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?”
Category Archives: red devils
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”
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”
And here it is … The Red Devils 2012 reunion
They started from a jam, so it makes sense they would return at a jam, under the cover of darkness, unannounced and just as powerful as when they burst on the national stage with “King King” in 1992. The surviving members of The Red Devils reunited May 27 at an afterparty for the Simi ValleyContinue reading “And here it is … The Red Devils 2012 reunion”
One-of-a-kind notebook gives peek into Red Devils, Butler’s creative process
A notebook belonging to Lester Butler, found in London in 1993, gives a rare glimpse into The Red Devils’ lyrics, setlists and creative process.
The death of Def, 1993
A couple of articles in the Los Angeles Times give a little detail of the “Ciao Def” party Aug. 27, 1993, which featured The Red Devils as entertainment at the “funeral.” And with the funeral, Rubin’s Def American became American Recordings . (“King King” was issued as Def American 9 26795-2 and American 65660.) [EDIT:Continue reading “The death of Def, 1993”
Blue Shadows gigs 1989-90
We are catching up with several Blue Shadows dates for the timeline section. We start with several great clippings from the Eddie Clark collection, snapshots of the late-’80s/early-’90s California blues scene. Included are an ad for the first blues hall of fame festival and a postcard for blues night at Spice, both organized by RandyContinue reading “Blue Shadows gigs 1989-90”
No Fightin' 