A PARAMOUNT PERFORMANCE

(Courtesy of backstreets.com)



Light of Day 12 was the largest and most diverse yet of the now-international series of shows benefiting Parkinson's research. Featuring over 100 acts in 12 venues throughout Asbury Park, this year's event had a little something for everyone, from acoustic singer/songwriters to country, punk, and soul. The ever-expanding event included shows at new LOD venues like The Saint and Asbury Lanes, with most venues filled to near capacity with fans from as far away as Russia and Switzerland.



Standouts from previous nights included a strong set of brand new material by the always powerful Maybe Pete, thundering Lower East Side rock 'n' roll from the caustic and hilarious Dick Manitoba's new band, and a round of soul classics from J.T. Bowen & the Soul Cruisers. Friday night at the Stone Pony was dedicated to the many deceased Jersey Shore musicians who formed the heart of the so-called Sound of Asbury Park, including everyone from Clarence Clemons and Dan Federici of the E Street Band to former Jukes and John Eddie drummer Louie Appel.

But last night's event at the Paramount Theater was the main attraction, and with one of the strongest lineups in years, it did not disappoint. There were spirited sets by Lisa Bouchelle, longtime shore favorite John Eddie, the effervescent Willie Nile, and New Yorker Garland Jeffreys, who previewed several songs from an upcoming CD release. There were the bluesy guitar and vocals of the legendary David Bromberg. And there was also the Asbury Park debut of Southside Johnny & the Poor Fools, who presented both Jukes staples and unusual and well-chosen covers by the likes of NRBQ and Lucinda Williams in stripped-down arrangements that highlighted longtime Jukes keyboardist Jeff Kazee and the fiddle of Jukes alum Soozie Tyrell

But it was clear that many were in attendance to catch the annual "surprise" appearance by Mr. Bruce Springsteen, who closed out the evening in raucous fashion. Wearing a black and grey plaid shirt and jeans, Bruce assumed guitar/vocals duties with Jeffreys on "Wild in the Streets" and with Willie Nile on "One Guitar," and followed this up with his by-now traditional set with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers. Opening the segment alone at the mic for an acoustic "Incident on 57th Street," he began on a somber note. Bruce then left the stage while Bromberg sat in with the Houserockers, returning to lead off the louder portion of the program with "Darkness on the Edge of Town." As per usual, Bruce and Grushecky alternated material, Joe taking lead on "Never Be Enough Time" and Bruce on "Adam Raised a Cain."



The highlight of the set was Bruce's pop gem "Save My Love," which he introduced by declaring it one of his favorite melodies. Springsteen seemed particularly enthused to be there, several times referring to his upcoming tour and album release, and complimenting longtime friends John Eddie and Willie Nile on their performances. "Atlantic City" was followed by the full band version of "Johnny 99," during which Bruce jumped up and sat next to keyboardist Joe Pelesky, executing a perfect glissando with his right foot before winding up on top of the drum riser, where he ended the song lying backwards over the bass drum. "I'm Not Sleeping" (Bruce and Grushecky) was followed by "Because the Night," for which Bruce called out John, Willie and Garland to sing backing vocals.



Pausing for a moment midset, he commented, "I'm up late. I gotta get up at 7 tomorrow — I still have one at home — gotta make pancakes. Yeah, mostly I'm just a chauffeur and short order cook who plays guitar." The crowd-pleasing "Waitin' on a Sunny Day" followed, Bruce leading the singalong from atop the drum riser. Grushecky's "Pumping Iron" was next, after which Springsteen announced special guest Max Weinberg, who sat in on the remainder of the set, along with Tony "Boccigalupe" Amato on Hammond B-3. The stage filled with performers for "Light of Day" and "The Promised Land," and event founder Bob Benjamin received a belated birthday greeting and cake. "Twist and Shout" continued the all-star singalong, and the night concluded with an acoustic "Thunder Road" in tribute to Benjamin. The audience, which had been particularly enthusiastic in joining in on the vocals, sang along in unison, and as the house lights came up, smiles from locals and internationals indicated another successful Light of Day event.

