By Steve Newton I've interviewed American singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Alvin, a founding member of the Blasters, four times over the years, 'cause he's just plain great. This is the first time, back in November of 1991, when he was touring behind his second solo album, Blue Blvd. At one point in the conversation I … Continue reading That time Dave Alvin told me what it was like being in the Pleasure Barons with Country Dick Montana and Mojo Nixon
Tag: Dave Alvin
The rootsy gut-bucket boogie of the Paladins gets a boost from Dave Alvin in Vancouver
@shotbykevin ORIGINAL PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUGUST 15, 1991 By Steve Newton Men Without Hats immortalized the idea “You can dance if you want to.” I dunno—sometimes I just can’t dance. But I was a regular dancin’ fool at the Commodore last Friday (August 9), and the decision to get up there and make … Continue reading The rootsy gut-bucket boogie of the Paladins gets a boost from Dave Alvin in Vancouver
The Alvin brothers blast the roof off in Vancouver at a roots-rock hoedown for the ages
all crappy iPhone photos by the newt By Steve Newton "I was teaching math when I first heard the Sex Pistols," Phil Alvin told me back in 1983, "and then I said, 'Allright, good. I can play again.' So I quit teaching." Thank god Alvin caught wind of Johnny Rotten and his band of miscreants, … Continue reading The Alvin brothers blast the roof off in Vancouver at a roots-rock hoedown for the ages
Dave Alvin’s “dead” brother Phil returns for another rootsy splash in the river of life
By Steve Newton Three years ago, American roots-rock great Dave Alvin had the fright of his life. His older brother Phil—with whom he’d shared many a van, hotel room, and stage over the years in the Blasters—damn near passed away while on tour in Spain. In fact, he was technically toast. “He couldn’t breathe on-stage,” … Continue reading Dave Alvin’s “dead” brother Phil returns for another rootsy splash in the river of life
American roots-rock great Dave Alvin fights ageism in the media
By Steve Newton American roots-rock greats Dave and Phil Alvin are booked to play the Electric Owl on June 30, so a couple of days ago I called Dave up at his home in L.A. to get the scoop on what he's been up to lately and help promote the show a bit. During the course … Continue reading American roots-rock great Dave Alvin fights ageism in the media
The Blasters’ Dave Alvin wants to search the Commodore for lost brain cells
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 5, 2002 By Steve Newton Back in 1985, the Blasters were building a reputation as one of North America’s premier roots-rock acts. Then one cold November night in Montreal, the ongoing quarrels between guitarist Dave Alvin and his older brother, vocalist Phil, boiled over. After a particularly disastrous gig, the younger … Continue reading The Blasters’ Dave Alvin wants to search the Commodore for lost brain cells
The Pleasure Barons’ Mojo Nixon promises to catapult Country Dick to the bar
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 18, 1993 By Steve Newton Ain’t technology grand? Why, with today’s awesome tools of communication, you can phone people from your car, beep their bodies with a pager, or send dirty cartoons to them on a fax machine. Heck, you can even use a speaker-phone to talk to … Continue reading The Pleasure Barons’ Mojo Nixon promises to catapult Country Dick to the bar
Dave Alvin recalls how his record label wanted him to sound like Eurythmics
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 28, 1991 By Steve Newton Rock ’n’ roll bands can be like families. A band offers its members a place where they can have a sense of belonging, where they can look out for one another, and where they can share the joys of their good fortune—whether that be getting a … Continue reading Dave Alvin recalls how his record label wanted him to sound like Eurythmics
Marshall Crenshaw is a songwriter’s songwriter
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 27, 2013 By Steve Newton In the annals of underappreciated pop-rock singer-songwriters, Marshall Crenshaw is probably at the top of the chart. Some may vaguely recall him hitting the top 40 back in 1982 with the single “Someday, Someway”, but it’s quite likely that even more remember rockabilly crooner Robert Gordon’s … Continue reading Marshall Crenshaw is a songwriter’s songwriter
The Blasters’ Phil Alvin on the roots of rock ‘n’ roll, racism, and thanking god for the Sex Pistols
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 3, 1983 By Steve Newton Touted by Cash Box magazine as "L.A.'s greatest rockabilly group", the Blasters blasted the Commodore Ballroom Thursday night with guests Wailin' Walker and the Houserockers. Comprised of lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Phil Alvin, his younger brother Dave on lead guitar, drummer Bill Bateman, bassist John Bazz, and … Continue reading The Blasters’ Phil Alvin on the roots of rock ‘n’ roll, racism, and thanking god for the Sex Pistols