Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones Tickets

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.