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Local Scene: 6/29/06
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THINK PINK
Who is Chancellor Pink?
He is an artist you might stumble across in the local section of your finer indie record stores in Pittsburgh.
The Chancellor is really Ray McLaughlin, who in the late '80s fronted the alt-rock band Six Gun Jury, which was in regular rotation on the late WXXP with the song "Climb the Scene."
According to his bio, "Ray quit Six Gun Jury in 1990, over a dispute involving his desire to watch game 6 of the Pirates vs. Reds rather than play another show at the Electric Banana."
In the mid-'90s, McLaughlin, a lawyer, did short stints with the bands Spinning Jenny and Orange Velvet Chairs.
Now, he returns with the self-titled "Chancellor Pink," an entrancing 12-track indie-pop record with the shades of early, arty Bowie. McLaughlin played all the instruments himself and describes the sound as "like a hopeful but ultimately broken heart drinking coffee alone every morning, after wine alone each night."
He describes himself as a bit of a recluse "who performs out spontaneously, acoustically and often unannounced." If you want to know more about him, go to www.chancellorpink.com, where he's actually penned "100 Things About the Chancellor."
UNICORN CLOSING
Modern Formations in Garfield will hold a closing party for Unicorn Mountain Vol. 2, a publication showcasing cutting-edge comic artists, Friday night at 7 with music by the Karl Hendricks Rock Band, Bamboo (featuring percussionist Will Merding) and DJ Ed Um.
ALL AGES AT MOONDOG'S
Undercurrents Pittsburgh is teaming up with Moondog's in Blawnox for weekly all- ages shows on Sunday nights, beginning this weekend with Modern Habit and more TBA. It begins at 5 p.m. and runs till about 9.
SK RIP
In more far away news, Seattle punk/noise band Sleater-Kinney, which always managed to bypass Pittsburgh, has announced that it will go on indefinite hiatus after its summer shows. The 11-year-old band writes on its Web site, "We feel lucky to have had the support of many wonderful people over the years. We want to thank everyone who has worked with us, written kind words about us, performed with us, and inspired us." They'll play the Starlight Ballroom in Philadelphia on July 31, the 9:30 Club in Washington on Aug. 1 and Webster Hall in New York on Aug. 2. Go to www.sleater-kinney.com.
-- Scott Mervis, Post-Gazette Weekend Mag editor
First Published June 29, 2006 12:00 am
