Iron City Houserockers – Blood On the Bricks – 2 CD Set
This is the Pittsburg-based band’s 3rd album & it was recorded in L.A. (1981). I always thought this group was an answer to Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band. I don’t know why. But there’s a touch of Bruce with a dash of the J. Geils Band. I liked them. They had guts & character. They weren’t a garage band; they were too accomplished. Nonetheless, they had that ingredient. The necessary chocolate with salted potato chips.
Guitar legend Steve Cropper produced the original LP’s 9 songs & this Blood On the Bricks (Drops March 21/Omnivore/Cleveland International/MCA) offers a bonus 2 CD compilation produced by Cheryl Pawelski & Johnny Grushecky. 19 tracks with 1 out-take on disc 1. Disc 2 has 4 live tracks from a Cambridge show & 6 demo recordings made in PA. All were previously unissued.
I bought this vinyl LP back in 1981 at Sam Goody’s. The group didn’t appear to be a hair band (the death of rock) & wasn’t punk or new wave. They oozed old-fashioned balls-to-the-wall rock n’ roll from the heartland. I’d never heard of them on the radio or seen an ad in Rolling Stone. But ‘ah, my foes & ah my friends’ — they delivered.
“Friday Night” followed by the excellent “Saints & Sinners” – both had a touch of the melodic rock indulgence that was to be found with Eddie & the Tide. Good rollicking, memorable steady tunes. The arrangements were tight. The songs had durability through their musically diverse instrumentation. The band had a good neighborhood feel too. Pittsburg, Philly, New York, Chicago & Boston — they’d relate to this.
“No Easy Way Out” is another scorcher ‘should have been hit’ song. Even the demo cooks. The harmonica is good on “No More Loneliness” but this is where Cropper puts some polish on with the soulful wax he shapes into the Iron City group. Joe Grushecky (vocals/guitar) is an effective rocker, but he proves he can handle soul & R&B rails as well. At times like with “Watch Out” they sound eerily close to a good Graham Parker & the Rumor. If the song wasn’t so good I’d say they were imitating Parker but it’s not the case. It’s dipped too deep in Iron City Houserockers mortar. “Blood On the Bricks” has a nice wailing harmonica & brings the band down to their groove. This is almost in PA’s Donnie Iris charging rock n’ roll tradition though Iris is a little more commercial.
The final entry “A Fool’s Advice” packed with some gnarly Keith Richards-type guitar, blasts of soulful horns, harmonica whines & vocally — comes over with a touch of Mick Jagger’s intonation. And yes, this could’ve been a great Stones song. The outtake “Let the Boy Rock” is a viable addition. Lots of dance beat energy, a wall of guitars & Jerry Lee Lewis-style piano runs with Grushecky at full throttle. Great stuff.
The 4 live bonus tracks are recorded surprisingly well. The “Saints & Sinners” narrative & vocal has more of a Springsteen coat of paint on it but…this band can carry it off effectively because that little harmonica touch blends the Worcester, MA – J. Geils Band magic into it. It’s like sprinkles on an ice cream cone. The 6 demo recordings were captured pristinely. “You Must Be The One,” is very Eddie & the Tide oriented & is a song that should be covered by someone. The album is worth returning to or discovering.
Highlights – CD 1 (41:11) “Friday Night,” “Saints & Sinners,” “This Time The Night (Won’t Save Us),” “No Easy Way Out,” “No More Loneliness,” “Watch Out,” “Blood On the Bricks” & “A Fool’s Advice.” CD 2 (46:12) “Watch Out,” “Saints & Sinners,” “You Must Be The One” & “No Easy Way Out.”
Musicians – CD 1: Eddie Britt (lead guitar/vocals), Art Nardini (bass), Ned Rankin (drums), Marc Reisman (harmonica) & Gil Snyder (keyboards/vocals) with Steve Cropper (guitar solo on “This Time The Night (Won’t Save Us”), Jim Horn (saxes), Steve Forman (percussion), Steve Madeo (trumpet) & Brick Alley Boys Town Choir (bgv). CD 2: Eddie Britt (guitar), Joe Grushecky (vocals/guitar), Art Nardini (bass), Ned E. Rankin (drums), Marc Reisman (harmonica) & Gil Snyder (keyboards/vocals) with Lee Robinson (sax).
The cover image is courtesy of Norman Seeff. Packaged as a 6-panel with a 12pp stitched liner note booklet.
CD at https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/blood-on-the-bricks/ & https://www.joegrushecky.com/store/catalogue/details/product_id:925 & http://www.ironcityhouserockers.com/SlideShowNewPage.html
