Veteran singer/guitarist/songwriter/producer/raconteur Eric Ambel—known to friends, associates and bandmates as Roscoe—is the possessor of an estimable musical resume that's established his credentials as a deeply committed rocker as well as a witty and thoughtful songwriter. Between his current duties as producer, bandleader, studio proprietor, bar owner, member of uber-bar-band supergroup the Yayhoos and lead guitarist of Steve Earle's band the Dukes, he's found time to launch his own label, Lakeside Lounge Records, to redress the longstanding absence of Ambel solo product from the marketplace.

   Lakeside Lounge Records' initial release is Knucklehead, the first new Eric Ambel album in nearly a decade. The disc compiles 15 previously unreleased tracks recorded by Ambel in a variety of locations over the past 14 years with a variety of notable collaborators, including his fondly-remembered '80s band the Del-Lords, the Bottle Rockets, Andy York (John Mellencamp), Warner Hodges (Jason and the Scorchers), Will Rigby (the dB's), Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu), Tony Shanahan (Patti Smith), Ron Gremp (the Morells), Steven Terry (Whiskeytown), Martin's Folly and Ambel's Yayhoos cohorts Dan Baird, Keith Christopher and Terry Anderson. Also lending a hand is Steve Earle, who contributes a previously unheard composition, "The Usual Time," and adds vocals to a new version of the Del-Lords chestnut "Judas Kiss."

   Alongside Knucklehead, Lakeside Lounge Records has reissued remastered editions of Ambel's two previous albums, 1988's Roscoe's Gang and 1995's Loud and Lonesome, with deluxe packaging and extensive liner notes. Both discs have been out of print for years and highly sought-after by ebay denizens and roots-rock aficionados. Roscoe's Gang is a loose, punchy party session with an all-star cast that includes alt-pop chanteuse Syd Straw, dB's member Peter Holsapple, and midwest rock 'n' roll legends the Morells, who serve as backup ensemble throughout. Loud and Lonesome contrasts its predecessor's lighthearted ambience with a compelling set of pensive, highly-charged urban rock.

   Illinois native Ambel first took up the rock 'n' roll torch in the late 1970s while attending college the University of Wyoming, where he formed the punk combo the Dirty Dogs, who released the cult-classic single "Sorority Girl" before changing their name to the Accelerators and relocating to Los Angeles. In L.A. the Accelerators recorded and released an EP called "It's Cool To Rock" produced by Danny Holloway (Plimsouls, Bob Marley), then after playing with  Rik L Rik and Top Jimmy he began a two-year stint as lead guitarist in Joan Jett's original Blackhearts, touring extensively and playing on her I Love Rock 'n' Roll album. He exited in the early '80s to co-found the gritty New York foursome the Del-Lords, which also included ex-Dictator Scott Kempner and future Cracker drummer Frank Funaro, which released four highly-regarded studio albums and helped usher in the '80s roots-rock mini-boom.

While still a member of the Del-Lords, Ambel launched Roscoe's Gang, which began as an informal side combo but soon evolved into a serious vehicle for his songwriting skills and his less-is-more rock 'n' roll philosophy. That outfit's maverick spirit survives in its current incarnation, the Roscoe Trio. Meanwhile, Ambel built a prolific career as producer, overseeing albums by the likes of the Bottle Rockets, the Blood Oranges, Nils Lofgren, Freedy Johnston, Blue Mountain, the Backsliders, Go to Blazes, Tammy Faye Starlite and Mary Lee's Corvette.

   In 1996, Ambel co-founded the Yayhoos with ex-Georgia Satellites frontman Dan Baird, Satellites/Shaver/Roscoe's Gang bassist Keith Christopher and noted drummer/tunesmith Terry Anderson, who released their long-brewing debut album Fear Not the Obvious on Bloodshot Records in 2001. Also in 1996, Ambel opened the popular East Village bar the Lakeside Lounge, which he co-owns and where he sometimes performs. In 1999, he inaugurated Cowboy Technical Services, his own 24-track analog/digital recording studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which has since played host to the likes of Ryan Adams, Robert Randolph, Steve Wynn, Marshall Crenshaw, Laura Cantrell, Marah, the Silos, the Damnwells and Martin's Folly.

In 2000, he became lead guitarist in Steve Earle's touring and recording band the Dukes, appearing on such projects as Earle's acclaimed Jerusalem album, the documentary profile Just An American Boy and the Grammy Award winning record The Revolution Starts.....Now.  Ambel recorded and toured w Earle and the Dukes from 2000 through 2005.

In June of 2006 Ambel's Lakeside Lounge label releases the new Yayhoos cd titled "Put The Hammer Down"  Also in 2006 Ambel's song "Baby I Love You" from the Yayhoos Fear Not the Obvious was featured as the closing credits song in James Gunn's Horror/Comedy film SLiTHER.

The last 2 years have found Ambel producing records for many artists including Kasey Anderson, The Travelling Band, Mark McKay and the Bottle Rockets while playing gigs with the Roscoe Trio and playing guitar for TANDY.

New West Records released the Steve Earle "Live From Austin, TX" from the Austin City Limts Nov 12, 2000 show featuring Eric as a member of the Dukes.