Blasters Stories Rumors and Sightings
I thought you'd like to know that Bill Bateman is on the new Don Morrell record.
So is Billy Bremner. The label, Gadfly, said it was cut in Alaska(!!!).
Morrell's site is "www.donmorrell.com.
I emailed Morrell to see where he's touring. He told me Bill was hanging with
him for a few months, recording on a few projects, then left the state with a
blues act, so he's going to be using a different drummer when he tours next
month. Morrell also said he's finishing up some songs he cut with Gene Taylor
and some old Otis Blackwell songs.
Submitted by Bill in Nashville
Wylie Gustafson is a yodeler much like our beloved Phil when he lets
loose! I won't waste your time with a review, just check out the
"Wylie and the Wild West" webpage at
www.wylieww.com. Their albums are a
big smile for those of us who really enjoy Phil's yodeling but lament
the fact that there's not much of it available on tape or CD.
Submitted by Julie Newkirk
I have followed The Blasters since '82 and after seeing
them in concert @ Universal in '83...that was it-I was HOOKED. Since
then, I have tried to catch every local and not so local show in town
with fervor. My favorite venue is The Blue Cafe in Long Beach and this
past November '98 they were playing, low and behold right before my Big
3-0 b-day. On the way there, I wrote a lil' note on the back of my gas
station receipt to Phil detailing my history of love for the band and
requesting he play, "Help You Dream" for my b-day. Aided my gin 'n
tonic courage I strode up to Phil [ok, didn't have to go far, I'm
always in the front] and asked him to read it on break. He told me to
read it TO him now, instead. I did. We officially met and chatted. He
frickin' got up there next round and dedicated the song to me for my
birthday in front of the whole crowd, and I got a nice lil' smoochie.
Whatta a guy, eh? Then my friend got Phil to sneak up behind me from
stage ! and we got a few pics-which needless to say are plastered on
my wall [how old am I?!?!] w/ other Blasters momentos thru the years.
That incident plus his infamous Philism's well-placed throughout the
show, and bro Dave being there too, made for an awesome night. Being
somewhat of a scholar myself, I applaud Phil for taking time not too
long ago to pursue his studies, and cultivate a life away from rock 'n
roll craziness. But, if they EVER completely quit, I'll freak. 'nough
said.
Submitted by Tanya
Blastered, a musical tribute to the Blasters
on Run Wild records has just been stocked at Borders Books and Music.
It will be posted at the Listening Stations for the spring which will
sky rocket the sales. If anyone doesn't yet have this disc, please go
and get it. It may go out of print after this for an extended
period.
It was the first week of September, around 1980. It was my 8th wedding
anniversary. I took my wife to Jake's in Portland, Oregon. We had a
wonderful meal, good wine and enjoyable conversation. After our meal
we left the restaurant and headed down Burnside. For some reason I
made a turn towards the industrial section. A crowd of biker types
were standing on the corner. The marquee of the Starry Night Club
said, "The Blasters." I said, "Let's go!" She said, "No!" I whined a
bit and she, being a good wife said, "If you want to go, take me home
and go!" I drove her home. My neighbor's college age son, recently
turned-on to rockabilly, was standing in front of their house. I
hollered, Mark, come to a concert with me. He jumped in. 30 seconds
into 'High School Confidential' he was mesmerized. So was I. We're
still friends. She and I divorced. My wonderful new bride digs Dave
Alvin a whole bunch!
The more I read the biblio the more I try to
recall that night I saw the band in Montreal. Ya know it was over 13
years ago! I don't know what brought me to that show that night,
someone must have turned me on to them, but I never regretted it. The
show is so fuzzy that I don't remember who opened for who. The thing
that stands out in my mind is the tension that was readily visible.
They were having some sound tro uble and Phil was clearly agitated. I
didn't know that much about them at the time so whatever I saw was
acceptable. All I know is that they were very well received to a packed
house and they never returned again!
