Dave Alvin

Dave Alvin
Dave Alvin in 2011
Background information
Born	(1955-11-11) November 11, 1955 (age 61)
Origin	Downey, California, United States
Genres	Americana, Alternative country, roots rock, punk rock, rockabilly
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer-songwriter, music producer
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1980–present
Labels	Rhino, Yep Roc
Associated acts	The Blasters the Knitters the Flesh Eaters X

David Albert "Dave" Alvin (born November 11, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, music producer and poet. He is a former and founding member of the roots rock band the Blasters. Alvin has recorded and performed as a solo artist since the late 1980s, and has been involved in various side projects and collaborations as well. He has had brief stints as a member of the bands X and the Knitters.

Alvin grew up in Downey, California. As teenagers, he and his older brother Phil Alvin attended rockabilly, and country venues and listened to the music of Chet Atkins, Leo Kotke, among others. Alvin attended Long Beach State University.

In 1979, Alvin and his brother Phil formed the roots rock band the Blasters with fellow Downey residents Bill Bateman and John Bazz. Alvin served as the group's lead guitarist and chief songwriter. Despite a growing fan base in the United States and Europe, Alvin left the band in 1986 and became the lead guitarist of the Los Angeles-based alternative rock band, X. He left X in 1987 to work on a solo project after the group recorded their album See How We Are. Alvin became a member of country-folk band the Knitters and appeared on their 1985 album Poor Little Critter on the Road and their 2005 follow-up, The Modern Sounds of The Knitters.

In the early 1980s Alvin, along with fellow Blasters members Bill Bateman and Steve Berlin, performed on several albums by the Los Angeles punk band the Flesh Eaters. Alvin also played with the Gun Club and appeared on two songs from their 1984 album, The Las Vegas Story.