ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 6, 1992 By Steve Newton What makes a rock writer desperate to score the reviewer’s assignment for a Red Hot Chili Peppers show? Could it be the group’s incendiary brand of primitive thrash-funk, or the fact that their live appearances are known far and wide for their unbridled energy and uncontrolled … Continue reading Call me a hick from Chilliwack, but I ain’t never seen no spiral haircut before
Alex Lifeson says Rush’s no-compromise approach is key to its staying power
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 30, 1992 By Steve Newton When I interviewed Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate last month, the singer had some intriguing things to say about an alleged “backlash” against progressive rock, which he felt had been initiated by the music industry in the ’70s. Tate uncovered a plot to undermine the growing popularity … Continue reading Alex Lifeson says Rush’s no-compromise approach is key to its staying power
Flies on Fire fell in love with Canada and the Tragically Hip
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 16, 1992 By Steve Newton Although Flies on Fire have already released two albums full of honest, no-frills guitar rock with major-label distribution on Atco Records, they haven’t yet made much of a name for themselves. But they’re probably better known to Vancouver rock fans than to the … Continue reading Flies on Fire fell in love with Canada and the Tragically Hip
An electrifying Lenny Kravitz blows the Cult off the stage in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 16, 1992 By Steve Newton When I saw local singing sensation Sarah McLachlan pick up her coat and leave the press box after Lenny Kravitz’s opening slot for the Cult, I thought: “Geez, she could have stuck around for a couple of rockin’ Cult tunes.” But, as it turned out, the … Continue reading An electrifying Lenny Kravitz blows the Cult off the stage in Vancouver
The Cult’s Ian Astbury claims that touring with Lenny Kravitz is “a spiritual event”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 9, 1992 By Steve Newton Some folks might have been surprised to hear that the Cult is touring with Lenny Kravitz. After all, the straightforward, bluesy hard-rock of the former is quite distinct from the Beatlesque, ’60s pop styles of the latter. Or is it? According to Cult singer Ian Astbury, … Continue reading The Cult’s Ian Astbury claims that touring with Lenny Kravitz is “a spiritual event”
Queensryche’s Geoff Tate praises the “real musicians” of prog-rock
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 19, 1991 By Steve Newton When it comes to progressive rock bands from the ’70s, there’s no middle ground—people either love ’em or hate ’em. Fans of groups like Yes, King Crimson, and Genesis point to the musical skill involved in performing the tunes; detractors tend to cite … Continue reading Queensryche’s Geoff Tate praises the “real musicians” of prog-rock
Stone Gossard says Pearl Jam’s hard work is all paying off
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 19, 1991 By Steve Newton When a rock writer does a lot of “phoners”—media slang for telephone interviews—with bands that are coming to town, once in a while wires get crossed. This scribbler was planning to speak to Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder last week, but guitarist Stone Gossard rang up … Continue reading Stone Gossard says Pearl Jam’s hard work is all paying off
Jethro Tull slays a sold-out crowd in Vancouver with help from “Michael Jackson’s dad”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 12, 1991 By Steve Newton If there is one thing people have come to expect from a Jethro Tull concert, it’s a cleverly staged, highly theatrical show. If there are two things, they’d be the theatrics and the British rock pioneers’ enormous repertoire of classic tunes. And if … Continue reading Jethro Tull slays a sold-out crowd in Vancouver with help from “Michael Jackson’s dad”
Star producer Bob Rock just wants to play guitar in a band
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 12, 1991 By Steve Newton Vancouver’s Bob Rock is one of the most in-demand rock producers in the world today. The albums he’s worked on in the last few years have sold millions of copies and—in the case of Motley Crüe’s Dr. Feelgood—made it to number one in … Continue reading Star producer Bob Rock just wants to play guitar in a band
Loose-vagina jokes abound but laughs are hard to find in A Haunted House 2
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, APRIL 18, 2014 After cocreating the Scary Movie series that has so far spawned five witless gross-out horror spoofs, Marlan Wayans branched out to the exact same thing last year with A Haunted House. Though critically reviled, it somehow earned enough box-office to justify this bottom-feeder sequel. The movie centres on the supernatural buffoonery … Continue reading Loose-vagina jokes abound but laughs are hard to find in A Haunted House 2
Chicken suits and Mozart tunes are the Scatterbrain way
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 12, 1991 By Steve Newton When a group of musicians perform a composition by an artist as renowned as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, you might expect them to deliver it in a dignified manner, in a way meant to show the utmost respect for the composer. Then again, if your band’s called … Continue reading Chicken suits and Mozart tunes are the Scatterbrain way
Dead Surf Kiss is a twisted embryo of melody and metal
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 28, 1991 A rather impressive promo package was dropped off at the office last week. It contained the new Dead Surf Kiss CD and tape, a band photo, shiny silver stickers with green lizards on them, and a bio. But this wasn’t your typical “drummer Joe met guitarist … Continue reading Dead Surf Kiss is a twisted embryo of melody and metal
Cadillac Tramps don’t let shady pasts colour their future
photo by Geoff Cordner ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 28, 1991 By Steve Newton Nowadays, the words “L.A. rockers” bring to mind frightful visions of leather, make-up, dyed hair, and half-assed musicianship. But according to Cadillac Tramps lead singer Mike “Gabby” Gaborno, the L.A. glam-rock vision is something of a myth. “MTV kind … Continue reading Cadillac Tramps don’t let shady pasts colour their future