Submitted by Mike Moreau
Hey, I caught your show Saturday (Dec 1997) at the Birchmere. I'm only 29
years old, so, neeedless to say, I was one of the youngest in the
crowd. I thought the show was great. I can remember first hearing
your music when I was all of 13(I imagine some of the band members have
changed since then). Loved your music then and still love it today.
The only dislike was the volume level. It should have been
louder--just a little. But, considering your audience, maybe not. I
really love the older stuff, as that is what I remember from when I was
just a boy growing up in a crazy house hold full of love.
Anyway, don't stop making the great music that you do......
Submitted by Jack, Arlington, VA
All aboard! Were going back,away back to halloween night 1979 to
the Golden State Motor Hotel in Burbank, CA. I was downstairs in the
lounge waiting for the first band to come on and start this Halloween
party. Well, when the band finally came on, it wasn't even two minutes
into their first song and I was running out of the lounge and heading
upstairs. I made a beeline to the first payphone I saw and started
calling every friend whose phone number I knew by heart.All I can
remember saying was, "get your ass down to the Golden State and check
out this hot band playing called the Blasters". In no-time I was back
downstairs listening to this new band playing a style of music that I
can only describe as music that makes you either want to fight or f**k.
I met Phil and Dave later that night and gave them my address and phone
number. Phil said he would,(and he did)let me know when they would be
playing again. Well,from a church in Santa Monica to a club in West
L.A. called Club 88, I tried to see the Blasters every chance I could.
I didn't have enough dead presidents in my wallet to keep up with these
guys as they kept getting bigger and bigger and ticket prices kept
going higher and higher.
Recently, I had the chance to see them play
again at the House of Blues in Hollywood. All I can say is that after
listening to the Blasters for over eighteen years, their music still
makes me want to either fight or f**k. Now, if I could ask a favor of
you. The next time you talk to either Phil or Dave, tell them Dan Post
says hi and that I will always remember that Halloween night on October
31, 1979.
Submitted by Dan Post
The Blasters were my favorite band since I discovered them in '80 at a
nightclub somewhere in L.A. My friends and I were underage,faked our I.D.s,
and intended only to see my friend's friend,s band play. I, being a
Rockabilly and R&B enthusiast, found the Blasters to be THE band to watch for.
I was right. They still are the best. I miss them. I thought they broke up.
I was surprised to find your website and glad to know there are other fans out
there still.
Submitted by Kitty
My name is Steve Rector and my Blasters experience goes back to about
the mid-seventies. You see,the "original" drummer of the band, Billy
(Buster)Bateman, is my cousin. Bill's Dad (my Uncle Wayne), had built a
little practice studio in the back yard of their house in Downey and I
can remember going over there for family gatherings and hanging out in
the little studio watching the guys jam. This was a big thrill for me
as I was only about 10 or so at the time, so being allowed to hang out
and party with the "big kids" was quite an honor. Fast forward to the
early eighties. By this time, I had grown up a bit and was heavily into
the "new wave/punk/rockabilly" scene and the Blasters were going great
guns. I went to a gig at a place called Raincross Square in Riverside
Ca. where the Blasters were opening for X. Well,in addition to seeing
the Blasters, which was always a treat, I got to see, and meet, all of
the members of X, who were like royalty to me at the time (remember
Billy Zoom?). I can remember sitting on the stage wing during the
Blasters set talking with EXcene and thinking, "this is so cool!!!".
Well, I've seen the Blasters countless times since then, and each gig
was better than the last. I don't know if any of the guys ever see this
site, or if any of them would remember me, but if they do, I would just
like to say,"HI, and thanks for alot of great (though sometimes fuzzy)
memories of alot of good times listening to their music and going to
their killer gigs".
Another First Time Experience
It was New Year's eve in Tucson this year and the Blasters
were appearing at the Rialto Theater. My plans for the night were to go
to the show while trying to drag some of younger, non-Blasters-exposed
friends with me. I rounded up three likely candidates but in the end
they decided not to go. Of course they missed a great ringing in, but
what can you do? The guys just don't get the publicity, and it's hard
to get starving students to take a $15.00 New Year's Eve leap of
faith.
