The Blasters & Dave Alvin Latest News

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January 24, 2023 -- Phil Alvin has been having numerous health issues that have kept him hospitalized for the last year. His bills are mounting up and he could use our help. Please donate to the Sweet Relief Fund specifically set up to help Phil pay his health care costs. Consider it a thank you for all the great music Phil has given us over the years. Let's get him back out on the road Rockin' and Rollin.' https://www.sweetrelief.org/philalvinfund.html

May 15, 2021 -- The Blue Shadows are back together! The band features John Bazz and Bill Bateman of the Blasters, and Javier Matos on guitar and vocals. On Friday June 4, 2021 they will celebrate their return with a show at the Redwood bar in Los Angeles. Limited in-person seating for this exclusive show is available by reserving at streaming@theredwoodbar.com The show will also be live streamed at  https://youtube.com/channel/UCAYnKI2ngDTqQsHSkW2tu0g

February 24, 2021 -- On 2/20/21 legendary piano player Gene Taylor passed away at his home in Austin Texas from a heart attack. 

December 4, 2020 -- Oregon State University’s American Strings Webcast presents An Evening with Dave Alvin December 9, at 5 PM Pacific time. The streaming concert and interview is free but you must pre-register. https://www.miragenews.com/osu-s-american-strings-webcast-presents-an-evening-with-dave-alvin/

November 17, 2020 -- Dave Alvin's New CD 'From An Old Guitar - Rare and Unreleased Recordings is out now on Yep Roc Records.

June 28, 2020 -- Dave Alvin reports: "I'm very happy to announce that on July 3rd, Yep Roc Records will be releasing a new album, via Bandcamp, called Dave Alvin: From An Old Guitar - Rare And Unreleased Recordings. This 13 song collection features studio performances that I've recorded over the years for my own albums or for tribute albums but mainly they're just things I did for the pure kicks of playing music I love with musicians I love and admire. The songs range from some originals to interpretations of compositions by dear friends like Peter David Case, Chris Smither and the late Bill Morrissey to tunes written by heroes like Willie Dixon, Bob Dylan, Lil Hardin Armstrong, Earl Hooker and Marty Robbins. The music ranges from acoustic blues and ballads to electric barroom blues, folk/rock and even a little country/rock. There are contributions from dearly departed comrades like Chris Gaffney, Amy Farris and Bobby Lloyd Hicks as well as from old Blasters pals like Gene Taylor along with various members of The Guilty Men/Women/Ones plus help from brilliant accompanists like Greg Leisz, Cindy Cashdollar, Bob Glaub, Don Heffington, Danny Ott, Skip Edwards, Rick Shea, Chris G Miller, Wyman Reese, Dale Spalding and David J. Carpenter. I consider myself extremely lucky to have had such a stellar collection of musicians to make some noise with and to say that I'm proud of the performances on this release would be a gigantic understatement. And, yeah, of course I played beat up, old guitars on all the songs."

February 9, 2020 -- THE THIRD MIND, Dave Alvin's new Supergroup releases its debut album February 14, 2020 on Yep Roc Records. The California-based supergroup features an all-star line-up of players – Dave Alvin (guitar, vocals), Victor Krummenacher (bass, vocals), David Immerglück (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Michael Jerome (drums, percussion) with special guest Jesse Sykes (guitar, vocals). The six-song collection features one original composition and five covers. Order it now at https://yeproc.11spot.com/the-third-mind.html

December 24, 2019 -- Phil Alvin and The Blasters would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Rockin' New Year. In a phone conversation on Monday, Phil Alvin told the Blasters Newsletter that he thanks all the fans and friends for their good wishes and support through his recent illness. The Blasters have been doing light rehearsals every Monday. Phil says his recovery will take some time but he can't wait to get back out on the road doing shows with the Blasters.

April 11, 2019 -- On 6/28/19 Craft Recordings will release a 25th Anniversary Edition of Dave Alvin's King Of California album on CD and Vinyl. The re-mastered version will include bonus tracks and new liner notes. 

March 2, 2019 -- On March 17, 2019 we will celebrate 40 Years since the Blasters first gig on St. Patrick's day 1979. The next Blasters newsletter due in May, will be a special 40th Anniversary issue.

March 1, 2019 -- There are two notable vinyl releases on Record Store Day 4/13/19. The Rockbeat label releases a 2-LP vinyl (limited pressing of 700) called "The Blasters: A Dark Night in Philly 1986." This is a soundboard recorded concert from The Chestnut Cabaret with Hollywood Fats on guitar from 7/19/86. Podcaster Marc Maron releases a various artist compilation on his own In House label, called "In The Garage: Live Music from WTF with Marc Maron — Vol. 1" which includes Dave Alvin doing "Help You Dream" acoustic. This one is limited to 2000 copies. These will be available on 4/13 at all Record Store day participating Record Shops.

June 1, 2018 -- Dave Alvin has partnered with Jimmie Dale Gilmore for a new CD called "Downey To Lubbock" on Yep Roc Records. Expect a full feature in the next edition of The Blastersnewsletter.

September 22, 2017 -- Rick Shea, former member of Dave Alvin's Guilty Men has an east coast solo tour coming up September 23 – October 1 on the East coast. 

August 1, 2016 -- On August 21 we celebrate 25 years since the release of Dave Alvin's classic album "Blue BLVD" on HighTone Records. The American Music Newsletter this month will feature an extensive retrospective of the album through interviews with the musicians and producers, and of course many words from Dave Alvin himself. 

July 23, 2016 --  Javier Matos of the Blue Shadows is making two special appearances solo acoustic in the New York City area next week. 7/26 in Brooklyn at Rough Trade opening (at 9 pm) for the Cactus Blossoms and 7/27 in Brooklyn at the Jalopy Theater at 11 PM.

November 25, 2015 -- Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin, Lost Time is currently #1 on Americana Airplay Chart 

September 18, 2015 -- Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin's Lost Time CD is now out. Get it at Yeproc.com

June 24, 2015 -- Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin reunite once again for a new album entitled "Lost Time," a collection of blues classics. Check out The Wall Street Journal's Speakeasy for the premiere of the first single, “World’s in a Bad Condition.” 

December 5, 2014 -- Congratulations to Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin who have been nominated for a Grammy for "Common Ground" as best Blues album.

June 3, 2014 -- Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin's 'Common Ground' CD has been released.

May 12, 2014 - American Music # 71 May 2014 is out now. In this Issue: Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin play SXSW Austin TX 2014, Keith Wyatt on The Blasters and 'X' Family Christmas Tour and the Blasters Texas Tour, Janne Kurunsaari reports on the Family Christmas tour, and Rosie Flores is interviewed on writing 'Goodbye Again' with Dave Alvin. 

April 16, 2014 - Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin made a stop at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago to handle and play a guitar by blues guitarist, songwriter and singer Big Bill Broonzy. See the video here. 

April 8, 2014  - Yep Roc Records is taking preorders for Dave Alvin & Phil Alvins' Common Ground due for release on June 3. When you preorder the CD and vinyl LP, you can order a limited edition Dave and Phil Belt Buckle. goto YepRoc.com 

April 7, 2014 - April 19, 2014 is record store day. Yep Roc records will release a double 10" vinyl limited edition set of 4 songs from Dave Alvin & Phil Alvins' forthcoming Yep Roc Records release 'Common Ground.' You must go to a participating record store to buy this exclusive release. 

December 8, 2013 - Phil and Dave Alvin will be be aboard together on the Roots on the Rails train trip from Chicago to Albuquerque on April 11-15, 2014 

September 24, 2013 - The Blasters and the band 'X' have announced 'The Family Christmas Tour' with both of them touring together for the first time. It runs from November 29 in Phoenix and up the west coast ending in Seattle on December 21. Watch Xtheband.com for updates 

July 2, 2013 - The Lone Ranger: Wanted album was released July 2, 2013 and includes Dave Alvin's version of "Lonesome Whistle". You can sample the full album at The Lone Ranger: Wanted (Official Album Sampler) - YouTube 

June 22, 2013 - BRAND NEW DAVE ALVIN! Featured on The Lone Ranger: Wanted album inspired by the forthcoming movie, you'll find Dave Alvin's version of "Lonesome Whistle". 

June 3, 2013 - On June 4, 2013 The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County will be released. Look for the CD to be sold at Dave Alvin shows right now. Amazon lists a number of formats available: A delux CD/DVD, A hardcover cook, and a standard CD. On iTunes you can buy the music and a digital book as well. 

“Ghost Brothers of Darkland County” is a collaboration between John Mellencamp and Stephen King that features an all-star cast of singers on the soundtrack album, including Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin. The musical is now available to stream "John Mellencamp, Stephen King, T Bone Burnett's 'Ghost Brothers of Darkland County' Album Premiere - Speakeasy - WSJ 

May 31, 2013 - Tuesday June 4, 2013, is a very important day In 'Blasters history' (or 'Blastory'). The rock opera CD "The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County' is released featuring the first ever recordings of Phil and Dave Alvin singing together (this was recorded before Dave and Phil did "Whats Up With Your Brother" on Eleven Eleven. 

February 2, 2013 - The Phil Alvin Benefit show was a great success. You can find many reviews on the internet and videos on youtube. The BlastersNewsletter will have full coverage next issue. Artist Gary Houston designed a limited edition poster for the event. A few are left and can be purchased on voodoocatbox.com All profits from the poster go to Phil Alvin's medical relief fund. 

January 6, 2013 - The Phil Alvin benefit show on 1/26 at The Observatory in Santa Ana CA is now sold out. If you would like to contribute to Phil's medical relief fund by mail: Make checks payable to New Highway INC. and send to New Highway INC., 1563 Solano Ave. #439, Berkeley, CA, 94707 

December 2, 2012 - The Blasters with Dave Alvin will perform together for a Phil Alvin benefit on January 26, 2013 in Santa Ana CA at The Observatory to raise funds for Phil's medical bills. A Fender custom shop replica of Dave Alvin's infamous Mustang guitar (used in the early Blasters days), autographed by the Blasters will be auctioned off. 

October 26, 2012  - Look for Dave Alvin making a surprise appearance at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame show on Saturday 10/27/12 in Cleveland at a Tribute to Chuck Berry. 

