Add a message : Houserockers Guestbook : Search
There are now 3026 messages in our guestbook.
<<< 1 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 303 >>>
Viewing messages 1321 to 1330.
Mark
|  |
It's not often that I say this, but damn Hank, you probably said it better than I could. The original IC Houserockers had something that goes beyond just "a bunch of guys backing up Joe." And Joe would tell you that himself. And this in no way diminishes Joe or future incarnations of the band. It's just a fact...thanks for the back up Hank. And no offense intended Meg.
Hank, I'd buy you a beer anytime. Great Lakes or otherwise! (and who are you kidding...You ghostwrite all my posts...LOL!)
7 October 2006 - Greensburg
|
|
Hank Spicer
| |
It's not often that i agree with Mark's posts on here but i would allow him to buy me a beer at any Hoserockers show--any time--LOL. But i do think i understand where he's going on the topic of the Iron City Houserockers. I think that in no way are you diminishing Joe's solo talents or abilities when you realize how special this group of musicians were.
Think back to the time. Steller reviews everywhere--Rolling Stone raving--the live shows were insane with energy and the band was certain to be the next big thing. The band had problems too with personalities, egos and just blatant anxiety but as a group it just worked damnit. Put those first 3 albums in perspective, that was rock and roll in your face loud, spirited and essential. Joe had to be on top of the world--how else could this band not make it big with all of the apparent success that was all around them. There was no Bruce connection for people to use as an excuse for anything, ICH was poised because they WERE really something. If you've witnessed any of their performances or heard the bootlegs or saw any of the dvd's, you know there was a chemistry there that was above the normal. Joe once told me about handling some of the problems of the band---it wasn't easy but when the lights went down and the first note struck, they usually had magic. They were much more than some guys that backed up Joe.
I actually think because the later versions of the Houserockers ended up being so damn good that many forget how special the original boys were. Duke was a show man, Britt was talented obviously Ned was right there and albeit the death of Scalise, this band was so damn ready to take a run at the big time. No one needes to mention the abilities of Marc or Art, they continue into today. Look at the old pics of Joe--damn there was a effin' swagger-Burgh guys taking no prisoners and on their way. Someone once said on here that referring to them as a bar band was wrong--i never bought that. It personifies Pittsburgh, just like the songs and the music did, they were the best.
We all know that the world didn't work out right. MCA put them in the crapper and the dreams that looked so enevitable just didn't materialize. God, Rolling Stone raves about your work and you can't even find their records in the stores half of the time. They got dumped on and we all know it. Sort of like the Hee Haw song about bad luck or no luck at all.
No offense Meg. These guys were better than good and i think that's what Mark was saying. No slap at Joe was intended but collectively they were special and relevant.
7 October 2006 - Ohio
|
|
Danny G
|
Hey Mark,
Thanks. Wow. Picking a favorite is hard. I'm having so much fun learnimg all this stuff as it comes up. Joe will send me an email or call me telling me to learn this or that from this or that CD I pull out the CD, listen to it and at that moment it's the greatest. I like a lot of the stuff from Fingerprints as far as writing goes. The raw energy that the ICHR had on the early stuff was great. I think Joe and the boys hit their stride with AB. That was a slammin' polished record...with or without the Bruce input. Honestly, in spite of the fact I'm not on it:) I think a Good Life is as good as any record out there today. Sorry to be vague but that's like asking me to pick a favorite Steely Dan record...well, no...Aja is my number one favotite recording of all time. Sorry.
As for stuff I'm on...man, there's not too much. The Ten Point Ten Cartography CD is amazing. I like the Tom Meston jazz stuff I did...not for me as much as Tom is an incredible musician and writer. With both of those projects I was way out of my league as far as style and abilities...they really pushed me to new places. I'm not a jazz guy or a prog-rocker...but I try hard.
I love the blues-jazz stuff that Robben Ford is doing. I had a band of my own for awhile-Danny & the G-Spots which let me stretch out and play the way I liked covering Eric Johnson, Santana, and Robben Ford stuff and my 6-7 years with Shari Richards and Hermie Granati were great. Shari was a major inspiration to me...man, can that girl sing. There's also three Orhard Hill CD's I'm on which are a great collection of jazz covers and contemporary Christian music out of Orchard Hill Church in Wexford.
