Biography
In the early 1980s California roots and rockabilly scene, the Paladins emerged as key figures alongside Los Lobos and the Blasters. Guitarist and vocalist Dave Gonzalez joined bassist Thomas Yearsley to launch the group during their high school years in San Diego in the late 1970s, with guitarist Whit Broadly and drummer Gus Griffin completing the original lineup. Broadly soon departed, leaving the classic Paladins trio intact. Their traditional style of energetic R&B, blues, and rockabilly built a loyal regional audience while securing support slots alongside X, the Blasters, the Stray Cats, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Kim Wilson, vocalist of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, produced the band's self-titled debut album released in 1986. Subsequent releases on Alligator Records included the 1988 album Years Since Yesterday and 1990's Let's Buzz.
Throughout the 1990s the group explored a deeper fusion of rockin' R&B and blues across the 1994 album Ticket Home, the 1996 live release Million Mile Club, and 1999's Rejiveinated. That same year Slippin' In appeared, signaling a return to the rockabilly-focused approach of their initial recordings. Palvoline No. 7 arrived in 2001, followed by Matador two years later. The 2007 concert album Power Shake captured a live performance in Holland. Over time the lineup shifted, with drummers Brian Fahey, Scott B. Campbell, and Jeff Donovan plus bassist Joey Jazdzewski each appearing alongside Gonzalez.
Around 2004 Gonzalez stepped away for side projects including the Hacienda Brothers and the Stone River Boys. The Paladins reunited in 2011 at the Ink & Iron Festival in Long Beach, California. They have since played additional live shows and issued the 2013 EP Wicked. In 2017 the band returned with New World, their first studio album in more than a decade.
Throughout the 1990s the group explored a deeper fusion of rockin' R&B and blues across the 1994 album Ticket Home, the 1996 live release Million Mile Club, and 1999's Rejiveinated. That same year Slippin' In appeared, signaling a return to the rockabilly-focused approach of their initial recordings. Palvoline No. 7 arrived in 2001, followed by Matador two years later. The 2007 concert album Power Shake captured a live performance in Holland. Over time the lineup shifted, with drummers Brian Fahey, Scott B. Campbell, and Jeff Donovan plus bassist Joey Jazdzewski each appearing alongside Gonzalez.
Around 2004 Gonzalez stepped away for side projects including the Hacienda Brothers and the Stone River Boys. The Paladins reunited in 2011 at the Ink & Iron Festival in Long Beach, California. They have since played additional live shows and issued the 2013 EP Wicked. In 2017 the band returned with New World, their first studio album in more than a decade.
Albums
Singles
