By Steve Newton Back on February 24, 1997, I interviewed guitarist Chad Taylor before his band, Live, played a sold-out show at a Vancouver nightclub called the Rage. That was nine days after the release of the band's fourth album, Secret Samadhi, which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over … Continue reading That time Live’s Chad Taylor told me that the beauty of music is that it’s not held back by anything
Category: american made
That time Dave Alvin told me what it was like being in the Pleasure Barons with Country Dick Montana and Mojo Nixon
By Steve Newton I've interviewed American singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Alvin, a founding member of the Blasters, four times over the years, 'cause he's just plain great. This is the first time, back in November of 1991, when he was touring behind his second solo album, Blue Blvd. At one point in the conversation I … Continue reading That time Dave Alvin told me what it was like being in the Pleasure Barons with Country Dick Montana and Mojo Nixon
Illuminating Mike Cooley’s songwriting brilliance through four Drive-By Truckers tunes
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 2, 2010 By Steve Newton Just got back from a family vacation to Powell River, and man, if you ever get the chance to go kayaking in Desolation Sound's Okeover Inlet, take it. The scenery is stunning and you can get up close and personal with bald eagles, seals, and huge … Continue reading Illuminating Mike Cooley’s songwriting brilliance through four Drive-By Truckers tunes
That time I asked Jim Heath of Reverend Horton Heat if rock ‘n’ roll paid the bills
By Steve Newton Back in August of 1995 I did the first of my four interviews with Jim Heath, singer-guitarist and main songwriter for the Texas psychobilly trio Reverend Horton Heat. When I called him up at his home in Dallas he told me that he was just hangin' around the house, dealing with some paperwork, … Continue reading That time I asked Jim Heath of Reverend Horton Heat if rock ‘n’ roll paid the bills
R.I.P. Eric Carmen, who wrote and sang one of the greatest power-pop tunes of all time
By Steve Newton Sad news making the rounds tonight, that American singer-songwriter Eric Carmen has passed away at the age of 74. Carmen's wife Amy announced his death on his website today, giving neither a cause nor a specific date of death. "It is with tremendous sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the … Continue reading R.I.P. Eric Carmen, who wrote and sang one of the greatest power-pop tunes of all time
That time Leslie Knauer of Precious Metal told me how Donald Trump screwed her band over
By Steve Newton I interviewed Precious Metal vocalist Leslie Knauer in March of 1991, when the L.A. based glam-metal band was touring behind its third and final album. That self-titled release featured a remake of Jean Knight's 1971 hit "Mr. Big Stuff", and the group had shot a video for it featuring former (and possibly, … Continue reading That time Leslie Knauer of Precious Metal told me how Donald Trump screwed her band over
That time Phil Caivano of Blitzspeer told me that L.A.’s metal scene sucked compared to New York’s
By Steve Newton I interviewed Blitzspeer singer-guitarist Phil Caivano in March of 1991, when the New York City metal band was touring behind its debut album, which was actually a live EP. The quartet would break up two years later after releasing the studio album Saves, and Caivano would go on to join Monster Magnet, … Continue reading That time Phil Caivano of Blitzspeer told me that L.A.’s metal scene sucked compared to New York’s
That time I asked Tommy Stinson if there was anything he’d change about his time with the Replacements
By Steve Newton I interviewed Minneapolis rocker Tommy Stinson back in June of 1993, when his band Bash and Pop was heading to Vancouver for a show at the Town Pump. Stinson is best known for his work with his previous group, the Replacements. He was only 14 when the Replacements released their first album … Continue reading That time I asked Tommy Stinson if there was anything he’d change about his time with the Replacements
That time I asked Ugly Kid Joe guitarist Klaus Eichstadt how the band’s recent hit, “Everything About You”, came together
By Steve Newton Way back in June of 1993 I interviewed 25-year-old Ugly Kid Joe guitarist Klaus Eichstadt on the phone from his parents' house in San Francisco. Three weeks later his band was set to play Foxfest at Seabird Island near Agassiz, B.C., with Def Leppard, Tom Cochrane, Rockhead, April Wine, and Sven Gali. The … Continue reading That time I asked Ugly Kid Joe guitarist Klaus Eichstadt how the band’s recent hit, “Everything About You”, came together
The Georgia Satellites’ Rick Richards on opening for Bowie, playing with Zevon, and lamenting Atlanta’s music scene
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 14, 1987 By Steve Newton The last time the Georgia Satellites were in Vancouver they opened for Bob Seger at BC Place. That was an understandable pairing, since both acts are known to boogie till the cows come home. This time around the Satellites will be on the same bill as … Continue reading The Georgia Satellites’ Rick Richards on opening for Bowie, playing with Zevon, and lamenting Atlanta’s music scene
That time I asked Gary Louris of the Jayhawks how their tour was goin’ opening for Tom Petty
By Steve Newton I interviewed Jayhawks singer-guitarist and co-songwriter Gary Louris back in April of 1995, when his band was promoting its fourth studio album, Tomorrow the Green Grass. At the time the group was opening for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on the Dogs With Wings Tour, so of course I had to ask … Continue reading That time I asked Gary Louris of the Jayhawks how their tour was goin’ opening for Tom Petty
Webb Wilder’s twangy roots-rock is more like a shotgun than a sniper
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 8, 1989 By Steve Newton Childhood traumas come in all shapes and sizes--and occur when you least expect them. For Webb Wilder, leader of the crazed Mississippi rock band that sports his name, being kicked off a school bus--clarinet and all--was somewhat of a milestone in a career that brings him … Continue reading Webb Wilder’s twangy roots-rock is more like a shotgun than a sniper
Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler is a real chatterbox
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 14, 2011 By Steve Newton Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler called from L.A. to promote his upcoming gig at Vancouver's Venue on August 25, and once he started talking, he didn't want to stop. He chatted about everything from the tuna salad sandwich he'd just had for lunch in the … Continue reading Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler is a real chatterbox