The Blasters are a rare childhood friends become music stars success story– brothers Paul and Dave Alvin formed the band with their childhood friends John Bazz and Bill Bateman in Downey, CA during the spring of 1979. Adding boogie-woogie pianist Gene Taylor into the band, they released their debut album American Music in 1980 that took the elements of a local honky tonk and infused it with rockabilly punk rock sensibilities that made them a favorite in Los Angeles during the early 80’s. With Phil Alvin’s muscular howl and Dave Alvin’s cinematic songwriting, the band would share the stage with numerous punk rock acts (most notably X) and help find crossover in both country and punk rock scenes.
Standout Songs: “American Music”, “Real Rock Drive”, “Marie, Marie”, “Crazy Baby”, “She’s Gone Away”
