Voices of the Valley
From punk-fueled basement shows to Grammy-winning legends and genre-defying icons, the Mon Valley and greater Pittsburgh region have shaped some of the most important voices in American music. These are the sounds that built us.
1. Code Orange
Genre: Hardcore / Metalcore
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
About:
Raw, relentless, and unapologetically innovative, Code Orange emerged as a force from Pittsburgh’s DIY scene. Their 2017 album Forever earned a Grammy nomination and a global following for their fusion of hardcore, industrial, and metal.
Listen: Spotify
2. Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails)
Genre: Industrial Rock / Electronic
Hometown: Mercer, PA (Greater Mon Valley area roots)
About:
Founder of Nine Inch Nails and one of the most influential figures in industrial music history, Trent Reznor’s sonic legacy stretches from gritty PA roots to global awards. An Oscar, a Grammy, and countless genre-defining albums later — his sound still echoes in the steel and silence.
Listen: Spotify
3. Anti-Flag
Genre: Punk Rock / Political
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
About:
Champions of activism through sound, Anti-Flag has been a loud and proud political voice in punk for over two decades. Their global reach and Pittsburgh roots run deep.
Listen: Spotify
4. Mac Miller (Tribute)
Genre: Hip-Hop / Alternative
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
About:
Gone too soon but never forgotten, Mac Miller grew from Pittsburgh’s mixtape kid into an internationally respected artist. His evolution, vulnerability, and sound continue to resonate.
Listen: Spotify
5. Wiz Khalifa
Genre: Hip-Hop / Rap
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
About:
The voice behind Black and Yellow, Wiz brought Pittsburgh pride to the global stage. His laid-back flow and Taylor Gang movement cemented him as a mainstream success story with hometown love.
Listen: Spotify
6. Lil Peep (Tribute)
Genre: Emo Rap / Alternative Trap
Hometown: Allentown, PA (regional inclusion)
About:
A pioneer of emo-rap and a voice of a generation, Lil Peep blended punk, trap, and vulnerability into something truly original. His Pennsylvania upbringing and outsider spirit resonated with millions.
Listen: Spotify
7. The Clarks
Genre: Rock / Americana
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
About:
Local legends with decades of blue-collar storytelling behind them. Their heartfelt lyrics and steady presence have made them a Pittsburgh mainstay since the late ’80s.
Listen: Spotify
8. Rusted Root
Genre: Worldbeat Rock
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
About:
Blending tribal percussion with rock and folk, Rusted Root broke through with Send Me On My Way — a song that traveled the world and brought Pittsburgh’s eclectic spirit with it.
Listen: Spotify
9. Brittany Harger
Genre: Singer-Songwriter
Hometown: Monessen, PA
About:
A rising Mon Valley voice, Brittany Harger blends folk, indie, and vulnerability with hauntingly powerful vocals. Her lyrics reflect rust belt resilience and emotional depth.
Listen: [Spotify] (link pending)
Follow: Instagram
10. Normundy
Genre: Metalcore
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
About:
Modern heavy music with heart, Normundy is fast becoming a core part of Pittsburgh’s emerging metalcore wave.
Listen: Spotify
Events Calendar & Local Gigs
What’s happening in the steel shadows and spotlight stages.
From gritty basement punk shows and regional tattoo expos to outdoor concerts, vintage markets, and haunted fairs, the Mon Valley pulses with life all year long. Whether you’re planning a weekend trip or looking to support your local scene, this is your go-to calendar for Mon Valley events, gigs, and underground gatherings.
Featured Upcoming Events
(Spring/Summer 2025)
1. Pittsburgh Tattoo Expo – August 9–11, 2025
Location: Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
A major regional convention bringing together tattoo legends, vendors, and collectors. Featuring live tattooing, contests, afterparties, and panels.
Details: pittsburghtattooexpo.com
2. Rock the Yough Festival – July 20, 2025
Location: Cedar Creek Park, Belle Vernon, PA
Live regional bands, food trucks, classic car cruise, and local vendors set along the Youghiogheny River.
Genres: Rock, folk, alt-country
Free Admission. Family-friendly with beer garden.
3. Black Forge Market & Metal Night – Monthly
Location: Black Forge Coffee, McKees Rocks & Allentown, PA
Coffee. Heavy music. Occult art. Need we say more? Black Forge’s monthly event blends metal bands with alternative vendors and tattoo flash booths.
