Hidden Gems Within The Shadows Of Stardom
WE ARE 'ROCK & ROLL UNDERDOGS'!
Rock & Roll Underdogs: Hidden Gems Within The Shadows Of Stardom highlights the careers and music of 70 artists who have created a lasting legacy while never quite hitting mainstream fame. Syd Barrett, The Smithereens, The Yardbirds and many more... also includes forward by Joziahl
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams - "They’re the kind of band you don’t just listen to – you become part of their universe.”- Karl Sharicz, Rock & Roll Underdogs (2025 Palmetto Publishing)
PAPERBACK, 700 PAGES!
Pick up your SIGNED COPY at BANDCAMP!
Listen while you read along!
RNR Vol. 1 - SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
Curated by Karl!
Karl includes cultural context, personal reflections, and curated track lists that will take you down endless rabbit holes.
BOTH Karl Sharicz and Joziah signed A LIMITED NUMBER available at our Bandcamp Store - (Also AVAILABLE ONLINE at your favorite outlets.) Follow this link for more info about the author: https://www.horizoncx.com/soundtrack
OVERVIEW:
They had the talent. The songs. The soul.
But not the spotlight.
Rock & Roll Underdogs dives deep into the stories of extraordinary bands and artists who lit up the edges of the music world-but never quite caught fire in the mainstream. With cultural context, personal reflection, and curated track lists, author Karl Sharicz brings to life the creative brilliance and stubborn spirit of these unsung heroes.
From cult favorites and overlooked geniuses to the nearly famous and criminally ignored, this is a passionate tribute to the raw authenticity of rock & roll-and the artists who made the music matter, even if history forgot their names.
"An informative read and an insight into why so many talented musicians never quite break through... My advice to struggling musicians: You're only beaten if you give up."
- Leo Lyons, legendary bassist of Ten Years After & Hundred Seventy Split
"We were driven by the joy of the music itself, not fame. Maybe that's exactly why we ended up as 'Underdogs'-and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way."
-Jim McCarty, founding drummer of The Yardbirds & Renaissance
"One thing's for sure-most had a hell of a time in the clubs, halls, and practice rooms reaching for that gold ring-or record deal."
-Harry Sandler, original drummer for Orpheus
"I never set out to be a rock star-just a working musician doing what I love... The music, the fans, and the fight to keep creating have always mattered more than the spotlight."
-Jim Babjak, guitarist & songwriter for The Smithereens
“A breath of fresh air in a sometimes stagnant world - especially as a live act - with varied eclectic influences and great musicianship.
Plus moustaches, hats and stage presence gild their Interesting and thought-provoking lyrics for the curious adult mind.”
– Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull
“They take the stage by storm!” – NY Times
“Longo is an awesome songwriter” – Garth Hudson, The Band
"Longo, a god of the rock underworld!" – John Platt, WFUV Radio
"Great songs and a whole lotta heart" – Meg Griffin, SiriusXM
“Simply one of the finest American bands” – All Music
“The cool end of Americana” – Maverick Magazine, UK
"The best band since the Beatles" – Jim Pons, bassist: Frank Zappa, John Lennon
“'A Very Unusual Head'… their finest work to date" - Rock’n’Reel Magazine, UK
“From Dylan to Pink Floyd, the Slambovian Circus of Dreams wears its influences well”
- The Plymouth Independent, MA
"The Slambovian Circus of Dreams gave a remarkable performance tonight! What a wonderful band and crew of creative, warm, and friendly artists who blew us all away with an awesome show. We loved working with you, and look forward to having you back!" – Homer Center for the Arts, NY 2024
Voted "Best Band" by upstate NY’s Chronogram Magazine for their rootsy, rockin’ psychedelia, the Slambovians' deep connection with audiences and exciting live shows are legendary.
Masterfully channeling influences of Dylan, Bowie, Incredible String Band, Syd Barrett, and more, the Slambovians' musicianship and critically acclaimed songwriting stand on their own.
Joziah Longo (resident shaman of Slambovia), leads with vocals described as "soothing and bewitching as a snake oil tonic.” Longtime bandmates Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, mandolin, flute) and guitarist/mandolin wizard Sharkey McEwen bring their magic to the Slambovian brew with “a little help from their friends” - RJ McCarty (keys, banjo, sax), Bob Torsello (bass), and Matthew Abourezk (drums).
Woodstock-tinged psychedelia hints at southern rock and British folk combined with solid songwriting - a slice of Americana Pie that is irresistible!
See Tour Dates - FOLLOW US @ BandsInTown
The Bitter End - Tue, Jan 13, 2026 7 PM
On Your Radar - Joziah Longo, Lynn Hollyfield, Sharar Sisters
John Platt invites artists to his special monthly series, with a focus on songwriters and new talent he discovers as WFUV's “Sunday Breakfast” DJ.
6:45 PM Doors, 7:00 PM Show
The Bitter End
147 BLEECKER ST, NEW YORK, NY
SPECIAL EVENT: John Platt’s Monthly Series of acoustic music returns to the Bitter End, Tuesday, January 13th, 7 PM.
The Bitter End: 147 Bleecker Street, New York City, NY 10012
Slambovian Circus of Dreams’ lead singer/songwriter, Joziah Longo is featured in the recent "Rock'n'Roll Underdogs" book. Longo appears in a SOLO acoustic set, and previews songs for the next Slambovian album along side the hits.
Also on the bill: Lynn Hollyfield, The Sharer Sisters.
About the artists:
A native of Philadelphia, PA, Joziah Longo grew up playing traditional country, folk and Mummers music with his father. Joziah was in the first American band invited to perform in mainland China after Tiananmen Square. Songwriter and lead singer of the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Longo and band have been expanding the borders of the Americana genre with their fantastic stories and performance since the late 1990s. Their 7th studio album is due out late 2026, they are included in the new book, "Rock 'n Roll Underdogs," and are currently working on a musical, “The Book of Better Things.”
Lynn Hollyfield is an award-winning Singer-Songwriter who started playing guitar at age 10 and wrote her first song in high school. Her songs are written in a contemporary folk style but she often slips in jazz chords, or some bluesy guitar chops to support her warm, passionate vocals. Think Mary Chapin Carpenter meets Bonnie Raitt, playing a classic Gershwin tune, with a down-home feel. Lynn is working on her 4th album of original music, with producer, Seth Glier, for a 2026 release. https://www.lynnhollyfield.com
The Sharar Sisters bring rich sibling harmony, humor, and camaraderie to folk stages across the New York Tri-State area, New England, and beyond. They’ve shared stages with Pete Seeger, Dar Williams, John Gorka, and others, appearing at beloved festivals including Falcon Ridge and the Black Potatoe Music Festival. Individually accomplished artists, the sisters unite distinctive songwriting, soaring vocals, and virtuoso musicianship into a powerful, heartfelt ensemble experience. https://shararsisters.com/home