They Ain't Dead Yet! - Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers
By Rev. Keith Gordon

It must suck to be you, because if you've never witnessed the power and the glory that is a live performance by Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, then you haven't really walked on the wild side! The Reverend remembers one memorable Houserockers performance in Nashville back around '95, Joey G and the boys bum rushing the Music City, rolling into town for a live radio broadcast from a local speakeasy that may have blown out a few transistors down at Radio Lightning.

The five-man gang was crammed onto a corner stage so damn small that it's doubtful you could park a Mini-Cooper in the middle and still have room to climb out. It looked like the inside of a clown car, but there was nothing funny about the destruction that the Houserockers leveled upon Nashville that weeknight. With a grand total of three people in the club who had the foggiest notion of who they were watching perform, and another 100 or so that were there to get a cheap drunk on, Grushecky and the Houserockers performed like they thought they were damn rock stars and, on that night, they were indeed the greatest rock 'n' roll outfit on the planet.

To read more of this article click here

Joe Grushecky Talks Bruce in RollingStone.com
By Andy Greene

Rolling Stone Magazine On-line has a great new article on Joe and his friendship with Bruce, teaching high school and the new CD.

Check it out at:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ … l-20111114

Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with special guest Bruce Springsteen at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall

Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers will reunite with special guest Bruce Springsteen for two Pittsburgh concert appearances on Thursday, November 3 and Friday, November 4, 7:30pm at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall(4141 Fifth Ave. in Oakland District of Pittsburgh). The Composure will open both shows.

Tickets will go on sale Tuesday October 18, 2011, 10am at all Ticketmaster outlets, on the phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. There is a four ticket limit per customer.

Joffo in the Tribune Review
By Rege Behe, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Read more: Stereotypes still surround musicians in many genres - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu … l?_s_icmp=

When Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers performed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio, earlier this year, drummer Joffo Simmons arrived just a little bit after his bandmates. When Simmons tried to enter the venue, he was stopped by a security guard.

"The guy didn't believe I was with the band," Simmons says. "I couldn't get in."

He was not stopped because he lacked identification, but because he is black. It's a situation he's often faced during almost three decades with the Houserockers. There are people who still don't believe a black musician would want to play rock or folk or any genre outside of R&B, soul and rap. Simmons is one of a number of local singers and musicians who have defied the stereotype expectations of society.

"What people don't understand is, this who I am," says Simmons, 50. "I'm just trying to be me, even if it doesn't confirm to black norms, or whatever that norm means. I'm good at what I do, and I enjoy it a lot."

Simmons, like country singer Darius Rucker (formerly of Hootie & the Blowfish), stands out because he's black in a predominately white genre. Even though Grushecky is the face of the band, there have been incidents when race became an issue for the group.

"Because Joffo is black, people assume he's not in the band," Grushecky says, noting that the late James King, a black harmonica player who occasionally performed with the Houserockers, was the target of abuse at shows in West Virginia. "I've always had black musicians in the band and always had to deal with those kinds of prejudices. The further out (from Pittsburgh) we get, the worse it gets."

Joffo Simmons traces his love of rock music to his childhood. He grew up in Shadyside in the '60s, and recalls it as a diverse neighborhood where music seemed to emanate from every other house. His parents religiously watched "The Ed Sullivan Show" every Sunday night, exposing Simmons to the emerging artists of the 1960s and early '70s. His mother was a fan of Gary "U.S." Bonds and Chuck Berry, and an older brother was into Blood, Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power and Chicago.

For Simmons, being black and a rock musician is not an oddity, but natural.

"I like to think of myself to be a roots musician," Simmons says. "If you think about it, black people are the ones who started rock 'n' roll and roots music. So as a black person, I'm really being true to myself. It's all about where you were born."