bill bateman – No Fightin'

Canned Heat’s Larry ‘The Mole’ Taylor fills in on bass for Red Devils, 1992

The Red Devils’ Dec. 31, 1992, show at Jack’s Sugar Shack in Los Angeles boasted a surprising, one-time lineup with Canned Heat’s legendary Larry “The Mole” Taylor on bass.

Listen to The Red Devils with the Allman Brothers in 1992

Two soundboard-quality recordings shine light on The Red Devils’ 1992 opening slots for the Allman Brothers. The Sept. 1 Richmond, Va., and Sept. 4 Charlotte, N.C., recordings represent the band’s sixth and eighth opening spots (by our count) for the Brothers.

Billy Boy Arnold’s beat powered ‘King King’ and beyond

Billy Boy Arnold is one of the foundational influences for The Red Devils. A deep dive into “King King” shows that influence beyond one cover song. #KingKingXXX

Butler on Bateman: ‘He’s like a Marine drill sergeant!’

At the end of 1992, Lester Butler told the Los Angeles Times how this “blues bar band” was living the dream.

‘King King’: After 30 years, accept no substitutes

“King King” at 30: There is no substitute. There is no sequel. All the magic is captured on that disc. #KingKingXXX

‘Saint Mick’ gathers his Devils, 1992

In late June 1992, the LA Weekly was the first to report on the Mick Jagger/Red Devils session, before the tubes had time to cool down.

Red Devils play essential set on ‘2 Meter Sessies’ (1993)

At the top of their game, The Red Devils performed its essential “2 Meter Sessies” set during its European tour in May 1993.

Onstage with The Red Devils and Zach Zunis at the Paradiso, 1993

Thanks to Harold Schreuder in Holland, we have some “new ” looks at The Red Devils in 1993 to share. Harold tells us that he saw the band a few times that year, including meeting The Red Devils (with Zach Zunis replacing Paul Size) at their Nov. 29, 1993, performance at the Paradiso in Amsterdam,Continue reading “Onstage with The Red Devils and Zach Zunis at the Paradiso, 1993”

Block 1993 interview with Lester Butler after Pinkpop festival (annotated)

Lester Butler and Bill Bateman talk to Block magazine after The Red Devils’ seminal performance at Pinkpop 1993. (annotated)

‘A rowdy presentation of the blues’ … Dave Lee Bartel in 1992

From the Sept. 3, 1992, Des Moines (Iowa) Register, we get this interview with Dave Lee Bartel. The occasion was a gig the next week, Sept. 9, at the Iowa State State Memorial Union’s Maintenance Shop (“M-Shop”) venue in Ames, Iowa. Tickets reasonably priced at $2 ($3 day of show). Where did the Devils play?Continue reading “‘A rowdy presentation of the blues’ … Dave Lee Bartel in 1992”