It took a near-death experience to reunite Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin, the California brothers at the heart of "roots heroes" (Rolling Stone) The Blasters.

"Phil died and was brought back to life over in Spain," Dave says of his brother's 2012 health scare. "That was a real wakeup call to me. We hadn't made a full album together since 1985, but as you get older, you realize you're not immortal and you've only got so much time."

It’s a real coup for promoters, The Fallen Angels Club especially with the brothers’ current album – "Common Ground: Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy" – going down a storm.

This is the Californians’ first collaborative effort in 30 years and their first as brothers as opposed to being members of The Blasters, which Dave quit in 1985 to pursue an illustrious solo career.

The brothers are widely recognised as real mainstays of the roots/rock genre, separately or together – so this gig promises to be something rather special.