Background
Originally called the Blue Shadows, the band formed as an offshoot of roots rock/punk band The Blasters in 1988. They established themselves as the Monday-night house band of a Los Angeles neighborhood club, King King. Early members included Smokey Hormel, Dave Alvin, and Gene Taylor, but by 1990–91, the lineup had more or less stabilized with drummer Bill Bateman, guitarist Dave Lee Bartel, bassist Jonny Ray Bartel (from The Knitters), singer/harmonica player Lester Butler, and guitarist Paul "The Kid" Size.
Their Monday night performances at the King King became popular with area residents and also drew "interest from the likes of ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Angus and Malcolm Young of AC/DC, and the then-red-hot Black Crowes. Queen guitarist Brian May showed up to jam one night..." Actor Bruce Willis and members of Motorhead, Dokken, and Red Hot Chili Peppers also joined in the jam sessions.
Read more about this topic: The Red Devils (blues Band)
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