Pittsburgh local music spotlight: BBGuns

The indie hip-hop duo BBGuns will be launching a residency at Bottlerocket Social Hall in Pittsburgh’s Allentown later this month.

“It’s going to be a genre-bending variety show full of big beats, stories, jokes, friends new and old, as well as be a laboratory for new material,” said vocalist JP Pitt. “We also have a specifically curated DJ mix for the evening as well.”

The monthly residency will feature different special guests who will perform and collaborate with BBGuns. First up for April is rising Pittsburgh rapper Farade, followed by The Shadow Lounge-era hip-hop legend AARIE (formerly known as Kid A, Everything Make Sense) in May, with the return of emo/punk band Lawn Care in June.

BBGuns is aiming to put out a new record in the late summer, and they’ll have five-year anniversary vinyl reissues of their “Help Yourself” album at the shows. And they’re looking forward to hitting the stage again.

“We adore being possessed by the holy spirit that is playing live,” Pitt said. “Once the jitters are gone nothing feels freer.”

Pitt filled TribLive in on what else we should know about BBGuns:

Group: BBGuns

Group members: Barz Blackman, rapper; JP Pitt, vocals and production. We collaborate with various beat producers such as Billy Hoyle, Height Keech and C. Scott.

Founding story: We’ve been working together in some form since 2012 when I saw Barz rapping on the side of the road, and we starting recording in my dad’s attic. BBGuns formalized in 2016, and we’ve been a mainstay in the Pittsburgh scene. We are now returning after a five-year hiatus due to covid and issues in personal lives. We feel as creatively productive as we have ever been, letting go of any pretension of making it, just looking forward to rocking crowds and making good records.

Origin of band’s name: Just wanted something simple and evocative. I think there’s something about a relatively harmless version of a deadly weapon as a contrast of rough and playful, but mostly we wanted a one word band name like Pixies.

For fans of: Run the Jewels, Gorillaz, Kid Cudi, Tyler, The Creator

Influences: Gorillaz, Atmosphere, MF Doom, Primal Scream, Linkin Park, Talking Heads

Releases: “RAWLAW LP” (2016); “Thirst” (2018); “Help Yourself (2019)

Next shows: Our residency entitled “BANG! A BBGuns Show!” every fourth Thursday at Bottlerocket Social Hall, starting April 24.

How to find them: BBGuns can be found on Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Three other Pittsburgh area bands/groups to check out: The Zells — good friends, good indie garage rock; Walkman — great raps, great music videos; Swampwalk — experimental chiptune bedroom pop. Amazing sounds.

Favorite pizza shop: Capri Restaurant and J&S Pizza, Natrona Heights

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