Is Greta Van Fleet the House Band for Springsteen’s New Film?

## Bruce Springsteen’s Journey in “Deliver Me From Nowhere”

In **Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere**, Jeremy Allen White portrays Bruce Springsteen during a profoundly creative time, crafting the music for *Nebraska* from a rental home in Colts Neck, New Jersey. To lighten the mood, Springsteen often embarks on joyful trips in his Trans Am to the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, his personal sanctuary, where he enjoys spontaneous jam sessions with the house band.

### Influences Behind the Music

The house band in the film, aptly named Cats on a Smooth Surface, echoes the vibe of contemporary rock groups like **Greta Van Fleet** and **Rival Sons**. This connection isn’t coincidental; Grammy-winning producer **Dave Cobb**, known for his work with artists like Chris Stapleton, produced both Greta Van Fleet’s latest album and several albums for Rival Sons, including *Feral Roots*.

### The House Band Experience

Led by frontman Bobby Bandiera, Cats on a Smooth Surface were an actual band that primarily played classic rock and soul covers, such as “Twist and Shout” and “Long Tall Sally.” In the movie, they perform hits like Little Richard’s “Lucille” and John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom” alongside White, capturing the essence of the era.

For the film’s band, producers leveraged Cobb’s industry connections by casting Greta Van Fleet’s guitarist Jake Kiszka and bassist Sam Kiszka, along with Rival Sons’ lead singer Jay Buchanan, who embodies Bandiera in the narrative. Buchanan, characterized as reminiscent of Bob Seger, commands the stage with energy, especially during performances like “Lucille” with White’s Springsteen.

### Collaborative Efforts and Casting

“Collaborating with Jeremy was an incredible experience,” says Jake Kiszka. “He effectively captured Bruce Springsteen’s essence while bringing his own flair to the role.” The movie features other notable cameos too, such as Marc Maron as studio engineer Chuck Plotkin and Brian Chase from Yeah Yeah Yeahs as Max Weinberg, adding depth and authenticity for rock fans.

As you immerse yourself in the film, what elements of Springsteen’s journey resonate with you the most?