L to R: John Bazz, Bill Bateman, Phil Alvin (front), Gene Taylor (back), Dave Alvin, Steve Berlin & Lee Allen.

Photo by Phillin Phlash.

ABOUT

Liberation Hall announces the start of a major reissue campaign for California roots-rock band the Blasters, including solo albums by the band’s singer and guitarist Phil Alvin. The Blasters are one of the bedrock acts that formed the template for the “Americana” music movement that came to prominence in the late 1990s. Since their inception in 1979, the core members of the Blasters have been Phil Alvin, his younger brother and the group’s principal songwriter and guitarist, Dave Alvin, drummer Bill Bateman, and bassist John Bazz. Dave Alvin is also an accomplished solo artist with two GRAMMY Awards® to his credit.

 Mandatory: The Best of the Blasters is the inaugural title in the campaign, arriving in stores November 3. The 21-song set includes the band’s best-known tracks alongside deep cuts and a pair of songs which originally featured on the soundtrack to director Walter Hill’s 1984 cult film, Streets of Fire. The tracklist was chosen with the full cooperation of the band and Mandatory will be available on CD and digital. Released the same day is Phil Alvin’s solo debut album, Un “Sung Stories,” originally issued by Slash Records. This marks the first time the album will be available on vinyl since its original pressing in 1986. Un “Sung Stories” will also be available on CD and digital.

Los Angeles music journalist Chris Morris, who was an eyewitness to the rise of the Blasters, has contributed new liner note essays for both titles. He describes Mandatory as “a definitive sampling of the Blasters recorded work from their 1980-1985 heyday.”

MEDIA BREAKS

Talk Shop Live (interview w/ Dave Alvin, Bill Bateman & John Bazz)
Guitar Player (Interview w/ Dave)
Rock & Roll Globe (interview w/ Dave Alvin)
Tinnitist (Interview w/ Bill Bateman and John Bazz)
Baxie’s Musical Podcast (interview w/ John Bazz)
Variety.com (Over There reviewed in a RSD Black Friday roundup)
Goldmine Magazine (Over There review)
The Vinyl District (Over There review)
Americana UK (Over There review)
Ink 19 (Over There review)
Michael’s Music Log (Over There review)
Americana Highways (Over There review)
The Midlands Rocks / UK (Over There review)
House of Prog / UK (Over There review)
Americana Highways (Mandatory review)
Classic Rock Magazine (Mandatory review)
Vive Le Rock Magazine (Mandatory review)
Coachella Valley News (Mandatory review)
The Daily Vault (Mandatory review)
The Lincoln Journal-Star (Mandatory review)
MusicMinded Blog (Mandatory review)
Music Log (Mandatory review)
Glide Magazine (Mandatory review)
The Midlands Rocks / UK (Mandatory review)
Ink 19 (Mandatory review)
The Rocking Magpie / UK (Mandatory review)
OX Fanzine / Germany (Mandatory review)
Sonic Wave Magazine / Spain (Mandatory review)
The Midlands Rocks / UK (Phil Alvin’s “‘Un’ Sung’ Stories” review)
Michael’s Music Log (Phil Alvin’s “‘Un’ Sung’ Stories” review)
Ink 19 (Phil Alvin’s “‘Un’ Sung’ Stories” review)
The Portable Infinite (Catalog campaign announcement)


VIDEOS