It’s been two years since The Harry Von Zells — named for the early 20th-century broadcaster — reared their heads in the Pittsburgh music scene.

The quirky indie band, led by former Bone of Contention frontman Mike Shanley (younger brother of Pittsburgh punk pioneer John Shanley), did one show in 2019 and then another in October 2021 before, Shanley says, “I got sort of frustrated and thought I was done with playing out.”

The studio pursuits, however, continued, with Shanley and drummer Nate Figlar laying down some basic tracks. Erik Cirelli, also of Emily Rodgers Band, and Michael Cunningham, of Neighbours, then added guitar and keyboards, respectively.

“But that wasn't enough,” Shanley says. “I had a hare-brained scheme that paid off: I reached out to free-improv/noisy rock guitarist Wendy Eisenberg, who's based in New York and asked if they'd play some guitar and banjo on a few songs. They agreed and came to town to do it.” [Eisenberg uses the “they” pronoun).

Also joining in was John Young, of The Optimists, on backing vocals.

The result is a new Harry Von Zells album, self-released on Igor Records and pressed on Hellbender Vinyl, that will be released with a show on Saturday at The Government Center on the North Side, not far from the wild Luke Combs scene at Acrisure Stadium.

Shanley is also putting out a split 7-inch disc by a pair of basement-project bands: Creedmoors, from Joe Tarowsky (Action Camp, St. Dude); and Pink Gin Marimbas, from Rob Rayshich, the husband of Bone of Contention’s Lila Shaara).

“Both of those projects are morphing into real bands and will play at the release show,” Shanley says.

It begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $10. More info on the Harry Von Zells Facebook page.

First Published: April 27, 2023, 6:48 p.m.