October 10, 2012 - Check out an extensive Dave Alvin interview on the WTF Podcast. 

October 9, 2012 - Phil Alvin will be performing with Exene Cervenka of X on a bill with Petunia and the Vipers on a 6 date tour of Southern California October 8 - 14. 

October 8, 2012 - Dave Alvin Guitar Stolen in San Francisco -- Dave Alvin said on his facebook page: "Had an amazing and exhausting weekend at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. I have wonderful memories of playing with The Guilty Ones with my dear brother Phil joining us, the tribute to Doug Sahm (with Boz Scaggs, Derek O'Brien, Jimmie Vaughan, Delbert McClinton and Boz's tough band) and, of course, The Knitters. Sadly, though, these memories are now badly tarnished by the fact that someone (I'm trying to refrain from using profanity) STOLE my beloved Jerry Jones single cutaway Neptune baritone guitar that I play with the Knitters. If anyone in the Bay area sees this in any pawn shops or on the streets of San Francisco, please let me know. Thanks. --Dave" 

October 7, 2012 - Listen to Dave Alvin in performance and interview on the BBC Radio Scotland show 'Another Country'. 

September 26, 2012 - Yep Roc records will release 2 Dave Alvin albums on vinyl before the end of 2012 - Ashgrove and West Of The West. Each will contain a bonus track. 

July 28, 2012 - The Blasters 'Fun On Saturday Night' CD just hit #1 on the Roots Music Report Chart. RMR 

July 3, 2012 -- The Blasters release their new CD Fun On Saturday Night on Rip Cat Records. 

July 2, 2012 - Update On Phil Alvin by Phil Alvin today: “Billy, I am already better. Out of the hospital and on my way home Thursday or Saturday. Unbelievable but true - I am in perfect health. ‘Yo soy a Valenciano!’ The flatlining removed my desire to smoke as well. We are on our way to immortality - I swear to you!” Expect a new American Music newsletter on July 3 with the full story on Phil and the new Blasters CD. 

June 26, 2012 - John Bazz update on Phil Alvin: "We're here in Spain with Phil until Thursday. His cousin Paul flew in yesterday and is staying with Phil until he's released and is probably going to fly back to LA with him too. Today Phil is walking, talking and breathing on his own. Kinda wish he was silent again, as he has turned into a real task master and has us all jumping through hoops!" 

June 25, 2012 - The Blasters all new studio album called 'Fun On Saturday Night' will be released on July 3, 2012 on Rip Cat Records. Please order the CD directly from Rip Cat. 

June 25, 2012 - Dave Alvin update on Phil Alvin: "For all of you who've been asking, here's a short version of my brother Phil's situation: My brother did NOT have a heart attack and he is NOT in a coma. Phil had trouble breathing after a performance in Valencia, Spain last week. He was taken to a hospital where an emergency tracheotomy was performed so he could breathe. Thankfully, his vocal chords were left untouched. The reason for his breathing difficulty is still being determined and he is still in ICU but Phil IS RECOVERING slowly and surely. The Blasters are there with him and family members and friends are on the way. Sincere heartfelt thanks from me to all of you for all of your support through this rough time." 

June 23, 2012 - Dave Alvin updates us regarding Phil in the hospital in Spain: "Long story short: After a couple of rough days, my brother Phil (truly One Bad Stud) is recovering slowly but steadily and is in excellent medical hands in Spain. Sincere thanks to all of you who have been sending him your positive vibes, healing thoughts, prayers, non-prayers, best wishes, jokes, memories, etc. It means a lot to Phil, our family and me. Thank you." 

June 21, 2012 - The Blasters have had to cancel their June/July 2012 European Tour because of a health issue with Phil Alvin. Dave Alvin issued a statement on facebook: "As some of you may have heard through various grapevines, my brother Phil has been hospitalized in Spain. Things are still up in the air regarding his medical condition so I won't say anything else now except that Phil needs some of your positive thoughts, best wishes, good vibes, corny jokes, etc. Needless to say, The Blasters have cancelled their summer European tour." 

May 28, 2012 - The Blasters will release an all new studio album called 'Fun On Saturday Night' on June 17, 2012 on Rip Cat records. 

January 17, 2012 - Dave Alvin is set to release an expanded edition of Eleven Eleven in May. It will include two previously unreleased bonus tracks, "Signal Hill" and "Never Trust A Woman," a live performance DVD, a live recording of Eleven Eleven, and a repackaging of the original full-length album - over 3 hours of music. 

December 16, 2011 - Happy Birthday! Today Blasters' drummer Bill Bateman turns 60 and is still smashing the skins! 

November 23, 2011 - Phil Alvin is recovering from knee surgery and will not be able to perform on the Blasters December west coast tour. All shows are canceled except San Diego, Hollywood, Redondo Beach, and Ventura. At those 4 shows, Dave Alvin will front the Blasters in place of Phil. 

November 11, 2011 - Happy Birthday to Dave Alvin today on Eleven, Eleven, Eleven day! An all "Eleven Eleven" coverage issue of the American Music newsletter will be released very very soon. 

June 1, 2011 - Dave Alvin's new CD Eleven Eleven is due out on 6/21/11. You can preorder it now and receive exclusive bonus stuff here.

March 20, 2011 - In Austin Texas this week, Dave Alvin unveiled his new band "The Guilty Ones." The band includes Dave, Chris Miller on guitars, Lisa Pankratz on drums, and Brad Fordham on bass. Look for this lineup on tour all summer.

November 21, 2010 - The Gene Taylor Blues band with Dave Alvin has scheduled a December tour in California opening up in Fresno on December 9. Don’t miss it. They finish off the tour on New Years Eve at The Redwood bar and Grill in Los Angeles with The Original Blasters.

June 1, 2010 - The Blasters with Phil, John, Bill, and Keith are booked with special guest Dave Alvin to perform at Fitzgerald’s American Music Festival in Berwyn IL on July 4th weekend for two shows. 

April 12, 2010 - Monday April 12 Phil Alvin begins a weekly acoustic gig at the Redwood Bar & Grill at 316 W. 2nd Street in Los Angeles 90012. Dave Alvin is expected to make a special appearance as will some other surprise guests.

January 18, 2010 - Note: I am discontinuing the print edition of the newsletter. It will still be viewable and printable online. To receive an email notice when a newsletter is made available online, sign up on the confidential yahoo "Announcement only list" by sending a request to davistb@aol.com and I'll put you on that list.

October 30, 2009 - On November 8, 2009 McCabe's in Santa Monica CA will host "REMEMBERING AMY FARRIS," a memorial show for the departed Guilty Women fiddle player. Dave Alvin will perform along with Stan Ridgway, Peter Case, I See Hawks, and more.

September 22, 2009 - Downey California's landmark Johnies Broiler restaurant is set to re-open as 'Bob's Big Boy Broiler.' The 50's style decor and interior of a drive-in/car-hop/coffee shop is still there, it's just a different name. The 8 year battle to keep the historic structure from being demolished has been won by the Friends of Johnies. Congratulations! The Broiler Coalition is holding a "Cruise In " on 9/26/09 from 11am-4PM at 7447 Firestone Blvd in Downey. It's free and all are invited. The Blasters will perform at 6 PM. 

August 6, 2009 - The Blasters will be live on the radio this Saturday 8/8/09 at 12 Noon P.S.T. on 87.9 FM in San Francisco. The Show can be heard live in The Bay area and L.A. You can listen on-line at www.piratecatradio.com or in the alternative section on iTunes. Bay Area Blasters fans are invited to come down to the studio and watch the interview and performance live at 2781 21st Street (cross street is Florida St.) in the Mission District of San Francisco. The zip code is 94110. Later, an archived podcast will be made available.

July 10, 2009 - Village Records is now handling on-line orders for the Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men DVD "Live at the Great American Music Hall" and the Gene Taylor featuring Dave Alvin CD "Live!!! 608 Boogie!!!"

YOU COULD WIN !!!! - Dave Alvin Meet & Greet in New York and Philadelphia 

July 10-11, 2009 ---- Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women are doing two highly anticipated concerts this weekend in Philadelphia at the World Cafe on 7/10 and in New York City at the Highline Ballroom on 7/11. In honor of this special event, 'American Music: the Blasters Dave Alvin newsletter' will host 10 contest winners at each venue for a special after show meet and greet with Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women. The first 10 contest entrants who have the correct answer to the following question will win the meet and greet opportunity. Note: you must purchase your own admission to the concert 

Question: What song on Dave Alvin's new Guilty Women record has he recorded before with the Blasters? Email your answer to davistb@aol.com Your email subject header should read "Dave Alvin Meet and Greet Philadelphia" or "Dave Alvin Meet and Greet NYC." There will be 10 winners for each show.If you are a winner, you will receive an email with instructions. Contest closes 6 PM day of each show. Good luck

July 2, 2009 - A Dave Alvin's Fur Peace Ranch concert from May of '09 will air Friday 7/3/09 at 7 PM ET on southern Ohio's WOUB or listen to WOUB-FM's live stream. The taped concert will repeat on Saturday at midnight and Monday at 1:00 a.m. 

May 16, 2009 - May 26 is the day Dave Alvin releases two CDs on Yep Roc Records: A Dave Alvin studio recorded album called "Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women" and the Chris Gaffney Tribute album "Man of Somebody's Dreams" which is executive produced by Dave Alvin. 

May 12 , 2009 - The Gene Taylor Blues band featuring Dave Alvin has released the CD "Live !!! 605 Boogie !!!" today. 

May 12 , 2009 - Dave Alvin's song "Everett Reuss" is NPR radio's song of day coinciding with the discovery of the 75 year old remains of Everett Ruess in Utah. 

March 6 , 2009 - Listen in on Sunday March 8th to an interview of Dave Alvin on the Juke Joint radio show hosted by Jon Noe.  Tune in to 90.7 FM KSER at 1 PM Pacific. Listen online at 90.7 KSER | Independent Public Radio

March 2 , 2009 - Dave Alvin Update: The "Dave Alvin and Guilty Women" CD is due out May 21. The Chris Gaffney Tribute "Man of Somebody's Dreams" is also out on May 21. Dave's long awaited "Live at The Great American Music Hall" DVD is now available for sale at shows and will be available thru DaveAlvin.net soon. The 'Gene Taylor Blues band featuring Dave Alvin' CD "605 Boogie!!!" is due for release soon. The Doug Sahm Tribute CD called "Keep Your Soul" is due out March 24 and includes Dave Alvin's version of "Dynamite Woman." Dave Alvin will be out on tour all summer with the Guilty Women. 

