Ameripolitan rockabilly outfit Mighty Joe Castro & the Gravamen offer their soulful re-interpretation of Johnny Thunders' lament, "Disappointed In You". 

From Mighty Joe Castro:
"Going down a Heartbreakers rabbit hole years ago, at a time in my life when a few former band mates and childhood friends had recently passed before their time, I came across a live version of this tune, with just Johnny and a sax player, and it blew me away.  As a song, it didn’t feel fully finished but it held it’s ground with a rough honesty. I got the feeling that Johnny was singing just as much about himself as to some other person.  I think any working musician or artist with a little mileage under their belt, has lost someone close to them who had so much talent, so much potential, so much heart... but in the end, they let it slip away either to drugs or depression. Sadly, I could relate.

So I was honored to be asked to participate in the 2021 Johnny Thunders Birthday Bash, as part of the live stream, and knew I wanted to do this song.  We took it seriously and I wanted to do it right.  It was recorded completely live (no overdubs) at Miner St. in Philadelphia by Brian McTear.  It was filmed by Bob Sweeney, who used 4 stationary cameras plus his handheld.  For three hours of work, I think it came out pretty good.. Thank you Steve Krebs, Barry Apfel and Simone Zimmerman for including us.

These days, when I think of Johnny Thunders, I think of attitude.  Swagger. Style.  The guy had it in spades. But if you strip away all the drug mythology and notoriety that gets tangled up with his legacy, what you’re left with is genuine 100% New York City rock-n-roll.  Not to mention the songs, which continue to stand the test of time."

Recorded/filmed live at Miner Street Recordings on June 24, 2021 for the 2021 Johnny Thunders' Birthday Bash Live Stream.

_______________________________________

MIGHTY JOE CASTRO vocals, guitar
DALLAS drums
H00V3R doghouse bass
MIKE STINGLE lead guitar
_______________________________________

Recorded and mixed at Miner St. Recordings, Philadelphia on June 24, 2021.
Produced by Brian McTear.
Engineered by Amy Morrissey

Mastered by Ryan Schwabe

Written by John Anthony Genzale, JR. (BMI Platinum Songs) 

Copyright ©2021 mightyjoetunes (BMI)
All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

Disappointed In You (Recorded Live for the Johnny Thunders Birthday Bash 2021)

"Embers in the Ash"
(RELEASE DATE: March 10, 2023)

music/lyrics by Mighty Joe Castro 
(©2023 MIghty Joe Castro tunes /  BMI)

There’s only one way of knowing
If it’s raining or if it’s snowing
You gotta get wet sometimes
To learn which way the wind's been blowing

But if home’s too far to climb,
You can come dry out any time
We will sit by the fire light
Count the embers in the ash tonight

it’s been a tough year to call
Fate took a fair piece off us all
I watched you dive under the waves,
And tread water in the squall

But that struggle made you strong
As you survived another storm
In the darkness you shone bright
Like these embers in the ash tonight

Well, embers in the ash still going strong
Won’t quit the fight for anyone
Even the tiniest spark can start a blaze...

Some friends are like the sun
They disappear when the clouds come...
But you and I dance hand in hand
Through every puddle when it rains

Like a sailor adrift afar
Returning home uses the stars,
If there is no land in sight,
Use these embers in the ash tonight.

There’s only one way of knowing
If it’s raining or if it’s snowing
You gotta get wet sometimes
To learn which was the wind's been blowing
_______________________________________

MIGHTY JOE CASTRO vocals, acoustic guitar
DALLAS drums
MIKE STINGLE electric guitar

IAN VOS: upright bass
JULIA ALFRED: accordian
AMY MORRISSEY: backing vocals
BRIAN MCTEAR: backing vocals
_______________________________________

Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, Philadelphia
Produced & Engineered by Brian McTear & Amy Morrissey
Mastered by Joe Lambert

Written by Joseph W Brevoort
Copyright ©2023 Mighty Joe Castro Tunes (BMI)

All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication
is a violation of applicable laws.

