Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers at the Loft at City Winery

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, vocalist/guitarist Joe Grushecky started the Brick Alley Band in 1976, which became the Iron City Houserockers in 1977. Similar in style to bands coming out of the scene born in Asbury Park, New Jersey, the Iron City Houserockers gained some traction, shortened its name to the Houserockers in 1983, but the band split in 1984 and Grushecky returned to teaching special education in Pittsburgh. He returned to music in 1989 with Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers, and Bruce Springsteen began offering songs, producing tracks and performing live with the band. Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers released its ninth and most recent studio album, More Yesterdays Than Tomorrows, on March 30, 2018. The band presently consists of Grushecky, guitarists Danny Gochnour and Johnny Grushecky, keyboardist Joe Monroe, bassist Jeff "JD" Garrison, and drummer Joffo Simmons.

Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers' performance tonight at the Loft at City Winery celebrated the 40th anniversary of the release of the Iron City Houserockers' debut album. The band performed only three songs from that album, however, plus one later Iron City Houserockers song, instead focusing more on more recent songs. Grushecky & the Houserockers release albums about every five years or so, however, so "recent songs" meant performing music from the past 20 years. Throughout the set, the band remained true to its signature blue-collar heartland rock and roll. Like the Houserockers' Jersey peers, the songs were passionate and rooted in America's musical heritage, drawing on classic rhythm and blues on some songs and folk-rock ballads on other songs. Even the softer songs had a gritty, long-worn touch. This was not the type of music that makes it to the top of the pop charts anymore, but it was more than suitable for hard-edged rock and roll fans.

Setlist:

1. More Yesterdays Than Tomorrows
2. Another Thin Line
3. Labor of Love
4. Work in Progress
5. Code of Silence (Bruce Springsteen cover)
6. Pumping Iron (Iron City Houserockers song)
7. Chain Smokin'
8. East Carson Street
9. Veronica (Iron City Houserockers song)
10. Heroes Are Hard to Find (Iron City Houserockers song)
11. Everything's Going to Work Out Right
12. Gimme Shelter (The Rolling Stones cover)
13. Never Be Enough Time
14. I'm Lucky (Iron City Houserockers song)