October 21, 2008 - On October 28, 2008 Shout Factory Records will release the CD Dave Alvin: Best of the HighTone Years. If you preorder the CD from Newbury Comics, it comes with an autographed promotional booklet. Supplies are limited so order soon. 

August 23, 2008 - The Knitters are playing a one-off show in New York City at Lincoln Center on Sunday August 24, 2008. The free show is at 5 PM at Damrosch Bandshell on 62nd St between Columbus and Amsterdam. 

August 5, 2008 - Dave Alvin will be making surprise special appearances at the coming weekend Dave Gonzalez (of the Hacienda Bros.) gigs In Santa Rosa, San Francisco, and Winters.

July 17, 2008 - On Labor Day weekend (August 30 - Sept. 1) Safari Sam's in Los Angeles will host the first annual "Dog and Pony show" benefit music festival for sick musicians. Appearing at the 3-day event will be The Blasters, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men, The Knitters, The Hacienda Brothers, The Cold Hard Facts, Big Sandy and many more. 

June 25, 2008 - The Blasters announced today that Jerry Angel, their drummer of 14 years has left the band. Jerry has joined a band called Shurman, who will be offering much work and touring than the Blasters. Taking over the drum stool will be 'Original Blasters' drummer Bill Bateman. We wish Jerry all the best and welcome back Bill. 

April 29, 2008 - The Chris Gaffney Memorial -- April 30, 2008 Long Beach, CA -- Comedian Andy Kindler and the Gaffney family will be hosting a night of stories and music at "The Cellar." Special guests include Dave Alvin and The Guilty Men, The Hacienda Brothers, The Cold Hard Facts, The Blasters, Bill Kirchen, and many other friends. The Cellar’s information is available at: www.myspace.com/thecellarlbc Address: 201 E. Broadway, Downtown Long Beach, located on the Promenade at Broadway The memorial celebration begins at 3pm. Donations are graciously accepted and deeply appreciated. 

April 17, 2008 - Chris Gaffney, a beloved husband, revered entertainer, precious father, dear uncle, trusted friend, cherished brother has succumbed to liver cancer Chris Gaffney passed away this morning, April 17, 2008 in the Orange County hospital in California with his wife Julie at his side. He suffered a fall at home last night and died in his sleep after being admitted to the hospital. Further details are unavailable at this time. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced. 

April 10, 2008 - Johnies (Harvey's) Broiler Is To Be Rebuilt Downey CA - Bob's Big Boy signed a lease and the operator intends to rebuild the structure trying to uphold the integrity of the 1958 building. This is amazing everyone!!! Simply historic that this has occurred. All of your support and efforts all of these years have paid off in a huge way. We are indebted to all of your efforts over the past seven years. This is a huge win for our community and for American culture. ---- Analisa (Friends of Harvey's/Johnie's Coalition) 

March 24, 2008 - Our good friend Chris Gaffney has been diagnosed with liver cancer and has been forced off the road. Please visit his web site to leave messages for Chris and his family and donate to the 'Chris Gaffney Recovery fund.' 

March 19, 2008 - Dave Alvin releases new digital single, "Those Lonely Lonely Nights" with Chris Gaffney and the Gene Taylor Blues Band On YepRoc.com and DaveAlvin.net This month's song is very, very special for me. Last December, Chris Gaffney joined me on stage with The Gene Taylor Blues Band and sang Earl King's classic 1955 blues ballad, "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights." As great as Earl King's original recording is, Chris and I have always loved the version by Johnny "Guitar" Watson also cut in '55. Besides a typically passionate vocal, Watson's version features one of my favorite guitar solos of all time - as simple and effective as a Zen haiku or a punch in the face (I try to replicate Watson's furious, one note attack in the first chorus of my solo before heading off in my own direction). Needless to say, Chris sings the hell out of it. As some of you who are fans of his solo recordings and his CDs with The Hacienda Brothers already know, Chris is one of contemporary roots music's greatest singers. Whether the song is country, soul, blues, rock and roll, norteno or even Sinatra pop, Chris delivers the musical and emotional goods like few others can these days. All this brings me to some very sad news. My best friend Chris Gaffney is seriously ill and requires some costly medical treatments. Unfortunately, most of us understand the tough financial reality of the health industry these days and know that every little bit helps in paying the various bills. To help Chris cover his medical expenses, his family has put together a website where all of his friends and fans around the world can donate to the Gaffney cause. The webpage will be up and running in the next week or so, as soon as the doctors give his family an estimate of what his treatments will cost. Please check back at my website, davealvin.net, in the next week or so in order to be directed to the family webpage. You'll be able to make a donation there through Pay Pal as well leave get well messages for Chris and get updates on his situation. I know times are tough for just about everyone right now, but any contribution you can make would be deeply and sincerely appreciated by Chris, his family and me. Our version of "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights" with Gaffney is another outtake from the upcoming Gene Taylor Blues Band live CD, and whatever income is generated from the downloads of this recording will be going directly into the Gaffney medical fund. I'd like to thank the members of The Gene Taylor Blues Band (Gene the piano monster, bass specialist John Bazz and drum deity Bill Bateman), genius recording engineer Mark Linett, visionary executive producer Hudson Marquez and the good folks at Yep Roc for their generosity and help in making this possible. Get well brother Chris. I'll see you in Cuervo! - Dave Alvin, 

March 17th, 2008 - "Those Lonely Lonely Nights" is the 8th digital single available exclusively on-line :The others are: "Drunk" "Perdido Street Blues" "Two Lucky Bums" "Mobile Blue" "Earl's Rhumba" "Peace" and "Highway 61" 

February 29, 2008 - Dave Alvin releases new digital single, "Drunk" from the Gene Taylor Blues Band On YepRoc.com and DaveAlvin.net Who says a song needs more than one chord? Rhythm and Blues pioneer Jimmy Liggins didn't think so and his 1953 jump blues hit "Drunk," a tribute to the joys and travails of inebriation, certainly proves it. 

Jimmy Liggins was the guitar playing brother of another R+B legend, pianist / singer /songwriter Joe Liggins (composer of blues standards like "The Honeydripper" and "Pink Champagne") and Jimmy was also a boxer who fought under the name Kid Zulu. The Liggins brothers were mainstays of the fertile 1940s and 50s Central Avenue music scene in Los Angeles. Joe Liggins was still performing in the 1970s when my brother Phil, Gene Taylor and I would catch him playing piano and singing in little dive bars around LA and Long Beach. He was an extremely talented and nice man. I wish I would've have also met Jimmy. I bet he could've taught me a lot about the complex mysteries of a one chord song. 

Over the years Jimmy Liggins' one chord classic has been a staple in therepertoire of many barroom blues, western swing and rockabilly bands (I've even sung it once or twice with my band, The Guilty Men). This version of "Drunk," though, was recorded live last December at the Cafe Boogaloo in Hermosa Beach, California when I was part of a short west coast tour with The Gene Taylor Blues Band. Keyboard master Gene Taylor is singing and rocking the piano, Bill Bateman is swinging the drums and John Bazz is walking the stand up bass while I imitate some honking saxophone riffs on my electric guitar. The gigs were a special holiday reunion with my hometown pals and I had a blast to say the least. Our off the cuff take of "Drunk" was recorded and mixed by the genius engineer, Mark Linett and executive produced by noted R+B scholar Hudson Marquez. This track is a bonus outtake from a live CD by The Gene Taylor Blues Band that will be available later this year. Until then, I hope you enjoy "Drunk" and remember to always drink responsibly. - Dave Alvin, February 23, 2008 "Drunkl" is the 7th digital single available exclusively on-line :The others: "Perdido Street Blues" "Two Lucky Bums" "Mobile Blue" "Earl's Rhumba" "Peace" and "Highway 61" 

February 21, 2008 - Dave Alvin releases new digital single, "Perdido Street Blues" On YepRoc.com and DaveAlvin.net There are many ways of playing the blues and this is one of them. Back in the early days of jazz they would've called this approach to blues, "viper music." That term always sounded pretty good to me. "Perdido Street Blues" was composed by the under appreciated Lil' Hardin Armstrong (the one time wife and pianist for Louis Armstrong) and was originally recorded back in 1926 by clarinet master Johnny Dodds and his New Orleans Wanderers. I was 14 when I first heard his version and, besides being blown away by Dodds' clarinet virtuosity, what captivated me was the minor/major key modulations that make up the song structure. With its low down almost spooky groove and melody, "Perdido Street Blues" is definitely some old time, back-in-the-alley viper music. For many years I've toyed around with the idea of cutting the song as a guitar based piece but never got around to doing it. Recently, after playing a few gigs with blues/boogie woogie piano master Gene Taylor, I thought it might be fun to finally cut "Perdido Street Blues" with Gene doing what he does best on the keyboards. Besides Gene, I was thrilled to be joined by another fellow Blaster, John Bazz, thumping mean stand-up bass. Rounding out this unique group are Greg Leisz (my longtime producer and guitar hero) on the slippery electric lap steel guitar and current Guilty Man drummer Steve Mugalian on the snazzy drums and percussion. For this track I played my beloved 1934 National steel bodied guitar while Craig Parker Adams did his usual expert job recording everything live at his Winslow Court studio in Los Angeles, California. I can't explain what a big kick it was to go back into the studio with Gene and John for the first time together since when we were in The Blasters years ago. Time and fate permitting we can hopefully do some more recording in the future. Until then I hope you enjoy our little bit of viper blues. - Dave Alvin, January 9th, 2008 "Perdido Street Blues" is the 6th digital single available exclusively on-line :The others: "Two Lucky Bums" "Mobile Blue" "Earl's Rhumba" "Peace" and "Highway 61" 

December 15, 2007 - Get ready for the Gene Taylor Blues Band shows in California. Though this is 4 out of 5 members of the Original Blasters, this isn't a reunion. The appeal for fans is to see these guys doing a completely different set of songs. Dave: "This is home for the holidays. It's rare to get a chance to play with these guys especially with Gene now living in Belgium. Gene asked me if I would play and I said: "sure." It's just a bunch of guys from Downey playing some blues. It's way of going home for the holidays."

