TECH TALK
If someone were to write the history of L.A.’s musical scene from the late ’70s to the present, Dave Alvin would be the subject of a chapter or two. The quiet, soft-spoken songwriter/guitarist has been as important a figure as anyone in terms of establishing credibility in a city whose integrity-after the glorious ’60s—was undermined by hype and critical disgust with the empty calories of the corporate “rock” image and sound.
TECH TALK
DAVE ALVIN BLASTS OFF by Billy Cioffi
If someone were to write the history of L.A.’s musical scene from the late ’70s to the present, Dave Alvin would be the subject of a chapter or two. The quiet, soft-spoken songwriter/guitarist has been as important a figure as anyone in terms of establishing credibility in a city whose integrity-after the glorious ’60s—was undermined by hype and critical disgust with the empty calories of the corporate “rock” image and sound.
Sometime in the late ’70s and early ’80s, emerging from the ashes of punk, came a dozen or so bands that really mattered. While most of the more excessive and nihilistic have mercifully died and quickly passed into semi-legend, the Blasters hung on with their sister band X. Both bands refused to compromise and still managed to secure major label deals. While both groups made valiant attempts to connect with the radio market, neither have had the mainstream success that Jesser artists have had.