere $8. For more information, call (412) 648-7990.