THE GROOVE HOGS: Wrong Side of the Street

The Groove Hogs

Wrong Side of the Street

© 2002 Trawf Records (783707481326)

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10 piece band mixes Blues with hooky Rock 'n Soul vocals, horns, and big guitars. Also check out the newest CD titled Blue Rhythms, White Lies.

tracks

1 The Blues is my Business (and business is good)
2 Baby's Gone
3 Love Fever
4 Soul Queenie
5 Fool
6 Positive Trip
7 Tryin' to Make Ends Meet
8 Listen
9 Who do You Think you're Foolin'?
10 The Real Love
11 Workin' Ev'ryday

notes

"Horn bands just aren't the happening thing these days. It'll never last....."

Boy, how many times do you think the Groove Hogs have heard that? From promoters and agents to other musicians, that sentiment has been muttered to the band in one form or another countless times in the 8 years they've been together. So where did it all start, and why even try to assemble the "impossible band?"

Formed in the winter of 1994 as a four-piece blues outfit, the group was initially meant to be a side project. Guitarist Pat Kiel relates, "A few of us were working together in a full-time band playing clubs, weddings and corporate gigs. That got old real fast, so we decided to form The Groove Hogs as a musical release. The band wrote some originals and covered material by Robin Ford, Delbert McClinton, B.B. King, and Albert Collins, to name a few.

As the band's ambition grew, so did their size. In early 1996 they added a four-piece horn section, expanding to eight members. Shortly after, they added a trombonist to the lineup. The large addition gave the Hogs a means to expand upon the blues-based music they had been playing. It was also evident that their new sound was just as appealing to their audience as it was to the band itself. By this time the local buzz was loud; loud enough that all members quickly realized this 'part-time project' deserved their full attention. All other musical projects were disbanded.

The band turned its attention to more songwriting. Of course, putting nine musicians with varied backgrounds together under one common roof creates the chance for either mass chaos or great opportunity. Fortunately for the band, opportunity won out. This is evident on their first recording. The exploratory collection of music contains an eclectic mix of blues, pop, funk and Latin influences. Released in 1997, this self titled disc produced two singles: "I Want You," a swinging jump blues track written by trumpet player Pat Phalen, and the pop ballad "Dreaming of You," penned by saxophonist Adam Plamann.

The spring and summer of 1999 saw The Groove Hogs continuing to tear their way through a steady diet of live performances. Sharing stages with acts such as Blues Traveler, George Thoroughgood, Edgar Winter, Papa Chubby and Brian Lee, their shows became the proving ground for much of the material that was written for their sophomore offering entitled "No Small Feat". It was also at this time that the band found blues/soul vocalist Ron "Handbag" Hanson and added him to the mix. Handbag's whiskey smooth vocal approach solidified the growing focus of the band to ground itself in the blues-branded rock 'n soul approach they had found.

Released in July of 2000, "No Small Feat" was very well received. Blues Bytes Magazine called it 'one of the best indie releases of the year'. Along with the new record, the band's constant performing found them honing their sound in front of growing audiences at consistently larger shows across the country. Eventually, "No Small Feat" found its way into the hands of legendary producer Jim Gaines. Impressed with the disc, Gaines readily agreed to produce the Hog's third release, "Wrong Side of the Street".

Scheduled for release nationwide in March of 2002, "Wrong Side of the Street" paints a picture of a band that is not just surviving, but thriving. The recent addition of Steve Cooper to the band is testament. Cooper's huge vocal style is second only to his jaw dropping tenor sax work. Along with Hanson, he shares lead vocal responsibilities on the new CD (bringing the actual number of vocalists in the band to eight). So how did this band last out?

"Together, we've always just loved the music we're playing. It's that joy that keeps any band together" says keyboardist Brian Gruselle. "Besides, it's the damnedest thing, but we actually all get along. It's like a big family. And it's the first thing people notice when they see us live. They can't believe how much fun we have making music together."

Ten strong for eight years. Go figure

reviews

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  • wrong side of the street
    author: peter repak

    what a great sound. tight, punching horn section combined with guitar pyrotechnics, great rhythm section, and a great blues vocalist. i immediately added all their other cd's to my cdbaby cart.

  • Wrong Side of the Street
    author: Mike Lucido

    I bought this cd around the beginning of the year and I still haven't gotten tired of it. Great horn backed blues with Paul Rodgers style vocals (a good thing). Hopefully they will get their asses to Northern California in the near future. I'd love to see this band live. EXCELLENT CD.

  • awesome!!! jump around funn!! these guys got groooooooove
    author: badge34

    probably one of my fav cds already not a bad cut on the disc one of those cds you feel drained at the end .GREAT!!!!

  • Hot Blues with Brass and Big Guitar
    author: Minstrelman

    This was the best big band blues album I've ever heard. The arrangements, orchestration and vocals are superb. Makes you want to get up and dance. Terrific CD Groove Hogs. I'll be buying more!!

  • Am enjoying the CD
    author: Rebecca Lostan

    Love the CD. Good lyrics, great sound

  • Great mix of horns and guitar riffs
    author: Bill H

    Throughly enjoyable. Excellent music that I will listen to over and over again.

  • Very good CD, well worth buying...
    author: Tim Larmour

    ... for pretty much the same reasons as everyone else here has been listing. I wouldn't go as far as saying they're the best, but they are very close. Tasty.

  • Funk and Blues City!
    author: scottlr

    This is some of the best music I have ever heard. A killer blues band, with a Tower of Power-like horn section! Kick ass drummer (ala Gerabaldi)! Guitars are blazing, bass is pumping, and soulful singing! Wish y'all would come play in Iowa City!

