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Thursday, May 28, 2020

Joe Grushecky and his Iron City Houserockers release expanded 'Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive)'

An expanded 40th anniversary deluxe reissue of Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive), the sophomore album from Pittsburgh rocker Joe Grushecky and his Iron City Houserockers, is out now digitally via Cleveland International Records. 

The remastered two-CD set includes a bonus disc with 16 previously unreleased tracks of demos and other rarities. The new vinyl edition will include a download card of those same 16 tracks to go with a vinyl replica of the original album. Street date for physical formats is June 19. Preorder the vinyl and physical CD here. Order the exclusive Iron City Houserockers Bundle Pack at www.clevelandinternational.com.

Mick Ronson (David Bowie), Ian Hunter (Mott The Hoople) and Steven Van Zandt (Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny) combined with co-producers Steve Popovich Sr. & Marty Mooney and the Iron City Houserockers to create the album.

“Pumping Iron,” an anthem Grushecky penned as a tribute to his home city, is one he still usually plays with Bruce Springsteen when they perform together.

As Hunter fondly remembers: “Joe and the Houserockers were and are an actual rock and roll band. So many 'rock and roll' bands are not real − they just look and act like they are − and fool people most of the time. These guys are for real − and what a lovely man Joe is.”

In the liner notes, Grushecky offers a remarkably concise analysis of the record that emerged: “We had great songs and the band was smoking,” he writes. “We all knew something special was happening. The results were a mixture of Pittsburgh rock and roll, Jersey Shore savvy and soul, and English mystic and muscle. Add a dash of Cleveland moxie and an anything goes attitude and a legendary album was born.”

Track Listing:

1. Have A Good Time (But Get Out Alive)
2. Don’t Let Them Push You Around
3. Pumping Iron
4. Hypnotized
5. Price of Love
6. Angela
7. We’re Not Dead Yet
8. Blondie
9. Old Man Bar
10. Junior’s Bar
11. Runnin’ Scared
12. Rock Ola

BONUS TRACKS (Disc 2):

1. Have A Good Time…But Get Out Alive (demo)
2. Don’t Let Them Push You Around (demo)
3. Pumping Iron (demo)
4. Don’t Stop the Music (demo)
5. Angela (demo)
6. Price of Love (demo)
7. Hold Out (demo)
8. Rock Ola (demo)
9. Struggle & Die (demo)
10. Rock Ola (extended)
11. Charlena/Blondie
12. Runnin’ Scared
13. Runnin’ Scared #2
14. Hypnotized (A Work In Progress)
15. Rooster Blues
16. Do Wah Diddy

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