Pittsburgh rock 'n' roll legend Joe Grushecky announced two new albums through Omnivore Recordings; a new studio album Can't Outrun A Memory out on July 12, and Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology out on May 24. Can't Outrun A Memory is the first release of new material in 7 years from Joe and The Houserockers, featuring 13 Grushecky originals coupled with a blistering cover of The Animals classic "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place."
Along with the announcement, Grushecky shared a single from the anthology, “Pumping Iron.” “Through all the years playing every type of gig imaginable, ‘Pumping Iron’ has become our signature song,” says Grushecky. “We have never gotten tired of it, and it is a highlight of every show.”
Joe Grushecky grew up in the coal mining town of Biddle, Pittsburgh, but after seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show—he soon had a guitar in hand, and a future in Rock ahead of him.
Joe worked as a Special Education educator by day, while his band, Iron City Houserockers gigged by night. They were signed in 1979 by Steve Popovich to his Cleveland International (home of Meat Loaf, Jim Steinman, Ronnie Spector). From the first album Love’s So Tough through the present day, Joe solo, and with various incarnations of the Houserockers, journeyed through albums filled with hard-edged rock with lyrics true to their Pittsburgh Steeltown roots. Albums have included productions and contributions from Ian Hunter (Mott The Hoople), Mick Ronson (David Bowie), Steve Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Cropper (Booker T. & The MG’s), and many others.
Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology covers 40 years of these performances from Iron City Houserockers, Joey G., Joe Grushecky And The Houserockers, and under his own name. Newly remastered by multiple Grammy-winner Michael Graves, and co-Produced by Joe’s son and current Houserocker Johnny Grushecky, and multiple Grammy-winner Cheryl Pawelski, Houserocker’s packaging includes photos from across the years and comprehensive liner notes from Mike Ragogna with Joe, and special Track-by-Track remarks from Grushecky himself. Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology is the ultimate look at the hardest working band in Rock and Roll and Pittsburgh legend, Joe Grushecky.
Available on double-LP, CD, and Digital, Can’t Outrun A Memory features 17 tracks of pure Rock and Roll and shows that Grushecky and crew can still deliver the same driving music they have for decades. Hitting the road in support for this release, including an Anthology release show in Pittsburgh on May 25, the lucky will get to experience their power live. But, Can’t Outrun A Memory will always find a home in anyone’s musical collection of pure and timeless rock.
“This one was a long time coming,” says Grushecky of Can’t Outrun A Memory, “but we worked through never losing sight that we were creating one of our best records. I believe we captured the band at its peak.”
Throughout the 40 years of Joe’s career, he has always balanced his passion for caring for those in need with delivering blistering, energetic rock, while simultaneously breaking boundaries on other fronts. Currently a Board Member on the Light Of Day Foundation, Joe continues to rock the house at the annual Light of Day benefits.
You can pre-order Can’t Outrun A Memory here and pre-order Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology here.
In other Grushecky news, the World Premiere of a new musical, East Carson Street, will open the new Bell Theater at Bell Works in Holmdel, NJ. The play has music by Joe Grushecky with a book by Jonathan Rosenberg. Daniel Kutner directs this show which follows the story of three generations of a Pittsburgh family over a period of four decades. It goes back to the 1980s when the city experienced the demise of the steel and coal industries. As the economy fell apart, residents had to find new ways to support themselves. Families were torn apart as they sought work opportunities elsewhere. Those who remained had to deal with the rising levels of crime and substance abuse.
Tour Dates:
May 25 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Bottlerocket *Anthology release show (sponsored by Iron City Beer and WDVE-FM)
May 31 – Connellsville, PA @ Yough River Rally
June 29 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
July 20 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Wonder Bar
July 27 – Pittsburgh, PA @ City Winery *Can’t Outrun A Memory album release show
August 3 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin' Java
Can’t Outrun A Memory tracklist:
1. This Is Who We Are
2. Here In ‘68
3. Can’t Outrun A Memory
4. Just Drive
5. Sleeping Dog
6. Until I See You Again
7. If These Walls Could Talk
8. We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
9. Living In Coal Country
10. Who’s Fooling Who
11. Rocked My Soul
12. Let’s Cross The Bridge
13. Can’t Outrun A Memory (coda)
14. Leave Well Enough Alone [Bonus Track]
15. Sleeping Dog (Horn Version) [Bonus Track]
16. Living In Coal Country (Acoustic Version) [Bonus Track]
17. Here In ‘68 (Acoustic Version) [Bonus Track]
Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology tracklist:
DISC ONE
1. I Can’t Take It
2. Hideaway
3. Love’s So Tough
4. Have A Good Time (But Get Out Alive)
5. Pumping Iron
6. We’re Not Dead Yet
7. Junior’s Bar
8. Blood On The Bricks
9. A Fool’s Advice
10. Friday Night
11. Rock And Roll Heart
12. American Son
13. Angels
14. I Should Have Never Let You Go
15. Goodbye Steeltown
16. Rock And Real
17. How Long
18. Swimming With The Sharks
DISC TWO
1. Talking To The King
2. Chain Smokin’
3. Never Be Enough Time
4. Labor Of Love
5. Everything’s Going To Work Out Right
6. I’m Not Sleeping
7. Coming home
8. You And Tonight
9. Fingerprints
10. True Companion
11. A Good Life
12. Code Of Silence
13. East Carson Street
14. Another Thin Line
15. Somewhere East Of Eden
16. Who Cares About Those Kids
17. More Yesterdays Than Tomorrows
18. Blood Sweat And Beers
