kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 25, 1991 By Steve Newton The chameleon-like Neil Young has traveled through a kaleidoscope of musical styles over the years, switching effortlessly (and with varying degrees of success) between acoustic folk, bare-bones country, futuristic techno-bop, rockabilly, and whatever else happened to pique his interest at the time. But … Continue reading Neil Young & Crazy Horse create a gorgeous, gut-wrenching guitar noise on the Smell the Horse Tour
Al Walker’s ’72 Strat has been carved up by the best
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 18, 1991 Al Walker’s blues-rock trio, Rock Party, came about as close as you can get to taking home the top prize in last year’s Demo Listen Derby battle of the bands. And if it weren’t for the type of headgear that judge Paul Dean wore to the … Continue reading Al Walker’s ’72 Strat has been carved up by the best
Queen City Kids reunite to conjure that ’80s prairie-rock vibe
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 28, 1991 By Steve Newton John Donnelly likes to rock. But between producing things like Band Warz, Guitar Warz, and Vocal Warz for the PromoCo arm of Feldman and Associates, the 33-year-old father of two doesn’t get a lot of opportunities to steal the spotlight. That’ll all change … Continue reading Queen City Kids reunite to conjure that ’80s prairie-rock vibe
Philly’s Cinderella finds a bluesier vibe on Heartbreak Station
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 28, 1991 By Steve Newton Mandolin, Jew’s harp, pedal steel guitar—those aren’t the kind of instruments you normally find in a hard-rock band’s arsenal. But you’ll find those and plenty more being utilized to great effect on the latest Cinderella album, because the band with the cutesy name has come a … Continue reading Philly’s Cinderella finds a bluesier vibe on Heartbreak Station
Damn Yankees with the Nuge kicks ass; Bad Company without Paul Rodgers licks it
@shotbykevin ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 21, 1991 By Steve Newton Oh man—talk about going back in time! There was Ted Nugent riffing out on “Cat Scratch Fever” and screeching like he had a severe case of it. There was former Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw whipping his still-blond locks every which way while … Continue reading Damn Yankees with the Nuge kicks ass; Bad Company without Paul Rodgers licks it
Tad brings sludgy Seattle-style grunge to Vancouver, skips the chainsaw
@shotbykevin ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 14, 1991 By Steve Newton Maybe you’ve noticed the Tad posters plastered along the Granville Mall and other choice free-advertising locations the last week or two. Those eye-catching items feature a photo of a huge mountain-man biker type, brandishing a chain-saw that’s so big it doesn’t even … Continue reading Tad brings sludgy Seattle-style grunge to Vancouver, skips the chainsaw
The Screaming Trees help ignite Seattle’s “explosion of vinyl” with major-label debut
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 7, 1991 By Steve Newton Getting signed to a major label is usually the first big goal of a rock band—that’s what all the monetary investment and tireless rehearsals are for. And some bands luck out, snagging a record contract in no time and going on their merry … Continue reading The Screaming Trees help ignite Seattle’s “explosion of vinyl” with major-label debut
Scorpions pull Vancouver hitmaker Jim Vallance into their Crazy World
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 28, 1991 By Steve Newton It’s been a long seven-year wait for Vancouver Scorpions fans, but the dry spell is nearly over. Germany’s veteran hard-rockers—who haven’t performed here since the Love at First Sting tour of 1984—will be in town for a Saturday (March 2) gig at the Pacific Coliseum. And … Continue reading Scorpions pull Vancouver hitmaker Jim Vallance into their Crazy World
Bobby Baker thinks the Tragically Hip are better players and songwriters on new Road Apples
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 21, 1991 By Steve Newton I wasn’t expecting such a cheery tone from Tragically Hip lead guitarist Bobby Baker when he called recently from the band’s hometown of Kingston, Ontario. When the band played Vancouver last—at the Trade & Convention Centre’s New Year’s Eve bash—the crowd pelted the band with beer … Continue reading Bobby Baker thinks the Tragically Hip are better players and songwriters on new Road Apples
Vancouver’s Sacred Blade is not your typical thrash act
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 14, 1991 Of all the last-minute surprises to befall a young metal band, being called on to replace a monstrously popular act like Metallica must be one of the most daunting. But that’s the type of challenge Vancouver’s Sacred Blade took on, no questions asked, one night in … Continue reading Vancouver’s Sacred Blade is not your typical thrash act
Blue Rodeo wanted to make “a real pop record” with Casino
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 7, 1991 By Steve Newton For the past two years, the presenter of the Juno award for Canadian Band of the Year has ripped open a sealed envelope and seen the same two words: Blue Rodeo. The powers that be at the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences have twice … Continue reading Blue Rodeo wanted to make “a real pop record” with Casino
Poison’s vacuous array of tunes would be outrocked by Loggins & Messina
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 24, 1991 By Steve Newton There was good news and bad news going into last Saturday’s (January 19) Poison gig at the Coliseum. The good news was that the originally scheduled opening act—the cheesy and childish Warrant—was being replaced by the slightly more impressive Don Dokken Band. The … Continue reading Poison’s vacuous array of tunes would be outrocked by Loggins & Messina
In the metal realm, it doesn’t get any better than AC/DC live
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 17, 1991 By Steve Newton So what’s a devoted rock critic to do when one of the genre’s most potent acts hits town for two back-to-back, sold-out shows? Does he pick one night and hope to hell it’s the best one? Not likely. He checks ’em both out, of course. Talk … Continue reading In the metal realm, it doesn’t get any better than AC/DC live