Musician and Poet Dave Alvin

Poet, musician Dave Alvin, is best known for his songwriting and guitar playing for the Blasters and the influential punk band X, as well as his solo career. He has a new collection of his poems and writings called, "Any Rough Times Are Now Behind You,"(Incommunicado)

In his new memoir, Under The Big Black Sun: A Personal History Of L.A. Punk, John Doe of the band X brings together his own essays and stories from other musicians and scene-makers of that time. A conversation with Doe, with his bandmate Exene Cervenka, and with Dave Alvin of the Blasters who played with X for a short time.

Dave and Phil Alvin have made their first full album together in nearly 30 years, a tribute to one of their early influences. "His persona was so big to me," Phil Alvin tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross.