The Blasters' Dave Alvin at The Family Wash

Long before the term Americana was even a gleam in Jim Lauderdale's eye, Dave Alvin and his brother Phil formed The Blasters, one of the coolest roots-rock bands ever to sport pompadours. Of course, their version of roots music had more in common with their L.A. punk scene peers than it did with the Nashville Sound, and Alvin later did a stint as guitar slinger with Tinseltown punkers X, replacing the formidable Billy Zoom. Still, rockabilly and country were undeniable influences on both bands, an inclination even more pronounced in Alvin's recent solo work, and in his on-and-off side project The Knitters (which also features several X members, including frontwoman Exene Cervenka). Alvin makes a rare Nashville appearance at the Family Wash—and the chance to see him in such an intimate setting is even rarer. The Wash will have their traditional Tuesday $10 pint-&-pie night till 7:30, featuring the best shepherd's pie in town, but the 9 p.m. Alvin show will be a ticketed ($10) event. (The Wash will also offer the popular pint-&-pie deal on Wednesday this week, so regulars can still get their fill.) A limited number of tickets will be available for advance purchase; see familywash.com for details.
Tue., Oct. 27, 2009