Joe Grushecky Still Shows 'em who's Boss (Updated December 26, 2012)

Joe Grushecky's storied career began in the mid 1970's, but the revival of his music with the band The Houserockers came in 1989 with the release of the album "Rock & Real." It was followed by seven more albums, the most recent being 2009's "East Carson Street."

Grushecky, a veteran heartland rocker, was a high school special education teacher when he started his very first band back in 1976. After they were signed to a record deal the following year, the label christened them the Iron City Houserockers. Upon their break, Grushecky returned to Pittsburgh to reclaim his teaching position. But he would also spend the next several years re-honing his songwriting craft.

It would take five years for Grushecky to re-emerge on the rock scene, with 1989's "Rock & Real," the first effort with The Houserockers. It was followed with "Swimming With the Sharks" and "End of the Century." In 1995, Grushecky and his band began what would be a long-lasting collaboration with Bruce Springsteen. The iconic rocker produced their next album, "American Babylon," and also co-wrote two songs and contributed on guest vocals and guitar. He later would up as their lead guitarist on a tour to celebrate the album's release.

Grushecky and Springsteen played together again in 2010 and 2011, as they assembled to celebrate the 15th anniversary of "American Babylon." Their stop in Pittsburgh at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall was a highlight, with thousands of fans packing the venue for several sold out shows. The setlist was wide open, going from Houserockers to E Street Band songs, with Springsteen doing several guitar solos and also opening the show with an acoustic set.

The Houserockers recently unveiled a new live CD recorded at New Hazlett Theater. It's comprised of 21 songs, 18 of which are different from their last live CD.