White Cowbell Oklahoma declares a war of attrition against boredom and shit

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 6, 2003 By Steve Newton Bands like Nashville Pussy and Southern Culture on the Skids came to prominence pushing the white-trash, hicks-from-hell angle, but there’s a new batch of inbreds in town, and they’re called White Cowbell Oklahoma. These Toronto-based hooligans have a shot at taking over the … Continue reading White Cowbell Oklahoma declares a war of attrition against boredom and shit

That time I asked Duke Robillard if there were big shoes to fill replacing Jimmie Vaughan in the Fabulous Thunderbirds

By Steve Newton I interviewed Rhode Island blues guitarist and vocalist Duke Robillard back in February of 1995, when he was touring behind his eighth album, Temptation, and about to play a show at the famed Antone’s in Austin, Texas. A few years earlier he’d been playing with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, having taken over the … Continue reading That time I asked Duke Robillard if there were big shoes to fill replacing Jimmie Vaughan in the Fabulous Thunderbirds

10 minutes on the phone with Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers in 1991

By Steve Newton Back in July of 1991 I did the second of my four interviews with American guitar legend Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band. Two weeks earlier the band had released its tenth studio album, Shades of Two Worlds, which Dickey had written most of the material for. Here’s the first ten minutes … Continue reading 10 minutes on the phone with Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers in 1991

That time Nigel Mogg of the Quireboys told me about being the nephew of Phil Mogg from UFO

By Steve Newton Back in November of 1990 I did an interview with Nigel Mogg, bassist for the Quireboys (who were known in North America as the London Quireboys.) At the time the band was touring behind its debut album, A Bit of What You Fancy, which was a rollicking platter full of Faces-style boogie … Continue reading That time Nigel Mogg of the Quireboys told me about being the nephew of Phil Mogg from UFO

Living Colour’s Vernon Reid incites his X followers to give Robin Trower some social-media love

Follow the Stratmaster at @robintrower By Steve Newton One of the things I like most about guitar players–besides hearing them play–is when they help out other guitarists. Especially when the picker being aided is as amazing, yet under-appreciated, as British rocker Robin Trower. It was very cool to find out that, last Saturday (September 23), … Continue reading Living Colour’s Vernon Reid incites his X followers to give Robin Trower some social-media love

Tommy Chong goes Cheech-less, reunites with Bobby Taylor to form the Far Out Man Band

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 23, 1988 By Steve Newton Whether you’re a new-age hemp addict, old-fashioned hippie, or charter member of the John Birch Society, you’ve probably heard of Cheech & Chong, counter-culture heroes to millions of adolescents. In the ’70s, Richard “Cheech” Marin and Tommy Chong turned out comedy albums like Big Bambu and … Continue reading Tommy Chong goes Cheech-less, reunites with Bobby Taylor to form the Far Out Man Band

Former Police-man Stewart Copeland still “bangin’ shit” at 70

By Steve Newton Stewart Copeland remembers well when he first discovered his love of music. He was around seven years old, living in Beirut, Lebanon, and gazing intently at the Persian rugs that his mother had bought in Iran. “I was listening to Carmina Burana,” he explains on the phone from his home in L.A., … Continue reading Former Police-man Stewart Copeland still “bangin’ shit” at 70

Newt’s Top 10 albums of 2000

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 14, 2000 By Steve Newton Sometimes I feel like I don’t know anything at all about popular music. Maybe you feel that way too—like I don’t know anything at all about popular music. I just don’t understand how a hate-filled sicko like Eminem can be revered by millions. … Continue reading Newt’s Top 10 albums of 2000

Newt’s Top 10 albums of 1995

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 1995 By Steve Newton I must have gotten tired of listening to rock vocalists in 1995, because the majority of my top picks for the year turned out to be instrumental releases. Who needs to rack their brain deciphering lyrics when a well-handled guitar can do all the … Continue reading Newt’s Top 10 albums of 1995

Newt’s Top 10 albums of 1997

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 18, 1997 By Steve Newton There were a lot of things that sucked the biggie in the world of music this year. From a local angle, the major disappointment was the continued vacancy of the once-fabulous Commodore Ballroom. Nationally, the lack of a new studio album from the … Continue reading Newt’s Top 10 albums of 1997

Southern Culture on the Skids’ Rick Miller loves Link Wray and Danelectros

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 8, 2001 By Steve Newton True to its name, Southern Culture on the Skids has always endeavoured to promote the stereotypical lifestyles of the culturally challenged dwellers in the former Confederate states. On previous CDs like Dirt Track Date and Plastic Seat Sweat, the North Carolina roots-rockers told … Continue reading Southern Culture on the Skids’ Rick Miller loves Link Wray and Danelectros

Southern Culture on the Skids: the finest in high-cholesterol, toe-sucking geek rock since 1985

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 16, 1995 By Steve Newton “High-cholesterol, toe-sucking geek rock.” That’s how singer-guitarist Rick Miller describes the œuvre of his band, Southern Culture on the Skids. And he’s mighty proud of it, too. Miller’s been striving to produce the finest in high-cholesterol, toe-sucking geek rock ever since forming the band back in … Continue reading Southern Culture on the Skids: the finest in high-cholesterol, toe-sucking geek rock since 1985

The Hoodoo Gurus’ Dave Faulkner on junk culture, Aussie rockers, and Mars Needs Guitars!

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 29, 1985 By Steve Newton One of the wildest rock and roll sounds to come up from Down Under recently is that of the Hoodoo Gurus. Just last year the Aussie foursome released their debut album, Stoneage Romeos, a thoroughly rocking blend of pop/punk, Merseybeat, and psychedelia–all slapped on a two-guitar … Continue reading The Hoodoo Gurus’ Dave Faulkner on junk culture, Aussie rockers, and Mars Needs Guitars!