From the Iron City Houserockers of 1979 to the current incarnation of The Houserockers, this band has always been one of America's hardest working rock and roll bands. A Rolling Stone review once echoed the words "they are up there with Springsteen, Petty and Seger". Pretty good company, don't you think?! From Love's So Tough to A Good Life, the band has changed but the music remains true to their Pittsburgh, Steeltown roots! Hard edged, rock and roll with fine lyrics from the ringmaster, Mr. Joe Grushecky. More than just a "bar band", a Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers show is one of the best shows you will see, hands down! And here are the guys that are currently making it happen.
Ladies and Gentleman, may I introduce to you...the hardest working band in Rock and Roll...Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers:
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JOE GRUSHECKY "In a better world, Joe Grushecky would live in a mansion down the road from Springsteen's. Instead, this enormous talent spends his days teaching some of western Pennsylvania's most troubled children....Who do you know who has made back-to-back great albums more than 20 years ago, and is doing the same thing now. There's Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Neil Young, Springsteen, maybe a few more. He's on that level." - Jimmy Guterman, Runaway American Dream: Listening to Bruce Springsteen Joe Grushecky’s music has stood the test of time. For 30 years publications such as Billboard, Rolling Stone, Village Voice, No Depression, and countless others have hailed him as one of rock & roll’s most talented singer-songwriters |
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JOFFO SIMMONS Drums and Vocals Jeffrey “Joffo” Simmons joined Art and Joe right out of college and has been Houserockin’ ever since. Joffo Says, ”After majoring in percussion at the University of Pittsburgh, I played in various Rock bands in the Pittsburgh area until landing a steady gig with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers in 1984. My style is influenced by James Brown, John Fogarty, the Rolling Stones, Tower of Power, Chicago, Booker T and the MG's, Earth, Wind, and Fire, and the Beatles. My love for the hard driving Rhythm and Blues style has allowed me the opportunity to become an integral part of "Rock N' Real", "Swimmin' with the Sharks", "End of the Century", "American Babylon", "Comin' Home", "Down the Road a Piece", “East Carson Street”, and “We’re Not Dead Yet.” |
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DANNY GOCHNOUR Guitar and Vocals Widely acknowledged as one of the best guitar players in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Danny joined the Houserockers in 2006. He says,” I started playing guitar when I was nine after seeing the Monkees on T.V. "What a cool way to make a living", I thought. I wanted to be Davey but I dug the Mike guitar thing. I borrowed my cousin's green sunburst Tiesco del Ray guitar (I wish I had that now!) and took a few lessons off of a priest at a neighborhood church. A year or so later, probably in the summer of 69 or 70 our drummers cousin Kevin Angeline came to visit from Boston. Apparently Kevin was the cousin of Jimmy McCarty of Cactus fame at the time. Well, Kevin had this long shag haircut, a leather jacket and an old Gibson Les Paul Special and turned me on to the world of Lead guitar.” |
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JOHNNY GRUSHECKY Guitar Vocals, Drums and Percussion Johnny joined the Houserockers at birth!!! He plays with the Houserockers as well as with his band, Milly He brings the excitement and enthusiasm of youth to the band. Already a seasoned veteran, Johnny has grown up before our very eyes and continues to be a driving force behind the mighty Houserockers! |
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JEFF (JD) GARRISON A unique blend of eclectic styles and a burning passion for blue collar rock and roll is what gives Jeff his aggressive gritty style of bass playing making him a perfect fit for the Houserockers. |
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BRIAN COLEMAN Brian has been doing sound for the band for over 20 years. He is a die hard Pittsburgh Pirate and Beach Boys fan. He has quite a collection of rock memorabilia. Brian always makes the band sound good. |
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RICK UEBELACKER Rick has been with the band for 20 years also. He started his career in rock and roll while still in high school. He has toured extensively and has a great knowledge of all aspects of sound and staging. |
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RICK WITKOWSKI Producer Rick Witkowski has been in the music industry as musician, writer, producer, engineer for over 30 years. He has composed and produced themes for Nickelodeons KIDS CHOICE AWARDS, GUTS, ACTION LEAGUE NOW, FIGURE IT OUT, FAMILY DOUBLE DARE 2000, as well as VH-1s DIVAS. Along with his wife, Deborah, he has successfully recorded book-to-tape projects for Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., NY, NY, and Scholastic Publishing Co., NY, NY, that are featured in school systems internationally. A member of the 70s progressive rock band, Crack The Sky, he has performed and recorded with other groups including Kathy Troccoli, Donnie Iris, B.E. Taylor, Joe Grushecky w/Bruce Springsteen. |