Talk about an extreme makeover: Jon Belan, the lead singer for Pittsburgh's Gene the Werewolf, has shed his white leisure suit in favor of garb that is part-construction worker, part-Village People.
Or, maybe he just looks like the construction worker in the Village People.
"We went for a different style this album," Belan says of the new release, "Wicked Love." "So, we're going to dress a bit differently."
The CD release is Friday at Altar Bar in the Strip District.
That music still is supercharged, high-energy rock 'n' roll, but the influences have been tweaked. "Wicked Love" could be a KISS album in the late 1970s -- Belan's vocals are eerily reminiscent of Paul Stanley's -- with a dollop of Van Halen thrown in for good measure.
Guitarist Drew Donegan admits attitude and style are what the band emphasizes most.
"Aside from the solos, I don't think this band really pushes the envelope too far on hard-rock guitar," Donegan says. "It kind of follows the AC/DC format of bar chords and power chords."
The band brought in Mike Ofca, the "official-nonofficial live touring member of Gene," to add flashy guitar solos. The quintet -- which also features Nick Revak on drums, bassist Tim Schultz and Aaron Mediate on keyboards -- also traveled to Arizona to record "Wicked Love," working with producer Jamie Woolford at STEM Recording outside of Phoenix. The opportunity to work for three weeks without interruption enabled the band to produce a more cohesive work, Belan says.
But this also is, by consensus, the group's best material.
"As far as Jon and I are concerned, the songwriting this time is better and little bit more well-crafted," Donegan says. "We spent a ton of time demo-ing. We probably did 25 to 30 songs, and working on the song structures and trying to make them the best they could be. Yet, at the same time, doing what we wanted to do. We didn't play by too many rules."
That explains the over-the-top cover of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" that's one of the album's highlights. It also accounts for "The Ballad of Gene," which tips its cap to Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home" and Bon Jovi's "I'll Be There for You," except it's told from the perspective of a werewolf.
"My mom cried the first time she heard it," Belan says with a laugh. "And my dad cried, too. It was like, 'Oh my God, I didn't realize my son was in so much pain.' "
Additional Information:Gene the Werewolf CD-release party
With: Blue of Colors, Cypher and Call to Attraction
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Admission: $12; $10 advance
Where: Altar Bar, Strip District
Details: 800-745-3000 or www.ticketfly.com
