True West, a guitar band from California's Sacramento Valley, was formed around singer Gavin Blair and guitarists Richard McGrath and Russ Tolman. The group gained initial attention with their cover of "Lucifer Sam" by Syd Barrett/Pink Floyd in 1982. Their self-released five-song EP in 1983 allowed them to tour extensively. The band's first album, Drifters, was released in 1984 and received critical acclaim from Rolling Stone. True West toured with R.E.M. on their 1985 Fables of the Reconstruction tour. The band disbanded in summer 1985 due to constant touring and disappointing contractual negotiations. In 1987, bassist Kevin Staydohar died of a heart valve infection. True West reformed in 2006 with original members Tolman, McGrath, and Blair, along with new members drummer Jim Huie and bassist Ian Barrett, releasing Hollywood Holiday Revisited in 2007.
