Tag Archives: lester butler

Zach Zunis on brush with Cash

Since our last post, we have been thinking about guitarist Zach Zunis. Like Mike Flanigin, Zunis could be a mere footnote in the Devils’ story despite filling a critical role in the band for several months. And let’s be clear: For some people, the Zach Zunis version of the band was the one they sawContinue reading “Zach Zunis on brush with Cash”

Snake Snake at the Blue Cafe 1997

We have written about Snake Snake before, believing a band with that brilliant a name could only be a myth. But here they are — Kid Ramos, Willie J. Campbell, Stephen Hodges and Lester Butler — on a June 13, 1997, at the Blue Cafe in Long Beach, Calif. Funny that this was right afterContinue reading “Snake Snake at the Blue Cafe 1997”

Classic Rock: Finding the real story in the grooves

With Classic Rock 195 now out in the U.S. — the U.K. Queen cover replaced by Slash — The Red Devils’ story is being read by more people than ever before. Seeing high praise from Billy Gibbons and Rick Rubin, not to mention the Mick Jagger and Johnny Cash connections, it is hard to fathom theContinue reading “Classic Rock: Finding the real story in the grooves”

Welcome to nofightin.com

For those coming to this site for the first time, welcome to nofightin.com. We have been here since 2009, cataloging the short but stellar career of The Red Devils and Lester Butler. Wander around and find rare music, videos and reviews, and meet other fans — and some of the musicians who made the records weContinue reading “Welcome to nofightin.com”

‘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””

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”

Alex Schultz on 13: “The songs were Lester Butler”

It’s clear that his time with 13 and Lester Butler has had an impact on guitarist Alex Schultz. When talking with Schultz at the Simi Valley Cajun and Blues Festival last year, he was open, engaging and honest. His experiences differ from some other musicians who worked with Butler over the years, as he fondlyContinue reading “Alex Schultz on 13: “The songs were Lester Butler””