Pop-punk act Transition is going through some changes. After nearly eight years, the Pittsburgh-based group (featured in CP 06/07/06) is splitting up. What ultimately divided the band, says guitarist Steve Biringer, was the balancing act that formed it: juggling popular appeal and varying degrees of a Christian lifestyle. (Translation: Some members wanted to party.)
Though the band's breakout album, Get There (released through Floodgate and East/West Records), sold well, the success caused problems for the band, and "things happened over the summer that were really humbling," according to Biringer. Now, he says, some members plan on returning to school, while Harrison Wargo is forming a new pop-punk project. Biringer will soon fly to Idaho to produce and record his own new project in collaboration with Jason Call of Daphne Loves Derby. Transition plays its last show on Sat., Oct. 28, opening for Punchline at Mr. Small's. Valencia and Split Screen also perform.
"How often do you hear an artist for less than a minute and know he's the one?" asks Miles Duncan, reviewing Wiz Khalifa's Show and Prove for Okayplayer.com. The trend-setting Web site gave Khalifa's new record a 4.5 out of 5, calling it "arguably the best hip-hop release of the year." High praise indeed. And sure to ruffle a few feathers. Local rapper Zio, who generated a lot of MySpace hits with his "Bitch of the City" dis track, says he tentatively plans to test his skills in a battle with Khalifa at ID Labs. "I'm the new voice of Pittsburgh, and I need to be heard, why?" asks the newcomer. "Because I bleed, sleep, breath[e] and shit Pittsburgh."
Bobby LaMonde has re-formed his longtime glam-rock band The Science Fiction Idols, after the rest of the group split off a few months back as The Cosmosonics. The new lineup includes Jeff St. Louie, formerly of The Yards, a new drummer, and a bassist from Fast Breeder Reactor who goes by the name Dwight Fry. The new Idols play Nov. 10 at 31st Street Pub.
In case you were starting to wonder where the good Halloween parties are going down, DJ Owen A. is hosting one Downtown at 9 Over 9th on Oct. 28. The event, called Masquerade, will feature techno DJs Adam X, Heather Heart, Dan Physics of NYC's Sonic Groove, and heavy hitters Dietrich Schoenemann and Tim Baker. Dress to impress, not to horrify. Details at www.studio-29.org/masque.htm.
