Author Archives: J.J. Perry

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”

Live in Bloomington, 1992

Just a few months after first hearing The Red Devils in 1992, I was thrilled to learn the band would be performing just down the street, at Jake’s Nightclub in Bloomington, Indiana. The show — originally Sept. 28 — was rescheduled for Oct. 13, one week ahead of my 21st birthday. A press pass fromContinue reading “Live in Bloomington, 1992”

“Goin’ to the Church” lyrics

“Goin’ to the Church” (Lester Butler), from “King King” I’m goin’ to the church Fall on my knees and pray I’m goin’ to the church Fall on my knees and pray Got a bad old man People I just can’t stay People I just can’t stay People I just can’t stay People I can’t stay