December 9, 2007 - Dave Alvin's 9 Volt XM radio show archive is now streaming on DaveAlvin.net. Yes, finally for those of us who don't have XM radio you can catch up on Dave's excellent radio show. But act fast - DaveAlvin.net has put up the first 3 shows (which aired late 2006) and will replace those 3 in January for shows 4-6. On April 1, 2008 Shows 7-9 will be posted. Listen here Dave: "My hour long show on XM Radio explores, and exposes, my very broad definition of classic American Folk Music. Using both new recordings as well as historic recordings from the past, I mix urban and country blues singers, honky-tonk heroes, soul shouters, gospel testifiers, mountain balladeers, folk traditionalists, western swing stompers, rockabilly bad boys, doo-wop crooners, bluegrass barn burners and surfer dudes, with an equal dose of contemporary singer-songwriters and bands. Too often our musical heritage is divided up into opposing genres. I'm honored to take this hour to walk through how all our American music is interconnected." Dave Alvin-Sept 2006

December 7, 2007 - Dave Alvin releases new digital single, "Two Lucky Bums" On YepRoc.com and DaveAlvin.net Dave Alvin recorded aa all original song as a duet with Chris Gaffney. Dave:The song is a bit different for Gaffney and me. I've always been a fan of Crosby's laid back vocals and also a fan of the great 1930's and 40's pop songwriters but I have never attempted writing anything in that swing/pop style but I figured, "What the Hell?" I guess it's a tribute of sorts to Crosby, Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, etc. Beside singing with me, Chris plays some sweet, accordion licks while I strum some rudimentary 40's jazz guitar. Craig Parker Adams did his usual superb recording job at his Winslow Court Studio in Los Angeles and our buddy Kurt Mahoney took the photograph. Gaffney and I had a real gas recording "Two Lucky Bums" and I sincerely hope you get a kick out of it. - Dave Alvin, December 7, 2007 "Two Lucky Bums" is the 5th digital single available exclusively on-line :The others: "Mobile Blue" "Earl's Rhumba" "Peace" and "Highway 61"

November 10, 2007 - Dave Alvin releases new digital single, "Mobile Blue" On YepRoc.com and DaveAlvin.net Dave Alvin recorded a Mickey Newbury song. Dave:The Newbury song I recorded, "Mobile Blue," is from his classic concept album, Frisco Mabel Joy. It was cut as part of a tribute CD to Frisco Mabel Joy and Newbury that was put together by No Depression's Peter Blackstock a few years back that deserved more attention than it received. The track was recorded in 2000 at the sessions for my Public Domain CD and features Rick Shea on the biting electric guitar, Joe Terry on the pumping piano, Bobby Lloyd Hicks slapping the skins, Brantley Kearns on the swinging fiddle and former Rodger Miller/Hoyt Axton/Dillard and Clark/Jackson Browne bassist, David Jackson thumping the stand up bass. The backwards guitar intro is by jazz guitar innovator Bill Frizzell. - Dave Alvin, Oct. 30, 2007 "Mobile Blue" is the 4th of four very special songs available exclusively on-line :"Earl's Rhumba" "Peace" and "Highway 61"

December 1, 2007 - The Gene Taylor Blues Band has some dates scheduled for December 2007 in California. Check the tour page for dates. The 4-piece band includes Dave Alvin, John Bazz, and Bill Bateman.

October 4, 2007 - Dave Alvin releases new digital single, "Earl's Rumba" On YepRoc.com and DaveAlvin.net "Variations on Earl's Rumba" is The Guilty Men's tribute to one of our favorite guitarists, Earl Hooker. He's a legend among blues musicians, for peerless technique, his clean slide guitar style as well as his fluid single string picking (his playing is also respected outside the blues community - master Celtic/Folk/Rock guitarist Richard Thompson told me that Earl Hooker was one of his favorite guitarists - Now, that's high praise!). From his earliest recordings at Sun Records, through the many tracks he cut for King, Chess, Argo, Checker, Chief, Arhoolie, Blue Thumb, both as a solo artist and as sideman (for Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, Charles Brown and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee to name a few), Earl Hooker displayed how he was, in writer Bill Dahl's words, "an endlessly inventive fountain of ideas that other guitarists drank from regularly." He could also bring his hard blues chops to jazz, country and, as his original version of the instrumental (guitar rumba) shows, latin music. Unfortunately, Earl Hooker died too young and never got the kind of "guitar God" acknowledgement he rightly deserved. - Dave Alvin, October 4, 2007 "Earl's Rumba" is the third of three very special songs available exclusively on-line :"Peace" and "Highway 61"

September 11, 2007 -  The latest edition of the Blasters Newsletter is out now. American Music # 54 

September 2007 - Read about: The Original Blasters play at the Bill Bateman tribute show, The Blasters summer 2007 tour, Jerry Angel’s photo gallery, and Dave Alvin’s new digital single releases.

September 4, 2007 - Check out Yeproc.com or DaveAlvin.net for some exclusive new Dave Alvin songs available for download. The September issue of the Blasters Newsletter is due out this week.

June 6, 2007 -  On June 25, 2007 the King King club in Hollywood, CA, will present a special show in honor of Bill Bateman. The show will be filmed for a documentary on Bill's career. The Blue Shadows (Bill, Javier 'Jake' Matos, John Bazz, and Jack Rudy) will reform just for this event. Phil Alvin and Dave Alvin are expected as special guests which may prompt an "Original 4 Blasters" reunion. Other musicians Bill has played with are expected to perform.

June 4, 2007 -  The June 2007 Newsletter is out now American Music # 53 June 2007 Featuring: Phil, Dave, and John remember the Streets of Fire movie, The Blasters tour Spain, and ‘Dave Alvin: Live from Austin Texas’ is released. 

June 4, 2007 -  Another old Newsletter has been added to the newsletter archive American Music # 22 February 1999 featuring The Austin City Limits taping, Gregory Boaz interview, A Blasters reunion jam, Phil Alvin remembers Spain, Q & A’s, and Dave’s stories from the road.

June 2, 2007 -  Another old Newsletter has been added to the newsletter archive American Music # 3 June 1994 featuring A Conversation with Phil Alvin Part 2 from 1994, and A Blasters discography. This expanded edition includes new content from that period. - Blasterbilia: Discography Photo Gallery and T-shirt photo gallery. Blasters photos from a 9/19/85 Milwaukee WI. concert and a Blasters history from a rockabilly fanzine called "Original Cool." Next up in the back issue archive is Issue # 22 from 1999 which featured a story on Dave's Austin City Limits taping. And soon after that will be the new June 2007 issue #53.

May 31, 2007 - Dave Alvin and New West Records have just released a brand new DVD and companion CD as part of Austin City Limit's "Live From Austin TX" series. This exclusive set features his previously unreleased 1999 performance from the award winning Austin City Limits television show. Tracks include "King of California", "Border Radio", "4th of July", an insane medley of "Jubilee Train", "Do-Re-Me, and "Promised Land" and much, much more! It’s in stores NOW! Available as a set or individually. 

May 16, 2007 - "Roots on the Rails" has announced Dave Alvin will join Tom Russell's Tarahumara Train for the trip to Mexico's Copper Canyon in September. You'll spend a week with Dave, Tom Russell, Butch Hancock, Terry Allen, Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum - hanging out with them and seeing musical performances every day. For more info on the The Tarahumara Train - Tucson to Mexico's Copper Canyon on board The Sierra Madre Express, Sept. 13-20, 2007 go here. Sign up soon, the spots are very limited. 

April 10, 2007 - Dave Alvin is featured in the May 2007 issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine. An interview by Chris Smither is included as well as guitar (Tablature) sheet music for the song "King Of California." 

March 28, 2007 - Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men's 1999 Austin City Limits concert is set for release on DVD (and companion CD) on May 1, 2007 on New West Records. Titled: "Live From Austin Texas" 

February 19, 2007 - The February 2007 BlastersNewsletter is out now. Read about: Dave Alvin's concert with the Calvanes, Hollywood Fats is remembered by the Blasters, and Guilty Man Joe Terry's 'Coldest Day's of the Year' Tour Diary. 

February 18, 2007 - Johnie's Broiler destruction letter writing campaign Part 2. The friends of Johnie's would like us all to write letters again to the Downey City council demanding justice. We want to know who is taking responsibility for destroying the cultural Icon Johnie's Broiler. We're not going to let this go. More here on Johnie's and the Ghost Cruise of 2/25. Downey city council emails: abayer@downeyca.org dgafin@downeyca.org kcartozi@downeyca.org rtrejo@downeyca.org mguerra@downeyca.org 

February 13, 2007 - Johnie's Broiler (Downey, CA drive in) Update: 'A Ghost Cruise for Johnies' is planned for Sunday morning 2/25/07 The Friends of Johnie's org said: "We are cruising all the old Haunts/ cruising sights between Bob's Big Boy in Toluca Lake and ending at Johnie's to show that we do not want Johnie's to be a Phantom!!!!" Meet at Bob's Big Boy, 4211 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake, CA at 8 AM for breakfast. Cruise at 9:45. 

