Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones

Bill Kirchen is dubbed the Titan of the Telecaster. It is true. BIll's rendition of Hot Rod Lincoln is not to be missed in its fine gutair playing coupled with fun, funny, witty commentary. The band Too Much Fun,with only three members, filled the house with sound. That said-Dave Alvin and The Guilty One's upped their game to match Bill. It was amazing to watch Alvin play his electric gutair with depth and feeling. It was almost a like observing a private jam between friendly rivals. The encore paid homage to Chris Gaffney when they played The Gardens and Marie Marie brought the house down. That said I would have enjoyed more ballads from Dave Alvin.

I'd never been to The Sinclair. It's a nice, well laid out spot for a rock show. I've seen Dave Alvin six or seven times now, and will catch him every chance I get. The Guilty Ones are probably the most solid, talented, and righteous backing band I've ever seen. They're all stars in their own right, but I love Lisa Pankratz on drums- powerful, soulful, and clearly having fun up there. And to see Phil playing out with Dave is something I never thought I'd see. They played stuff from every phase of their careers- Blasters, solo Phil, solo Dave, covers, and more. Just mindblowing.

We saw Dave Alvin and the Guilty Ones last Friday night. It was a tremendous show. Dave and his band were in fine form, as always. It's clear these musicians love what they're doing, because no matter where or when you see them, you always get big bang for your buck. Great songbook, great delivery, big fun! Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun opened with a fantastic set of rockabilly music!

You start the show with Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun. The Master of the Telecaster with a long storied history in music. If you like Rockabilly, Country and Roots Rock this is one show you do not want to miss! Then you catch your breath and Dave Alvin steps up to the plate. I have seen him before and followed his career. I love his in your face style and storytelling ability. His voice is a gravelly baritone. His Stratocaster is loud and brash and then soft and mellow. His delivery is superb and his band is incredible ! The thing I find most appealing about Dave is the fact he makes making music look easy and very fun. His smile is contagious! You can count on me being at any show these two artists play in the Washington Metropolitan area.

I mostly missed The Blasters but later became a big fan of Dave Alvin. I go to his shows whenever he hits the Boston area. Before Saturday night, I had never seen Phil before and I was extremely excited about this opportunity to see the Alvin brothers play together. I was not disappointed. Their covers of Big Bill Broonzy songs were terrific as were the old Blasters tunes that they rolled out. Phil's voice is still amazing and he plays a mean harp as well. Dave had his fair share of his folksy vocals that I love but he also had the opportunity to crank out some smoking guitar work when Phil sang lead. The Sinclair is a perfect venue for an up close and personal music experience delivered by old friends.

See these guys while you can. Phil is an amazing vocalist, he can still do it. As good as Dave is, (and he is good), Phil was the real treat. Tremendous band, watching the drummer watch Dave was fascinating.

There is not a better show out there today. To see Phil and Dave Alvin live is a must. The Guilty Ones are a top notch band themselves. Weather playing the songs of Big Bill Broonzy or blasting into a Blaster's song its just a great night of music. I will see them anytime they are within 200 miles of me.

Transforming from a previously contentious relationship to the current love fest, the Alvin Brothers brought their love for the music and each other front and center. The talent of the two Alvins and their stellar backing band was on full display. Nice selection of material from their new album as well as tunes from the Blasters, their solo careers and choice covers.

Great show. Phil has such an amazing voice and Dave guitar, what a sound. Nice band backing them up. They have a vast knowledge of music from Rockabilly to Blues and country.

Phil or Dave, what's up is they're rocking again, together. The voices bring you back to the Blasters show you never got to see. The Guilty Ones bring you back to other eras and incarnations of Dave's guilty parties and associates. Every player is off-the-charts excellent, and the pieces fit as tightly and seamless as the glass on a smartphone. They're loud, they're proud, they're real. They've been down ten thousand miles of hard road, and still have no problem rocking well beyond the hour that most of their chronological peers call bed time. While appearing somewhat less colorful and seasoned, Far West was a good choice for the shared bill, and proof that sound and spirit lives on in a younger generation.

Excellent performance by two guys who brought roots rockabilly to the LA punk scene.

Fantastic show, Phil sounded great, brother Dave s funny and engaging on top of his scorching guitar work. Their band is killer.