Embers In The Ash

"Let Me Take the Blame"
music/lyrics by Mighty Joe Castro
(©2023 Mighty Joe Castro Tunes / BMI)

_______________________________________

Night after night
My prayer remains the same
Let me be the one to take the blame

Just a humble plea
Nothing more to proclaim 
Let me be the one to take the blame

All these years I spent tryin’
My best to soften you up
But honey there’s no use denyin’
You’re pretty...pretty damn tough

Good cop, bad cop,
I won’t dare speak your name
If you let me be the one to take the blame

Cause this ladder we climbed
Every rung went up in flames
So let me be the one to take the blame

I acted selfish, I was runnin’ scared
Ducked every hurdle down the line
Grant me the tool so I can repair
Your faith in me...one final time

Your burdens are mine
I’ll carry them without shame
If you let me be the one to take the blame 
If you let  me be the one to take the blame 
Yeah. let me be the one to take the blame

_______________________________________

MIGHTY JOE CASTRO vocals
DALLAS drums
MIKE STINGLE electric guitar
IAN VOS: upright bass, piano

_______________________________________

Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, Philadelphia
Produced & Engineered by Brian McTear & Amy Morrissey
Mastered by Joe Lambert

Written by Joseph W Brevoort
Copyright ©2023 Mighty Joe Castro Tunes (BMI)

All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication
is a violation of applicable laws.

Let Me Take The Blame

"Automatic Amnesia"
music/lyrics by Mighty Joe Castro
(©2023 Mighty Joe Castro Tunes / BMI)

_______________________________________
Take it slow on the heel and toe
Until your anger starts to slide
Cause time wrinkles everything
And then hangs you out to dry

Stay wound too tight
And it’s bound to spin ya like crazy
Automatic Amnesia 

Tracked him down at the Bull Fight Lounge
Bumpin' gums with Eddie the Green
Liar, liar, gonna bury his desires
In a shroud of gasoline

Tired eyes and a peacock walk
Cocktails ala molotov

Twin figurines, the black top screams
And joey famine’s just a chalk outline
Drip, drip from the grass’ lips
And the barn’s over run with swine

“C’mon Dawn , where have the saints all gone?
Must be making tracks down south...”
The water’s hot and the fish that gets caught
Is the one with the open mouth.

Sirens wail for the souls in hell
Start the round, ring the bell...
Automatic Amnesia 
Automatic Amnesia 

Onlookers fear the lens of the butcher
Close the blinds, keep the darkness in
All that raw meat, layed out on Wolf Street
The jakes don’t know where to begin 

Heart racing like a thoroughbread 
“They’re watching you” was all she said
  
Hear no, see no, you better not speak so
Dissolve into the evening rain
Squared that raw deal, some wounds never heal
You just coexist with the pain

At the Lorraine,  it’s whisper down the lane
Little joey’s gone, D.O.A
Bartender coughs, makes the sign of the cross
Revenge is best served cold they say

Dawn light pierces through the clouds
In this town of the silent vow
It's Automatic Amnesia
Automatic Amnesia
Automatic Amnesia
Automatic Amnesia

_______________________________________

MIGHTY JOE CASTRO vocals, guitar, maracas, noises
DALLAS drums
MIKE STINGLE electric guitar
IAN VOS: upright bass

_______________________________________

Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, Philadelphia
Produced & Engineered by Brian McTear & Amy Morrissey
Mastered by Joe Lambert

Written by Joseph W Brevoort
Copyright ©2023 Mighty Joe Castro Tunes (BMI)

All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication
is a violation of applicable laws.

Automatic Amnesia

From "The Situation" (Elephant Stone Records - 2006)

Christopher Tucker: vocals, guitar
Joe Castro: lead guitar
Larry Zappaterrini: bass guitar
John Paul Travis: drums

Written by Christopher Tucker ©2005 dilligaf music

Let It Go (The Situation)

One take live performance recorded direct to vinyl courtesy of Leesta Vall at Matones Music record shop in Collegeville, PA on September 16, 2017.