February 10, 2007 - The Blasters performed at Art Fein's annual Elvis Birthday concert in L.A. Check out a video of it on YouTube and Art Fein's description of the show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBX9vNu0EPE http://www.sofein.com/mess/2007/elvisBD-07.html 

January 21, 2007 - Report on the 'Cruise In' at Johnies Broiler - We just wanted to say a big 'thank you' to all who came out and supported the Johnie's "cruise in" on such short notice, it was impressive to see such a great turn out. Such action continues to show that we our outraged and want justice and action! Seeing all the cars, sharing stories, and being able to express our frustration over the destruction of Johnie's in a positive way was truly awesome!!!! We will certainly keep you posted for 'future show of support' action. More immediately though we need your presence at the next Downey City Council Meeting on Tuesday January 23rd at 7:30 p.m. The city will be making a statement on Johnie's at the upcoming council meeting. We need to show the city that we want them to come through on their word and that we do not want this "case" to linger and fade away in some file. Please speak out at the meeting and continue to express your concern and outrage over this illegal act -- we will not remain quiet. Thanks again and lets continue to fight the fight! On behalf of the Friends of Johnie's and The Los Angeles Modern Committee --Analisa 

January 12, 2007 - Hi All: The 'Friends of Johnie's' in coordination with the Modern Commitee, support of local Southland car clubs, and outraged citizens will be staging a "Cruise in" at Johnie's Broiler on Sunday Jan 14th from 3:30-5:30 p.m. - the exact time the illegal demolition occurred. We will be asking those with classic cars to cruise around the block, and ask that people bring symbolic momentos to hang on the chain-link fence. Yelllow ribbons, hanging signs, car club logos, and messages of "Restore Johnie's" and "Justice for Johnie's" to the city of Downey -- whatever inspires you! Your presence is important- let's continue to show the city we are outraged by this desecration and we want justice and we want Johnie's preserved! Please, spread the word - let's continue to show our collective outrage and that this is not a forgotten issue that will simple fade away from our memories. See you on the sidewalk! Analisa Hungerford- Friends of Johnie's 562 862- 6127 Adriene Biondo Modern Committee, Chair 818 943-6621 

January 10, 2007 - The citizens of Downey met with the city council last night: "The meeting was all very positive. All the major news stations were there including CNN, Channel 2/9, as well as all the local papers . The council opened with a statement about "full prosecution" and "restoration"- which prompted a roar from the packed chamber. People spoke for an hour and a half - it was truly Johnie's night - some of the testimonies were very touching." "The next big issue is getting a conviction of the guilty party, because no one is claiming responsibility. Then we have to sit on the city to make sure they really stay true to their word. So it is very important that people continue to communicate their outrage. People want to run the property owner out of the city - I can't believe he claims he's the victim!!! There was no one who spoke on his behalf." - Analisa Ridenour Hungerford TV News reports. Fox Channel 11 Los Angeles CBS Channel 2 Los Angeles 

January 9, 2007 - A letter from Analisa Ridenour Hungerford about the demolition of Johnie's Broiler: As most of you know, I've worked alongside the L.A. Conservancy and many local residents in the city of Downey to save Johnie's Broiler for the last five years. Last night, an illegal demolition occurred on the property!!! photo We will be at city hall tomorrow night (1/9/07), imploring our city officials to prosecute the offenders with the greatest severity possible. If you could take a moment to shoot off an email to the Downey city council members expressing your outrage at this brazen action and demand that the guilty parties be harshly punished-- we would greatly appreciate your help. It does not matter that you are not a resident of Downey - this is a huge cultural, architectural and communal assault on all of us!!!! Please take a moment to help. With my deepest appreciation, Analisa Ridenour Please send emails to: abayer@downeyca.org rtrejo@downeyca.org dgafin@downeyca.org kcartozi@downeyca.org mguerra@downeyca.org 

January 8, 2007 - Bad News: The famous Downey, CA diner called Johnie's Broiler was illegally demolished last night. Throughout the last 5 years, the community has fought to save the historic 50's restaurant. The Blasters performed a benefit show for Johnie's in 2002 in their hometown of Downey. 

 December 5, 2006 The Blasters are doing a small tour of Colorado and Arizona from December 6 thru December 16. The shows are expected to be real good and it will be a while before the Blasters get back to these parts. So come on down, I'll be there, I wouldn't miss it and you shouldn't either. 

October 23, 2006 - Time to update your book marks and links. Scot's official Dave Alvin web site is now www.DaveAlvin.com/dave Scot's Blasters page is now www.DaveAlvin.com/blasters 

October 11, 2006 - Dave Alvin's XM radio show called Dave Alvin's 9-Volt show #2 airs the week of October 16 on XM 12. Dave's show can be heard the third week of every month on X Country XM 12; Monday at 11 am, with replays on Thursday at 7 pm and Saturday at 11 am. All times are Eastern. On 10/15 the Vancouver B.C. Radio station CFRO-FM 102.7 will air a Dave Alvin radio show featuring  excerpts from a (july '06) taped Dave Alvin interview as well as music from throughout his career. The show airs 4 PM-5:30 PDT. To listen online at www.coopradio.org/listen/. 

September 18, 2006 - Dave Alvin's XM radio show called Dave Alvin's 9-Volt premiers the week of September 18 on XM 12. Dave explores American roots music, playing records from his own collection, including Roots Rock, R&B, Folk, Singer Songwriter, Blues, Rockabilly and more. Dave Alvin’s 9 Volt will be heard the third week of every month on X Country XM 12; Monday at 11 am, with replays on Thursday at 7 pm and Saturday at 11 am. All times are Eastern. 

September 6, 2006 - Blasters Newsletter # 50 for August 2006 is now ready. American Music # 50 features The Flesh Eaters history and 2006 Reunion tour, The Blasters with Gene Taylor, and Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men play the American Music fest together, and Dave Alvin's Blackout show in St. Louis. 

August 22, 2006 'Dave Alvin's 9-Volt' radio show for XM radio is scheduled to debut Monday September 18, 2006 at 11 AM Eastern Time. 

August 11, 2006 - Dave Alvin will be featured in the L.A. Times Sunday edition magazine called "West" on August 27, 2006. 

July 18, 2006 Radio: Hear a Dave Alvin interview/performance on KDHX St. Louis MO at 2pm on Wednesday, 7/19. Listen online at: http://www.kdhx.org/real/listenonline.htm

July 10, 2006 James Intveld will be filling in for Keith Wyatt on guitar at three east coast Blasters shows July 12 thru the 15th. This will be a reunion of the 1992-95 version of the Blasters. 

June 28, 2006 - NBC-TV's "EXTRA!" News magazine show filmed an interview with Dave Alvin and two live songs in mid June. It is expected to air in the first two weeks of July, after the 4th of July Weekend. ACOUSTIC CAFE - Dave Alvin taped an in-studio performance and interview when he was in Ann Arbor a few months ago. It is scheduled to air on radio the week of July 10. Check your local listings here. Dave Alvin's appearance on the syndicated radio program Folkscene will be broadcast on Sun July 30th from 1-3:00 PM (ET) on WUMB Boston - www.wumb.org (both radio & internet.) 

June 26, 2006 - The NPR show "FRESH AIR" is scheduled to air their recent interview with Dave Alvin on June 27 in support of his new record, West of the West. Check here for your local station and time. Please note that their schedule is subject to change. 

June 24, 2006 - Dave Alvin's appearance on KCRW Radio's Open Road show from 6/18/06 can be heard here. Dave recently taped an episode of Fresh Air for NPR radio to air soon. 

June 13, 2006 - Dave Alvin has some upcoming TV and Radio coverage" On June 18, he will be on KCRW (Santa Monica, CA) radio's 'Open Road' doing an all 'California Music' show as a guest DJ. -- On June 20, NBC's 'Extra' magazine TV show will tape some segments at Dave's house to air sometime after. 

May 30, 2006 - Dave Alvin has released a new studio album today on Yep Roc Records called West Of The West. 

May 17, 2006 Original Blaster Bill Bateman will not be able to tour with Dave Alvin's Guilty Men because of tour obligations with the Cramps. Steve Mugallian will take his place as full time drummer. 

May 9, 2006 - Original Blaster Bill Bateman has signed on as the new drummer in Dave Alvin's Guilty Men replacing Bobby Lloyd Hicks. Bobby has backed Dave Alvin for 15 years and has decided to take some time off to be with his family. 

April 3, 2006 - Recording artist, songwriter, producer and music journalist and founding Beat Farmer Buddy Blue died yesterday of an apparent heart attack. Details as to the circumstances are not yet known. Buddy leaves behind a beautiful wife and 4 year old daughter.

March 30, 2006 - Dave Alvin just recorded 2 songs for a bonus disc that'll be available to people who buy the new CD direct from YepRoc. Dave "I recorded 2 old surf instrumentals. BOSS by The Rumblers - a Downey band from the early 60's. And MISTER MOTO by The Bel-Airs from San Diego." Be sure to preorder the CD at Yeproc.com to receive your bonus disc. 

March 20, 2006 - The Blasters are featured in the January/February 2006 issue of Rockabilly Magazine. rockabillymagazine.com 

January 27, 2006 - Dave Alvin's old punk band the Flesh Eaters have confirmed reunion dates here. A show in England may be recorded for a live album. 

11-16-05 - The Blasters taped a segment for a radio show called "The Living Room Serie"s on WDVR Sergeantsville, NJ. The interview and performance show will air Sunday November 20, 2005 at 9 PM Eastern time.

11-3-05 - Dave Alvin's self-released live CD "The Great American Music Galaxy" is now available exclusively at his live shows. Some web sites have prematurely advertised that they will be carrying the CD. Dave reports that for the time being it will only be available at shows. Meanwhile Dave Alvin is currently in the studio recording tracks for his new studio CD called West of the West. Its a collection of songs by California song-writers.

10-7-05 - Dave Alvin will be on XM Satellite Radio the week of 10/24 on the "Slip Stream Special" on the X Country channel (channel 12). 

8-22-05 - Look for the August issue of the UK magazine 'Uncut.' It contains a free CD which has an exclusive Dave Alvin song on it. To coincide with the 40th anniversary of Dylan’s classic 1965 album, Highway 61 Revisited, Uncut invited nine of its favorite bands and artists to each record a track from the original album for an amazing tribute to rock’s ultimate icon. Dave Alvin does the title track. The magazine is already out in the UK. The magazine reaches US shops a month late. Expect it in select US stores (Tower Records, Barnes and Noble, Borders) around September 1st. 

8-16-05 - The Blasters 4-11-44 CD was released on Rainman Records today. The CD is available nationwide in all major chain stores.

7-19-05 - James Intveld, former Blasters guitar player, has scheduled a rare appearance performing in NY on August 10, 2005 at The Rodeo Bar.

7-15-05 - The Knitters have a website www.TheKnitters.net The new album "The Modern Sounds Of The Knitters" is out now. The Knitters will perform on the David Letterman show on August 12, 2005.

6-19-05 - Happy Fathers Day. Dave Alvin can be heard on NPR Radio's 'Weekend Edition Sunday.' The series is called "What's in A Song." Dave will be singing, and talking about his song, "Man in the Bed." 

