Pipefitters Plumb Texas Roots for Rock ‘n’ Roll Sound

Before the Pipefitters were a band, they were three guys pretending to be a band.

Chris Lindsey, Sherman Allen and Bill Allen portrayed blues musicians in a Westside theatrical production a couple years ago. Afterward, they took to jamming with a few friends and eventually decided to play for real.

With such thespian beginnings, it’s only fitting that one of the friends who joined the band was Lou Diamond Phillips, who had done some musically inclined acting himself playing Richie Valens in the film “La Bamba.”

The Pipefitters with Lou Diamond Phillips (their full name, despite the fact that they insist backup vocalist Phillips is simply another member) aren’t just for show. Most of them were musicians as well as actors. Having played together for a year now, they will make one of their infrequent Southern California appearances tonight at Pelican’s Retreat in Calabasas.

Phillips and Lindsey write most of the songs, which according to a press release fall into the category of Texas-style, R&B-flavored; rock ‘n’ roll. Lindsey offers a simpler description.

“We’re a party band,” the bassist and lead vocalist said. “No heavy political messages other than ‘Drink more beer.’ ”

The guys were buddies back in the Lone Star State. Having relocated to Los Angeles, they formed an expatriates’ poker game. Then came the stage play, written by yet another friend, and the call of the wild.

“We started playing parties and jamming at Lou’s house,” Lindsey said. “One thing led to another.”

The band appears sparingly because of the acting duties of Phillips, whose other starring roles have included “Stand and Deliver” and both “Young Guns” films. The Allens also act, and Lindsey is a screenwriter. Yet the group has found time to appear in clubs from San Francisco to Chicago to Denver.

Tonight’s show will be at what amounts to a Valley landmark, a decades-old roadhouse with a nautical theme that offers live music seven nights a week. It may be the band’s only local show, depending on the members’ schedules.

“It has definitely blossomed,” Lindsey said of the band. “This project was something that was totally fun and has developed into a viable thing.”

The Pipefitters with Lou Diamond Phillips will play at 10 tonight at Pelican’s Retreat, 24454 Calabasas Road, Calabasas. Cover charge: $6. Call (818) 222-1155.