  • author: Jim Breck - California

    The Groove Hogs "Wrong Side of the Street" is the smoothest collection of Blues I have heard with all the instruments on fire, and the rich vocal style of the band just brings back a great deal of memories of years gone by, oustanding!

  • Take a walk on the Wrong Side...
    author: Mark Tippery

    A great find that combines outstanding horns, heartfelt vocals and guitar to create a big sound. I wish the guitar was even more prominent throughout this recording. These guys have a great formula and are obviously a cohesive, well oiled blues machine. A great listen and seamless in the sharing of the spotlight on the various instruments.

  • Hot CD
    author: Hoot

    Excellent horn and rhythm section, hot guitarist, good song writing... What else do you need?

  • Excellent CD. Everything was perfect.
    author: Wrong Side of the Street

    This CD arrived promptly and in perfect condition... I highly recommend CD Baby... Baby!!

  • great!
    author: lisa

    one of the best cd's I've ever bought. would highly recommend to anyone who likes the jazz/blues

  • Great music to stir your soul to get up and dance!
    author: Howard Haynes

    Get your groove on with this cd from Trying to Make Ends Meet to Love Fever, if it doesn't make you want to get up and dance - then you have no soul!! Every song a winner. Guaranteed to bring a smile to your heart!!!

  • Great!!!!
    author: PigChicken™

    Does your album cover photo look familiar (http://home.earthlink.net/~drjewett/jpigletter.htm)... if you answered "yes," then you are right. Don't forget Chabella!

  • great cd buy it I did!!
    author: mark donovan

    great cd!! it keeps finding its way back into my cd player.

  • Right sound for Wrong Side of the Street
    author: Dave J

    These guys are smokin'. What a tight group...it's great to hear horns these days. They've got a new fan, I'll be buying and listening for more from the Groove Hogs. Great mix of sounds, super songs, the band is tight, fantastic lead vocals too. We need more bands like this.

  • AWESOME!!!
    author: Craig

    This has got to be one of the best blues cds I have ever heard.The horns are not over done like in a lot of bands.The guitar playing is awesome and the singer sounds great.going to buy all their cds.

  • Nice jump blues
    author: Randall

    This CD has the passion of Duke Robillard with the swing to back it up, what's not to like?

  • great cd
    author: d hill

    I saw this band about five years ago at a bar along the lake in Shawno, WI. I have talked highly of them since to anyone that would listen. I never dreamt that I would find a CD of them. Now I play the CD for anyone that will listen!! Not one bad song on the entire CD!!! I can't wait to see them live--again--in Marquette, MI at the blues festival Labor Day weekend!!

  • The Groove Hogs - " Wrong Side of The Street"
    author: Michael Fell

    Really bought this because I heard the track "Love Fever" which is absolutely brilliant. Rest of the album is just as good. Nice to hear "real" music played like they're enjoying it. Bang on, pity I can't see them live in England !

  • This is the business!
    author: CG of London

    Gutsy stuff. Thumping bass lines from bass guitar and big brass. Tight driving drumming. Punchy mid range horns. Great rhythm and lead guitar. Hammond (type?) organ. Committed energetic vocals. And whatever else is in there sounds great. Well arranged and recorded. What comes over is that these guys are accomplished musicians, they know their stuff, they really enjoy playing it and they are damned good at it. It's fun! What more do you want? If you like music, you should like this CD because it is just good, kicking, good time music.

  • What an appropriate name!!
    author: Peter Ryan

    I bought this album as a throw in as it cost the same for postage to Australia for 1 or 2. Sometimes spur of the moment decisions come up trumps. What a Superbly tight powerful band.Move over Blood Sweat & Chicago these guys deserve some stage time. I hope one day they make it to Oz. so I can hear them live. SIMPLY BRILLIANT !!!

  • author: k.mcghee

    great, if you like Blood Sweat Tears and Chicago you'll like this.

  • Brass Rocks!
    author: Karen

    Great band---Great CD! I was fortunate enough to see these guys at the Wisc. State Fair a couple of years back when they opened for Micky Dolenz. The CD is as terrific as the band was live! The presence of the brass section is a fantastic addition to a great band.

  • Excellent, upbeat and original
    author: RDE

    Great mix of tunes. Saw them live in London Ontario Canada and immediately bought this CD. Quality full sound with all the horns it was and is great. They sound very much like they do live, which for me means they are consistent and real. Keep the tunes coming!

  • man can they get u out of your chair
    author: Doug Warren

    saw theses guys in Windsor and thier cd is no let down from thier live show grove on boys worth twice the price

  • These Guys WAIL!
    author: bluesmotelfla

    This is a great CD and if your not sure go see these guys LIVE. They tore down The "Spring Into Blues" festival in Jacksonville Beach this spring!!

  • If this doesn't make you feel good - you're already dead!
    author: Doug Renwick, Scotland

    What a revelation! Found by accident and never off my car CD. This is packed with soul food - driving rock, blues with some funky twists thrown in - great horn arrangments esp. the big bari! Highspots so far - Blues Is My Business, and Listen, - crank it up and blow the cobwebs away.

  • Great CD!
    author: Kate

    This CD has great music for swing dancing.

  • talent abound...from the simplest of chords to the hardest of chorus.
    author: david adams

    I have heard many a blue in my timne...and seen many a band. I viewed Groove Hogs in wisconsin in late june.....let me tell you....if you haven"t experienced this band you haven't experienced soul on a working mans level. This is a group of guys who have a good sight on what it takes to be in the starlight and are just looking for the big break that is going to carry them and their families to it.listen to the first two releases and then listen to wrong side of the street...you will find that this one should have put them in the drivers seat.....and it just might.

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