Pumping more iron
Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers releasing anthology and new music
Houserocker fans, you have a bounty on the way. Soon after “East Carson Street,” the musical set to Joe Grushecky’s songs, opens in New Jersey on May 3, the Pittsburgh legend will release two new albums on Omnivore Recordings.
“Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology,” coming May 24, is a career-spanning retrospective featuring 36 songs remastered by Grammy winner Michael Graves, including some that have never been re-released or available on CD or streaming. It covers Grushecky’s time with the Iron City Houserockers in the late ’70s through his solo material and work with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers.
The packaging includes photos from across the years, liner notes from Mike Ragogna, and track-by-track remarks from the artist.
On Thursday, Grushecky shared the anthology version of “Pumping Iron,” noting: “Through all the years playing every type of gig imaginable, ‘Pumping Iron’ has become our signature song. We have never gotten tired of it, and it is a highlight of every show.”
Then, on July 12, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers will release “Can’t Outrun A Memory,” their first album of new material in seven years. It will feature 13 Grushecky originals and a cover of The Animals classic “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place.”
“This one was a long time coming,” Grushecky said in a statement, “but we worked through, never losing sight that we were creating one of our best records. I believe we captured the band at its peak.”
‘Can’t Outrun A Memory’ track list:
1. This is Who We Are
2. Here in ‘68
3. Can’t Outrun a Memory
4. Just Drive
5. Sleeping Dog
6. Until I See You Again
7. If These Walls Could Talk
8. We Gotta Get Out of This Place
9. Living in Coal Country
10. Who’s Fooling Who
11. Rocked My Soul
12. Let’s Cross the Bridge
13. Can’t Outrun a Memory (coda) 14. Leave Well Enough Alone (Bonus Track)
15. Sleeping Dog (Horn Version) (Bonus Track)
16. Living in Coal Country (Acoustic Version) (Bonus Track) 17. Here in ‘68 (Acoustic Version) (Bonus Track)
‘Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology’ track list: Disc one
1. I Can’t Take It
2. Hideaway
3. Love’s So Tough
4. Have a Good Time (But Get
Out Alive)
5. Pumping Iron
6. We’re Not Dead Yet
7. Junior’s Bar
8. Blood on the Bricks
9. A Fool’s Advice
10. Friday Night
11. Rock and Roll Heart
12. American Son
13. Angels
14. I Should Have Never Let You Go 15. Goodbye Steeltown
16. Rock and Real
17. How Long
18. Swimming with the Sharks
Disc two
1. Talking to the King
2. Chain Smokin’
3. Never Be Enough Time
4. Labor of Love
5. Everything’s Going to Work Out Right
6. I’m Not Sleeping
7. Coming home
8. You and Tonight
9. Fingerprints
10. True Companion
11. A Good Life
12. Code of Silence
13. East Carson Street
14. Another Thin Line
15. Somewhere East of Eden
16. Who Cares About Those Kids
17. More Yesterdays Than Tomorrows
18. Blood, Sweat and Beers