Episode 799 of the Pennsylvania Rock Show takes you deep into the heart of the Pittsburgh metal scene with a legend who’s been keeping the blast furnace burning for decades — Doc Rock, host of Metal Shop 101 on MetalShop101.com. Broadcasting from an abandoned steel mill on the shores of the Three Rivers, Doc Rock has forged his place as one of the most influential figures in Western Pennsylvania’s rock and metal community.
At first glance, Doc Rock looks every bit the classic metalhead: long hair, tattooed arms, blue jeans, and a vintage metal band t-shirt. But behind that rugged exterior lies a man with an enormous heart and an unshakable commitment to supporting local and unsigned musicians. His show, Metal Shop 101, has become a cornerstone of the Pittsburgh heavy metal scene, spotlighting emerging talent and giving independent bands the airplay they deserve.
The story of Metal Shop 101 began more than two decades ago in the Rock-A-Bye Café, a small South Hills bar where Doc Rock first spun metal records as a local DJ. What started as a regular gig quickly turned into something special. Local bands began showing up after rehearsals, bringing their own demo tapes to play during Doc’s set. The musicians joked that listening to each other’s music was like going to school — and thus, Metal Shop 101 was born.
Although the Rock-A-Bye Café has long since closed its doors, Doc Rock’s fire never went out. After a brief retirement, he resurrected Metal Shop 101 as a worldwide online radio show, continuing his mission to give underground artists a global platform. Today, his virtual blast furnace roars hotter than ever, uniting fans of heavy music across the Pittsburgh region and beyond.
Doc Rock’s philosophy is simple: metal is a community, not a competition. His studio still proudly displays the original Metal Shop 101 banner, a symbol of his unwavering dedication to local music. Whether it’s traditional heavy metal, thrash, or modern hard rock, Doc ensures that Pittsburgh’s metal bands have a voice that reaches far beyond the Steel City.
In this episode of the Pennsylvania Rock Show, host Bill Domiano talks with Doc Rock about the roots of Metal Shop 101, the evolution of the Pittsburgh music scene, and what it means to keep local metal alive in an ever-changing industry. Listeners will get a front-row seat to the stories, the passion, and the relentless energy that drive one of Pennsylvania’s most iconic rock personalities.