Charlotte, NC

Monday, March 09, 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Herb Gross

704-846-0199 Charlotte, NC • 704-995-3343 Cell

America's Oldest Garage Band Steers Big Caddy Hearse Towards Oldsmar, Florida

• On Sunday, March 29, at 3:30 pm, the crowd at the Oldsmar Days Festival in Oldsmar, Fla., has something new and old to look forward to. America's oldest garage band will take the stage for the first time, and they plan to get the crowd on their feet.

• More than 45 years ago, the band known as The Invictas was formed by a four kids going to college in Upstate N.Y. In Latin, the word Invicta means invincible.

• In the mid '60s, the band recorded a hit song that outraged parents, made the charts from Buffalo to Miami -- and was banned in Boston. The song was called The Hump.

• For the '60s, a song and dance called The Hump was pretty racy, but it led to the band having fan clubs and police escorts. The band traveled in a black 1955 Cadillac hearse that was known for constantly breaking down.

• In 2005, Herb Gross (lead singer) reunited the band. Three of the four original band members are on stage: Jim Kohler on bass, Dave Hickey on drums and Herb Gross on guitar. Dave Profeta on lead guitar and Sam Gruttadauria on keyboards join the band.

• On Sunday, March 29, The Invictas will arrive in Oldsmar, Fla., driving their hot rod 1984 Cadillac hearse. The hearse has been featured on TV, on You Tube and in a song "Big Caddy Hearse"

• The band's hearse was recently remodeled in Charlotte, N.C. The hearse has ghost flames, 4-barrel carburetor, back seat and bar. The band says at their age they have to be prepared -- so, they have their own hearse.

• On national TV including the Today Show, the band has been described as "America's oldest and most successful garage band"

• USA Today describes the band as "Old Guys Rocking Out Of Retirement"

• At a Beach Boys show, the band had the crowd dancing in the aisles. They have played with groups like Jay & The Americans, Gary Lewis and The Playboys, The Rascals and others.

• The original band members are all in their 60s. On stage, the band rocks from one end to the other. The crowd is asked to participate by clapping their hands, dancing and putting their fingers in the air.

• On eBay, an original copy of The Invictas' '60s album entitled The Invictas A Go Go is considered a collector's item and sells for hundreds of dollars.

• The band calls their events The Rock Till Ya Drop Tour. Rock Till Ya Drop is a philosophy of life about people following their dreams and passion like the band is doing.

The band also has a book and song entitled Rock Till Ya Drop.

• At The Oldsmar event, Herb Gross, the leader of the band, will have a crew shooting TV. He is working on a TV concept entitled Rock Till Ya Drop. As his profession, Herb is a television producer and advertising expert.

• Before and after the show, the band will greet people and sign CDs and books.

End

Herb Gross

Herb Gross & The Invictas

Charlotte, NC

704-846-0199