Dave Alvin, the group's primary songwriter, left The Blasters in 1986. Like many other pairs of rock 'n' roll siblings, the Alvins got into fights with each other. In 2015, Dave also recalled that the internal tension in the band extended beyond his tumultuous relationship with Phil. Ultimately, though, he wanted to sing his own songs. Dave joined X for a brief stint before launching his critically acclaimed solo career. However, Hollywood Fats (birth name: Michael L. Mann) soon came aboard, appearing with The Blasters at Farm Aid II.