America’s favorite “Steel Town” has produced some very talented musicians. We’ve all been listening to and supporting them for years. But Pittsburgh’s newest sensation is a local Beaver County band called Steeltown Religion.
Formerly known as the Aimee Jane Willer Band, this incredibly talented duo brings a hard country edge to the stage. It’s a refreshing sound that combines the best of rock and country, emphasizing both the instruments of Eddie’s incredible guitar, and Aimee’s beautiful voice.
If you’ve ever seen them play, you know exactly what I’m talking about. While they got their start and still frequent spots like Kelly’s and Latitude 360, they have also opened for some serious headliners at the First Niagra Pavilion: including Joe Nichols, Billy Currington, David Allan Coe and Lady Antebellum.
I was lucky enough to grow up a few houses away from Eddie and remember being able to hear him play his guitar while sitting in my own living room. I don’t even think the neighbors complained because he was so good!
I used to walk over and sit in the garage and listen to him and his friends play the likes of Led Zeppelin and ACDC. He was so talented at such a young age that I knew he was destined for great things!
The Back Story
After meeting briefly in 2008 after a party, chance brought them together again in 2013 when Aimee’s manager at the time was auditioning guitarists for the Aimee Jane Band.
At first, she was reluctant to have a guy audition because she was looking for a female bandmate who was able to sing the high harmonies for her original songs and favorite covers.
Luckily for the both of them, Eddie nailed the audition. The chemistry was there right from the start, and from then on they added the “Willer” to their band name, and they were a duo.
Q&A With the Band
I was lucky enough to have these fantastic musicians answer a few of your questions so that we can get to know them a little better.
What is your favorite cover that you play?
“Definitely ‘Damn Rock & Roll’ by Eric Church featuring Lizzy Hale of Halestorm. The lyrics are spot on, the groove is infectious, and it hits hard for country music. It totally inspired us to write “One Drip.”’
What is your favorite song that you’ve written together?
“Would have to say so far, our new single on iTunes, ‘One Drip,’ which we co-wrote with a few inputs from Timothy Earl and Matt Forte (our bass player.) The reason it’s our favorite is because we did a lot of research and spent a lot of time crafting the song together, just the two of us. It really brought us together as a songwriting duo.”
To date, what has been the most exciting venue that you’ve rocked?
“Opening for Pure Prairie League at a sold out show at Jergel’s in Warrendale, PA. It had to be the best crowd and overall experience yet. We played all originals for an hour set with overwhelmingly positive feedback from the crowd. We sold out of CD’s and Aimee even got pulled up on stage to help sing along to their biggest hit (and the song Aimee was actually named after), ‘Aime.’ Her Dad witnessed it in the front row and was glowing with pride.”
What is your favorite thing about Beaver County?
“Hands down, it has to be the fans. They are die-hards for the music just like they are for Pittsburgh sports. One of our biggest and most supportive Beaver County fans, Bob Nelson, actually tattooed our logo on his calf!
They also want to thank one of their favorite hometown bars, Kelly’s Riverside Saloon in Bridgewater, for being so good to Steeltown from the very beginning, and they love playing there every single time!
Want to catch them live?
Steeltown just recently played a gig at Kelly’s, and headlined at Nationality Days in Ambridge. If you want to catch them live, be sure to do it soon or you’ll have to wait until after they get back from their Southern Tour!
- June 17th – Latitude 360 – Jacksonville, FL
- June 26th – Sports Grille Cranberry – Cranberry Twp, PA
- June 27th – The White Stallion – Chester, WV
- June 28th – Rumfish Grille – Bridgeville, PA
- July 10th – Salem Bike Event – Salem, OH
- July 17th – Sports Grille Cranberry – Cranberry Twp, PA
- July 18th – Bull Pen Rustic Inn – Avella, PA
- August 12th – Rumfish Grille – Bridgeville, PA
- August 21st – Frankie I’s – Washington, PA
- August 22nd – Sports Grille Cranberry – Cranberry Twp, PA
- November 20th – Frankie I’s – Washington, PA
I used to listen to nothing but hard rock and heavy metal until one night at a local bar, Steeltown Religion ( Aimee Jane Willer at the time) was playing. I knew then that they were going places and I see them play anytime they are in the Beaver County, Pittsburgh area. This band is not good, they are GREAT