About ten years ago I saw the Blasters at our old EL Casino
Ballroom. It was a great show at a great venue, and I wouldn't be
surprised if the guys in the band don't remember that particular show
fondly. It was one of the most magical musical nights I've every
enjoyed. Anyway, I didn't really know the Blasters from Adam Ant, but a
friend of mine said "Go and you won't regret it" I guess the point of
my little story is to remind the rest of us aging Blasters fans to try
and share the music with the young folks when we get the chance. I
didn't get my friends in the door this time, but I'm pretty sure I'll
get 'em next time. At least I'll be out there trying.
At Age 13, The Blasters Inspire a Life in Music
I have been a Blasters fan for a long time and would
like to tell a quick story. In around 1984 I was taken to two shows
in Richmond VA at a club called Much More. I went to see a
family friend's band, The Bopcats who were opening for the
Blasters. At the time I was only 13 years old and although I have
seen many shows since, none, not even SRV, have affected me so. I bought
an old Kay acoustic to be like Dave and bought every record I could
save up for. I now work in the music busisness and build guitar
pickups for Lindy Fralin (who was the guitar player
for the band who opened for the Blasters, The Bopcats) and I road-manage
for The Janet Martin Band. It's all because of
the Blasters! Thanx a million.
My only [Blasters] concert was in Montreal in the early 80's: a double bill with
The Fabulous Thunderbirds; the best double bill I've ever seen. Anyway,
the microphone goes out on Steve Berlin's sax, and Phil just about has a
heart attack. He grabs his own microphone and angrily marches over to Steve's
side of the stage to hold it so that the sax is heard. I thought his head was
going to explode! He mouthed the words to the effect, Never again!
You could cut the tension with a knife! Unbelievable show!
On Tuesday, 20 Jan 98, at Jack's Sugar Shack 10 year anniversary of
Ronnie Mack's Bar Dance, Dave did 2 songs and then brought up Bill
Bateman and they did American Music. Dave Dedicated it to all the blues
guys and Carl Perkins who had died this month.
Submitted by a web page viewer.
The Artist Formerly Known as Excene Cervenka Passes
the Torch to the Blasters
In a recent LA Timesarticle about the Doors, X, and the LA
music scene, Excene is asked who now has the LA music torch. Here is her
response:
The torch is getting really heavy and it's almost all the way burned
down. I think there's a lot of good bands and a lot of people wrote good
songs and there's a lot of great singers, but I don't know that there has
been that kind of thing since X.
It's such a huge, gigantic, sprawling, confusing city, I don't know that
people can represent it as closely and as specifically as we could back
then.
I guess Los Lobos typifies certain parts of LA and is a
great amazing band. But I don't know that they encompass the whole literary
thing like we did....
The person who's the most interesting and the smartest is
Beck. But he's the consummate postmodernist and he's an
international artist. He's not a Los Angeles artist just because he lives
here.... In fact, I don't think of hardly anyone as being an LA artist.
Maybe the Blasters. But it just seems like lost form or
something.
HIGHTONE TO REISSUE BLASTERS AMERICAN MUSIC
FIRST TIME CD INCLUDES SIX UNRELEASED TRACKS
OAKLAND, CA - HighTone Records has announced it will
reissue for the first time on CD the classic debut from The Blasters,
American Music, on September 16, with the new version of the album
containing six previously unreleased tracks. HighTone will also issue
the album on a special double vinyl format as well, with one LP
containing the original tracks and one 12 inch record containing the
unreleased material. All of the songs are being remastered with the
participation of ex-Blaster and current HighTone artist Dave Alvin.
HighTone Records CDs are distributed nationally by Rhino/WEA.
