Bill is the real deal, the nicest, most down to earth and doesn't suffer fools. I had the honor of playing with him in a line up of The Flesh Eaters in the mid-late 90's and then subsequently he played drums in a heavy psych band I had called The Alpha Stares. We did a bunch of shows together and it was great to know a guy who had worked with legends but who would still get down with you if he was into the music. Much love for this guy! Thanks for getting him to talk a bit, there is easily a book in that guy!
I was working at the Cathay de Grande when Bateman and Bonebrake played that show together. Was it packed? That's how I remembered it. It was dynamite, percussive (0; and charged with high energy. I have never seen anything like it. Drum solos were supposed to be boring, any solos were boring but this was different, this was exciting and fun and the audience was stoked. Bill IS a nice guy with tons of stories. I'd totally read his book. I'd even read it in a 63 Dodge Dart, if only I still had that car...
It's amazing to me that these guys ( Blasters) all lived in the same neighborhood growing up. All of them are so talented and meshed together musically so well. That was meant to be!
This is a great interview, The Blasters are my favorite band, and I got to meet Bill and the guys backstage here in Chicago, great guys! Thanks for the interview! #Freddysparascope
A high quality interview with Bill was long over due. He's probably the most knowledgeable guy on the Stones library I've ever met and he's got a music memory like NO OTHER. How many of us can remember all of their hard driven days but when it comes to who, what, where and why.... I guarantee you this. This bad ass but smooth as butter sticks man can rip up a Stones song everytime. Shit...he even makes his own drums people. PS: Bill, I still have the Silverton you bought way back..... about 1979-80? Needs a little TLC but I'll never sell this thing. Got any spare parts?
Bill and I were buddies in High school In Downey. I remember when he first got his drum set and was teaching himself to play. Once, I found an old leather biker’s jacket and traded it to Bill for a Disraeli Gears album…still have it! Bill, if you ever read this, it was a pleasure knowing you as a kid. Glad you followed your passion!
Such a great drummer. His work in The Blasters and Red Devils is unmatched. The Blasters had such depth. When they played together, it was like listening to a well tuned, hard running engine.
I enjoyed that. I saw the blasters in the early 1980's in Regina. I think Gene (piano) and Lee (sax) were there too. Amazing show. A pity I never got to see Bill with The Cramps nor with The Red Devils. Cheers. 👍👍
I've known Bill since I was a youngster, and i simply love this interview! I was at the Cathay one night that Bill & D.J. played. Exene presented "Room To Think" at the Cathay on a weekly basis. Sandy Nelson made a special guest appearance the night that I was there. I also saw Bill & D.J. with John Densmore at the Lhasa Club gig that he's mentioning. Great memories! Love this guy!