Thanks for asking.
7 October 2006
|
Mark
| |  |
Always good to hear from you Danny. Since you're not out in Jersey this weekend, here's a two-part question for you:
One, what is your favorite Grushecky record....could be anything from IC Houserockers, Joe G& Houserockers, solo. You have a favorite one or two from Joe's career?
Second, what is your favorite record that you have played on?
Interested to hear your comments. Thanks.
7 October 2006 - Greensburg
|
|
Joe G Fan
|
|
I couldn't have said it better! Thanks for the post Danny
7 October 2006 - Oakmont
|
|
Danny G
|
|
Sorry for all the typo's. I didn't have my glasses on.
7 October 2006
|
|
DannyG
|
I knew this was going to get confusing when two "Houserocker" bands started showing up. I'm going to step out on a limb and try to clarify things as best as I can.
First the Houserockers are NOT a band on the rocks. I have many dates scheduled with Joe and the boys and we're all excited for Joe, the success of the new CD and the aclaim that he and the musicians on the CD are receiving. We as the Houserockers are also excited and proud and pumped to be performing ALL of Joe's material live.
As you all know, Joe set out to record a personal and long over due "solo" record. He enlisted long tome friend Rick Witkowski to reord the CD at Rick's Studio L in Weirton where Joe has worked a lot in the past. I've known Rick for years with him being in the B.E. Taylor Band and when I recorded Ten Point Ten's Cartography record there. I love and respect Rick...he's an awesome person as well as guitarist/producer. These guys: Joe, Rick and Jeff who worked so hard and did such a great job on the CD deserve to go out, have fun and play this incredible music live and after all, they're the guys on the CD..why shouldn't they be out playing it?
Whether Joe is using the "old" Houserockers with me as the "new" guitarist or the "new" Houserockers" it's still Joe and his music and you can be damned assured of a kick ass show whoever it is on stage. I look at it as a growing fraterity, a brotherhood sharing the same vision, working hard, having fun and rockin'.
I hope this helps. Love to you all!
Good luck to Joe, Rick and Jeff tonight in Jersey. I'm with you in spirit, Brothers. Next weekend we're doing the Washington Days show in Washington,PA with the Mystic Knights. Should be a great evening.
See ya all Down the Road Apiece
Oh, and a side note to the entries about it's "not about the band". In some aspect that is true. Look at Joe or check out a Grushecky solo acoustic performance sometime. It's powerful and intimate and moving and kicks ass. Then look at a Houserocker show. I've been in countless bands and played with almost all the greats in Pittsburgh; B.E. Taylor, Donnie Iris, Shari Richards, the Granati's...Believe me, there's a chemisrty and magic that happens up on that stage everynight. It's hall in ow you look at it. God Bless!
7 October 2006
|
|
Mark
|
|
The Iron City Houserockers..."It wasn't about the band???" With all due respect Meg, I'm sure Marc, Art, and Duke Snyder would have something to say about that.
6 October 2006 - Greensburg
|
|
Meg
|
|
When I read "Band on the rocks?" I wondered if the writer had be a Joe Grushecky fan for a long time. As a fan for more than twenty-five years, I can report that I was devastated when the Iron City Houserockers broke up years ago. Shortly after that, I realized that it wasn't about the band, it was about Joe's tremendous talent and drive to rock 'n roll. After see the IC Houserockets, the Brick Alley Band, several incarnations of the Houserockers, the FIngerprints band and the new "A Good Life" band at the HRC two weeks agao, it is time everyone realized that Joe is the show. Like a fine athlete, he elevates the level of all of the excellent musicians he surrounds himself with. Did anyone notice what a great job Jeff Garrison did on bass at the Hard Rock? This new band, which included a few old members too, interpreted Joe's music in a whole new way. I'm sure that Joe will continue to produce quality music in the future regardless of the band, and I fee lucky to have been witness to his inspiring career. Wish I could go to the Pony this weekend.
6 October 2006 - South Hills
|
|
Bernie
|
|
Yeah, let those "politically inclined" liberals go to Jersey to drink all the beer. And leave the fanatical Republicans at home this weekend to continue IM-ng teenage boys.
6 October 2006 - Berea, Ohio
|
<<< 1 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 303 >>> |