bruce in the usa Paying tribute to the Boss

December 30, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Tribute act Bruce in the USA includes frontman Matt Ryan.

For fans of Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, there have been plenty of memorable shows in Northeast Ohio. However, 1978 looms large for followers of the New Jersey rock act with the group’s sweaty Agora Theatre performance in the summer and the raucous “Firecracker Show” on New Year’s Eve at the Richfield Coliseum the same year.

Former WMMS-FM program director and current media consultant John Gorman remembers the latter, which took place 33 years ago this Saturday.

“It was a long show; Bruce and the band took their time doing it and we loved it,” said Gorman, who was in attendance. “Many refer to it as the ‘Firecracker Show’ because, moments after the band was joined by their wives and girlfriends for a New Year’s kiss some joker tossed an M-80 on stage, which exploded dangerously close to Bruce’s face. Springsteen, who rarely used profanity on stage, said, “Well, I almost lost my eye thanks to some [expletive], but that ain’t going to ruin my New Year. I hope it don’t ruin yours.”

If you’re looking to spend another New Year’s Eve with if not Springsteen then his music, the popular tribute act Bruce in the USA returns to Cleveland for a Saturday show at the House of Blues.

“We’re walking in with a set list that will shock and awe,” said Matt Ryan, frontman for the act, calling from Las Vegas.

“You’re going to hear songs that you’ll never hear from a tribute band.”

Ryan is a veteran Las Vegas show performer. He’ll be joined by a faux E Street band comprised of professional musicians who in the past have performed alongside Queen, Paul Rogers, Meatloaf, Blue Oyster Cult, Hall and Oats, Joe Cocker, Aretha Franklin and more. Bruce in the USA originated in Sin City around the turn of the century but has been traveling the nation for years.

As for that set list, Ryan listed semi-obscure Springsteen tracks such as “For You,” ”Factory” and “I Wish I Were Blind” along with a slew of notable radio tunes. What’s interesting about the cover group’s moniker is most Springsteen fans wouldn’t necessarily gravitate to the massive selling “Born in the U.S.A.” album.

“That’s right, but what’s funny is we went to Chicago and thought it would be filled with hardcore Bruce fans so we’d bring out something really special and do half of [Springsteen’s debut album] ‘Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.,’” Ryan said. “In the middle of the show, we realized Chicago wanted to hear radio songs. But if we brought that same show into Asbury Park and played ‘Born in the U.S.A.’, it would be just a dud. We found touring every state is different.”

With nearly five hours of Springsteen music at its fingertips, Bruce in the USA will be digging deep into its catalog for the upcoming Cleveland show.

Ryan admits a cover band can only do so much, but he promises his tribute act will tug at the heartstrings of Springsteen fans.

“It’s all memories, and there’s a nostalgia attached to this that is so special,” Ryan said. “We’re not doing anything original, but what we’re doing is trying to create an experience that hopefully people feel like they’re 17 years old again. We’re bringing back that whole heartfelt feel. And with the passing of [E Street sax player] Clarence Clemons, when we play ‘Jungleland,’ you can hear a pin drop. The room completely changes. It’s become a very special moment in our evening, and this band delivers it with respect.”