Next Date: May 25, 2025
Instagram: @blackforgecoffee
4. Oddities & Curiosities Expo – June 7, 2025
Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh
One of the biggest traveling expos for lovers of the weird and wonderful. Taxidermy, wet specimens, rare antiques, and dark art.
Perfect For: Kreature Culture fans, collectors, and tattoo lovers.
Tickets: odditiesandcuriositiesexpo.com
5. Mon Valley Moonlight Market – July 13, 2025
Location: Downtown Monongahela
A dusk-til-dark street market with vintage vendors, indie music sets, and food trucks under Edison lights.
Hosted By: The Steel Scene + Local Mon Valley Artists
Entry: Free / Vendor space available
Ongoing Local Gigs & Showcases
The Wicked Goat (Charleroi, PA)
Punk and metal shows every 2nd and 4th Friday. Follow @wickedgoatshowsHardcore at the Ice Garden (Belle Vernon, PA)
Pop-up all-ages sets inside the old rink.Vinyl Vibes DJ Nights – Uniontown Brewing
Third Saturdays, throwback hip-hop and psych vinyl from 8–11 PM.Spoken Word & Open Mic – Mon Valley Creatives Night
Every final Thursday at Hidden Chapter Coffee. Sign-ups at 6 PM.
Steel Strings & Soul Stories
From church choirs to stadium tours — these are the voices that started in the Valley and echoed across the world.
Southwestern Pennsylvania has long been a breeding ground for musical greatness. The blend of industrial grit, cultural diversity, and working-class soul gave rise to legends in rock, pop, hip-hop, and everything in between. This is where steel meets sound — and these are the stories behind the voices.
Explore our timeline of local icons, album spotlights, quotes from hometown heroes, and historical gems you won’t find on the charts.
Timeline of Regional Legends
1970s: Donnie Iris (Ellwood City, PA)
Hit: “Ah! Leah!” (1980)
Legacy: Known as “The King of Cool,” Donnie Iris brought synth-rock swagger with regional pride.
Fun Fact: Former member of Wild Cherry (“Play That Funky Music”).
1980s: Christina Aguilera (Wexford, PA)
Breakthrough: Star Search & The Mickey Mouse Club
Legacy: Multiple Grammy-winning pop icon with powerhouse vocals.
Quote: “Pittsburgh gave me my grit. I’ll never forget where I came from.”
1990s: Rusted Root (Pittsburgh, PA)
Hit: “Send Me On My Way” (1994)
Legacy: Merged world rhythms with rock and became global festival favorites.
Trivia: Their songs appeared in Matilda, Ice Age, and Party of Five.
2000s: The Clarks (Pittsburgh, PA)
Sound: Heartland rock, college radio legends
Highlight: Opened for John Mayer, Steely Dan, and Dave Matthews Band
Still Going: Regional icons for 30+ years
2010s: Wiz Khalifa (Pittsburgh, PA)
Breakout: “Black and Yellow” (2010) — a Pittsburgh anthem
Impact: Put PA hip-hop on the global map
Quote: “The city made me. Everything I needed to know, I learned in Pittsburgh.”
2010s–2020s: Mac Miller (Tribute)
Legacy: One of the most emotionally honest and influential rappers of his era
Albums to Revisit: Swimming, Faces, GO:OD AM
Tribute Mural: Still visible in East Liberty, Pittsburgh
Album Spotlights
Nine Inch Nails – Pretty Hate Machine (1989)
Created by Mercer, PA native Trent Reznor
Set the blueprint for industrial rock
Certified Triple Platinum
Anti-Flag – For Blood and Empire (2006)
Politically charged, globally respected
Featured the hit “The Press Corpse”
Helped shape the anti-establishment punk movement of the 2000s
Documentaries & Articles
“Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life” (YouTube, NPR, Rolling Stone)
“The Perks of Being a Pittsburgh Musician” (Pittsburgh City Paper)
“Live from the Steel City” (Mini-doc featuring Wiz Khalifa & local artists)
“The Sound of Rusted Root” (PBS segment, 2003)
Artist Quotes
“Pittsburgh isn’t just a place. It’s a frequency.” – Code Orange
“When you’ve played a smoky fire hall in Western PA, you can play anywhere.” – The Clarks
“This city gave me stories. That’s what music needs.” – Christina Aguilera