Gene the Werewolf hails the golden age of rock ’n’ roll — AC/DC, Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses, etc. — on “The Loner,” the Pittsburgh band’s first album in four years.
“It’s so cool for us because there’s not a lot of people who play the music that we do,” said guitarist Drew Donegan. “We are the last of our kind. There’s just not many rock ‘n’ roll bands coming out.”
With: Walkney and Milly
Where: Altar Bar, Strip.
When: 8 p.m. Friday.
Tickets: $12 in advance; $15 day of show; includes copy of “The Loner”; www.ticketfly.com or 1-800-745-3000.
Gene the Werewolf — which also features lead singer Jon Belan, bassist Tim Schultz and drummer Nick Revak, plus keyboard player Aaron Mediate — formed in 2007 and self-released “Light Me Up” and “Wicked Love” before moving to Frontiers Records for 2012’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal.
The concept was to bring authenticity back to rock ’n’ roll, and the method was to make it fun.
“It’s all about having a blast. To be honest, that’s why we do this now. The goal is to have as much fun as you possibly can,” said Mr. Donegan. “Everyone is in their mid-30s and it’s totally not worth it if you worry about making it all of the time instead of having fun, because you’re never going to make it anyhow. To be able to do what we do is incredible.”
The band focused on weeding out all the filler for a powerful 10-track release.
“Making a record costs a lot of money especially in this world of declining album sales,” the guitarist said. “There’s going to be some songs you’re not confident with, but we played everything and narrowed it down to 10.”
“The Loner” starts with a feature guitar solo from fellow Pittsburgher Rob Beach, of Whitesnake, on “The Walking Dead” and finishes with a bang on “The Best I Can,” featuring Randy Baumann of WDVE-FM on piano and The Clarks’ guitar master Rob James.
Gene the Werewolf credits Sean McDonald, of Red Medicine Studios, for his extensive work on the album.
“It seems a cliche to say this, but Sean really was a sixth member of the band,” Mr. Donegan says. “He worked as a songwriter, engineer and producer, elevating our craft to levels we didn’t think were possible.”
“They’re a talented group of guys, and Gene is one of the best singers I’ve ever worked with,” said Mr. McDonald. “They are going back to big, fun rock ’n’ roll records inspired by our favorite bands. There’s not a lot of people locally that are doing what they are.”
Shea Beaumont: sbeaumont@post-gazette.com; 412-263-2576. Twitter: @scottmervis_pg.
First Published: June 16, 2016, 4:00 a.m.
