ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 1, 1993 By Steve Newton When you consider that Ugly Kid Joe’s career skyrocketed on the strength of just one song, the humorous little ditty “Everything About You”, it makes you wonder if that tune might have been a well-calculated shot at the big time—if maybe a bunch … Continue reading Ugly Kid Joe’s smash hit spawned by tinkering on the piano
Bash & Pop’s Tommy Stinson stole plenty from Paul Westerberg
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 17, 1993 By Steve Newton When I first heard the title of the debut Bash & Pop release, Friday Night Is Killing Me, I figured it was something I could relate to a bit, since I’d had a few rough Friday nights in my own lifetime—not to mention Saturday mornings. But … Continue reading Bash & Pop’s Tommy Stinson stole plenty from Paul Westerberg
Classy, driven Tina Turner shows her blues prowess in Vancouver
@shotbykevin ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 17, 1993 By Steve Newton Before heading over to the Coliseum for Tina Turner’s show last Thursday (June 10), I popped in to the grand opening of the new Mongolie Grill near Robson and Thurlow. The place was jam-packed with hungry schmoozers lining up for free food … Continue reading Classy, driven Tina Turner shows her blues prowess in Vancouver
Ottawa’s Fun for Malakaï doesn’t abide by any songwriting rules
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 10, 1993 Although it was based on a riveting short story, Stephen King’s Children of the Corn was quite possibly the worst film of 1984, one that could have buried the careers of stars Peter Horton and Linda Hamilton. The only memorable thing about the film was the … Continue reading Ottawa’s Fun for Malakaï doesn’t abide by any songwriting rules
Blues Saraceno’s amp-blowing reminded Jack Bruce of something Hendrix would do
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 3, 1993 By Steve Newton As a kid growing up in the wee burgh of Middletown, Conn., Blues Saraceno had it kinda rough. He wanted to play guitar, but he couldn’t find anyone his age to jam with. “That was the absolute worst,” Saraceno says on the line … Continue reading Blues Saraceno’s amp-blowing reminded Jack Bruce of something Hendrix would do
Issues with Bob Rock and Sharon Osbourne leave the Quireboys Bitter Sweet & Twisted
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 27, 1993 After Bob Rock hit the big time by producing Motley Crue’s No. 1 album, Dr. Feelgood—and then accomplished the incredible feat of making former thrash-masters Metallica a mainstream rock-radio fave—it seemed the Vancouver producer could do no wrong. And although Rock’s reputation as a producer with … Continue reading Issues with Bob Rock and Sharon Osbourne leave the Quireboys Bitter Sweet & Twisted
Paul Rodgers proves that he’s the world’s best guy at going “Whoa-yeaah!” in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 20, 1993 By Steve Newton The first time I saw Paul Rodgers perform live was back in the ’70s, when Bad Company played the Pacific Coliseum on the Running with the Pack tour. I didn’t see him again until last Friday (May 14), but lemme tell ya—the guy is still one … Continue reading Paul Rodgers proves that he’s the world’s best guy at going “Whoa-yeaah!” in Vancouver
Blues Traveler’s wheelchair-bound John Popper displays weapons and wicked harmonica in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 20, 1993 By Steve Newton In the liner notes to the new Blues Traveler release, Save His Soul, John Popper is credited with “vocals, harmonica, Irish whistle, acoustic 12-string, electric guitar, 12-gauge shotgun, and 9-mm pistol”. Now, I didn’t see any shotguns or pistols at the Commodore last Thursday (May 13), but … Continue reading Blues Traveler’s wheelchair-bound John Popper displays weapons and wicked harmonica in Vancouver
Jeff Healey defends the bluesiness of new album Feel This
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 13, 1993 By Steve Newton Usually when I picture the Jeff Healey Band in concert, I visualize Healey seated at centre stage, his guitar on his lap, surrounded only by a couple of guys with curly black hair (drummer Tom Stephen and bassist Joe Rockman). But when the … Continue reading Jeff Healey defends the bluesiness of new album Feel This
Jack Semple’s Guitar Warz win delivered confidence and a hook
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 29, 1993 By Steve Newton One day about a year ago, I bumped into a guitar-playing acquaintance who was visiting the office to put a free musician’s ad in the paper. He started raving about this “wicked” guitarist he’d seen the night before at Jake O’Grady’s, a guy from Saskatchewan named Jack … Continue reading Jack Semple’s Guitar Warz win delivered confidence and a hook
Guitar god Danny Gatton says Lenny Breau is the biggest humbler of all time
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 22, 1993 By Steve Newton Guitar World magazine called him “the world’s greatest unknown guitarist”. Guitar Player ran his photo on the cover with his face behind a mask, while inside they asked: “What famous guitarist could outplay him?” So how come virtuoso guitarman Danny Gatton is so underexposed? “Well, there’s … Continue reading Guitar god Danny Gatton says Lenny Breau is the biggest humbler of all time
Robben Ford wanted to be a guitar player when he heard Mike Bloomfield
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 22, 1993 By Steve Newton In 1973 the Doobie Brothers recorded a tune called “Ukiah”, about a place in Northern California with “green trees and timberlands; people workin’ with their hands”. Judging by the lyrics, it was a pretty nice place to be. And for Ukiah-raised guitar great … Continue reading Robben Ford wanted to be a guitar player when he heard Mike Bloomfield
Bob Rock plays every lick he knows on Rockhead’s “dumb old hard-rock album”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 15, 1993 By Steve Newton The first time I interviewed veteran Vancouver musician and producer extraordinaire Bob Rock, he was in the middle of helming Bitter Sweet & Twisted, the new release by British blues-rockers the Quireboys. The last time we chatted, he was heavily involved in the … Continue reading Bob Rock plays every lick he knows on Rockhead’s “dumb old hard-rock album”