Too much rock for one man alone

H.T.M.L. McCarthy Commission

Funnel

Epsilon Revolt

The Channel

plus local speakers… H.T.M.L. McCarthy Commission

Funnel

Epsilon Revolt

The Channel

plus local speakers

Friday, Dec. 13

William Pitt Union Assembly Room

8 p.m.

$4 to $6

Hang around after finals this Friday for some singular performances literally in the center of campus. Five regional acts have teamed up to play for two local community groups new to the area.

Mr. Roboto Project frequenters of past and present, McCarthy Commission and H.T.M.L (He Taught Me Lies), will headline the evening in the William Pitt Union Assembly Room, a somewhat unusual venue for these bearers of punk rock tunes. H.T.M.L., who released an album earlier this year jointly on Pittsburgh labels Hard Travelin’ and Hope Records, are an honest three-piece who both rouse and quiet audiences with their shouted/screamed/spoken political lyrics, taking their cue from radicals like Joe Hill and Emma Goldman.

Friday’s show is the last ever for McCarthy Commission, whose agenda is somewhat obviously leftist. This guitar/drums/bass/singer band has played energetic, genuine punk rock with a cynical slant for the past few years around the region and will surely go out with a bang.

Funnel, a one-man display of intensity from Johnstown, Pa., is known for riveting performances with an electro-industrial/goth flavor and locals Epsilon Revolt have been dubbed “the psychedelic punk band.” Both of these oddballs should make for an interesting show. The Channel will open the evening’s festivities with their subset of rock ‘n’ roll, characterized by harmonies and wall-of-noise style guitars.

The show’s proceeds benefit Pittsburgh Organizing Group (POG), and Cease! Project 1877, two nonprofit community groups that have sprung up during the past year. According to their Web sites, POG is involved in planning local anti-war events, and Cease! seeks to create a community space for teach-ins and concerts, among other events. So, before you cut out for home, support the Pittsburgh music scene while supporting its grassroots community at the same time.

Editor’s note: Pitt News staff writer Clinton Doggett is a member of the Channel.