Originally released in 1980 on "Rockin" Ronny Weiser's Los
Angeles-based Rolling Rock label with a limited pressing of two thousand
copies, American Music has become a valuable collector's item, fetching
$100 and up on the market. Produced by Weiser, the album was recorded
in a Van Nuys garage on the kind of no-frills equipment that perfectly
captured the excitement and raw power of The Blasters, the Downey,
California band that bridged the gap between roots rock and punk music.
The band included brothers Dave and Phil Alvin on guitar and vocals
respectively, plus drummer Bill Bateman and bassist John Bazz. Several
songs on the album, such as "Marie, Marie" and the title track, became
staples of The Blasters live shows, and in-turn appeared later on both
Blasters and Dave Alvin solo recordings. In addition to several
excellent originals written by the brothers Alvin, the American Music
reissue's 19 tracks feature songs by a number of the band's rock 'n'
roll, blues, and country idols, such as Jimmie Rodgers, Bill Haley and
Billy Boy Arnold. A few of the previously-unreleased songs include Hank
Ballard's "Love 24 Hours a Day," Howlin' Wolf's "So Glad" and Magic
Sam's "21 Days In Jail."
"This is a flat-out rockin' album, played by a
bunch of young guys who loved the music and recorded before we got
exposed to the perils of the music industry," said Dave Alvin in
recalling American Music. "American Music is a seminal piece of
American rock 'n' roll history , sought by collectors all over the
world," said HighTone Records managing partner Larry Sloven. "We are
especially proud and excited to be associated with its return to the
public."
Reliable high-up sources reveal
that Hightone has agreed to re-release the Blaster's first album on the
Rolling Rock Label, American Music. Rumor is
Dave will be producing it and the release date is mid-September!
Years ago I heard of this little band from Downey.
You see I lived in South Gate at the time, but work at Vons Grocery
store in Downey (at Paramount and Florence). The first venue I saw
them at was the Starwood, yah, remember the Starwood. I think Bill
Bateman was dating the chick that sings for the Go-Go's at the time.
Since then I've probably have seem them a couple hundred times; at the
Cathey DeGrande, the Club Lingerie, Long Beach Blues Fest., Las Vegas,
etc. etc. etc.. But the most memorable, and lord knows I've got'em,
was when my buddy and I pulled in New Orleans. Here we are walking
downtown and we hear the Blasters, no it's some local band playing a
cover of Marie, Marie. 1980 mind you. Only the first album was out
then. It was to cool and the ultimate compliment. I've met Phil and
Dave before (and Bill Bateman) at Vons, Middle Earth, and at a few
venues, but really connects me to them is Jimmie Rodgers. When I heard
Phil sing "Never No More Blues", "Frankie and Johnnie", and others,
well I was raised on traditional and truly appreciated it. I couldn't
believe someone else in California listened to Jimmie.
Welcome to New York, Phil
May, 1995: Phil was seen at JFK airport
being detained by security, looking chagrined. He was wearing a light green
blazer and carrying a guitar case, presumably philled with a guitar, but I
guess the JFK security folks thought otherwise. Phil remained calm
and treated the whole ordeal like a routine inquiry. He was seen later that
night in the basement of Tramps, wearing a stylish south
central gang bangers jacket and a large grin, no less the worse for wear.
No More Mirrors
March, 1994:During the Blasters SXSW performance, Phil was
handed a t-shirt by a member of the audience with a rather amusing image
of him doing his patented toothy grin. Not skipping a beat, Phil displayed the
shirt to the audience, saying: "If I stopped to think about this for a minute,
I might have to quit." Upon leaving the stage, after his more traditional
audience thank-yous, he said, once again referring to the shirt: "Thanks for
making me not want to look in the mirror any more." Thank you, Phil.
March, 1994: Outside
La Zona Rosa, in Austin Texas during the 1994 SXSW convention, a
fan asks Phil why the band doesn't come around there very much:
"Well you see, you got these quadrants. You know what I mean, 'quadrants',
right? First off, you got your Dallas, San Antonio, Houston quadrant and if
you go as far east as New Orleans, you might as well go to Missouri."
Seems to have cleared things right up.
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Last modified 16Oct99.
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