Born Under a Bad Sign

The Pat Travers Band’s cover of Born Under a Bad Sign from their 1980 album Crash and Burn is a gritty, blues-rock rendition of the classic song originally written by Booker T. Jones and William Bell for Albert King. The track showcases Pat Travers’ searing guitar work, with a sleazy, groovy vibe that stands out on the album. One piece of trivia comes from fan discussions on Reddit, where listeners praise its “crunchy and mean” delivery, noting it as one of the better covers of the song, rivaling even Cream’s version. On Discogs, fans highlight how the song’s heavy guitar riffs could “melt your speakers,” emphasizing Travers’ monstrous shredding style that influenced players like Metallica’s Kirk Hammett. The song was also performed live during a 1980 concert at the Warfield in San Francisco, captured in the bootleg release Snortin’ Whiskey at the Warfield, available on Bandcamp, showcasing the band’s raw energy.

Despite its strengths, not all fans were thrilled with the cover. A review on Amazon called it “bland” and suggested it felt like filler compared to original tracks like Snortin’ Whiskey. However, others disagree, with a blog review describing it as a favorite for its sleazy groove and Travers’ ability to make the song his own. The track’s inclusion on Crash and Burn, the band’s highest-charting album at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, helped cement its place in their live sets, as evidenced by fan comments on Reddit recalling high-energy performances. The song’s enduring appeal is clear from recent posts on TheTikiHut subreddit, where Zoo Freaks and other music lovers continue to share and rediscover it.

Pat Travers, born Patrick Henry Travers on April 12, 1954, in Toronto, Canada, began his musical journey after picking up the guitar at age 12, inspired by seeing Jimi Hendrix perform in Ottawa. As detailed on Wikipedia and Last.fm, Travers played in local bands like The Music Machine, Red Hot, and Merge during his teens, honing his skills in Quebec’s club scene. His big break came when rock artist Ronnie Hawkins, known for mentoring young musicians, invited Travers to perform with him. In his early twenties, Travers moved to London and signed with Polydor Records, releasing his self-titled debut album in 1976, featuring longtime bassist Peter “Mars” Cowling. His early work, marked by bluesy hard rock, drew comparisons to Robin Trower, but Travers carved out his own niche with albums like Putting It Straight and Heat in the Street, as noted on ClassicRockHistory.com.

By 1978, Travers formed the Pat Travers Band with guitarist Pat Thrall, Cowling, and drummer Tommy Aldridge, a lineup that became iconic during their Crash and Burn era. The band’s relentless touring, including supporting Rush and performing at the Reading Music Festival before 35,000 fans, built a loyal following known as “Hammer Heads.” Travers’ career has spanned over 40 years, with 36 albums released between 1976 and 2015, and he continues to tour with a current lineup featuring Alex Petrosky on drums and David Pastorius on bass. His influence is acknowledged by guitarists like Paul Gilbert and Kirk Hammett, who cite him as a “guitar god” on BestEverAlbums.com. Despite some fans on Reddit noting Travers’ occasionally gruff demeanor, his musicianship remains undeniable, with live albums like Live! Go for What You Know showcasing his instrumental prowess.

For more on Pat Travers, visit his official website at pattravers.com. Connect with him on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can join discussions on the Pat Travers Band Fan Club on Facebook or explore fan-curated content on sites like Last.fm and The Grooveman’s Collection, where Zoo Freaks and Hammer Heads share their love for Travers’ music.