Scandal at the Graffiti Rock Challenge! There’s a tie for first place in the last semi-final! But, since this venerable Pittsburgh battle of the bands is way more civilized than, say, Olympic figure skating, a sensible compromise was agreed upon immediately. Both winners will go to the March 8 finals. For reasons unknown, bombastic bar-rockers Tripshow and commercial country cover band The Povertyneck Hillbillies both ended up with 337 total points. It was very nearly a three-way tie, with the Delaneys’ spirited 3 Doors Down vs. Bob Seger sound and crazed customized-Terrible Towel-waving fans almost pushing it to the top. The most original band, blue-eyed soul funk-rockers Flowdown, finished last. The final is March 8, with Luca Brazi, The Science Fiction Idols, the Brad Yoder Band, Tripshow and the Povertyneck Hillbillies. It will be at 8 p.m. March 8 at Rosebud in the Strip District. More info: (412) 261-2232. – Michael Machosky

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