For Every Setting Sun
(music/lyrics by Joe Castro. ©2017 mightyjoetunes)

everybody’s lost on their own road
trying to lose what baggage they can unload
their thumbs are out in the hot sun,
and everybody’s looking to catch one
but you won’t find love within asphalt and bone

maybe Jane was just listening to the rain
dance along that greyhound window pane
when somewhere along I-95,
the sigh in her lungs met the tear in her eye
as she rubbed her hand where your ring used to be 

but she keeps shining on, just like every setting sun
keep shining on, just like every setting sun
our days are numbered and these nights keep raging on
but keep shining on, just like every setting sun

an umbrella thrown forms a cross with the yellow line
torn pages float over windshields into the sky
the silence sounds it’s own alarm,
like stretcher waiting with open arms,
until the flashing lights break the night open wide

keep shining on, just like every setting sun
keep shining on, just like every setting sun
our days are numbered and these nights keep raging on
but keep shining on, just like every setting sun

some men tread water, some just drown
some never leave the shore at all
but come hell or high water, when they lower me down
I’ll be smiling with wide open arms

but the heavens rarely offer any sign
or relief from the anxieties of our time
you can tilt your head up to the stars
and fail to make sense of this life of ours 
maybe it’s better to drop than rot on the vine

keep shining on, just like every setting sun
keep shining on, just like every setting sun
our days are numbered and these nights keep raging on
but keep shining on, just like every setting sun

For Every Setting Sun (Live at Matones -Direct to Vinyl)

Wake Up You’re Rocking!
music/lyrics by Joe Castro (©2018 mightyjoetunes)

the other night I dozed off watchin’ television
I slipped into a rock and roll nocturnal emission
my hips started movin' to the primal drum beat pound
and I howled like a dog harmonizing with that sound
‘cause when the sandman starts swinging there just ain’t no stoppin’
hey man hey man wake up man - you’re rockin!

wasn’t quite sleepwalkin, more a musical possession
like a marionette, no controlling my obsession
started cutting up the rug, that dog house bass was thumping
all the cats lost they their minds, the entire joint was jumping
placed my ear to the stage I couldn’t help my eaves droppin’
hey man hey man wake up man - you’re rockin!

fresh out of prison, Leroy danced with Peggy Sue
Screaming Jay whispered to me “I put a spell on you...”
met Billy Lee Riley and he went on and on
about rock and rolling flying saucers down at Area 51

stopped to catch a breath, cast an eyeball across the floor
saw Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and even’ Scotty Moore
Gene and Eddie dropped by, Janis Martin as well
she started singing Bang Bang, I feel under her spell
Johnny Burnette’s all alone, in the corner shadow boxin’
hey man hey man wake up man - you’re rockin!

the band kept rocking, the entire place was pumping
an alarm started ringing, everybody took off running
I awoke from my trance, my sheets drenched in sweat
it was one of those dreams man you never forget
now I can’t stop grooving when that alarm clocks tick-tockin’
hey man hey man wake up man - you’re rockin!

___________________________________________________________


credits
from Wake Up, You're Rockin'!, released July 23, 2018

Mighty Joe Castro / lead vocals, guitar
h00v3r / doghouse bass, backing vocals
Dallas / drums
Michael Stingle / guitar, backing vocals

Recorded at Cambridge Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA
May 4-6, 2018
Engineered by JIm Salamone and Todd Mecaughey

Mixed/mastered at Cambridge Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA
June 11th and June 13th by Jim Salamone.

all songs by Joe Castro Brevoort
copyright ©2018 mightyjoetunes. BMI
All rights reserved.

Wake Up, You're Rockin'!

