At a time when a lot of us figure that the seemingly endless proliferation of up-and-coming rock bands can't offer anything beyond wildly coiffed hairstyles and the same old sound, along comes a band that is masterminding its own hard rock sensibility.

So who is this band that's ready to give rock a strong, swift kick in the ass? They bear the name Roughhouse, and it's definitely a name we'll be hearing a lot from and about starting now.
From their early days as Philadelphia rockers, Roughhouse has, inconspicuously and unabashedly, made a habit of setting stages and audiences on fire night after night, city after city, with live shows that are nothing short of staggering.

"It's been too long since Baltimore has experienced the good time rock 'n raunch of... Roughhouse," wrote Sue Hodges in Rox. "Whatever you expected of this band before, they deliver now with more power and intensity, with a twist of the unexpected.

Thank the powers, some things in life never change.

ROUGHHOUSE, their self-titled debut album for Columbia, captures the band's straight-ahead rock 'n roll on eleven tracks of soaring vocals, muscular guitars, and driving backbeats. This is, unquestionably, one of the most impressive debut albums of the year.
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In their former incarnation as the band known as Teeze, Roughhouse built quite a solid reputation for itself. From the very beginning, their must-be-seen-to-be-experienced live shows set them apart from the competition. Touring the northeast in a converted schoolbus, Teeze honed their riveting live skills and developed their songwriting talents.

The group was originally the vision of guitarist Gregg Malack and singer Luis Rivera (both suburban Philadelphians, like the rest of the band). Amidst personnel modifications, bass player Dave Weakley was brought in. Along with Gregg and Luis, the three have remained at the nucleus of the band, writing songs together and setting a strategy to get their music to a worldwide audience.

In 1984, the band produced, manufactured and publicized their own album (Teeze). By the end of the year, it had shot to the top of local Philly rock station WYSP-FM's playlist, selling over 30,000 copies with- out any major or indie label support. The international rock and metal press sensed the excitement, and feature coverage soon began to appear in Kerrang! (U.K.), Enfer (France), Rock Scene, Hit Parader, Circus, Metal Mania, Genesis, and Music Connection.

Meanwhile, the lineup was undergoing permanent solidification with the addition of drummer Mike Natalini and guitarist Rex Eisen. What immediately followed was an onslaught of major label interest, the result of which was their January '88 signing with Columbia.
Switching their name to Roughhouse, the guys entered the Longview Farm Recording Complex in Worcester, Massachusetts in the spring with producer Max Norman. Eight weeks later, ROUGHHOUSE was completed.

Side one explodes with "Don't Go Away," the blistering "Tonight," and then shifts gears into a breathtaking ballad, "Love Is Pain." Next up is a catchy, hook-laden rocker called "Can't Find Love," with the scorching "Love or Lust" closing the side.

"Teeze Me, Pleeze Me" cranks up the energy on side two, followed by a live favorite, "Midnight Madness." "Without You" exposes a bluesier feel, yet it nails down a rock solid groove which typifies the overall Roughhouse sound. Both "Justify" and "Racin'" (the latter inspired by a vintage James Cagney film) careen with fast-tempoed guitar riffs and positively indelible melodies. "Fantasy" rounds out the LP and, similar to much of Roughhouse's lyrical subject matter, it explores carnal diver- sions: Lust, the chase, the conquest -- all projected with an inherent sense of humor and fun.

To continue raving on the virtues of Roughhouse and their brand new album would be nearly. as inadequate as attempting to describe their live gigs. This band must be experienced to be appreciated. No posturing, no emulation of other bands' styles, no gimmicks. Just honest-to-goodness, exhilarating, memorable rock 'n roll.

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Columbia Records Press & Publicity Dept. - ROUGHHOUSE biography 1988