True West (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 in California, United States |
| Founder | Gavin Blair, Russ Tolman |
| Defunct | 1987 |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunited in 2006 |
| Headquarters | Sacramento Valley, California , United States |
Key people | Gavin Blair (vocalist), Richard McGrath (guitarist), Russ Tolman (guitarist) |
| Products | Albums, EPs, singles, live performances |
True West is a guitar-driven band linked to the Paisley Underground movement. The primary members include vocalist Gavin Blair along with guitarists Richard McGrath and Russ Tolman.
Formation
Hailing from California's Sacramento Valley, True West emerged alongside Los Angeles groups such as The Dream Syndicate, Green on Red, and The Long Ryders. Between 1979 and 1981, Gavin Blair and Russ Tolman collaborated in The Suspects, a band based in Davis that featured a young Steve Wynn (later of The Dream Syndicate) and Kendra Smith.
In 1981, Tolman became part of The Meantime in Davis, a lineup that included Sean O'Brien, Rick Gates, and Kevin Vanderhoof (now known as Kevin Wilkins). This group issued a self-titled 7" EP comprising three songs, with one track produced by David Gates from Bread. Later that year, Tolman persuaded the band to adopt the name True West. After Sean O'Brien's departure in January 1982, the lineup had shifted considerably by the time they recorded their debut single, leaving Tolman as the sole constant member.
Recording Journey
True West attracted early recognition in 1982 through their rendition of Syd Barrett/Pink Floyd's "Lucifer Sam," which showcased psychedelic elements by reversing the track for its B-side, titled "Mas Reficul." They quickly became prominent figures within the West Coast neo-psychedelic Paisley Underground scene, distinguished by the dual lead guitar interplay between McGrath and Tolman.
Their self-issued five-track EP in 1983, co-produced by Russ Tolman and Steve Wynn, launched an extensive U.S. tour. This exposure caught the eye of Tom Verlaine from Television, who invited them to Bearsville Studios to record demos for EMI America. Rolling Stone featured them in March 1984’s "Rock & Roll Rookies: Ten Bands You'll Be Hearing From Soon," further elevating their profile.
The band’s debut full-length album, Drifters, was released in September 1984. This record embraced folk-rock influences and presented a more polished sound compared to their earlier work (later reissued as the mini-LP Hollywood Holiday). Rolling Stone’s David Fricke lauded it as "guitar poetry."
True West also garnered attention from notable industry figures such as Prince, who praised McGrath’s expressive guitar solos following a Minneapolis performance. In April 1985, they ventured into the U.K. market amidst what was dubbed the "American Invasion," receiving prominent coverage in influential music magazines like NME, Melody Maker, and Sounds. Although major labels expressed interest—with potential production involvement from Steve Lillywhite—issues with work permits hindered essential British television appearances that might have led to a major recording contract.
After completing a successful European tour, True West returned stateside to work on their third album. Subsequently, they supported R.E.M. during the western U.S. and Canadian dates of the 1985 Fables of the Reconstruction tour, performing at large venues including Seattle's Paramount Theatre and Los Angeles' Greek Theatre, which marked their exposure to significantly larger audiences.
Disbandment
Following two years marked by relentless touring and narrowly missed major label deals, True West dissolved in the summer of 1985. Russ Tolman embarked on a solo path while the remaining members regrouped without him to produce their third album, Hand Of Fate, released in 1986. In 1987, bassist Kevin Staydohar—who also played with Thin White Rope—passed away due to a heart valve infection.
After the breakup, guitarist Richard McGrath joined forces with Wall of Voodoo’s frontman Stan Ridgway and collaborated with vocalist Gavin Blair on two albums under the name The Fool Killers, including the 1989 release Out Of State Miracle. Russ Tolman went on to release eight solo records, with his most recent album arriving in 2019.
Reunion
In 2006, True West reunited with original members Tolman, McGrath, and Blair, supplemented by drummer Jim Huie and bassist Ian Barrett. The band maintained an active touring schedule through at least 2009.
On June 5, 2007, Atavistic Worldwide/Touch And Go Records issued Hollywood Holiday Revisited, a CD compilation combining True West's initial two albums, Hollywood Holiday and Drifters.
A concert DVD titled The West Is History was released on January 24, 2012, by Atavistic Video (distributed by MVD). This DVD showcases a five-camera recording of a 2007 live show at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, California, along with archival footage from performances in 1983 and 1985.
In 2009, True West appeared at Norway's Down On The Farm festival, sharing the stage with artists such as Stan Ridgway.
The band released a comprehensive 3CD collection in 2021 called Kaleidoscope of Shadows: The Story So Far on their Bring Out Your Dead label. This anthology features all three studio albums—including the debut CD appearance of Hand of Fate—six demos from 1985, additional tracks from the Hand of Fate recording sessions, plus numerous live recordings. Drummer Jim Huie and reissue producer Pat Thomas curated this extensive compilation.
Albums
- Hollywood Holiday (1983, New Rose & 1984, PVC/Passport)
- Drifters (1984, PVC/Passport)
- Hand of Fate (1986, CD Presents)
Reissues
- Hollywood Holiday Revisited (Atavistic, 2007)
- Kaleidoscope of Shadows: The Story So Far 3CD (2021, Bring Out Your Dead)
EPs
- True West – 12" 33⅓ (1983, Bring Out Your Dead Records)
Singles
- "Lucifer Sam"/"Mas Reficul" (1982)
Videography
- The West Is History: Live at The House of Blues (DVD, 2011)
External links
- True West at AllMusic
- True West discography at Discogs
- Davis 80s Music Archive (archived)