6-17-05 - The Blasters 4-11-44 is scheduled for release on August 16, 2005. Packaging is expected to be different than the European release and there will be enhanced features. 

5-13-05 - The Blasters have secured a deal with Rainman Records to release 4-11-44 in the United States. 

5-1-05 - The Knitters new album is due out on Rounder Record on 7/12

3-1-05 - On January 25, 2005 DTS Entertainment (DTSE,) released a second version of The Blasters' "Live: Going Home," DVD in 5.1-channel DTS Digital Surround sound. This surround music disc was mixed by the renowned engineer Mark Linnett. The packaging is different than the Shout Factory release. This one is in a CD sized box.

1-28-05 - Here is another archived Dave Alvin radio show from 9/3/2000. It features Dave an interview of Dave and an acoustic performance with Rick Shea and Brantley Kearns. http://www.kcrw.org/cgi-bin/db/kcrw.pl 

1-25-05 - Dave Alvin News: Dave Alvin's show on 1/29/05 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco will be video taped for a future DVD release. -- Dave recorded a rearranged version of GOIN' DOWNTOWN for a Peter Case tribute record. Dave's band included Gaffney, Greg Boaz, Amy Farris and Bill Bateman. -- The Knitters record in label negotiations will probably be released in June.

1-17-05 - Evangeline Records in the UK will release "The Blasters Going Home 2-CD set" on January 31, 2005. Last year Shout Factory Records released The Original Blasters Going Home DVD and a single disc companion CD in the US. The DVD and CD each included different songs. Evangeline's 2- CD includes all the songs as well as 2 bonus live songs from the current Blasters. This is a UK only release. Order it thru Evangeline or Amazon UK.

1-2-05 - Check out John Bazz's web site to view a 27 minute video of the Blasters jam at the Blue Cafe in Long Beach CA on 6/23/01 that initiated the 2002-2003 reunion tour. http://homepage.mac.com/lazyboyrocker/Menu13.html

12-26-04 - The Hacienda Brothers featuring Chris Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez will release their first CD on Koch Records on 2/22/05 in the USA. In Europe it will be on Proper Records, released the same date.

12-05-04 - There are some great archived recordings of Dave Alvin performances available on the web: Dave Alvin Eklektikos Radio show on KUT Austin TX 9/30/04 http://www.kut.org/site/PageServer?pagename=mus_eklektikos 

11-13-04 - Read a new Phil Alvin interview from Bakersfield CA at http://www.theblackboardfreepress.com/200411/music2.html#philalvin 

10-7-04 - Dave Alvin will perform at a tribute concert to legendary blues singer Lead Belly November 7, 2004 in Cleveland as part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's ninth annual American Music Masters Series. The weeklong tribute, entitled "Shine a Light on Me," will end with the concert at Severance Hall featuring headliners Robert Plant and Los Lobos. Other confirmed performers include Odetta and Robert Lockwood Jr., with additional acts expected to be announced. Tickets are on sale now. Lead Belly was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

9-10-04 - A Blastersnewsletter Special Fan Appreciation Event -- Dinner With the Blasters in London England Sept. 27 or 28, 2004. Blasters fans are invited to spend one evening of food and drink with the Blasters (Phil Alvin, John Bazz, Keith Wyatt, and Jerry Angel) at a restaurant / pub In London England (Sept 27 or 28) TBA. 

The Blasters will be in London England for a Sept 29th performance at the Border Line. The Blasters (Phil Alvin, John Bazz, Keith Wyatt and Jerry Angel) have all agreed to attend the fan club dinner. The event will be canceled if less than two Blasters are attending, or if the band has a last minute commitment that conflicts with the fan dinner. 

The fans will be able to sit down with the Blasters for an hour or two and have dinner and drinks. Fans wanting to attend, must RSVP to davistb@aol.com. The number of seats is very limited so get your reservation now. For those submissions past the limit, I will put you on a waiting list in case seats open up. 

Because of the Blasters changing schedule, I may have to wait until the last few days preceding the fan dinner to announce the date (Sept 27 or 28). I may also have to announce the location as late as on the 27th, when I arrive in London and can find a suitable place. I will make all announcements by e-mail and NOT on the Blastersnewsletter web site. 

I will provide more info as it becomes available to me. I will be out on the road in Europe with the Blasters from Sept 13 - 29 and will watch my email for your RSVPs and questions. 

9/8/04 - The Blasters new album will be officially released on September 28, 2004. Titled 4-11-44, it will be released by Evangeline Records in the UK. 

9/1/04 - Raucous Records of the UK is releasing a limited edition (only 1000 made) 10 inch vinyl record of the Original Blasters 2002 Trouble Bound live CD (Hightone records). 8/28/04 - The Original Four Blasters have scheduled a last minute gig at the Sept 4, 2004 Long Beach Blues fest. The headliner, Bo Diddley cancelled due to illness. The Original Blasters (Phil, Dave. John, and Bill) were asked to fill in. Keith Wyatt and Jerry Angle from the current Blasters will appear as special guests. The following day Dave Alvin will perform with Little Milton.

8/27/04 - The Dave Alvin session on World Cafe is now scheduled to air September 6, 2004 at 3pm EST. The World Cafe with David Dye can be heard on more than 165 stations nationwide. Fans can find their local station by going to our website: http://worldcafe.org 

8/9/04 -- The Blasters featuring Phil, John, Jerry, and Keith have secured a record deal with Evangeline Records. Their new studio album will be released in the UK and Europe in September 2004. There is no word yet on the progress made with another label to release the disc in the US.

7/15/04 -- July issue of Venice Magazine is a huge feature on Dave. Pick it up at newsstands or find it at: http://www.venicemag.com/

6/28/04 -- Bill Bateman has just become the new drummer in The Cramps. His first gig with the band will be in Irvine CA at The Hootenany on July 3, 2004.

6/18/04 -- Dave Alvin's Ashgrove on Yep Roc records is in stores now! To celebrate, there will be two online chats.

First:  Tuesday, June 22, 2004, at 2 PM - 2:30 Eastern time -- Dave Alvin - the man himself will be online to hang out with the fans and answer your questions about Ashgrove. Go to the Yep Roc site.

Second:  You are invited to an online listening party for the Ashgrove album on Wednesday June 23, 2004 at 9 PM Eastern (6 PM Pacific) Just go to the American Music Yahoo board and enter the chat room. If you are not already a member on Yahoo, just go in and sign up. Its fast and easy. (Dave will NOT be at this chat)

At the listening party we will all cue up our own copies of the new CD and start at the same time and then comment on the songs. I will try and throw in some facts from my recent Dave Alvin Ashgrove song-by-song interview American Music Newsletter #42. We have done this for the last few Dave Alvin / Blasters releases and it was great fun. Hope to see you there. --Billy Davis

6/15/04 -- The Blasters shows opening for Alvin Lee have been cancelled due to an Alvin Lee scheduling conflict. The Blasters are ready and willing to play and in fact will now headline the show at The Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana. The other shows are cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.

6/15/04 -- Dave Alvin's new album Ashgrove on Yep Roc records is out in stores right now.

5/17/04 -- If you pre-order Ashgrove before its release date (6/15/04) directly fromYep Roc, they will include a bonus disc with two unreleased acoustic tracks. This is a must for Dave fans. Pre-order now!!

4/19/04 -- Dave Alvin Latest News -- Dave will make a special appearance at a Los Lobos show on April 24, 2004 in Scotsdale AZ at Westworld Festival. Lobos lead singer Dave Hidalgo has a throat infection and some special guests will pick up the slack. -- Rick Shea will be leaving Dave Alvin's Guilty Men after the May 2004 European Tour. Dave:  "Rick needs to concentrate on his own solo career. He has alot of gigs with Patty Booker in the summer. Normally I don't mind him doing solo stuff but this summer the record is out and will need everybody on call for heavy touring. It's all very amiable and I look forward to working with Rick in the future if he wants.  Rick's replacement is a fantastic guitarist from Austin named Chris Miller. He plays regular guitar as well as steel. He's toured with Marcia Ball, Wayne Hancock, The Hollisters and Dale Watson but is basically a blues player. It's not the first time we've played together, Chris played the slide guitar on my version of SEEDS on that Springsteen tribute. He's a great musician and great guy, an old friend of Gaffney's and Boaz' and I'm very, very excited about having him in the band. I can learn a lot of guitar tricks from him.”

-- Dave on leaving Hightone records: "I felt it was time for a change in 13 years. I wouldn't be where I am today without HighTone, I would be flipping burgers somehwere. They gave me the opportunity not only to make my own solo records, but to learn how to produce records and have a job. I had a great buisness relationship and a close friendship and hopefully both will continue to go on." -- On 3/28/04 Dave Alvin spent 12 hours in the studio with The Knitters for a new Knitter record that is scheduled for release in January of 05. 

4/15/04 -- Dave Alvin has signed a deal with Yep Roc Records to release Ashgrove on June 15, 2004. Dave Alvin spent 13 great years with HighTone records.

3/5/04 -- Dave Alvin's appearance at the Austin TX South By South West festival with Los Lobos will air on XM radio. Get your tape recorders ready. Dave will join Los Lobos in their set at Stubbs on 3/20 at Midnight.

2/27/04 - Johnie's Broiler Update - Downey, CA -- Despite it's 2002 historic status, Downey's city planning commission recently voted to revoke the sign variance which goes against the state judgement. This means the huge sweeping Johnie's Broiler neon sign could come down. The friends of Johnie's, The Los Angeles Conservancy and the Downey Historical Society filed an appeal against the judgement and the case went before the city council on Tuesday Feb 24th with success. 

The council voted in favor of the appeal and the famous sign is safe (for now). Johnie's are still not entirely out of the woods. The Friends of Johnie's will be working with the city, tenant and owner to make sure the signage is maintained. 

The Friends of Johnies may ask us Blasters fans to write, regardless of what part of the country they are from, to voice our opinion that Johnie's has to be saved.

2/24/04 - The Blasters Live Going Home DVD and CD is out today. Go and get it!! Meanwhile Dave Alvin is in the studio recording his new studio album "Ashgrove." The current Blasters are close to a deal in securing a label to put out their studio album. 

