ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 26, 1992 By Steve Newton More than any other metal tune in 1992, Megadeth’s “Symphony of Destruction” was the one that made this jaded, riff-ravaged semi-headbanger sit up and take notice. Driven by a brutally direct, ’70s-style guitar riff, the sharp-edged cut was a welcome respite from the … Continue reading Megadeth’s Dave Ellefson believes metal is a powerful force in the ’90s
Weed-loving Black Crowes bring their pro-pot stance to Vancouver on the High as the Moon Tour
@shotbykevin ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 5, 1992 By Steve Newton About an hour into the Black Crowes’ sold-out Queen Elizabeth Theatre show last Wednesday (October 28), the Atlanta blues-rock sextet rolled out a brand-new tune for its exuberant fans, most of whom had been standing up the whole time, cheering like mad. … Continue reading Weed-loving Black Crowes bring their pro-pot stance to Vancouver on the High as the Moon Tour
Guitar wizard Joe Satriani is totally cool being The Extremist
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 29, 1992 By Steve Newton Joe Satriani doesn’t do anything halfway. Whether writing, recording, or playing live, the New York-born, San Francisco-based guitar wizard always strives for musical perfection. If there were a rock ’n’ roll army, Satriani would surely be all that he could be. “One of … Continue reading Guitar wizard Joe Satriani is totally cool being The Extremist
Trouble guitarist Rick Wartell steals riffs from Chicago blues bands
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 29, 1992 By Steve Newton The Windy City is not generally regarded as a rock ’n’ roll hotbed. The U.S.A.’s third-largest metropolis seems much better known for Bulls, Bears, and Blackhawks than big-selling boogie bands. “It’s not exactly a boom town for music,” admits Trouble guitarist/songwriter Rick Wartell. “But it seems … Continue reading Trouble guitarist Rick Wartell steals riffs from Chicago blues bands
Ian Anderson says that the good bits of a Jethro Tull concert make it all worthwhile
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 22, 1992 By Steve Newton “So how’d it go last night?” That’s a question I’ll often start an interview with, to loosen things up when I know a musician has played a gig the night before. Usually, I get a response along the lines of, “Really good, actually,” or—if I’m talking … Continue reading Ian Anderson says that the good bits of a Jethro Tull concert make it all worthwhile
Rick Derringer is still alive and well in Vancouver in 1993
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 15, 1993 By Steve Newton The first time I saw Rick Derringer play live was back in ’73 or something, when me and a bunch of high-school pals from Chilliwack loaded into a van and drove to the Pacific Coliseum to see the Edgar Winter Group and opening act UFO. This … Continue reading Rick Derringer is still alive and well in Vancouver in 1993
Three times ain’t the charm as Def Leppard brings the sap to Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 8, 1992 Last Saturday (October 3) I saw British rockers Def Leppard for the third—and probably last—time. I’d actually enjoyed their exhilarating brand of “happy metal” on the 1984 Pyromania tour with Uriah Heep, and on the 1988 Hysteria tour with Tesla. This time around they didn’t have … Continue reading Three times ain’t the charm as Def Leppard brings the sap to Vancouver
Blue Rodeo doesn’t recommend taking acid at the Commodore in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 8, 1992 By Steve Newton There’s nothing like timing it just right, so that when you walk into a concert venue the band’s just going on stage. But sometimes that I-don’t-feel-like-waitin' approach backfires, and you end up missing a few tunes by the group you’re all geared up … Continue reading Blue Rodeo doesn’t recommend taking acid at the Commodore in Vancouver
The Ramones stay fast and furious on Mondo Bizarro
ORIGINALLY POSTED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 1, 1992 By Steve Newton The Ramones have come a long way since their ear-bustin’ brand of music first helped kick-start the late-’70s punk-rock craze. The band is still delivering the same barrage of noise—three-minute, three-chord tunes played fast and furious, with humorous lyrics and wacky titles like … Continue reading The Ramones stay fast and furious on Mondo Bizarro
George Thorogood wants to rock with McCartney and play the blues with Dylan
I've always enjoy asking guitar heroes which players they'd most like to jam with if they could pick anyone, living or dead. And the last one I interviewed, George Thorogood, had a pretty interesting bucket list. "Well you can't jam with Robert Johnson 'cause he didn't need anybody," replied the 64-year-old blues-rocker. And I can't jam with Elmore … Continue reading George Thorogood wants to rock with McCartney and play the blues with Dylan
Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell never wanted to be Joe Guitar Hero
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 24, 1992 By Steve Newton When Def Leppard guitarist/co-founder Steve Clark died of a drug overdose in 1991—six years after drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in a New Year’s Eve car accident—rumours were rampant as to who would replace him in one of the world’s most successful and least … Continue reading Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell never wanted to be Joe Guitar Hero
Guitar superstar Jeff Healey steals the six-string spotlight from Robert Cray and Colin James in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 10, 1992 By Steve Newton The PNE isn’t normally the type of place you’d go to save money, but Vancouver blues-rock fans who paid just $7.50 (plus fair admission) to see guitar heroes Robert Cray, Jeff Healey, and Colin James last Thursday (September 3) got themselves a heckuva good deal. They … Continue reading Guitar superstar Jeff Healey steals the six-string spotlight from Robert Cray and Colin James in Vancouver
Jason Bonham calls Led Zeppelin biography “a load of exaggerated stories”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 3, 1992 By Steve Newton In the middle of a phone interview with Jason Bonham there’s a rap on the door of the drummer’s L.A. hotel room. He goes to see who it is, a brief chuckle is audible in the distance, then Bonham returns. “Somebody just sent … Continue reading Jason Bonham calls Led Zeppelin biography “a load of exaggerated stories”