ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 18, 2002 By Steve Newton The leadoff track on the latest Reverend Horton Heat CD, Lucky 7, is titled “Loco Gringos Like a Party”. When I first heard it, I thought it was about a bunch of tequila-guzzling crazies that the Reverend (aka Jim Heath) and his bandmates … Continue reading Jim Heath says that he borrowed guitar licks from the same people Brian Setzer did
Category: american made
Tony Furtado became entranced by slide guitar via Ry Cooder
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 9, 2002 By Steve Newton Who’da thunk that the lowly banjo would ever be perceived as such a cool instrument? Okay, so it isn’t exactly fashionable, but in the hands of innovative pickers like Bela Fleck and Tony Furtado, it’s certainly getting known for more than just “Dueling … Continue reading Tony Furtado became entranced by slide guitar via Ry Cooder
Collective Soul’s Ed Roland is still shocked by the success of “Shine”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 17, 1994 By Steve Newton In today's high-tech, high-finance music world--where flavour-of-the-month recording "artists" of questionable talent can essentially buy fame with expensive corporate-funded video clips--it's nice to know that devoted, honest folks with simple, strong tunes can still get a shot at the big time. Such is the case with … Continue reading Collective Soul’s Ed Roland is still shocked by the success of “Shine”
Kelly Joe Phelps puts the slide away to focus on his songwriting
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 13, 2001 By Steve Newton After releasing three albums that showcased his superior skill on slide guitar, Kelly Joe Phelps did a complete about-face. His new CD, Sky Like a Broken Clock, contains no slide at all. Nada. Not even a little tweak. It makes you wonder if … Continue reading Kelly Joe Phelps puts the slide away to focus on his songwriting
Christopher Thorn thinks comparing Unified Theory to Blind Melon is an easy out
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 27, 2000 By Steve Newton When Blind Melon vocalist Shannon Hoon died of a drug overdose in New Orleans in 1995, the career of his popular recording group passed away with him. In fact, guitarist Christopher Thorn didn’t even know if he wanted to be in a band … Continue reading Christopher Thorn thinks comparing Unified Theory to Blind Melon is an easy out
The Reverend Horton Heat confesses that he used to drink a lot of Jack Daniel’s
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 6, 2000 By Steve Newton Jim Heath, aka the Reverend Horton Heat, has had some pretty impressive folks produce his records over the years. Back in ’93, Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers put his stamp on The Full Custom Gospel of the Reverend Horton Heat, then a … Continue reading The Reverend Horton Heat confesses that he used to drink a lot of Jack Daniel’s
Atlanta’s Forty Fives employ Lennon-style screams and guitars to Get It Together
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 15, 2000 By Steve Newton Atlanta’s Forty Fives were hugely influenced by the British Invasion of the early ’60s, so it’s no big shock that singer-guitarist Bryan Malone winds up sounding a lot like “Twist and Shout”–era John Lennon on a couple of tunes from the band’s debut … Continue reading Atlanta’s Forty Fives employ Lennon-style screams and guitars to Get It Together
Matthew Sweet channels Phil Spector, goes session-player crazy on In Reverse
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 4, 1999 By Steve Newton Matthew Sweet is best-known for stripped-down, three-and-a-half-minute pop-rock tunes that require no more than five people to perform. But on his new CD, In Reverse, the Nebraska native goes hog-wild in the personnel department, lining up as many as 17 musicians to play … Continue reading Matthew Sweet channels Phil Spector, goes session-player crazy on In Reverse
The Bomboras’ Farfisa-loving Gregg “Candy Land” Hunt says he’s an Animals fan to the end
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 16, 1998 By Steve Newton I’ve been a horror fan as long as I can remember, so the new Bomboras CD, Head Shrinkin’ Fun, caught my eye immediately. Even before I heard the Southern California quintet’s surf-garage sound, they were winning points with me for the CD jacket, … Continue reading The Bomboras’ Farfisa-loving Gregg “Candy Land” Hunt says he’s an Animals fan to the end
Dave Alvin goes folk, says some Blasters fans will never forgive him for leaving the band
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 16, 1998 By Steve Newton Dave Alvin used to rock Vancouver in the ’80s as lead guitarist for the Blasters, but this weekend (July 17-19) he’ll be turning down and tuning in to the folksy vibe of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach Park. He’ll be … Continue reading Dave Alvin goes folk, says some Blasters fans will never forgive him for leaving the band
Jim Heath isn’t big on Dallas music critics or Neil Young’s guitar, but loves the theme from Jonny Quest
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 2, 1998 By Steve Newton Just before Reverend Horton Heat singer-guitarist Jim Heath is due to ring the Straight from his Missouri hotel, I’m checking out his band’s Web site, searching for last-minute interview clues. I see that he personally contributes to the site with sporadic updates from … Continue reading Jim Heath isn’t big on Dallas music critics or Neil Young’s guitar, but loves the theme from Jonny Quest
Versatile Michelle Malone just as comfortable touring with ZZ Top as with Indigo Girls
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 26, 1998 By Steve Newton I wasn’t expecting to uncover any local angles as I scanned the liner notes to Georgia singer-songwriter Michelle Malone’s latest CD, Beneath the Devil Moon, so I was surprised to find that it was mixed here at Armoury Studios on Pine Street. The … Continue reading Versatile Michelle Malone just as comfortable touring with ZZ Top as with Indigo Girls
Ryan Adams, 23, celebrates Whiskeytown out-adding the Stones on American rock radio
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 12, 1998 By Steve Newton Theresa Blackwell, the local ambassador for Universal Music, is widely acknowledged by the Georgia Straight editorial department as far and away the best record rep in town. She’s efficient, genuine, and a joy to work with. Not only that, but she plies us rock critics with … Continue reading Ryan Adams, 23, celebrates Whiskeytown out-adding the Stones on American rock radio