I was fortunate enough to catch up with West Coast rockers The Blasters the other night in Tarzana, California at a great little joint called the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon where they were sitting in at Cadillac Zack’s Monday Night Blues Party and Jam.

This show was actually billed as Phil Alvin and Friends but it didn’t take long before everyone realized it would be a Blasters show as each member made their way to the stage, setting up their equipment.

The place was buzzing with a rumor that original band member Dave Alvin was going to show up as well but brother Phil announced that he couldn’t make it that night. Considering that Dave Alvin left the band many years ago this was no big deal but it would have been icing on the cake to see an Alvin brothers reunion.

The Blasters kicked off the evening with “Tigerman”, an obscure Elvis Presley number that was a fitting warm up tune for the band. Phil Alvin started the number off with a couple of howls signaling the start of another great show by the Blasters.

Numbers from the band’s latest release, “Fun on Saturday Night” were featured throughout the show but the music that really got the packed place jumpin’ were classic tunes like “I’m Shakin”, “Good bye Baby So Long”, “One Red Rose” and “American Music”.

New numbers performed from the latest album all had that instant Blasters appeal with Alvin manically mixing it up on vocals, harp and guitar. One of the band’s signature songs, “Marie Marie” has been re-recorded on the new disc with an acoustic guitar Tex-Mex waltz treatment but Alvin offered it up this night in its original hard rockin’ electric form sung in Spanish giving the number new life.

The CD’s title song, “Fun on Saturday Night” was performed with true in your face Blasters style. Slowing it down a bit with a heavy on the harp number, Phil Alvin delivered a sweet and sweaty version of “No More Nights by Myself” from the new release as well.

There was no apparent evidence of Alvin’s recent and almost fatal medical set back while touring Spain this summer that forced the Blasters to cancel their European tour. To use the title of one of the Blasters songs Phil Alvin proved this night he is truly “One Bad Stud”. Alvin’s growl and grin were both in fine form as he and the band kept the crowd jumpin’ for more.

A Blasters show never disappoints and this performance was no exception. With over 30 plus years of making their brand of American music, the Blasters continue to be the best of the best when it comes to rockabilly blues. 

Every Monday night at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon is reserved for Cadillac Zack’s Monday night Blues Party and Jam and you never know who might show up. Joe Bonemassa sat in the week before I was there. John Mayall and Kim Wilson as well as Joe Lewis Walker and Roy Gaines are just a few more heavy weight acts that just pop in from time to time to hang out and play a few numbers or more.

As I mentioned, this place is little so if you go you need to get there early if you want a seat, but chances are you won’t be sitting for long if you have a dancing bone in your body.
The Maui Sugar Mill Saloon is the place to be if you want to hear the some of the best West Coast and beyond blues. Check it out if you’re ever in the L.A. area on a Monday night.