The classic lineup of Dave Alvin, Phil Alvin, John Bazz, Bill Bateman, and Gene Taylor are reuniting for the outing. Although the band never technically broke up, it’s been years – 17 to be precise – since the original quintet last toured. They regrouped this past May and June for a set of shows in Los Angeles.

Those six gigs spawned the group’s first full-length live CD. The disc, Trouble Bound, will be released October 15 and contains a few new songs as well as Blaster standards including “Marie Marie,” “Long White Cadillac,” “So Long Baby Goodbye,” and “Red Rose.”

The band’s last studio album was 1985’s Hard Line and featured guest spots from Ry Cooder and John Mellencamp. Then, Dave Alvin left the group, effectively disbanding the outfit. Although the remaining members continued on under The Blasters’ name, they continuously cycled through band members and couldn’t reignite that original spark.

Brothers Phil and Dave Alvin, along with friends Bill Bateman and John Bazz, founded The Blasters during the ‘70s as restless teenagers in Los Angeles. Drawn to rootsy blues and rockabilly sounds, the band soon gained a following among the punks in the area and often shared an audience with X, whose fans lapped up The Blasters’ raw and edgy tunes.

The band released their debut, American Music, in 1980 and hit the road touring with Queen. However, it wasn’t until their self-titled release one year later, that The Blasters really glimpsed fame.

Although they developed a rabid fan following and the nod of approval from critics, The Blasters remained a largely underground band. After Dave’s departure in the mid-‘80s, they sort of fell off the map, despite continually gigging and releasing albums.

Dates confirmed for The Blasters’ reunion tour start November 6 with a two-night stand in Chicago and continue Eastward. More shows are expected to be added to the itinerary.