Stereo Embers The Podcast 0492: Steve Berlin (Los Lobos. Top Jimmy And The Rhythm Pigs)
About this episode
The episode features an interview with Steve Berlin discussing the legacy of Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs and their impact on the L.A. music scene.
"Obviously Five Believers" Formed in 1980 by the Kentucky-born former roadie for X, Top Jimmy, his band Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs were local L.A. heroes. Playing a wicked blend of American roots music and scrappy R&B, Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs were a band that sizzled with equal parts howl and groove. Top Jimmy was a wildly charismatic frontman once described as an unholy combination of Howlin' Wolf and Shakespeare's Falstaff and he was such a ubiquitous presence in L.A. his outfit was once dubbed the scene's punk house band. The live show, which was a sweaty, frenetic blast of sweaty, rootsy bliss, found everyone from Tom Waits to Stevie Ray Vaughn joining them onstage. By the way, if you're wondering if the Van Halen track "Top Jimmy" is about the Top Jimmy I'm speaking of, let me just say this: there could only be one Top Jimmy. So: yes. The band's only album Pigus Drunkus Maximus which came out in 1987 on Steve Wynn of the Dream Syndicate's Down There label, was just reissued for the first time ever on CD and on pig pink colored vinyl and it's an essential addition to your record collection. Top Jimmy sang with Maria McKee and Phil Alvin, was seen getting a tattoo…
People in this episode
Host: Alex Green Online
Guest: Steve Berlin
Topics covered
- American roots music
- R&B
- punk rock history
- live music
- Los Angeles music scene
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Los Lobos, Dream Syndicate
Books & works: Pigus Drunkus Maximus
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