1981. A maniacal musical force is introduced to New Orleans in the form of 17-year-old drummer Fred LeBlanc. Guitarist Paul Sanchez recalls LeBlanc's audition with the Backbeats: "Fred was like this little kid with what looked like a toy drum set. But as soon as he hit it, it exploded. He downed a fifth of whiskey like it was nothing. We knew then we were in for trouble."

After a pounding set at Jimmy's, Fred is congratulated by Chris Luckette, the drummer with the Cold and th...