I usually like to celebrate the 4th of July by posting Dave Alvin’s “4th of July” but this year I’m going to break with tradition. Well, at least a bit. Dave and his brother Phil founded legendary rock band the Blasters nearly thirty-five years ago. The group was born from — and brought life to […]
SXSW 2014 — The Sounds, Part 2
DAVE AND PHIL ALVIN I’m a big Dave Alvin fan. Unfortunately for me I discovered the Blasters, the seminal band co-founded by Dave and his brother Phil, after they went their separate ways. I was hooked, though, on their encyclopedic knowledge of American music — everything from folk to country and from blues to vintage […]
Monday Morning Video: Dave Alvin on the Fourth of July
Is there any doubt what song would be this week’s Monday Morning Video? Here’s a truly special performance that finds Dave joining brother Phil last year in Chicago.
Mayer’s Playlist for June & July 2010, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Joe Hill’s Ashes, by Otis Gibbs Gibbs is one of the most distinctive voices in Americana, both for the integrity in his songwriting and the authenticity of his voice. While some may find both a bit gruff, it gives his music a realism that can’t be doubted. Most songs are built […]
Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women
It’s not as groundbreaking as his work with The Blasters or The Knitters , but this might be the best Dave Alvin record to date. It’s certainly the most complex. Alvin helped define the punkabilly/L.A. country punk sound with those early 80’s projects, and then went on to hone his songwriting and musician skills with […]
Kiss Off! A Special Twangville Playlist, Part 2
Here’s the second installment of our special “Kiss Off” playlist, country and folk edition: So Long Baby Goodbye, The Blasters There was a cold wind blowing on the night we met, The leaves fell from the trees, You made a lot of promises I ain’t seen yet, And I ain’t gonna ask you please. You […]