"Wake Up, You're Rockin'!" by Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen

There Are No Secrets Here
music/lyrics by Joe Castro (©2020 mightyjoetunes)

"the dark cloud is a hunter
waiting to unload
memories pierce the fog
like a switchblade at your throat
hear the reflection in the mirror
whisper there are no secrets here

the dark hides the sting
of every feeling left unsaid
feeling like a soap bubble
trapped in a summer spider web
the crows in the road show no fear
they know there are no secrets here

hold your breath and you will find
you can’t suffocate that fear out of your mind

been driving all night, looking for you baby
I've been drinkin' all night, I wish you were here

watchmen of the blood moon
thin like a cigarette
you sing about your demons
but you don’t sound possessed
well I don’t believe you, you’re not sincere
and we know there no secrets here

the granite and the greenery
another season in the sod
the angels rattle on and on
while the devil pick pockets God
and wilted blossoms exhale in despair  
and they prove there are no secrets here

hold your breath and you will find
you can’t suffocate that fear out of your mind"

_______________________________________

MIGHTY JOE CASTRO vocals, guitar 
DALLAS drums 
H00V3R doghouse bass, backing vocals 
MIKE STINGLE guitar, backing vocals
_______________________________________

Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, Philadelphia
Produced by Brian McTear
Engineered and Mixed by Matt Poirier
Mastered by Ryan Schwabe

Written by Joe Castro Brevoort
Copyright ©2020 mightyjoetunes (BMI)

All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication 
is a violation of applicable laws.

"There Are No Secrets Here" - Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen

"You've Got It All (So What Are You Looking For?)"
music/lyrics by Joe Castro (©2020 mightyjoetunes)

snuff out the melting candle
keep the photo, leave the frame
‘cause when it comes to missing people
you know we all disappear the same

but if you’re feeling all alone
why don't you bring it back home?
You know you’ve got it all
so what are you looking for?

bare feet slipping on the wet grass
swayin’ to the rythmn of a DJs tune 
went stumbling through the vineyard
just soak in the midnight moon

desire in the scent of jasmine
her flesh soft like caramel 
then unzipping her creation
counted the ashes as they fell

but if you’re feeling all alone
why don't you bring it back home?
You know you’ve got it all
so what are you looking for?

in the pull of the brake drum
or voices under piles of dead leaves
that disappear like embattled phantoms
chasing whispers on the breeze

but if you’re feeling all alone
why don't you bring it back home?
You know you’ve got it all
so what are you looking for?
_______________________________________

MIGHTY JOE CASTRO vocals, guitar
DALLAS drums
H00V3R doghouse bass, backing vocals
MIKE STINGLE guitar, backing vocals
_______________________________________

Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, Philadelphia
Produced by Brian McTear
Engineered and Mixed by Matt Poirier
Mastered by Ryan Schwabe

Written by Joe Castro Brevoort
Copyright ©2020 mightyjoetunes (BMI)

All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication
is a violation of applicable laws.

"You've Got It All (So What Are You Looking For?)"  - Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen

"Angeline"
music/lyrics by Joe Castro (©2020 mightyjoetunes)

"take this advice - throw some salt upon the grave
and just move on son - there’s no one here worth trying to save"

a slap of lightning and love has cursed this still born child
lost and wounded, I crawled into the night to the church bells chimes

'cause I heard a rumor about a waitress across town
who sees your future in the ten cards that she lays down

and if you fail to understand the signs
just slide inside her booth, she’ll activate your mind

‘cause Angeline, Angeline sees everything

retired angel, she hides her face behind her hair
and her silvered fingers dance like knives along the air

she lays the cards down until they form a celtic cross
"ignore the garden ‘cause nothing grows when a seed is lost"

the red light flickers and the hangman appears first
to the repeating cannonade, the chariots reverse

‘cause Angeline, Angeline sees everything

the radio crackles “there’s no moonlight at all”
and the heavens answer “there’s no moonlight at all”
“take devil’s shoestring, tie it nine times in all...”
this was the night I was born
this was the night I was...

