Alvin grew up in Downey, California in a music-loving family where he and his younger brother Dave were exposed to blues, rockabilly, and country. Inspired and influenced by the music they grew up with, Phil and Dave formed the rock and roll band The Blasters in the late 1970s with fellow Downey residents Bill Bateman and John Bazz. The group released five albums between 1980 and 1985. While never achieving mass market success in commercial terms, their recordings and concerts drew critical respect and a cult following across the United States and Europe .

In 1986, after The Blasters had disbanded, Alvin released a solo album, Un "Sung" Stories and returned to graduate school to pursue a master's degree in mathematics and artificial intelligence. He eventually earned his Ph.D. from UCLA.

In the late 1980s he reconvened The Blasters, albeit without Dave Alvin (who chose instead to focus on a solo career). In 1994, he released a second solo album, County Fair 2000. In 2005, under Alvin's leadership, the revised configuration of The Blasters released a much anticipated studio album, 4-11-44, after more than a decade of touring.

Blasters discography

• American Music - 1980
• Blasters - 1981
• Over There - 1982
• Non Fiction - 1983
• Hard Line - 1985
• The Blasters Collection - 1990
• Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings - 2002
• The Blasters Live - Going Home - 2004
• 4-11-44 - 2005

Blasters videography

• Streets of Fire - 1984
• The Blasters Live-Going Home - 2004

Phil Alvin discography

• Un "Sung" Stories - 1986
• County Fair 2000 - 1994

References

• Phil Alvin biography
• The Blasters biography

External links

• The Blasters official website