You can’t keep a good man down and that certainly rings true when speaking of Joe Gittleman.
After the shocking news that his beloved ska band The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were hanging it up, Joe Gittleman has lost no time staying active musically.
Last June, he released three songs on a split with New Orleans “New-Tone” band, Bad Operation on Bad Time Records. He followed that up with an announcement of a new band featuring him, Sammy Kay, Mike McDermott (Joan Jett), and J. Duckworth called The Kilograms, who released a five-song EP earlier this year. Now Joe has announced his debut solo album titled Hold Up that will be released this June on Bad Time Records. The lead single, “Plastered in the Rafters“, is what you’d expect from the longtime Bostonian…an upbeat ska song, with a tight groove, a dash of punk rock, and thoughtful lyrics. If you’re looking to fill the void that was left from the demise of The Bosstones, “Plastered in the Rafters” is about as good as it gets. Stream it now and be sure to pre-order your copy of Hold Up from Bad Time Records. You can also catch The Kilograms on tour this May and you might even be able to hear some of these solo songs worked into their set.
Release Date: June 21st, 2024
Label: Bad Time Records
Formats: Digital | Vinyl
Purchase
You may know Joe from his split with BAD OPERATION last summer, his recent collaboration with The Kilograms, or his 30+ years as the Bass Fiddleman of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones… but Hold Up is his first full length solo record, and contains 12 songs brimming with an energy that is uniquely ‘Joe’. With help from some friends in Big D, The Pietasters, Sammy K, and more, “Hold Up” is a touches on Joe’s favorite elements of ska, reggae, and punk, and ultimately delivers a heartfelt and unforgettable experience.
Album Credits:
All songs by Joe Gittleman (Now You Fleas Music ASCAP) except:
track 1: Gittleman / Ray
track 5: Gittleman / Hauprich
track 6 & 7: Gittleman / McDonald
track 10: Gittleman / Griffin
Produced by: Joe Gittleman
Recorded by: Anthony Cimino at Mojo Studios Easton, NH
Additional recording by: Joe Gittleman, Ben LeBeau, Joel Edinberg, Alan Makranczy, Shaq Druyan, Brian Pretus, Doug Batchelder, Michael McDermott & J Duckworth.
Mixed by: Paul Q. Kolderie
Mastered by: Pete Weiss at Jade Cow Music Somerville, MA
Artwork Credits:
Cover image: color photogram by Len Gittleman, 1980
Back cover polaroid by: Ry McDonald
Layout by Mike Sosinski
Recording Credits:
Joe Gittleman: bass fiddleman, lead vocals & guitar
Anthony Cimino: drums & percussion on 1,3,4,5,6 & 7
Ry McDonald: lead guitar & vocals on 1,3,6 & 7
Joel Edinberg: tenor & / or baritone sax on 3,4,6,7 & 8
Andrew Hauprich: organ / electric piano on 1,3,4,5, vocals on 4 & 5
D-Ray: trombone on 1
Sammy Kay: guitar, organ & vocal on 8
Michael McDermott: drums on 8
John Lynch: drums on 2
Peter Gustafson: trombone on 9
Al Francis: organ on 6 & 7
Alan Makranczy & Jeremy Roberts: sax / trombone on 3
Dan Schneider: Ace organ on 3
Ryan O’Connor, Paul Cutler and Dan Stoppelman: sax/trombone/trumpet on 6
Dave McWane: vocal on 6
Pete Fanelli: trombone on 4 & 7
Brooke Stroh: vocal on 7