the red light flickers and the hangman appears first
to the repeating cannonade, the chariots reverse

‘cause Angeline, Angeline sees everything
_______________________________________

MIGHTY JOE CASTRO vocals, guitar
DALLAS drums
H00V3R doghouse bass, backing vocals
MIKE STINGLE guitar, backing vocals
_______________________________________

Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, Philadelphia
Produced by Brian McTear
Engineered and Mixed by Matt Poirier
Mastered by Ryan Schwabe

Written by Joe Castro Brevoort
Copyright ©2020 mightyjoetunes (BMI)

All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication
is a violation of applicable laws.

"Angeline" - Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen

"Better Hold Tight"
music/lyrics by Joe Castro (©2020 mightyjoetunes)

you better hold tight
for the winds of change will call
and the gale that howls in the night
will spare no one at all

so I left the comfort of your arms
to go riding on this train
rumbling past the weathered shacks
along America’s veins

as your call for forgiveness
hung unanswered in the dawn
darlin’ you know I’m not that strong

the casket and the mints
the sky was swollen and bruised
I tucked myself into a corner
with the lonely and accused

where I’m forced to remember
every night on Lafayette
the violence of his words
the air was stale with his sweat

and the sting of a confession
and the discharge of one round
I hope you're somewhere sleeping safe and sound

trains don’t get lost rolling down the track
but you disappeared whenever I looked back
now I’m left trying to slow dance with your memory

I watched her fingers as they ran
along the ice that had formed
on that rusted iron railing 
behind the funeral home
and things never were the same
on our twisted carousel
It was never really us vs them
only you against yourself 

And I’m guilty of enjoying 
the taste of licking my own wounds
I hope we get to New Orleans soon

trains don’t get lost rolling down the track
but you disappeared whenever I looked back
now I’m left to slow dance with your memory

so you better hold tight
for the winds of change will call
and the gale that howls in the night
will spare no one at all
_______________________________________

MIGHTY JOE CASTRO vocals, guitar
DALLAS drums
H00V3R doghouse bass, backing vocals
MIKE STINGLE guitar, backing vocals
_______________________________________

Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, Philadelphia
Produced by Brian McTear
Engineered and Mixed by Matt Poirier
Mastered by Ryan Schwabe

Written by Joe Castro Brevoort
Copyright ©2020 mightyjoetunes (BMI)

All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication
is a violation of applicable laws.

"Better Hold Tight" - Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen

"Why Not Just Give In This Time?"
music/lyrics by Joe Castro (©2020 mightyjoetunes)

I never wanted you to tell me I was crazy
I never wanted you to tell me I was wrong
I never wanted youto look so beautifully lazy
I never wanted you to pack up and move home

but I’ve got mileage on my side
and your legs won’t catch no ride
and to swim is suicide
so why not just give in this time?
and these folks across the street
dissect the nights they heard us weep
they keep their gossip on the cheap
why not just give in this time?

I never wanted you to become terminally bitter
I never wanted you to loose all your lucky charms
I never wanted you to be the superstitious sister
I never wanted you to feel so vacant in my arms

but I’ve got no where left to hide
and these friends just wonder why
I’m always last to take your side
so why not just give in this time?
take that long walk into town
turn their heads then turn around
put your brains back in your crown
why not just give in this time?

I never wanted you to tell me I was crazy
I never wanted you to tell me I was wrong
I never wanted you to look so beautifully lazy
I never wanted you to pack up and move home

but these memories of mine
are just a nite-lite in my mind
for all this  sleep I left behind
why not just give in this time?
I know you’re still sore
‘cause the frying pans through the kitchen door
but take it on the chin just once more
why not just give in this time?
_______________________________________

MIGHTY JOE CASTRO vocals, guitar
DALLAS drums
H00V3R doghouse bass, backing vocals
MIKE STINGLE guitar, backing vocals
_______________________________________

Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, Philadelphia
Produced by Brian McTear
Engineered and Mixed by Matt Poirier
Mastered by Ryan Schwabe

Written by Joe Castro Brevoort
Copyright ©2020 mightyjoetunes (BMI)

All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication
is a violation of applicable laws.

