Boxstep

Fusing slow-moving shoegazer pop with volatile art-rock arrangements, Pittsburgh's Boxstep delivers a bipolar punch to the Midwest post-rock formula. Heavily influenced by Australia's the Dirty Three, the band's songs frequently rely on a rise-and-crash methodology -- slowly building folk melodies that peak with a tempest of teeth-gnashing instrumentation (manifold guitars, drums, violin, accordion . . .), which can result in 10-minute jams. The group debuted in 2001 on the Chicago indie label Overcoat with The Faces All Look On. Another LP, Back Roads, followed early this year, which builds on Boxstep's softer side of alt-country and shoegazer swoon. But the studio projects never quite capture the musical emotion live. You'll need to catch that lush instrumentation at the Grog Shop with all of its natural intensity.