I fell into the Blasters in 1982 when WHFS (the original station) played Marie Marie. Bought the album, played the album, loved it. Introduced me to a whole new style of music that I didn't hear on any radio anywhere else. Loved it. Along with side 1 of Exile, side 1 of the first B-52's first album, side 4 of Live Bullet, and all of Rocket to Russia, this album made it into my party rotation. There were other records (Rocks, Fandango, Brothers and Sisters, work with me). Loved it. Saw them at the Bayou in DC in 82 & 83. Along with seeing the Ramones in College Park at the Varsity bar & Grill Back Room in 79, I never looked at live music the same. Loved it. Have been telling my wife and my kids about the Blasters for years and years. Never thought I would get a chance to take any of them to see them live. Well, guess what? Phil and Dave Alvin were gonna be at the Birchmere. No way. Way. Bought tickets as soon as I saw the show. Told my wife we were going. Live about two hours away. We were going. Got a room in town. We were going. Told the folks at work we were going. Told them the back story. Pointed them to the records. Border Radio, Roll 'em Pete, One Bad Stud. They loved it. Guy I work with plays the drums. Put Border Radio in his rotation. I've been to the Birchmere before. Back in the early 80's. Don't even remember who I saw. It was the 80's. A whole lot I don't remember from the 80's. But it was good to feel the vibe again. Saw the autographs. Saw the pictures and posters. Remembered the dead folks. Remembered bands and artists that I was looking at that I had seen throughout my life. It was cool. My musical tastes were validated. I felt vindicated. My wife took pictures. It was cool. The Far West represented themselves. They were good. We bought their CD. Any Day Now. If they come around, give them a nod. About a year or so ago, I dragged my wife with me to see Los Lobos at Hollywood Casino in WV. Saw them at the Bayou back in the 80's. Bought tickets to see them when I bought Blasters tickets. Slash records. WHFS. They rocked. Tex-Mex Blues Chicano Rock and Roll. Steve Berlin. Ritchie Valens. Who knew? At the casino? They rocked. But the whole time all I could think of was how all of us were all in the same room again thirty years later. It was cool. So here I am, thirty plus years later. Me and the Alvins in the same room again. For those of us at the show, you know. They rocked. That's all we need to remember. For one more night we were all the coolest people in the world listening to the coolest band in the world. Snapping our fingers, stomping our feet, singing along at the top of our lungs, the whole time remembering why we fell in love with this music in the first place. Remember your roots. Turn people on to this stuff. End of the day, we're right. They finished their show with an instrumental version of So Long Baby Goodbye. I would type that again but my carpal is starting to flare up. Don't forget to tip your waitress.

My second time to see this tour and into the double-digits for seeing the Alvins including the Blasters shows. Dave Alvin is one of the most underrated guitar slingers out there and the combination of their subtle and dry on-stage humor, Phil's unique voice, the blues tributes to one of their heroes and the nod to a few of the Blasters' songs, it was a very enjoyable evening. The Guilty Ones are a very tight band and were in synch all night.

Just go see them and you won't regret it. It will be one of the best shows you ever attend. These guys and their band are at the top of their game. If you like rock, rockabilly, CA country, boogie woogie, blues, they do it all and with great expertise and humor. Phil has the voice and harmonica chops. Dave is a thought provoking songwriter and thrilling guitar player. Lisa Pankratz is a drummer who plays with feeling and technical expertise. They are all a well oiled machine. I have never seen so many standing ovations during a show. Well, these guys have reached legendary status now. Don't miss out!

Great show in classic venue! Classy show in great venue! Took my wife and a friend, both of whom were unfamiliar with the brothers Alvin. The result: two new enthusiastic fans! I really think Dave Alvin likes performing at the Birchmere.

I finally got my chance to see the Alvin brothers live after first hearing them some 30 years ago. I was not disappointed.

The entire band rocked out for hours. What a show. Dave, Phil and The Guilty Ones are so talented. All seats at the Birchmere are good, the food is delicious and service is great. Can't beat their deal.

Outstanding Show as Always with Dave Alvin assisted by his older Brother Phil romped through a 2 hour 15 minutes set of the new songs from Common Ground their newest release which is a tribute to the songs of Big Bill Broonzy. the Band is fantastic with Lisa Pankratz showing off her muscle and frenetic drumming on 4th of July and Marie Marie. The stories about the brothers and the songs only enlighten the evening's entertainment. I saw them two nights in a row in Annapolis Md and at the Birchmere and both shows were the same in intensity of music and wonderful singing by Phil Alvin who features one of the best voices in Rock and Roll. This is a show to not be missed. Anyone who pays 25-35 dollars for this 135 minute review of American Roots Rock and Blues will be a very happy customer.