"Why Not Just Give In This Time?" - Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen

"For Every Setting Sun"
music/lyrics by Joe Castro (©2020 mightyjoetunes)

everybody’s lost on their own road
trying to lose whatever baggage they can unload
their thumbs are out in the hot sun, and everybody’s looking to catch one
but you won’t find love within asphalt and bone

maybe Jane was just listening to the rain
dance along that greyhound window pane
when somewhere along I-95, the sigh in her lungs met the tear in her eye
as she rubbed her hand where your ring used to be 

but she keeps shining on, just like every setting sun
keep shining on, just like every setting sun
our days are numbered and these nights keep raging on
but keep shining on, just like every setting sun

an umbrella thrown forms a cross with the yellow line
torn pages float over windshields into the sky
the silence sounds it’s own alarm, like stretcher waiting with open arms,
until the flashing lights break the night open wide

but keep shining on, just like every setting sun
keep shining on, just like every setting sun
our days are numbered and these nights keep raging on
but keep shining on, just like every setting sun

some men tread water and some just drown
some never leave the shore at all
but come hell or high water, when they lower me down
I’ll be smiling with wide open arms

but the heavens rarely offer any sign
or relief from these anxieties of our time
but go tilt your head up to the stars and you'll fail to make sense of this life of ours 
maybe it’s better to drop than rot on the vine

but keep shining on, just like every setting sun
keep shining on, just like every setting sun
our days are numbered and these nights keep raging on
but keep shining on, just like every setting sun
_______________________________________

MIGHTY JOE CASTRO vocals, guitar
DALLAS drums
H00V3R doghouse bass, backing vocals
MIKE STINGLE guitar, backing vocals
_______________________________________

Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, Philadelphia
Produced by Brian McTear
Engineered and Mixed by Matt Poirier
Mastered by Ryan Schwabe

Written by Joe Castro Brevoort
Copyright ©2020 mightyjoetunes (BMI)

All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication
is a violation of applicable laws.

"For Every Settling Sun" - Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen

"Whispering Hell (The Finish Line)"
music/lyrics by Joe Castro (©2020 mightyjoetunes)

like the darkness gives in to the dawn
and the carcass surrenders to the ground
or the silence begs mercy from the sound
I stand before you with my arms laid down 
for your forgiveness soaked in gasoline, 

I took the long way home and dropped back into town
to pay my respects to our haunted battle ground
under the spell of those whispering bells
the ghosts of 7th street, the secrets they’d tell
about our bodies and the distance in between, 

shining machete among the lillies of the rain
they flocked to you like moths to a flame
your heart was broken, my was tied up in your chains
nocturnal animals seeking refuge from the rain
in the pages of some dirty magazine 

but who could ever see through
your little smoke and mirror shrine
from your side of the finishing line

so like the darkness gives in to the dawn
and the carcass surrenders to the ground
or the silence begs mercy from the sound 
I stand before you with my arms laid down
for your forgiveness soaked in gasoline, 

but who could ever see through
your little smoke and mirror shrine
from your side of the finishing line
_______________________________________

MIGHTY JOE CASTRO vocals, guitar
DALLAS drums
H00V3R doghouse bass, backing vocals
MIKE STINGLE guitar, backing vocals
_______________________________________

Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, Philadelphia
Produced by Brian McTear
Engineered and Mixed by Matt Poirier
Mastered by Ryan Schwabe

Written by Joe Castro Brevoort
Copyright ©2020 mightyjoetunes (BMI)

All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication
is a violation of applicable laws.

