There are few clichés as enduring and as ultimately true as brothers who will beat each other physically and emotionally senseless, but woe to the soul outside of the family circle who inflicts the same damage. That scenario is regularly played out with an even sharper edge in a musical setting.
The Alvins don’t fit exactly into that particular construct. Although they had their share of creative differences and physical altercations during their co-membership in The Blasters, the relationship between Dave and Phil Alvin never splintered irrevocably.
Perhaps the best evidence of the connection between the Alvins is 2014’s Grammy-nominated Common Ground, their aptly titled tribute to Blues legend Big Bill Broonzy. Read more about the pair in this week's Sound Advice.
Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin and The Guilty Ones play 20th Century Theater Wednesday with Sarah Borges. More info/tickets: 20thcenturytheatre.com .