Karl Alvarez
Encyclopedia
Karl Matthew Alvarez is the bass guitar
player for both the Descendents and All
, the band that resulted after the Descendents disbanded again in 1987.
Alvarez joined the Descendents after the Enjoy! album from his previous band The Massacre Guys, and played on all of the All albums, and the Descendents albums All, Everything Sucks and Cool To Be You. He plays finger style bass and provides backing vocals when live (and lead vocals as heard in "Cause" on the All Live Plus One
album). Since joining the band he has been a major songwriter contributing many songs to All (both the album and the band), Everything Sucks
and Cool To Be You
. In the summer of 2006 he joined Gypsy Punk band Gogol Bordello
for part of the Van's Warped Tour
and the Reading and Leeds Festivals
. Karl currently plays guitar and sings in Underminer and the Vultures.
Since 2004 Karl has played with The Last
along with Descendents/All drummer Bill Stevenson. He is currently a singer in a band called Underminer.
In 2006 Karl played on The Lemonheads
self-titled comeback album which was released on Los Angeles' Vagrant Records
.
During their last two Canadian tours (2007 and 2009, respectively), Karl filled on in bass for Canadian celtic-punk group The Real McKenzies.
Australian punk band Frenzal Rhomb
wrote a song about Karl, on their 2011 album, Smoko At The Pet Food Factory, called 'Alvarez'.
Karl suffered a mild heart attack on August 11, 2007. He is now recovering and expected to tour with the Lemonheads later in 2007. A page has been set up to help cover medical expenses.
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
player for both the Descendents and All
ALL (band)
All is an American punk band originally from Los Angeles, currently residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, formed by Descendents members Bill Stevenson, Karl Alvarez, and Stephen Egerton.-Formation and Cruz Records Years:...
, the band that resulted after the Descendents disbanded again in 1987.
Alvarez joined the Descendents after the Enjoy! album from his previous band The Massacre Guys, and played on all of the All albums, and the Descendents albums All, Everything Sucks and Cool To Be You. He plays finger style bass and provides backing vocals when live (and lead vocals as heard in "Cause" on the All Live Plus One
Live Plus One
Live Plus One is a live album by the punk rock bands All and the Descendents, released in 2001 through Epitaph Records. A double album, it includes one disc by All recorded March 30 and 31 at the Starlight in Fort Collins, Colorado, and a second disc by the Descendents recorded October 10–14, 1996...
album). Since joining the band he has been a major songwriter contributing many songs to All (both the album and the band), Everything Sucks
Everything Sucks (Descendents album)
Everything Sucks is the fifth studio album by the punk rock band the Descendents, released in 1996 through Epitaph Records. It was their first album of new studio material since 1987's All, after which singer Milo Aukerman had left the band to pursue a career in biochemistry...
and Cool To Be You
Cool to Be You
Cool to Be You is the sixth studio album by the punk rock band the Descendents, released in 2004 through Fat Wreck Chords. It was their first album of new studio material since 1996's Everything Sucks, which had been released through Epitaph Records...
. In the summer of 2006 he joined Gypsy Punk band Gogol Bordello
Gogol Bordello
Gogol Bordello is a Gypsy punk band from the Lower East Side of Manhattan, formed in 1999 and known for theatrical stage shows and persistent touring.Much of the band's sound is inspired by Gypsy music...
for part of the Van's Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
and the Reading and Leeds Festivals
Reading and Leeds Festivals
The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, sharing the same bill. The Reading Festival is held at Little John's Farm...
. Karl currently plays guitar and sings in Underminer and the Vultures.
Since 2004 Karl has played with The Last
The Last (band)
The Last is a Los Angeles-based power pop band formed in the 1970s around three brothers: Joe , Mike , and David Nolte . They released several albums on SST Records and Bomp! Records.-History:...
along with Descendents/All drummer Bill Stevenson. He is currently a singer in a band called Underminer.
In 2006 Karl played on The Lemonheads
The Lemonheads
The Lemonheads are an American alternative rock band first formed in 1986 by Evan Dando, Ben Deily and Jesse Peretz. Dando has remained the band's only constant member....
self-titled comeback album which was released on Los Angeles' Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
.
During their last two Canadian tours (2007 and 2009, respectively), Karl filled on in bass for Canadian celtic-punk group The Real McKenzies.
Australian punk band Frenzal Rhomb
Frenzal Rhomb
Frenzal Rhomb are an Australian punk rock band which formed in 1992 with mainstay Jason Whalley on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. In 1996, Lindsay McDougall joined the line-up on lead guitar and backing vocals. Two of the group's albums have peaked into the top 20 on the ARIA Albums Chart, A...
wrote a song about Karl, on their 2011 album, Smoko At The Pet Food Factory, called 'Alvarez'.
Karl suffered a mild heart attack on August 11, 2007. He is now recovering and expected to tour with the Lemonheads later in 2007. A page has been set up to help cover medical expenses.