1980 is one of those years that shook the rock world. We saw legends pass, arena bands record their last stand, and some acts shift awkwardly into the unknown frontier of a new decade. That’s what was going on above the surface. Below the mainstream some artists were changing music by reflecting the mood of their communities. Through the themes buried within their lyrics, and the newer sounds of their songs, we were introduced to the turmoil some cities then faced. Few bands offered up material as gritty, rich and poignant as Pittsburgh’s own The Iron City Houserockers. Led by Joe Grushecky, the band developed a Rust Belt following. They had crowned him as their own Springsteen, a man who understood the challenges they faced as the steel industry quickly fell apart and removed what little financial footing they had left. The band’s sophomore effort, Have A Good Time But...Get Out Alive, would creatively document that condition. Recorded at Media Sound Studios in Manhattan with the help of rock legends like The Slimmer Twins (Steve Popovich and Marty Mooney), Steve Van Zandt (E Street Band), Mick Ronson (David Bowie) and Ian Hunter (Mott The Hoople), they cut what has now become their signature record.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of this epic musical milestone, Cleveland International Records is releasing a remastered edition of the album. It’s accompanied by a 16-track collection of songs that the band had quickly recorded in Pittsburgh to prepare for their trip to New York. In that sense these demo tracks reflect what their fans had been hearing in clubs and how they had been hearing them. Moreover, what this brilliant new package presents is the full journey from where the concept of an album began to where it landed. That delivers a balance to the two discs that’s very rare in releases of this kind.
This story is from the August 2020 edition of GOLDMINE.
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This story is from the August 2020 edition of GOLDMINE.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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