Yes, Dave Alvin is an amazing guitarist, but the Blasters without Dave Alvin is perfectly fine with us. What’s the reason? Phil Alvin, that’s what. Phil’s voice and his wincing, sweating delivery—illustrated on the Blasters’ first LP—are what make the Blasters great. The songs are what make the Blasters great. Yes, Dave Alvin provides that extra dash of brilliance which makes the Blasters a gift from heaven, as evidenced by their brotherly reunion tour several years ago, but when you’ve got those songs and that voice, frankly, any guitarist will do. “Border Radio,” “Make You Dream,” “I’m Shakin’” and “Marie Marie” are gifts from rock ’n’ roll gods, even with Keith Wyatt. Who’s Keith Wyatt? He’s the poor guitarist who must suffer endless comparisons to Dave Alvin. We say: let the comparisons end! Slam a Michelob, comb back your hair and enjoy the quintessence of full-blooded American rock ’n’ roll when the Blasters cause the nightclub walls to drip condensation on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the 19 Broadway Niteclub. 19 Broadway, Fairfax. 9:30pm. $15–$18. 415.459.1091.Gabe Meline
.Aug. 8: the Blasters at the 19 Broadway Niteclub
