Gene the Werewolf to celebrate release of 'best of' vinyl record Friday in South Park

Pittsburgh rockers with a throwback sound have taken to a throwback way to listen to their best work so far.

Gene the Werewolf is ready to launch its “best of” vinyl album Friday via concert at the South Park Amphitheater.

Admission is free to the all-ages show, which is part of the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series.

There will be food trucks, and local breweries and wineries will have some of their “best of” offerings available for purchase.

Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the music starts at 7:30 with special guest Tiny Wars.

“The Best of Gene the Werewolf” is a 10-tune collection pulling from the group’s CDs and recent singles.

“It’s funny to be in this era of this group and kind of understanding what it is at this point, and having that perspective of what we’ve done,” said guitarist Drew Donegan of Upper St. Clair. “Putting together an album like this was a cool thing to do and a fun thing to do.”

He noted a lot of vehicles no longer have CD players, and most folks may use their phones or bounce around on streaming services for their listening pleasure.

The album provides a more complete artistic experience and better quality sound than what may be on the internet.

“It gets you back into listening to whole records where you’re just not skipping around,” said Donegan, a Penn-Trafford graduate and former Clearview Kills musician. “It makes you appreciate the entirety of the art. I think that’s the coolest thing about it.”

Frontman Jon Belan, a Belle Vernon native, recalled how most popular music was on cassette when they were growing up. Most of the group is in their late 30s to mid-40s.

“The vinyl era was kind of on its way out and in came the cassette tapes,” Belan said. “I remember going down in the basement of my parents’ house and looking for my mom’s old vinyl still thinking it was so cool. All the pictures and all the lyrics and the artwork.”

Gene the Werewolf formed in 2007 following Belan’s departure from The Berlin Project. This will be its first vinyl record.

Other current members include keyboardist Aaron Mediate and lead guitar Andrew Marks, both Penn-Trafford grads.

Drummer Nick Revak is a Belle Vernon alum, and bassist Chris Serafini is a Mt. Lebanon alum.

“The Best of Gene the Werewolf” is a 10-tune collection pulled from CDs and recent singles. Most of the songs fans will recognize from heavy rotation on FM radio station 102.5 DVE.

Donegan said the band would not be where it is today without the station’s support.

One of the songs on the record is “Superhero,” which was the band’s first and became a standout on the 2009 EP “Light Me Up.”

However, the EP’s title track did not make the cut. It is more of a slow power ballad than the other hits. Or as Donegan explained, “It’s a different animal.”

“Light Me Up” remains a crowd favorite at the live shows. That EP is from what some early followers call “the white suit era,” a take on their signature look at the time.

Other songs on the album include “I Only Want to Rock and Roll,” “Dying Breed,” “Raised by Wolves,” “Love and Touch” and “I Should’ve Known Better,” which also is one of their best music videos.

Belan plays a dual role and called it the most physical performance he had ever done.

The frontman said the “best of” album would be a great addition for longtime howlers as well as a great introduction to newbies.

“We picked a few selections we thought were were best representatives of the band all while keeping the same style as the rest of the songs on the album,” Belan said. “I think there is something cool about having the actual record in your hand. Having the big sleeves with the artwork on it.”

The band plans to have about 250 vinyls available Friday. Limited copies of 2016’s “The Loner” also are still available.

Gene the Werewolf has shared the stage with many local legends, including The Clarks and Donnie Iris and the Cruisers. They also have opened for Rock & Roll Hall of Famer the late Eddie Money, Winger, Bret Michaels, Spin Doctors and countless others.

Another iconic performer is expected to join them at Friday’s show.

Gene the Werewolf opened for Blue Oyster Cult at South Park in 2018 and headlined the amphitheater a few years later.

Donegan said everyone is excited to return and see some familiar faces.

“It’s going to be a homecoming of sorts,” he said.

Belan said South Park was the one show that band family members also marked on their calendars.

“Because we’ve been doing this for such a long time, a lot of the guys in the band are married and have kids,” he said. “This is the show where all the family comes out. It’s an all-ages thing. Our wives and girlfriends come out. It’s a big, special evening. This is going to be the show of the summer. It’s going to be awesome.”

More information is available at genethewerewolf.com.