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The Blasters

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For others with this name, see Blasters (disambiguation).
The Blasters
Dave Alvin
Dave Alvin
Background information
OriginDowney, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1979–present
LabelsSlash, Shout! Factory, Rip Cat
MembersPhil Alvin
John Bazz
Bill Bateman
Keith Wyatt
Past membersDave Alvin
Lee Allen
Gene Taylor
Steve Berlin
Hollywood Fats
Billy Zoom
Smokey Hormel
James Intveld
Dave Carroll
Jerry Angel
Websitetheblasters.com

The Blasters are an American rock band formed in 1979 in Downey, California, by brothers Phil Alvin (vocals and guitar) and Dave Alvin (guitar), with bass guitarist John Bazz and drummer Bill Bateman. Their self-described "American Music" is a blend of rockabilly, early rock and roll, punk rock, mountain music, and rhythm and blues and country.

Band history

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Origins and heyday (1979–1985)

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The Alvin brothers grew up in a household filled with music and parents who exposed their sons to different kinds of American music.[8] They made friends with Bazz and Bateman, and together the boys were brave enough to go into Los Angeles blues clubs to watch their musical idols. They learned firsthand from the likes of Joe Turner and T-Bone Walker.[8] Phil Alvin recalled how his mother would drive the boys anywhere, and around 1965 or 1966, she took Phil to see Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. At Phil's request, Big Joe Williams introduced him to Terry, and Phil wound up taking a number of harmonica lessons from Terry.[9] Another mentor was tenor saxophonist Lee Allen, who later joined The Blasters.[10]

Phil Alvin explained the origin of the band's name: "I thought Joe Turner's backup band on his Atlantic records–I had these 78s–I thought they were the Blues Blasters. That ends up it was Jimmy McCracklin. I just took the 'Blues' off and Joe finally told me, that's Jimmy McCracklin's name, but you tell 'im I gave you permission to steal it [laughs]."[11]

Gene Taylor joined after the release of American Music (1980), performing boogie woogie-style piano (he remained with the band through late 1985). Later on, Steve Berlin joined on baritone sax, forming a horn tandem with Lee Allen.

The Blasters' energetic live performances gained a local following, and they became fixtures of the early 1980s Los Angeles punk rock scene. They performed alongside X, Black Flag, The Gun Club, the Screamers and others. The L.A. scene of the time also featured the cowpunk genre, and a notable example was how The Blasters helped country artist Dwight Yoakam get established. They toured together in 1985.[12]

Another local band that formed a strong musical bond with The Blasters was Los Lobos. The Mexican-American group first became friends with the Downey group in 1976. About five years later, The Blasters invited Los Lobos to open for them and also helped get the young men from East L.A. their first record deal. Steve Berlin made a transition to Los Lobos, with The Blasters' blessing.[13]

The Blasters toured almost continuously for much of their heyday. The notes for The Blasters Collection observed that in one particular month, they toured with a wide range of acts: the all-girl band The Go-Go's, psychobilly pioneers the Cramps, with western swing revivalists Asleep at the Wheel and on a leg of Queen's west coast tour.

Breakup and subsequent lineups (1985–2022)

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Like many other pairs of rock 'n' roll siblings, the Alvins got into fights with each other.[14] In 2015, Dave also recalled that the internal tension in the band extended beyond his tumultuous relationship with Phil.

This tension came to a head on October 23, 1985, during a gig in Montreal at the Spectrum. Gene Taylor quit that night and offered his services to the opening act, the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Dave Alvin also quit, joining X for a brief stint, though he returned briefly in early 1986 amid plans to record a new album with Nick Lowe as producer. That didn't work out, and Dave left The Blasters for good, save for occasional reunions and under other circumstances as well. Ultimately, he wanted to sing his own songs.[15] He proceeded to launch his critically acclaimed solo career.

Phil Alvin has led various incarnations of The Blasters intermittently since then (he devoted much of his attention to graduate studies in mathematics). Hollywood Fats (birth name: Michael L. Mann) came aboard in the spring of 1986, appearing with The Blasters at Farm Aid II. Fats died in December 1986, whereupon Dave Alvin served as an emergency fill-in. In an odd twist, Fats was initially replaced as full-time lead guitarist by Billy Zoom, who had previously left X.[16] Zoom's stay in The Blasters was very brief. Succeeding guitarists were Smokey Hormel (1988–93),[17] James Intveld (1993–95), and Keith Wyatt (1996-present). Dave Carroll succeeded Bill Bateman on drums in 1993 but was subsequently replaced by Jerry Angel in 1994.[18]

There have also been a few reunion tours and live albums of the original lineup – including Dave Alvin. Along with these, examples of Dave's return include the need that arose from the death of Hollywood Fats, as well as Phil's knee ailment in December 2011.[19]

In 2005, the band released its first studio CD in 20 years, 4-11-44.

On July 3, 2012, the Blasters put out their most recent studio album to date, Fun On Saturday Night. The album includes a duet with Exene Cervenka of X and the Knitters, track number 2, "Jackson" — a cover of the 1963 song made most famous by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.

