Rusty Griswolds bring ’80s to Broad Street Bash

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MIDDLETOWN — They say the third time’s a charm, and that rings especially true for the Rusty Griswolds’ visit to the Broad Street Bash Wednesday, July 14.

Tim Lewis, who books the bands for the Bash, said he had attempted and failed to book the Rusty Griswolds cover band twice. But finally, the Cincinnati-based band will be making its way to Middletown’s downtown block party. Lewis said Middletown will be impressed with the Griswold’s performing skills.

“Every band has their personality,” Lewis said. “As far as entertaining the crowd, the Rusty Griswolds are going to be the band.”

But stage-crawlers beware, the Rusty Griswolds have some strict rules on who can hop on with the band, according to one of the lead vocalists, Steve Frisch.

“When the ladies arrive you get a ticket to come up on stage and dance to a song, you get back on stage and back in line until it’s your turn again,” Frisch said. “We do have a no-guy on stage policy.”

Frisch said over the summer male children are permitted on stage.

“We certainly ask people to get on stage with us, whether it’s the kids in the summer and their moms during bar season.”

But a great performance from the Rusty Griswolds also will include some good music, according to Lewis.

“They’ve got a great sound,” Lewis said.

The band, which is made up of three vocalists, a keyboardist, drum player and guitar player, strictly plays ’80s cover songs, which they’ve been playing since high school, according to Frisch.

“We learned the music once and why take the time to learn new music?” Frisch joked.

He said, on a more serious note, that the ’80s have started to swing back into style making life for the Rusty Griswolds even more fun and enjoyable.

Music from that decade “is still on the radio, it’s still popular, it’s on Rock Band,” Frisch said.

“It takes us back to simpler times, it’s been a very good niche for us.”

For more information on the Rusty Griswolds visit www.RustyG.com or to support the Rusty Griswolds’ annual charity efforts, visit www.TheRustyBowl.com

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.