One for ALL

When I was a senior at UCLA, I used to go to the Anti-Club almost every week to see ALL, the Chemical People, or Big Drill Car play. Usually it was ALL with one of the latter two bands opening (Jawbreaker opened once, too.) It was an awesome time--my transition from old punkers and British bands to American indie stuff. At the time, Cruz and Lookout! put out almost everything I listened to. (Dischord, too.)

ALL was basically the Descendents last lineup with Dave Smalley singing (later Scott Reynolds...) and I still don't know why songs like "She's My Ex" and "Just Perfect" didn't become massive. Bass player Karl Alvarez was a big part of the sound back then and he's been doing it up until now with ALL and the Descendents--a lifer.

The news is that Karl just had a heart attack. You can find out more and help him at this site.