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.
Dark Knight
The Blasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
from a white oak tree
people sitting on porches
thinking how things used to be
dark night
it's a dark night
dark night
it's a dark night
the neighborhood was changing
strangers moving in
a new boy fell for a local girl
when she made eyes at him
she was young and pretty
no stranger to other men
but windows were being locked at night
old lines were drawn again
()
I thought these things
didn't matter anymore
I thought all that blood
had been shed long ago
dark night
it's a dark night
he took her to the outskirts
and pledged his love to her
they thought it was their secret
but someone knew where they were
he held her so close
he asked about her dreams
when a bullet from a passing car
made the young girl scream
i thought these things
didn't happen anymore
i thought all that blood
had been shed long ago
dark night
it's a dark night
dark night
it's a dark night
The Blasters' song "Dark Knight" tells a haunting story of a changing neighborhood where tensions simmer and then finally explode. The lyrics paint a picture of a place where people are stuck in the past, reminiscing about how things used to be. They are threatened by the arrival of strangers and fear the loss of their community. Against this backdrop, a young couple falls in love, and their relationship becomes the flashpoint for the violence that is about to erupt.
The song's chorus, "Dark night, it's a dark night," hammers home the feeling of foreboding and the sense that something terrible is about to happen. The song builds in intensity until a bullet from a passing car shatters the young couple's dreams, and the singer is left wondering how this kind of violence can still happen in a world where we thought we had moved beyond it.
"Dark Knight" is a powerful commentary on race, violence, and the difficulty of moving beyond entrenched attitudes and beliefs. It's a reminder that the past is always present, and that our failure to acknowledge it can be deadly.
Line by Line Meaning
hot air hangs like a dead man
from a white oak tree
The atmosphere is heavy and oppressive, like a dead body hanging from a tree.
people sitting on porches
thinking how things used to be
The locals are reminiscing about a time when their neighborhood was different, perhaps happier or more peaceful.
dark night
it's a dark night
The night is symbolically and literally dark, signifying danger and fear.
the neighborhood was changing
strangers moving in
a new boy fell for a local girl
when she made eyes at him
The community is undergoing significant change with newcomers causing tension, tension that does not prevent two young people from falling for each other.
she was young and pretty
no stranger to other men
but windows were being locked at night
old lines were drawn again
The girl has a reputation for being interested in men, not necessarily these new men, and people's fear of the unknown is causing divisions and suspicions.
I thought these things
didn't matter anymore
I thought all that blood
had been shed long ago
dark night
it's a dark night
The singer is surprised that such divisions and fears persist despite the passage of time and their perceived progress. The dark night serves as a reminder that danger and violence are still present.
he took her to the outskirts
and pledged his love to her
they thought it was their secret
but someone knew where they were
The young couple take a big risk by being together and naively think no one knows, but danger and fear always loom in this community.
he held her so close
he asked about her dreams
when a bullet from a passing car
made the young girl scream
Even in this tender moment where they discuss the future, violence and fear uncontrollably intrudes with the sound of a bullet and a scream.
i thought these things
didn't happen anymore
i thought all that blood
had been shed long ago
dark night
it's a dark night
The artist is disillusioned and disappointed that violence and fear are still present despite hopes for progress and better times. The dark night continues to represent danger and fear.
dark night
it's a dark night
The repetition emphasizes the all-encompassing, oppressive nature of darkness, fear, and danger in the community. It's a haunting reminder that the cycle of violence and fear persists.
Contributed by Kayla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@omco
One of the best songs ever
@davidsimic5870
Realno
@philipjoseph5099
I agree
@maziqbal4818
A masterpiece from The Blasters but few understand the meaning of the opening two lines.
@mangodzeri6613
Оооо види га и боске Омчо што зна шта ваља, тотално неочекивано
@mangodzeri6613
@@maziqbal4818please enlighten us
@dexterlee569
Too bad George Clooney never played a role like this again. He was a true badass.
@dexterlee569
@@hisaceinthehole3426 Which movie?
@MrGiggles-xf4nd
He did.....BATMAN!!!😂😂💀💀
@imagination43
@@hisaceinthehole3426 We just gona ignore his True Detective role like he wasn't badass?