Two members of the Michigan-based rock band Greta Van Fleet have been cast in the upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic, “Deliver Me from Nowhere.” Brothers Jake Kiszka and Sam Kiszka will appear in the film and are also featured on its official soundtrack.
The movie, which stars Jeremy Allen White as the iconic musician Bruce Springsteen, will feature the Kiszka brothers as part of a local band performing alongside “The Boss” in scenes set at New Jersey's legendary Stone Pony music venue.
Key Takeaways
- Jake and Sam Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet will appear in the Bruce Springsteen biopic “Deliver Me from Nowhere.”
- They portray members of a backing band performing at the Stone Pony alongside Jeremy Allen White's Springsteen.
- The brothers are also featured on three tracks of the film's official 12-song soundtrack.
- The connection was made through music producer Dave Cobb, who worked with both Greta Van Fleet and the film's director.
A Surprise On-Screen Collaboration
The film chronicles the creation of Springsteen's seminal 1982 album, “Nebraska.” For scenes depicting early performances, director Scott Cooper sought to assemble a credible on-screen musical group. The result is a supergroup of sorts, featuring talent from across the rock world.
Jake Kiszka will appear on guitar, with his brother Sam Kiszka on bass. They are joined by other notable musicians to form the complete backing band. Jay Buchanan, the frontman for Rival Sons, is also part of the lineup. Bobby Emmett, known for his keyboard work with Jack White, and drummer Aksel Coe round out the ensemble.
About the Film
“Deliver Me from Nowhere” is based on the 2023 book of the same name by Warren Zanes. It focuses on the period when Bruce Springsteen wrote and recorded his deeply personal and acoustic album, “Nebraska.” The film stars Jeremy Allen White, acclaimed for his role in “The Bear,” as the legendary singer-songwriter.
From the Studio to the Soundtrack
Beyond their on-screen appearance, the Kiszka brothers have also made significant contributions to the movie's soundtrack. The duo recorded new versions of two classic blues and rock and roll standards for the film.
Their performances include a cover of Little Richard’s energetic hit “Lucille” and a rendition of John Lee Hooker’s iconic track “Boom Boom.” These recordings are part of the film's official 12-song soundtrack, which features all-new recordings with lead vocals performed by star Jeremy Allen White.
Soundtrack Details
The entire soundtrack for “Deliver Me from Nowhere” consists of new recordings. In addition to the covers, it will also feature new versions of Springsteen classics such as “Born in the U.S.A.” and “I’m on Fire,” with Jeremy Allen White providing the vocals.
The Greta Van Fleet members also contributed to a third track, a recording of “I Put a Spell on You,” which is slated as the final song on the soundtrack album.
The Connection Behind the Casting
The opportunity for the Kiszka brothers to join the film came through a key industry connection. Music producer Dave Cobb, who produced Greta Van Fleet’s most recent album, was also involved with the film's music.
According to Jake Kiszka, the film's director, Scott Cooper, mentioned to Cobb that he wanted to put together a house band for the Stone Pony scenes that had a similar energy to Greta Van Fleet. Cobb's response was simple: instead of finding a band *like* them, why not just ask them directly?
“Dave Cobb, who produced the last Greta album... told them the director, Scott Cooper, was working on ‘Deliver Me From Nowhere’ and wanted to put together a house band for the Stone Pony in the film like Greta Van Fleet. Kiszka says Cobb told Cooper to just ask them.”
Following that conversation, the roles were offered to Jake and Sam Kiszka, leading to their involvement in both the film and its accompanying music. The collaboration bridges a gap between a new generation of rock musicians and the story of one of music's most enduring icons.