12/5/03 - The Original Blasters DVD and live CD is due for release on February 24, 2004 on ShoutFactory records. "The Blasters Live: Going Home" DVD Features The “Final” Reunion Concert Recorded In Santa Ana, CA On August 13, 2003, Band Interviews, Bonus Performances by the current Blasters and More! The Live companion CD will include some different songs than the DVD from the Santa Ana show.

11/30/03 -- Dave Alvin was Interview on TV tonight on a show called "Temples of Rock" on the Travel Channel. The show explores famous Rock n Roll locations around the US. Dave talks about Sun Studios, The Whiskey A Go Go, and Motown. The show will re-air on December 4, 2003 at 9 PM. Tune in on time because a Dave Alvin comment opens the show.

9/1/03 - The new Blasters (Phil, John, Jerry, Keith) have canceled their September tour with Reverand Horton Heat and BR5-49, to spemd time in the studio finishing up their new studio record..

8/15/03 - On 8/13/03 The Original Blasters played their last reunion show in Santa Ana CA at the Galaxy Theatre. The show was taped for a January 2004 DVD release. The Blasters played a long show with special guests Sonny Burgess, Billy Boy Arnold, and the Calvanes/Medallions backing vocal group. 

8/14/03 -- The Original Blasters appearance on Top of the Pops 2 will air on the BBC in europe on Tuesday August 19, 2003 at 6:20 PM check www.bbc.co.uk/totp2 for more details.

8/10/03 - The Blue Shadows have a new web site. TheBlueShadows.com -- The official site of the Hollywood California blues band featuring John Bazz and Bill Bateman of the Blasters, singer Jake Matson and harp player Jack Rudy.

7/6/03 - The original Blasters tour of europe will include a stop at the BBC studios in London to tape segments for the "Top Of The Pops 2" television program.

6/26/03 - The Blasters (Phil, John, Jerry, and Keith) are getting ready for a support slot on a cross country tour with Reverand Horton Heat. Watch for dates in your area.

5/26/03 – I’ve recieved many e-mails from fans confused about what version of the Blasters are playing what gig. Here Dave Alvin trys to clear things up: "In order to clear up any misunderstandings that might arise, I wanted to let people know that if The Blasters are advertised as performing anywhere and the ad does not say "The Original Blasters," then neither Bill Bateman, Gene Taylor or myself will be performing with the band. Upcoming shows like the southern California "Hootenanny" show or the "Taste of Long Beach" show are NOT Original Blasters shows. I repeat, they are NOT Original Blasters shows. The shows currently being advertised for July in Europe, though, ARE Original Blaster shows. Sound confusing? I'm often confused myself. Sometimes, someone somewhere tries to lure people to gigs by creating confusion as to what members will be there. This does everyone a disservice. The current Blasters (or the "new" Blasters) are a great band that more than lives up the Blaster heritage, so go see them and have a great time. But DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT expect to see me or any member of the first edition band on stage. We may be backstage having a beer but that's a different story." Keep Rockin', Dave Alvin 

4/14/03 -- Tom Russell and Nanci Griffith will perform Dave Alvin's song 'Bus Station' on Late Nite With David Letterman on Tuesday April 15, 2003.

4/13/03 -- The Blasters have a new web site to fulfill all your merchandise needs like T-shirts, hats, jackets, CDs. goto TheBlasters.com

2/9/03 -- Dave Alvin update: Last night Dave played a 3-set-show chock full of rare blues and country songs at the Blue cafe in Long Beach. Chris Gaffney normally plays that time slot but was stuck in Arizona. Dave was backed by Chris Gaffney's Cold Hard Facts band.-- Dave just finished recording with rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson for her new album on CMH Records. Dave played guitar on 6 songs. -- Next week Dave flys to Chicago to record a song for a "Anti-Death Penalty" various artist compilation CD. The Waco Brothers will back up Dave.

2/6/03 -- Dave Alvin will participate in a tribute show to legendary Country singer Johnny Paycheck in San Francisco CA at the Elbo Room on 3/19/03. Chris Gaffney will join Dave and all the bands will play Johnny patcheck songs. Other guests include Dave Gonzales (from The Paladins), Red Meat, Johnny Dilks & The Visitacion Valley Boys, The Rounders, Jinx Jones & the KingTones, and Dallas Wayne. 100% of the door for this show will go directly to Paycheck to help with his medical bills.

12/21/02 -- Dave Alvin has struck a deal with Villagerecords.com to sell a very limited number of the Outtakes in CA disc. goto www.villagerecords.com to buy a copy. OUTTAKES IN CA - is the companion live disc to his officially released Out In CA live album. OUTTAKES is usually only sold at Dave Alvin live shows.

12/19/02 -- Last month I reported that VH1 taped interviews with Phil and Dave Alvin. We have been told that the footage is currently airing and will do so for the next few weeks. VH1 has not given the Blasters any other specific info. It’s going to be up to the Blasters fans to catch it on tape. If anyone does get to see it, send me a report (at davistb@aol.com) so we know what to look for. There are two VH1 channels: VH1 and VH1 Classics. I expect it will air on the Classics channel since they have been airing Blasters videos. be on the look out.

11/8/02 -- Great News for the Friends of Johnie's Broiler. They went before the State of California and the 'Commission For Historical Resources' voted unanimously to have Johnie's added to the historical resource registry for the State (7-0). This decision insures the building can not be demolished. The commision urged that it be placed on the national registry! (That's the next quest for the Friends of Johnie's). The Friends of Johnie's considers this a major victory. Congratulations on their hard work. They would like thank everybody and the Blasters for their help so far, and let's continue the mission. A classic American icon has been spared!

10/31/02 -- Here is the set list from the Blasters Rio Hondo Country Club show -- trouble bound / red rose / flattop joint/ what will lucy do / never no more blues / long white cadillac / I'm shakin' / crazy baby / common man / border radio / big f chord / sadie brown / dark night / so long baby goodbye / one bad stud / encore: american music / marie marie.

10/30/02 -- The "Original Four" Blasters will play Downey CA tonight at the Rio Hondo Country Club. Watch local news in Los Angeles for reports from the concert. Channel 9 (in Los Angeles) will tape the soundcheck and part of the show for a feature on the early evening news and the late news tonight 10/30. Also check the early news on 10/31 for possible Blasters coverage also. Dave Alvin reports that he, Bill Bateman, and John Bazz spent monday and tuesday rehearsing for the show. (Phil Alvin sat out to rest his voice for the east coast tour which starts next week.) They ran through all the songs from the new Trouble Bound album and a bunch of songs from the Rollin Rock album. 

10/14/02 -- The Blasters "Trouble Bound" Live CD comes out tomorrow. Let's get out there and buy it on the first day of issue. It's the first Blasters release of new material in 17 years. 

10/4/02 -- The "Original Four" Blasters have confirmed they will play their first ever show in their home town of Downey, CA. at The Rio Hondo Country Club on 10/30/02. It is a benefit show for Johnie's Broiler Restaurant - -one of the last and greatest seminal car-hop restaurants in California. For ticket on sale info Read The Press Release

10/02/02 -- The "Original Five" Blasters have an 8 date tour planned for the midwest and east coast. Tickets will sell out fast. The Washington DC area show is now on sale. Check the links on the tour dates page for ticket onsale information.

10/1/02 -- Check out this article on the Blasters new Trouble Bound CD in the October issue of Country Standard Time. You'll hear some great comments from both Phil and Dave. http://www.countrystandardtime.com/theblastersFEATURE.html

9/15/02 -- The Original Four Blasters may play their first ever gig in Downey California. An organization called "The Friends of Johnie's" are trying to save Johnie's Broiler, Los Angeles County's last and largest intact drive-in restaurant (located at 7447 Firestone Boulevard in Downey, California). They are close to organizing a benefit concert in October with the Blasters headlining. Check out the first inside page of the Blasters Testament CD booklet to see the Blasters standing in front of Johnie's (seen below). Check out the Friends of Johnnie's web site and please sign their petition to save Johnnie's Broiler. www.johniesbroiler.org

9/11/02 -- Dave Alvin has issued an exclusive statement today to American Music about the 'Joining Bob Dylan's band' rumour. "I am not joining Bob Dylan's band. In Colorado, I only sat in with the band. Charlie (Sexton) is staying with the band for the rest of the year." Expect to see Dave reuniting with the 'Original Five' Blasters to promote the October 15, 2002 release of the Trouble Bound CD. 

9/8/02 -- In a surprise appearance in Grand Juction Colorado on 8/31/02, Dave Alvin played two songs as Bob Dylan’s guitar player, Charlie Sexton (Dylan’s regular guitar player) walked off the stage and Dave walked on. They played TO BE ALONE WITH YOU and LAY, LADY, LAY. http://www.thewickedmessanger.com

8/25/02 -- Check out this new interview of Dave Alvin in Sound Waves written by Mark Gould http://www.swaves.com/Back_Issues/Aug02/Dave_Alvin.htm

7/10/02 -- The Blasters / Dave Alvin website run by Scot Kleinman has a new and very cool feature: A band Question and Answer forum. What makes this so good is that anyone can post a message to the Blasters, to Dave Alvin, to the Guilty Men, or a general Question to the webmaster. The band themselves can enter a pass word protected page and directly answer your questions. 

7/9/02 -- Dave Alvin will be participating in an online chat Wednesday July 10, 2002 at 11 a.m. eastern time with the Washington Post. People can write in with their questions in advance, or they can get online and ask questions live. 

6/24/02 -- Mobile Fidelity will be releasing Dave Alvin's Blackjack David on CD and a 2 LP vinyl set. Mobile fidelity specializes in Audiophile CD's and LP's remastered from the master tapes with sonic clarity unheard until now: They say "Reality never sounded so good before!" 

6/14/02 -- The Original five Blasters played, possibly their best reunion show on 6/11 at the Hollywood House of Blues. The show was recorded for a live album. The band played their regular set and added rare songs such as The Big F Chord, Sadie Brown, Love 24 Hours A Day, and Honey Don't. 

