The Bootheels (Livestock)

The Bootheels/Livestock

Short-lived garage band "The Bootheels" consisted of 17-year-old friends Luther Russell on vocals and bass, Jakob Dylan on guitar, Tobi Miller on guitar and Aaron Brooks on drums.

Luther Russell met Tobi Miller in the late 80's at a Los Angeles guitar store. Luther recalls the story of how they met: "He was looking to jam with a bassist and we both liked The Replacements. The night we actually hooked up, he asked me to come to the airport to pick up a friend. It turned out to be Jake. We hit it off right away as he [Jake] was a fan of the Replacements too."

With a common love for music, the trio hooked up with drummer Aaron Brooks (the son of an old friend of Luther's mom) and "The Bootheels" were born.

The band found a practice place in Tobi Miller's mom's garage and got to work. Luther wrote most of the material, although Jakob co-wrote a number of songs. About Jakob, Luther remembers "He was shy back then and didn't care to sing, though we encouraged him quite a bit."

It wasn't long before the group got themselves some gigs in West LA., including shows at The Troubador and Madame Wong's West under the name "Livestock". The name change was an attempt to keep curious onlookers from knowing that a Dylan son was in the band. The plan didn't always work. Luther explains: "At our few shows, Dylan freaks used to ask me if I was Bob Dylan's son and I would say "Yes", with Jake lurking behind me."

As much as it was a gang of friends hanging out together, ("we got drunk and went to Taco Bell a lot"), the music was what brought them together and it remained the focus in their lives. Luther remembers "We actually were a damn good band and just a hair ahead of our time. The band broke up because Jakob went to art school. This led to Tobi and I forming the 45's. Where the Boot Heels were basically root's rock, the 45's were more aggressive." "In reality, the Bootheels were only around for most of 1988, but it seemed like forever when we were 17."

Special Thanks to Luther Russell for the interview...