Music Appreciation

The Polack MSgt

(13,560 posts) Sat Mar 8, 2025, 07:40 PM Mar 8

On a bit of a Joe Grushecky / Iron City Houserockers kick

Here, hope ya like it
https://music.

&si=42Kf7Yp-ssy_nUkt

Here is some of my favorite High School era rock
https://music.

&si=vRHex9rzncfhdn-k

I think it stands up 40+ years later, but I admit that I am biased
https://music.

&si=akKoRAl-vU2Q-qhl

He's still at it. In fact, he tours every summer, because that's his off time. He's been a Pittsburgh area High School teacher for decades.
https://music.

&si=-SRWqArOzvc_KDBG

6 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

On a bit of a Joe Grushecky / Iron City Houserockers kick (Original Post) The Polack MSgt Mar 8 OP

I never even heard of these guys before. Thanks for turning me on to them. They remind me of Peter Wolf . . . NBachers Mar 8 #1

Along with older J. Geils, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, and of course the Boss The Polack MSgt Mar 8 #2

Yup- You touched a personal nerve when you mentioned Southside Johnny NBachers Mar 9 #5

They're good! I hadn't ever heard of them, which is puzzling. I checked their highplainsdem Mar 8 #3

Found this article on Joe and Bruce, with videos: highplainsdem Mar 8 #4

While we're at it- I'm gonna submit Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers - Mercury Blues NBachers Mar 9 #6

NBachers

(18,451 posts)

1. I never even heard of these guys before. Thanks for turning me on to them. They remind me of Peter Wolf . . .

Reply to The Polack MSgt (Original post)

Sat Mar 8, 2025, 09:34 PM

Mar 8

The Polack MSgt

(13,560 posts)

2. Along with older J. Geils, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, and of course the Boss

Reply to NBachers (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 8, 2025, 09:42 PM

Mar 8

That whole pub rock/boogie/working class hero poetry of late 70s rock and roll - he fits right in that movement.

Joe and Bruce have collaborated several times in fact
https://music.

&si=OAP249iMDmfe_vyJ

https://music.

&si=buqLKXzlLyzJOfPJ

NBachers

(18,451 posts)

5. Yup- You touched a personal nerve when you mentioned Southside Johnny

Reply to The Polack MSgt (Reply #2)

Sun Mar 9, 2025, 11:20 AM

Mar 9

highplainsdem

(55,579 posts)

3. They're good! I hadn't ever heard of them, which is puzzling. I checked their

Reply to The Polack MSgt (Original post)

Sat Mar 8, 2025, 11:28 PM

Mar 8

Wikipedia page and saw, for instance, that they had help from Mick Ronson and Ian Hunter and Stevie Van Zandt on their second album (the third video you posted), which got rave reviews, but it didn't make the Top 200.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_City_Houserockers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Have_a_Good_Time_but_Get_Out_Alive!

The one thing I can think of that might have held them back was reminding people of Springsteen. The same thing that held John Cafferty back until his band did the soundtrack for Eddie and the Cruisers.

I did some googling, couldn't find anything about mismanagement possibly having hurt them. Checked Steve Hoffman's music forum and saw them mentioned a number of times. I didn't see any TV appearances or music videos on YouTube, though, and that would have hurt them in the '80s.

highplainsdem

(55,579 posts)

4. Found this article on Joe and Bruce, with videos:

Reply to The Polack MSgt (Original post)

Sat Mar 8, 2025, 11:46 PM

Mar 8

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lyric-video-bruce-springsteen-and-joe-grusheckys-light-of-day-1995-1249060/

NBachers

(18,451 posts)

6. While we're at it- I'm gonna submit Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers - Mercury Blues