"Whispering Hell (The Finish Line)"  - Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen

"There Are No Secrets Here"
music/lyrics by Joe Castro (©2020 mightyjoetunes)

"the dark cloud is a hunter
waiting to unload
memories pierce the fog
like a switchblade at your throat
hear the reflection in the mirror
whisper there are no secrets here

the dark hides the sting
of every feeling left unsaid
feeling like a soap bubble
trapped in a summer spider web
the crows in the road show no fear
they know there are no secrets here

hold your breath and you will find
you can’t suffocate that fear out of your mind

been driving all night, looking for you baby
I've been drinkin' all night, I wish you were here

watchmen of the blood moon
thin like a cigarette
you sing about your demons
but you don’t sound possessed
well I don’t believe you, you’re not sincere
and we know there no secrets here

the granite and the greenery
another season in the sod
the angels rattle on and on
while the devil pick pockets God
and wilted blossoms exhale in despair
and they prove there are no secrets here

hold your breath and you will find
you can’t suffocate that fear out of your mind"

_______________________________________

MIGHTY JOE CASTRO vocals, guitar
DALLAS drums
H00V3R doghouse bass, backing vocals
MIKE STINGLE guitar, backing vocals
_______________________________________

Recorded at Miner Street Recordings, Philadelphia
Produced by Brian McTear
Engineered and Mixed by Matt Poirier
Mastered by Ryan Schwabe

Written by Joe Castro Brevoort
Copyright ©2020 mightyjoetunes (BMI)

All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication
is a violation of applicable laws.

"There Are No Secretes Here" - Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen

Mighty Joe Castro is an accomplished Philadelphia based collage artist, musician(Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen), songwriter and designer.  

He was the guitar player in several bands including Nero / OPF (Newark, Delaware. 1994-1997), Swingline (Newark, Delaware. 1997-1999)and the critically acclaimed The Situation(2001-2006).  Formed in 2001 with singer-songwriter Christopher Tucker, The Situation signed with Elephant Stone records in 2004, releasing "The Reece Nasty EP", followed by their self titled full length in 2006. Both garnered critical praise from Pitchfork, The Big Takeover, Skyscraper and Magnet. The band toured the states, and opened for bands such as The Strokes, The Libertines, Nada Surf, BJM, The Make-Up and Arthur Lee & Love. Their music has been featured on shows for both MTV and Fuel TV. The group disbanded in 2006. Christopher Tucker passed away in 2008. The remaining members of the band reformed as The Lift Up (2012-2015) releasing the album "Without Dreams, We Are Only Sleeping"

Based out of Philadelphia, PA, Ameripolitan rockabilly outfit, Mighty Joe Castro & The Gravamen is the latest musical project from accomplished collage artist and musician Joe Castro (ex-The Situation, The Lift Up). Influenced by 50’s Rock and Roll and infused with post modern Easter eggs cribbed from old episodes of MTV’s 120 Minutes, Mighty Joe Castro takes a modern, lyric driven approach to songwriting while The Gravamen layer on Jesus and Mary Chain-cover-Link Wray guitar atmosphere, booming doghouse bass and swinging beats. The quartet lurks at a crossroads where Sun Records and Creation Records meet.

According to Joe Castro: “Our goal is to play original rock-n-roll, in the style of the pioneers, but update it lyrically and sonically. Take what we’ve learned, everything great that’s come after and go apply it to that original sound. What if Buddy Holly had access to a stack of effects pedals and some Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds records? That’s the ethos of the band.”

The Gravamen were formed in 2017 after doghouse bassist H00V3r reached out to Castro about working together. H00V3r enlisted Dallas, his band mate in Philadelphia punk rock stalwarts Thorazine, to play drums and later found hot-shot lead guitarist Michael Stingle floating around Mount Airy. The full band held its first practice together in January 2018 and shortly after recorded their debut EP, Wake Up, You’re Rockin’! in May 2018.  They released their debut full length album, “Come On Angels” on July 31, 2020. It was recorded at Miner Street Recordings and produced by Brian McTear (Sharon Van Etten, Dr Dog, Dead Milkmen).

Mighty Joe Castro

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