In advance of the album's release, the band was touring Spain, and Phil Alvin had a near-death experience owing to an infection from an abscessed tooth. Though he had an emergency tracheotomy and flatlined twice, he recovered with his voice intact, and The Blasters have since continued to tour.[19]

Personnel as of 2022: Phil Alvin, John Bazz, Keith Wyatt, and Bill Bateman. Bateman rejoined the band in 2008, replacing Jerry Angel.[20]

Timeline

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Reception

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The Blasters have a devoted fan base and have received largely positive critical reviews, but have earned only limited mainstream success. Critic Mark Deming wrote of them, "the Blasters displayed a wide-ranging musical style [and] were a supremely tight and tactful band with enough fire, smarts, and passion for two or three groups."[21]

Trouser Press cited their strengths: "tight ensemble work, swingin' original tunes in the classic mold and Phil Alvin's ageless, confident vocals."[22] The Rough Guide to Rock noted the ever-increasing numbers of originals written by Dave Alvin—songs about cars, girls, the working man and road dreams—and how he matured into a great songwriter.[23]

In his memoir Get in the Van (1995), Henry Rollins of Black Flag and Rollins Band detailed his admiration the Blasters, after seeing them perform live many occasions as Black Flag and the Blasters crossed paths in southern California venues: "In my mind, they were a great band that not enough people found out about. Bill Bateman is one of the best drummers there is, and then of course, there are the Alvin brothers. A lot of talent for one band."[24]

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The Blasters gained exposure appearing as themselves in the Walter Hill film Streets of Fire (1984). They performed two songs, "One Bad Stud" and "Blue Shadows".

Their song "Dark Night" was featured in a 1985 episode of Miami Vice (Season 2 Episode 2, "Whatever Works "). Later, it was also used over the opening sequence of the Quentin Tarantino-Robert Rodriguez collaboration movie From Dusk till Dawn.

Albums

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Studio albums

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Live recordings

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  • Over There (Live at The Venue, London) (1982) 6-song 12" EP
  • Trouble Bound (2002)
  • Going Home: The Blasters Live (2004)
  • Live 1986 (2011)
  • Dark Night: Live in Philly with Hollywood Fats (2013) 2-CD
  • Let's Rock Again (Live 1982) (2021) from the PBS 'Soundstage' TV program featuring special guests: Carl Perkins and Willie Dixon
  • Over There (Live at the Venue, London) – The Complete Concert (2024) 2-CD

Compilations

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  • The Blasters Collection (1990)
  • Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings (2002) 2-CD
  • Mandatory: The Best of The Blasters (2023)

Covers by other artists

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In 1980, singer Shakin' Stevens scored a minor UK hit with his version of The Blasters' song "Marie, Marie". The original was on American Music. Stevens's version appeared on his album This Ole House.

In 1985, for Stevens' album Lipstick Powder and Paint, he also covered "So Long Baby, Goodbye".

In 1987, Buckwheat Zydeco covered the Blasters' "Marie, Marie" on his album, On a Night Like This.

Operation Ivy recorded "Trouble Bound" in 1987. The cut was eventually released on the Seedy compilation in 1996.

Dwight Yoakam's version of "Long White Cadillac" led off his 1989 album Just Lookin' for a Hit.

In 2004, Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards covered The Blasters' "Marie, Marie" on their album, Viking.

Matchbox also recorded "Marie, Marie" for their 1980 album Midnite Dynamos.

References

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  1. ^ Sasfy, Joe (April 28, 1983). "Rollicking 'Blasters'". Washington Post. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  2. ^ Nelson, Chris (September 26, 1997). "THE BLASTERS' RARE DEBUT FINALLY REISSUED". MTV. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  3. ^ "The Blasters: rockabilly explosivo". ABC. October 7, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  4. ^ Sullivan, Denise. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  5. ^ Pehling, Dave (October 1, 2021). "Roots-Rock Heroes the Blasters Bring Good Times To Alameda". CBS. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  6. ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 65–66.
  7. ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 48.
  8. ^ a b Fuentes, Gladys (June 21, 2019). "Still Rocking: The Blasters Celebrate 40 Years Since Debut Album". Houston Press. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  9. ^ Caliguiri, Jim (August 7, 2014). "10 Minutes with the Alvin Brothers". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  10. ^ Kunian, Dave (December 1, 2000). "Masters Of Louisiana Music: Lee Allen". Offbeat. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  11. ^ "Phil Alvin interview". Philalvininterview.blogspot.com. October 14, 2006. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  12. ^ Gingold, Dave (April 18, 1986). "Tonk Music". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  13. ^ Kinsman, Michael (December 11, 2008). "The Blasters and Los Lobos share a bond that spans decades". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  14. ^ Fadroski, Kelley Skye (June 12, 2014). "Phil and Dave Alvin rekindle brotherly love". Orange County Register. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  15. ^ Sculley, Alan (September 23, 2015). "Alvin brothers: Losing no more time playing apart". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  16. ^ Spurrier, Jeff and Steve Hochman (June 14, 1987). "The Blasters Re-Zoom". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  17. ^ "Smokey Hormel's bio on his website". Smokeyhormel.com. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  18. ^ Davis, Billy. "The Blasters: A History of American Music". Davealvin.com. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  19. ^ a b Rosen, Craig (December 15, 2012). "The Blasters' frontman Phil Alvin takes to the stage New Year's Eve after a scary 2012". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  20. ^ Catalano, Jim (March 10, 2010). "American Music: The Blasters are still rocking after more than 30 years". Ithaca.com. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  21. ^ Deming, Mark (March 5, 2002). "The Slash Recordings – The Blasters | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  22. ^ "Blasters". Trouserpress.com.
  23. ^ Buckley, Peter and Jonathan, ed. (2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. pp. 106. ISBN 978-1-85828-457-6.
  24. ^ Henry Rollins. Get in the Van: On the Road with Black Flag. 2.13.61 Publications, ISBN 978-1-880985-24-3

Bibliography

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