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Grand Buffet

Grand Buffet, Pittsburgh’s first post-rap combo, was established in 1996 while Jackson O’Connell-Barlow (Lord Grunge) and Jarrod Weeks (Grape-A-Don) were in middle school. A third member, “G-Rude” (Daniel Grudovich), left after their 1997 debut Scrooge McRock. Known for their offbeat humor and energetic performances, the duo quickly carved out a niche in the underground rap scene.

Their discography includes albums like Pittsburgh Hearts (2000), Cigarette Beach (2002), and Sparkle Classic, along with the “Trilogy of Terror” EP series. King Vision (2008) marked the end of their era of continuous touring, during which they had gained a loyal following by sharing stages with artists like Sage Francis and the late Wesley Willis. They became known for blending synth-heavy production with absurd, witty lyrics and a chaotic live presence.

Initially, Grand Buffet turned down a deal with Epitaph Records to sign with Anticon, their friend Sole’s label. However, when Anticon declined to sign them, Epitaph withdrew its offer, leaving the duo to join Florida’s now-defunct Fighting Records. In recent years, Grand Buffet has withdrawn their music from Spotify and other major platforms, making it available exclusively on Bandcamp.

Reflecting on their career, Weeks (Lord Grunge) expressed regret over not signing with Epitaph, believing that it might have sustained them as an active recording duo. Today, although Grand Buffet is no longer releasing music together, both members continue to work on independent projects, maintaining their legacy within the underground hip-hop community.