Thursday night’s Firehouse show kicked off with local favorites the Xander Demos Band (XDB), who recently won the Pittsburgh Music Award for Best Progressive Band in 2025. Performing a set of originals and a couple covers dating back to 1987 with a Michael Wagner inspired medley that featured a heavy-hitting cover of White Lion’s “Wait.” They blew us away with the song’s addition, and it made me sad that we’ll be missing Mike Tramp of White Lion’s show at Jergels on July 9th.
Coincidentally, XDB frontman Robert Kane’s other band, The Apocalyptic Lovers who are based out of Youngstown, had utilized the legendary producer Michael Wagner to mix their debut album, Redemption Volume 1. And, The Pure Rock Shop has ties to the band as well. In fact, The Apocalyptic Lovers even used some of our covid-era video footage from a Starlight Drive-in theater performance from The Struts in Butler, PA for their single “Better Days.” Drummer Dave Hope tells us that the band is currently looking for a label home for their new album And the World Tomorrow. We’ve already previewed the tracks, and our followers are going to love it!
XDB is led by guitarist Xander Demos, who took the mic to reminisce about his own musical ties to Firehouse that night. Specifically through their former frontman, the late CJ Snare, who collaborated with the axe-slinger on his EP Road To Guitarcadia. The band performed the instrumental single that had been the first song that he shared with CJ, who later encouraged him to put some lyrics to his guitar compositions. Interestingly, they both had ties to Xanders home town of in Florida and quickly formed a bond over a Facebook friend connection.
XDB was followed by MiMiC, a hard rock band that also calls the ‘Burgh home. They are known for high-energy shows and offer a mix of covers spanning decades as well as original music. Relatively new to the Pittsburgh music scene, MiMiC announced that they are soon to release their original material on all streaming platforms after a successful three-year history as a band. Their set included the surprising selection of Danger Danger’s “Naughty Naughty” as well as punk-influenced cover of the Skid Row classic “I Remember You.” These guys alway bring great energy to Jergels and can be found headlining their own show at the venue on May 14th.
Firehouse took the stage after 9:30 pm with the energy we’ve come to expect from the band, drilling into “Overnight Sensation” with “All She Wrote,” “Oughta Be a Law,” and “Shake & Tumble,” quick to follow. The audience was finally given a chance to catch our breath when frontman Nate Peck slowed things down with the ballad “When I look into Your Eyes,” before drummer Michael Foster stirred things up again with a drum solo.
With guitarist Bill Leverty and drummer Michael Foster’s history spanning several decades, the synergy is undeniable, and while we miss the band’s original frontman CJ Snare’s smile and unmistakable voice, the addition of his protege Nate Peck has proven to be the ideal choice to keep the music alive. With a triumphant history on American idol and guidance from the likes of another fallen hair metal hero Jack Russell of Great White, which took place in this very same venue, there is no mistaking Nate’s contributions to the continued success of Firehouse. Quite frankly, it is nothing short of magical when he harmonizes with bassist Allen Mckenzie and drummer Michael Foster on cuts like “Don’t Treat Me Bad,” and it is even more encouraging to hear the band creating new music again.
They introduced us to two earthshaking singles. the first was “Mighty Fine Lady,” and the second was “Midnight Gasoline,” which can only be found on the Firehouse website, firehousemusic.com. The set included a touching tribute to CJ Snare during “Home is Where the Heart is,” as well as a few other videos on the screens adjacent to the stage that the audience down front may have missed, and the band also thanked all of the veterans and first responders in the audience and could be found offering veterans free tickets to their show in Akron, Ohio last night via the vettix.org website. We are looking forward to hearing more from Firehouse, and we hope to have them back in the ‘Burgh soon!
Coverage by Editor and founder Kara Marie Uhrlen on 3/14/2026. All event photos © Kara Uhrlen and The Pure Rock Shop.
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