Blasters Stories Rumors and Sightings


Bill Bateman on new Don Morrell Recording!

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

A fan says: Check out Wylie Gustafson

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

Birthday Fan Tells Her Story

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

Blasters Tribute CD Hits the Large Retail Chains!!

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.

Submitted by Billy Davis

A Word to the Wives

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 last Blaster Montreal Gig

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

Memories from Three Blaster Netheads

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

Memories of an Early Blasters Fan

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".

Submitted by Steve Rector

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.

Submitted by Paul Ahee

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.

Submitted by: Mike Melton

Phil Mouthes the Sax Part and Almost Explodes

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!

Submitted by: Mike Moreau

A Micro-Reunion?

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."


Hightone to Re-release American Music

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!


A 1980 Cover of Marie Marie?

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.

Submitted by Phillip Johnson


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.

Missouri???

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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