THE BLASTERS

Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings

$31.98 CD

The Blasters roared out of the working-class suburb of Downey, California, blasted onto the punk-ruled LA club scene of the late ’70s, scored a deal with the edgy Slash label, and rose to international renown by the early ’80s. At a time when young bands sought rebellion, The Blasters reminded us how it’s been an essential part of rock ’n’ roll since the very start.   

Kicking around So-Cal, Phil and Dave Alvin, Gene Taylor, John Bazz, and Bill Bateman got hip to blues-based music while rubbing elbows with legends like T-Bone Walker and Lee Allen. The rugged sound they forged fit right in with the burgeoning Hollywood punk scene, and they shared bills (and members) with the now-legendary punk band X. Combining the classic styles of American music with their own unique singing and songwriting style, The Blasters became one of roots rock’s most revered bands.  

Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings is The Blasters’ first-ever career-spanning collection. The two-disc set features all three studio albums, their legendary 1982 live EP, and eight previously unreleased tracks, including a live version of Jimmy Reed’s “Take Out Some Insurance” – the only known recording to feature Phil and Dave Alvin as a duo.

Selection # 78345