[ROCK] + SAT., NOV. 30
No time like Thanksgiving weekend to gather the family around — and in this case, Bill Deasy is huddling up with his old band-family, The Gathering Field, for a show at Moondog's. But it's not a one-off; Deasy has announced that he and the rest of the original lineup — Dave Brown, Ray DeFade and Eric Riebling — will be recording a new album next year. The band was one of the top draws in town in the mid- and late-'90s, and its single "Lost in America" was a rock-radio staple here and elsewhere. Andy Mulkerin 8:30 p.m. 378 Freeport Road, Blawnox. $12. 412-828-2040 or www.moondogs.us
[ALT-ROCK] + SAT. NOV. 30
You might not know much about local singer-songwriter Christopher Smedley yet, but his debut album The SoundColor Sessions speaks for itself: Each song is very different from the last, but they all feature a laid-back charm that makes the album pleasant to listen to from beginning to end. Smedley, who taught himself to play guitar while he was in college, released the album this summer, after collaborating with guitarist and SoundColor Productions owner Jay Weaver. Smedley will celebrate the release of the album with a show tonight at Club Café. Allison Cosby 10 p.m. 56 S. 12th St., South Side. $8. 412-431-4950 or www.clubcafelive.com
[BENEFIT] + SUN., DEC. 1
You don't catch a lot of live music in Monroeville these days (though it does have a rich history, with venues like the long-gone Holiday House). The recently opened Winghart's bar and restaurant — in the Monroeville Mall — is looking to change that, and tonight it's hosting a benefit show for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Catch locals The Nied's Hotel Band (far from Nied's Hotel) and The Businessmen, for a good cause. AM 4 p.m. 300 Monroeville Mall, Monroeville. Free, donations accepted. 412-372-5500 or www.winghartburgers.com
[ALT-RAP] + WED. DEC. 4
The members of Los Angeles rap collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All are hard to keep up with. The latest sub-group — called MellowHigh — is made up of Hodgy Beats and Left Brain (who commonly work together as MellowHype), plus Domo Genesis. The trio released their debut album this fall, and their music includes everything we've come to expect from an Odd Future project: raps about smoking weed, something dark and eerie about the music, and a slew of guest vocals. It's far from average, though, and the trio's performance tonight at Mr. Small's is sure to be memorable. Special guests Tairey, Norman Dean, Palermo Stone and Crystal Seth open the show. AC 7 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. $12. All ages. 412-821-4447 or www.mrsmalls.com
