Author Archives: J.J. Perry

Doghouse Lords unleashed in California

For all your Bill Bateman needs, look no further than The Doghouse Lords, with dates next week in California. As an added bonus, it looks like Bateman and John Bazz are pulling double duty with The Blasters on a couple of these gigs. Doghouse Lords guitarist Chopper Franklin (late of The Cramps) tells nofightin.com thatContinue reading “Doghouse Lords unleashed in California”

Remix Devils: Trip-hop experiment

On the hunt for more Red Devils info, stumbled onto the forum for The Gretsch Pages. There, member tidalwave_sideburns has uploaded a trip-hop blues track with vocal samples from Muddy Waters and Lester Butler from “King King” (can you pick which ones?). In addition, “Cross Your Heart” is used as a bluesy bed for theContinue reading “Remix Devils: Trip-hop experiment”

Legendary Cleveland rock writer on the Devils, 1992

Two great articles in the Cleveland Plain Dealer in October 1992 give more history of the Red Devils (winning 1992 Best Blues Band at the Los Angeles Music Awards) along with a review of a live gig at Peabody’s DownUnder in The Flats Oct. 15. Both articles come courtesy of reporter Jane Scott, who hasContinue reading “Legendary Cleveland rock writer on the Devils, 1992”

Found! ‘Louisiana Blues’ rare promo tape 1992

After years of myths, faded memories, lost opportunities and cold trails, the rarest of Red Devils recordings is discovered, recasting the band as a semi-acoustic traditional blues combo. Even after the package arrived in the mail, it was still hard to believe the search was over. In our hands was the much-rumored “Louisiana Blues” promoContinue reading “Found! ‘Louisiana Blues’ rare promo tape 1992”

The Blasters’ ‘Trouble Bound’ 2002

The California blues/roots/rockabilly/R&B collective The Blasters should be required listening for any fan of American Music. During the 1980s, the band, along with contemporaries such as X and Los Lobos, bridged punk and roots music with an energy and enthusiasm that thrilled a legion of fans of all types of music. That Blasters ethic isContinue reading “The Blasters’ ‘Trouble Bound’ 2002”

New York Times on the Devils

Here’s a trivia question: How many times were The Red Devils ever mentioned in The New York Times? Once, in the Sunday, July 19, 1992 “Tete-a-Tetes” column: MIDTOWN, after midnight, Monday. Bruce Willis and his band, the Red Devils, had just finished bludgeoning eardrums at Planet Hollywood. Outside, on West 57th Street, an ice sculptureContinue reading “New York Times on the Devils”

13 rehearsal videos 1998

Thanks to drummer Eddie Clark, much of 13’s history has been preserved on video, including excellent rehearsal videos of Lester Butler and 13 from 1998.. You should recognize these videos as the source of the “Business in the Street” clips from the 13 Moulin Blues DVD, recorded at YO! Studios, Van Nuyes, California, in MarchContinue reading “13 rehearsal videos 1998”

‘Blast furnace blues’: Dec. 3, 1992, ‘King King’ review

Looking around a few months ago, I found this review of “King King” from the University of Houston Daily Cougar Online archives, Dec. 3, 1992. I really like the exuberance and imagery in this review. As a bonus: A Jeff Healey review! BLOSSOMING BANDS BESTOW PLEASING PLATTERS by Manuel Esparza Daily Cougar Staff How doContinue reading “‘Blast furnace blues’: Dec. 3, 1992, ‘King King’ review”