ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 5, 1994 By Steve Newton The resurgence in recent years of rootsy, improvisational music—as exemplified by jam-happy recording acts like Blues Traveler, Phish, and Widespread Panic—has been a balm to anyone whose appreciation of instrumental ability has been tested by the nonmusical grate of rap or the mind-numbing drone of disco. … Continue reading The Harvesters’ Chris Springer thinks improvisational rock is replacing grunge
That time I asked Rob Halford what his personal fave tune was on the new Judas Priest album Painkiller
By Steve Newton I've interviewed Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford four times, and he's always been a very amicable, well-spoken chap. The second time was back in October of 1990, one month after the release of Priest's Painkiller album. At one point in the conversation I asked Halford what his personal favourite tune was on … Continue reading That time I asked Rob Halford what his personal fave tune was on the new Judas Priest album Painkiller
Blue Rodeo gets grungier and more country on new disc Lost Together
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 23, 1992 By Steve Newton HEDLEY, B.C.—Backstage at the Hedley Blast, Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor slumps in his chair and casually scribbles out a song list, pausing now and again to ask roaming band-mates which tunes they want added or dropped from their upcoming set. New drummer Glenn Milchem makes a … Continue reading Blue Rodeo gets grungier and more country on new disc Lost Together
Former indie faves Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra take the major-label route
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 23, 1992 By Steve Newton Unless you’re an avid follower of the alternative music scene, the best Canadian rock album you’ve never heard is quite likely The Battle Hymn of the Apartment by Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra. A rowdy and witty collection of twisted … Continue reading Former indie faves Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra take the major-label route
Toronto rocker Jack de Keyzer gets to do what he wants every day
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 14, 1991 By Steve Newton His name might not be particularly well-known to the common Canadian music fan, but Toronto rocker Jack de Keyzer has been a fixture on this country’s recording and performing scene for most of his 35 years. While still in his teens, de Keyzer joined Canuck harp … Continue reading Toronto rocker Jack de Keyzer gets to do what he wants every day
That time I asked “Fast” Eddie Clarke what he thought of Motörhead’s new guitarist Brian Robertson
Robertson (left) in Motörhead By Steve Newton Back in June of 1983 I interviewed guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke when his band, Fastway, opened for Iron Maiden in Vancouver, along with Saxon. Clarke had quit his previous group, Motörhead, the year before, so I asked him what he thought of his replacement, former Thin Lizzy guitarist … Continue reading That time I asked “Fast” Eddie Clarke what he thought of Motörhead’s new guitarist Brian Robertson
Ian Blurton says a major label wouldn’t have let Change of Heart make the sprawling Smile
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 12, 1992 By Steve Newton You’ve got to give Change of Heart a lot of credit for hanging in despite adversity. While piles of former college-radio faves from Seattle are lining up to sign lucrative major-label deals, the independent Toronto quartet is satisfied doing things its own way—and has been for … Continue reading Ian Blurton says a major label wouldn’t have let Change of Heart make the sprawling Smile
Shock-rocker Dukey Flyswatter invites horror fans to park in the Haunted Garage
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 20, 1992 By Steve Newton Screamin’ Jay Hawkins was probably the first artist to bring together elements of horror and rock ’n’ roll. Back in the late ’50s and early ’60s, he would open his concerts by rising from a coffin and letting loose with a blood-curdling scream. Alice Cooper took … Continue reading Shock-rocker Dukey Flyswatter invites horror fans to park in the Haunted Garage
Vancouver blues vets Incognito keep the music rough and tough
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 23, 1992 By Steve Newton You don’t have to prowl Vancouver’s smoky blues hang-outs to hear local blues-rockers Incognito—all you need is a radio and chances are you’ll come across the rockin’ jingle the quartet recorded for Grower’s Cider. The catchy ad might even be followed by Incognito’s other ode to … Continue reading Vancouver blues vets Incognito keep the music rough and tough
Mark Meaux just wants Bluerunners to be thought of as a butt-rockin’ Louisiana band
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 12, 1991 By Steve Newton Zydebilly, cajun metal, garage zydeco—critics have been falling over themselves trying to find words to describe the music of Lafayette, Louisiana’s Bluerunners. But singer/guitarist Mark Meaux has his own idea. “Individually, all those terms—cajun, zydeco, punk—describe really great genres of music. But jumbling … Continue reading Mark Meaux just wants Bluerunners to be thought of as a butt-rockin’ Louisiana band
Wayne Toups says Zydecajun’s foot-stompin’ music is universal
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 19, 1991 By Steve Newton People initially pick up musical instruments for all kinds of reasons. For singer/accordionist Wayne Toups, it was jealousy of an older brother’s musical abilities that caused him to pick up the multi-buttoned squeeze-box in the first place. But he laughs about that inspiration … Continue reading Wayne Toups says Zydecajun’s foot-stompin’ music is universal
The seriously rockin’ Last Wild Sons can’t compete with the Beat Farmers’ comical escapades
The Murphy bros’ good-natured slagging of their fellow bandmate brings to mind the family-style badgering of another rootsy West Coast act.
Tim McConnell takes a down-to-earth approach to making music on the Havalinas’ debut album
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 7, 1991 By Steve Newton When I interviewed the Havalinas I lucked out by procuring a ten-page promo package that gave me the facts on the members’ early days in bands like the Rockats, the Plugz, and the Cruzados, and explained the origin of the group’s name (they’re named after the … Continue reading Tim McConnell takes a down-to-earth approach to making music on the Havalinas’ debut album