The Blackouts

The Blackouts were a reference punk rock band from Seattle's 80s. It was formed by:

• Erich Werner as singer and guitarist
• Mike Davidson as bassist 
• William Rieflin as drummer

First Blackouts EP, 528 Seconds

The trio were playing toegther previously in a band called "The Telepaths", soon Roland Baker joined the band, he was on charge of the systhesizer and the saxophone.

With this lineup the debut EP, a 7" was released "528 Seconds" thourgh Modern Records. They proved to be a different band compared with others.

Blackouts EP, Men In Motion

The band released the EP "Men In Motion" in 1981 thorugh Engram Records, it was 12".

Four songs were included "Dead Man's Curve", "Probabilities", "Being Be" and "Five Is 5".

Blackouts EP, Exchange Of Goods and Industry

 Davidson was replaced by Roland's brother Paul Baker in 1981.

Then came another 7" EP, "Exchange Of Goods-Industry" over the label Situation Two.

The EP just included these two songs.

Then, The Blackouts moved to Boston in 1982, during these days in Massachusetts, they met Al Jourgensen of Ministry, here began their relationship with this band.

The Blackouts move to San Francisco in 1984 and toured with Ministry.

Blacouts EP, Lost Soul's Club

The next and last EP was "Lost Soul's Club" and was produced by Al Jourgensen.

It was released through Wax Trax! Records.


The breakup happened in 1985.

Paul Baker, Roland Baker and William Rieflin went to Ministry with Jourgensen, they all added their talent in otder to became Ministry in the great band we all know.

Drummer Rieflin released a solo album called "Birth of a Giant", moreover he was involved in several bands like Nine Inch Nails or R.E.M.

Erich Werner took part with Toiling Midgets.

The compilation "History in Reverse" was relased in 2004 by K Records, a label from Olympia, close to Seattle.

It collected their career and shows the band's electronic and rock sounds up.

Moreover it contained three unreleased songs.