Dave Alvin, the group's primary songwriter, left the band in 1986 for a critically-acclaimed solo career. He was initially replaced on guitar by Hollywood Fats (birth name: Michael L. Mann) who appeared with them at Farm Aid. Phil Alvin has led various incarnations of The Blasters intermittently since then, including a few reunion tours and live albums of the original lineup. Personnel as of 2008 was Phil Alvin together with John Bazz, Keith Wyatt, and Bill Bateman.
The Blasters stink of rockabilly. A unique part of the Los Angeles punk scene of the 1980s, they project the essence of small streets of post-war neighborhoods, car culture and the sun-bleached concrete of Downey, California. They are lead by Phil Alvin's soulful bellowing about causing chaos, chasing women and the loss of the citrus groves. Influenced by the likes of The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and many others who came and went during the 1950's, The Blasters play the songs of the working man's curse and rock and roll romance. Founding members Phil Alvin and John Bazz, with the addition of Keith Wyatt on lead guitar and Jerry Angel on drums, are carrying on their hard-won legacy of one of the most credible and recognizable bands in Americana music.
The Blasters first started playing in the late 70's, hammering out burning rhythm & blues and roots-influenced rock and roll in biker bars in their hometown of Downey, California. It wasn't long before word about the band's searing live sets spread to Los Angeles, and the band carved out a name for itself in the city's burgeoning club scene. Along with X and Los Lobos, the Blasters became an LA favorite. They enjoyed a punk rock following to their bluesy straightforward rock, playing to the fans of the newfangled American punk rock movement that was just at its beginning. Their debut recording on the small but feisty Rollin' Rock label has since become a coveted collector's item.
Soon thereafter, they began attracting the attention of other record companies. The band was on the crest of the wave during the resurgence of American roots rock, a genre they helped define with their debut album "American Music." Many have tried to imitate The Blasters' sound but no one has been able to harness the passion and perseverance with which they play. With a tradition of producing timeless and meaningful songs, touring extensively, and collaborating with some of the most respected roots rock artists, like John Cougar Mellencamp and Lee Allen.
The Blasters have continually stayed true to their original vision: to play songs built on America's greatest musical traditions. Upon Dave Alvin's departure to pursue a solo career in August of 1986, the band was as strong as ever and riding high on their success. After rigorously touring, The Blasters took some time off the road to reflect and work on new material. At that time, a number of major films hit theaters featuring The Blasters tunes including Bull Durham ("So Long Baby, Goodbye) and Some One To Watch Over Me ("Marie, Marie").
The Blasters spent the next few years attempting to find a guitar player suitable to measure up to the impeccable standards by which The Blasters play. The band met veteran guitar maestro, Keith Wyatt. 4-11-44 is The Blasters' fifth studio album. It is fourteen tracks of their signature rock and blues. Phil Alvin's vocals are as powerful and true as they ever were and the band follows through with steady, raucous riffs and rhythms. Their music continues to be used frequently in dark, pulp films and television shows such as From Dusk to Dawn, Streets of Fire, and Six Feet Under. Originally released in the UK in 2004, 4-11-44 was released on Rainman Records in August of 2005.
Blue Shadows
The Blasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And every man bleeds the same
But when the lights are dim
You never know who's to blame
I don't want no scars to show
I don't want no one to know
So I'll be killing time in the blue shadows
No other place for me to go
So I'll be killing time in the blue shadows
I've been around the world
I take credit for the things I've done
But when the lights are dim
I'm not the only guilty one
I don't want no scars to show
I don't want no one to know
So I'll be killing time in the blue shadows
I've been around the world
And every story ends the same
But when the lights are dim
You won't remember my name
I don't want no scars to show
I don't want no one to know
So I'll be killing time in the blue shadows
No other place for me to go
No other place for dying slow
So I'll be killing time in the blue shadows
No other place for me to go
No other place for dying slow
So I'll be killing, just killing time
So I'll be killing time in the blue shadows
The Blasters' song Blue Shadows is a song about the pain and guilt of a man who has been around the world and has seen that every man bleeds the same, yet when the lights are dim, you never know who's to blame. The lyrics suggest that every person has their own demons to deal with and that sometimes people turn to dark places to escape their troubles. The man in the song doesn't want anyone to know his scars, he wants to hide in the shadows and escape from reality for a while. He acknowledges that he's done things he's not proud of, and that he's not the only guilty one when the lights are dim. He's seen that every story ends the same and that when the lights are dim, people won't remember his name.
The song suggests that sometimes we all need a place to escape from our troubles, and that the blue shadows are that place for the man in the song. It's a dark and haunting song, with a strong message about the truth of human nature. It's a reminder that we all have scars, but some of us hide them better than others.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been around the world
I've had experiences in many different places
And every man bleeds the same
Despite cultural differences, we are all human and share the same physical makeup
But when the lights are dim
In times of darkness or uncertainty
You never know who's to blame
It is difficult to assign responsibility for a situation
I don't want no scars to show
I don't want physical or emotional evidence of my actions
I don't want no one to know
I want to keep my secrets hidden from others
So I'll be killing time in the blue shadows
I will be waiting aimlessly, trying to avoid detection
No other place for me to go
I have limited options available
No other place for dying slow
I have nowhere to suffer quietly
And every story ends the same
All tales, in one way or another, conclude similarly
You won't remember my name
My identity will fade into obscurity
So I'll be killing, just killing time
I will be idly passing time without purpose
So I'll be killing time in the blue shadows
I will wait aimlessly, trying to avoid detection
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVE ALVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind