Paul Size is selling cool little blues licks via video from paulsize.com. “I decided to start selling very cool and special licks that I think anyone interested in my style will dig,” Paul told us. “All licks include tablature at the end.” It’s easy to get into a rut with a shuffle, but Size comesContinue reading “Paul Size sells guitar licks”
Author Archives: J.J. Perry
The usual suspects?
Jutta Härkönen shared this pic she took of The Red Devils from Kungsgatan, Sweden, with Jonny Ray Bartel surrendering. That’s guitarist Zach Zunis fourth from the left. Jutta does not remember what the occasion was — she did say the band was not in the men’s room! — and we have no confirmed dates for theContinue reading “The usual suspects?”
Lyrics: “She’s Dangerous” at Pinkpop 1993
Here’s a different take on the story “’bout a girl I know and my best friend.” The live version of “She’s Dangerous” is an insistent rocker, much more aggressive than the stop-time swagger of the definitive “King King” version. In concert, Lester Butler plays with the lyrics, an ever-shifting narrative of who is catching whoContinue reading “Lyrics: “She’s Dangerous” at Pinkpop 1993″
Red Devils coming to Classic Rock magazine
More than 21 years after “King King,” The Red Devils are ready for international exposure again. UK journalist Paul Rees has taken on the Devils for an article for an upcoming edition of Classic Rock magazine. Just finished writing a piece on #thereddevils – great lost band, cautionary story. Check 'em out here:http://t.co/PyYJSm0ek3 — PaulContinue reading “Red Devils coming to Classic Rock magazine”
‘King King’: There’s only one
I’ve been thinking a lot about “King King” the last few weeks, what makes it special in a way other albums — of any genre — rarely are. The success of The Red Devils and the “King King” album come down to three things, very simple but so elusive. It’s those five guys (plus one onContinue reading “‘King King’: There’s only one”
Dave Alvin remembers Butler and Red Devils
Dave Alvin posted his thoughts to Facebook Dec. 4: Got to thinking today about the late, talented Lester Butler and the short lived but tough little blues outfit, The Red Devils, so I found a good clip of the guys playing some European festival over a decade ago. Yeah, that’s Blaster Bill Bateman on drumsContinue reading “Dave Alvin remembers Butler and Red Devils”
Burnside/Butler remix: “It’s Bad You Know”
Found on YouTube: A new remix of “It’s Bad You Know” from R.L. Burnside’s “Come On In” record. Lester Butler played the harp lick, which became famous in promos for “The Sopranos.” The video was posted June 3, 2013, by Russ Stevens, with the description: “THIS IS AN EXTENDED VERSION, BY MARE AND SOLARIS, GIPSYContinue reading “Burnside/Butler remix: “It’s Bad You Know””
2-in-1 Devils promo swag
Oddest piece of memorabilia? A Red Devils bottle opener/keychain combo. I picked this one up on eBay recently. I could not find any information about this keychain, which might either be a long-forgotten promo item or a one-off ordered by a fan from some marketing company. I’ve reached out to folks who might know. IfContinue reading “2-in-1 Devils promo swag”
Spare bands & one-and-dones
Blues musicians will know … get a group of guys together, come up with a name, and you are a “band” for a night. Might have those same four guys another night, new name. Use a different drummer for a pickup gig, and that’s three. One of those bands, likely, was called the Blues Meisters.Continue reading “Spare bands & one-and-dones”
“Way Down South” lyrics
“Way Down South” (Lester Butler), from “13 featuring Lester Butler” Baby you hot and I just can’t stand it I got the high temperature Baby you hot and i just can’t stand it I got the high temperature Love like a drug and it give me fever Mama there ain’t no cure Baby come fromContinue reading ““Way Down South” lyrics”
No Fightin' 