Stereo Embers The Podcast 0492: Steve Berlin (Los Lobos. Top Jimmy And The Rhythm Pigs)

“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 from John Doe in the Decline of Western Civilization and hung out with David Lee Roth. The guy was everywhere and remains, to this day, one of the most charismatic characters in rock and roll history. As for his sax player Steve Berlin, well, Mr. Berlin after leaving the band, went on to become one of the greatest rock and roll sax players ever. The Philadelphia born Berlin is a full time member of Los Lobos, and the list of people he’s played with and produced is just ridiculous. Let me give you a partial list: The Tragically Hip, R.E.M., Faith No More, the Go-Go’s, Great Big Sea, The Replacements, Rickie Lee Jones and the Beat Farmers. And believe me, I could go on. An unbelievable player of steady finesse and power, Steve Berlin is an absolute legend and I wish this conversation could have gone on for hours.

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Stereo Embers : The Podcast