5/24/02 -- Rick Shea and Brantley Kearns have a new CD out called "Trouble And Me." Look for it on Tres Pescadores Records http://www.trespescadores.com

5/22/02 -- On 5/23-24 The House of Blues web site ran a 24 hour repeat broadcast of the Blasters Original Recipe show at the Hollywood House of Blues from 3/8/02. Watch the web site for an archived version soon.

5/20/02 -- Starting today America On Line subscribers can view a Dave Alvin acoustic session online. Goto keyword ADN and click on Dave Alvin's name under Sessions @ AOL. You'll see a single camera shot video of Dave with Rick Shea, Brantley Kearns, and Chris Gaffney. Songs: King Of CA, 4th of July, Deep Sea, Out In CA, and Andersonville.

5/17/02 -- The Blasters "Original Five" or "Original Recipe Reunion Tour lineup" has scheduled another show for June 11, 2002 at the House of Blues in Hollywood CA. The show may be recorded for a possible live album.

5/10/02 -- The original five Blasters are rumored to be playing a southern California show this summer. The purpose: To record another show for a possible live album. The band wants to record a show in a more relaxed and intimate setting where they can play some obscure and rarely played songs. This information has not yet been confirmed.

5/6/02 -- Today Dave Alvin taped 5 songs and an interview for "Sessions at AOL", an internet only radio station on America On Line. It is expected to start airing next week. Goto keyword "Sessions at AOL" for updates. Dave played with Rick Shea, Chris Gaffney, and Brantley Kearns.

4/30/02 -- Christy McWilson will perform on NBC's late night show Conan O'Brien on Wednesday May 1, 2002.Christy will be backed by here band and Peter Buck of REM. Dave Alvin was expected to also play but couldn't fit it in his schedule.

4/29/02 -- Rhino records is re-releasing on CD The Album "See How We Are" By X. This was the only X album recorded with Dave Alvin in the band. There will be six bonus tracks with Dave playing guitar on some of them. 

4/25/02 -- Dave Alvin performs "Fourth Of July" on the CBS late night talk show The Craig Kilborn show. In promoting his soon-to-be-released OUT IN CALIFORNIA live album for HighTone records, Dave performed 4TH OF JULY with Rick Shea, Chris Gaffney, and Brantley Kearns. 

3/29/02 -- The Christy McWilson tour starts tonight in Portland. The tour has been billed as being backed by Dave Alvin and Peter Buck of R.E.M.. In a last minute cancellation, Peter Buck will not play on the tour due to his on-going court appearances. 

3/27/02 --Dave Alvin News -- Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men will play a concert at The Knitting Factory in Los Angeles on May 2, 2002 Dave's show is part of a week long series of concerts sponsored by Borders Books and Pontiac Motors celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Jack Kerouc's "On the Road" book. Catch other great acts that week at the Knitting Factory including X and Steve Earle. -- Look for the March-April issue of No Depression magazine (www.nodepression.net) for a feature article on Christy McWilson's new "Bed Of Roses" CD on HighTone records. You'll hear from producer Dave Alvin and see a photo of Dave in the studio with Christy.

3/23/02 -- The Blasters guitar player controversy

In recent issues of the L.A. Times newspaper, there has been some controversy between guitar players from the new Blasters and the Original Blasters. It’s all been a misunderstanding based on comments by Dave Alvin taken out of context. Here is how it went:

In the L.A. Times Calendar section cover story titled "Original Blast," Richard Cromelin interviews both the Alvin Brothers. Dave says this, " One of the reasons I'm glad this (Rhino CD) thing is coming out is: I kind of feel like the name of the band has been besmirched. I wish my brother called his band the Phil Alvin band. Because to me the Blasters were these guys that are gonna be on stage and that's it."

"It's been 17 years since I quit and some people have no idea what the Blasters were. I wanted to redeem the name of the band. Now I'm gonna have a big fight with my brother for saying that."

Actually Phil had nothing to say to Dave's comments, but current Blasters guitar player Keith Wyatt did. He wrote a letter which was printed in the L.A. Times on March 16, 2002 which said: A Blast From a Blaster

During the past few months, Dave Alvin--along with pianist (Gene Taylor and drummer) Bill Bateman--sat in with the Blasters on several occasions and each time he was generous in his praise, even suggesting that the current lineup is "the best Blasters ever."

To now see him quoted in print ("Original Blast," by Richard Cromelin, March 9) as saying that "the name of the band has been besmirched" and that it's up to him to "redeem the name of the band" is extraordinarily disheartening for those of us who have worked so hard to keep that name alive, and I believe it's a serious misrepresentation.

Whether Dave thinks his brother deserves to use the Blasters name is between them, but Blasters fans can rest assured that the Blasters legacy is well taken care of every time we hit the stage.With all due, and well-deserved, respect for Dave, Bill and Gene Taylor, the Blasters today are as strong as they ever were, which is to say the equal of any band in the world. The Blasters don't need redemption. Long live the Blasters. -- KEITH WYATT Guitarist, the Blasters Los Angeles

On 3/22/02 Dave Alvin responded to American Music: The Blasters / Dave Alvin newsletter with these comments: "Anytime you're quoted -- Things can be taken out of context. I didn't mean to slag or put down Jerry (Angel) and Keith (Wyatt). I think Jerry is an amazing drummer and Keith is a great guitar player. In a way, I was really touched that Keith (in his letter to the L.A. Times) took this so seriously. It’s a true Blaster way of handling this, it wasn't like he took those comments as a side man. 

When I was talking about "besmirching the band’s name," it was in regard to the Blasters having not made a record in all these years. As far as I am concerned, by not making records, people forget how good the band is. Are Keith and Jerry Blasters? Yeah, sure they are. But, until the Blasters make some records with these guys to stake their claim to the name, The Blasters will be the guys that actually made the records in the 80's.

And I'm not slagging them, because I know Keith and Johnny have been trying to make a Blasters record forever. When that guy was interviewing me, all he was asking was, 'what have the Blasters done since you left?' They were looking for that angle and I guess they want to play it up, because it sells papers. I'd just like to add that I'm really very sorry about the whole thing." --Dave Alvin

On 3/26/02 Keith Wyatt responded to American Music: The Blasters Dave Alvin Newsletter with these comments: “I can't tell you how glad I am to see more light cast on Dave's comments and how they were reported in the Times. I know that reporters have their own agendas, and even an innocent comment can be made to support whatever theme they've decided to develop beforehand. In this case, it was the theme of Dave and Phil's wrangling, and how the two brothers can't seem to see eye to eye on anything despite the great music they've made together. It's better press than two guys who get along just fine. I understand the pressure of that situation, with great expectations being laid on both of them, and I am not surprised to see some controversy come out of it.”

“Since Dave's comments were reported in the paper, I felt that the best way to respond was to write a letter to the same paper so that at least some people who read the first story might see that there was more to it than meets the eye. Being a Blaster has been a great honor for me, and so it does affect me deeply to see the name and my participation called into question. I'm very - I guess "heartened" would be the best word - to hear that Dave understands how that article affected Jerry and I, and putting aside the specific words that I took issue with, I think Dave's right on the money about the Blasters being a band that hasn't carried forward the recorded legacy of the original lineup. Phil will argue, as only he can, that there are all sorts of reasons why that's OK, and some of those reasons are valid, but most are not.”

“But in any case, the fact that the old stuff is finally available is a great relief to everybody, and it's great to see Dave, Phil, Johnny, Bill and Gene (plus Lee) recognized again for the great band they were and the influence they've had. If you talk to Dave, please let him know that I appreciate his thoughtfulness and concern a great deal, and I look forward to seeing him again at some Blasters gig, whether it's him or me on stage. Long live the Blasters.” Best regards, Keith

3/12/02 -- Dave Alvin's new live CD will be called "Out in California," and is scheduled for release on 5/21. Info from Hightone records web site. www.hightone.com

2/24/02 -- Blue Shadows new album report from Jake Matson: The record is very close to being completed. There are thirteen tracks and a few of the tracks feature Dave Alvin, Gene Taylor, John Bazz and Bill Bateman combined. I don't need to tell you what an honor that is for me. Also contributing a lot of talent were Erin from Rumble King and Kid Ramos. We have had a lot of fun recording it.

2/15/02 -- Christy McWilson has announced she will tour in support of her new Dave-Alvin-produced HighTone album Bed Of Roses, which is due out on 3/19/02. Her backing band is Dave Alvin, Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, Bobby Lloyd Hicks and Joe Terry. Check the tour dates section for the stop in your area.

2/11/02 -- Dave Alvin starts a scheduled 2 weeks in the studio today as producer to record Rick Shea and Brantley Kearns new record for Tres Pescadores records. 

2/8/02 -- The Blasters reunion tour in California has added another date at the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma CA on 3/10/02 Scan down the end of this list for venue information for the reunion tour.

2/7/02 -- Dave Alvin just spent the past few days writing songs with Ron Hodges of the Iguanas. Those songs will appear on the next Iguanas album. 

2/5/02 -- Dave Alvin will play the E-Town radio show on February 12 in Boulder Colorado with Greg Leisz. 

2/2/02 -- The Blasters consisting of Phil Alvin, Dave Alvin, John Bazz, Bill Bateman, and Gene Taylor will reunite for a handful of shows in California in March 2002 -- March 5, 2002 is the date to celebrate as Rhino records releases all the Blasters recordings in a set Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings.

1/30/02 -- Dave Alvin will release a live album on Hightone records in the summer. It will contain songs recorded from two August 2001 shows: Santa Barbara’s Labarro Theatre and The Blue Cafe in Long Beach and an acoustic show at Pasadena’s Neighborhood Church. Dave will spend February mixing the album. -- Also in February Dave Alvin played on and produced a new album by Rick Shea & Brantley Kearns for Tres Pescadores records. -- Christy McWilson's CD Bed of Roses will be released on HighTone on March 19. Dave produced and played on the CD. Peter Buck of R.E.M. plays on the album also. -- Dave will be playing on some Christy McWilson promotional dates accompanied by Peter Buck and Scot McCoy. Watch for more details on a possible tour in April across the country.

1/23/02 -- The go ahead has been given by Blasters management to book four dates in California with Phil Alvin, Dave Alvin, John Bazz, Bill Bateman, and Gene Taylor performing as the Blasters. Here are the dates and the venue information. Expect these shows to sell out very fast.