The Cheaters, Drummer Brian Mirsch
I just heard from my buddy, Jeff Schad, at Montauk Music. He let me know that the Annapolis-based group, The Cheaters, has released it's first single since 2009. And, it's a hot one.
Hey Hey Rock N' Roll is going to be big for these guys. At first listen I thought, "These guys have really matured musically. It's smart music. It shows they've been around the bandstand more than a few times." Have a listen.
The Cheaters are:
Jason Morton - Vocals, Guitar
Brett Wilmer - Guitar
Scott Hommel - Bass, Vocals
Brian Mirsch- Drums
When I asked Jason Morton for the song's backstory, he said, “Hey Hey Rock N’ Roll really depicts who we are. We all pay our dues and this song is about what we live for; it’s a statement that we’re committed to the rock n’ roll lifestyle. There is no alternative for us, and it’s not about fame or attention. There’s many twists, turns and trials in this life – if you really want all of it, rock n’ roll is what you have to love. Hey Hey Rock N’ Roll is real to our lives.”
I'd say that's an honest and accurate assessment. Hey Hey Rock N' Roll hits all the right notes and hits them hard. It lives up to The Cheaters description as "Whiskey-Fueled, Home-Fried Rock N' Roll."
Take a look at The Cheaters performing Locked and Loaded:
The Cheaters have played with some great musicians and groups including ZZ Top, The Pretenders, Stray Cats, REO Speedwagon, Bret Michaels, Eric Church, Shooter Jennings, Ace Frehley, Molly Hatchett, Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster Cult, The Guess Who, and the list goes on.
Check their Facebook page and their website. The Cheaters have an outstanding online presence. It's better, I dare say, than many of the super headliners. Follow them on Twitter, it's a fun feed.
You can check out The Cheaters on October 29th at 9PM in Baltimore:
Nick's Fish House
(Halloween Costume Party and Bikini Contest!)
2600 Insulator Drive
Baltimore 21230
410-347-4123
Ages: 21+
[Sidebar to readers of Baltimore21201: Over the years I've written quite a few posts about Broadway Musicals, Big Band singers, concerts at the Peabody, and symphonies at the Myerhoff. I've written about chamber music and Irish trios at the Enoch Pratt. So, am I qualified to critique The Cheaters? Oh, sure. I cut my musical teeth on hard rock, acid rock, whiskey rock. I was a DJ for alternative stations in Wichita and New York in the late 1960s and early 70s.
Fact: Janis Joplin puked on me—yes, ON me—during an interview in her dressing room in 1968 and later accused me of stealing her black cape off of the stage. I was 18 years-old; she was drunk on Jack. Police were called.
I'd say that alone qualifies me to critique whiskey-rock. I also have some intimate stories about The Guess Who, circa 1969-70, but those are tales for another venue and another time.]
Update 10/21, 2:30 P: My apologies to The Cheaters members Jason, Brett, and Scott for not using your photos. It's a fact though, everyone wants to do see the drummer.
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