Granicus (band)

Granicus

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1969
Headquarters	Cleveland , United States
Products	Music albums

Granicus was a hard rock ensemble originating from Cleveland in 1969. After gaining local traction and presenting their music to record company representatives, the band secured a contract with RCA Records on March 15, 1973. That same year, they released their debut album, which bore the band's name. To promote this release, Granicus toured as the opening act for artists such as Bob Seger, Cactus, and Spirit. Although they earned praise within classic rock communities, the group dissolved shortly thereafter due to insufficient label backing and complications with management.

Over two decades later, prompted by unauthorized distribution of their initial album in Europe, the majority of the original lineup reunited. In 2009, they independently issued Thieves, Liars and Traitors, featuring previously unreleased tracks recorded in 1974. This was followed by a third independent album titled Better Days. Their musical style combined elements of heavy blues rock, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, and heavy metal genres.

The band was established by guitarist Allen Pinell alongside drummer Joe Battaglia, who crafted their first songs within a warehouse setting in Cleveland. Their sound drew inspiration from late-1960s psychedelic acts like Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Blue Cheer, as well as early-1970s hard rock pioneers such as Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. Granicus featured a dual-guitar arrangement complemented by bass and drums. Lead singer Woody Leffel's soaring vocal delivery invited comparisons to Robert Plant, Ian Gillan, and Geddy Lee.

In 2016, original members Battaglia, Pinell, and Dale Bedford regrouped with guitarist Artie Cashin and vocalist Gerry Schultz to produce a third album while pursuing rights over their pirated debut record. Woody Leffel did not take part in this reunion. Both the second and third albums are accessible through CDBaby.com.

Members

Core lineup

• Woody Leffel – vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica
• Wayne Anderson – lead guitar
• Allen Pinell – rhythm guitar
• Dale Bedford – bass guitar
• Joe Battaglia – drums
• Howard Ross – lead guitar

Contributors on Thieves, Liars and Traitors

• Artie Cashin – guitar
• Jesse Rae – vocals

Granicus III, Better Days:

• Gerry Schultz – vocals

Discography

• Granicus (1973)

1. You're In America
2. Bad Talk
3. Twilight
4. Prayer
5. Cleveland Ohio
6. Nightmare
7. When You're Movin'
8. Paradise

• Thieves, Liars and Traitors (2010)

1. Thieves Liars and Traitors
2. Space in Time
3. Equator
4. I'm Not Sick
5. Hollywood Star
6. Wizard of Was
7. Taste of Love
8. Slings and Arrows
9. When You're Movin'/Back Seat of My Car/Bad Talk (Live Jam)

• Granicus III, Better Days (2016)

1. Better Days
2. Southbound
3. Walk Free
4. Living In Darkness
5. On The Road Again
6. Gotta Win Tonight
7. Take Me Back
8. Give And Take
9. Still Wanna Rock It

References

https://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Granicus

External links

• LA Weekly
• https://www.amazon.com/Stairway-Hell-Chuck-Eddy/dp/030680817X ("The 500 Best Heavy Metal Albums in the Universe", pg. 116)
• http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-06-17/the-10-greatest-obscure-metal-bands-from-the-1970s-who-should-have-been-huge