It was a dazzling display of lights and lasers, mechanized staging and slick choreography, available to anyone who wanted to shell out $40.
Interviewing Jeff Beck, the world’s greatest living rock guitarist
As long as he’s got those magic fingers, you can bet that Jeff Beck will be searching for fresh ways to communicate through six strings.
Southern Culture on the Skids’ Rick Miller loves Link Wray and Danelectros
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 8, 2001 By Steve Newton True to its name, Southern Culture on the Skids has always endeavoured to promote the stereotypical lifestyles of the culturally challenged dwellers in the former Confederate states. On previous CDs like Dirt Track Date and Plastic Seat Sweat, the North Carolina roots-rockers told tales of backwoods … Continue reading Southern Culture on the Skids’ Rick Miller loves Link Wray and Danelectros
Joe R. Lansdale’s Hap Collins and Leonard Pine headed to TV
Just heard some great news in a tweet from one of my fave authors, hardboiled Texas mystery/suspense ace Joe R. Lansdale. He's the guy who wrote the story that became one of my fave all-time horror flicks, Bubba Ho-Tep. Turns out two of my fave characters of his--Hap Collins and Leonard Pine, from the Hap and Leonard … Continue reading Joe R. Lansdale’s Hap Collins and Leonard Pine headed to TV
The smalls get fast and furious again
By Steve Newton The last time I talked to Corb Lund about the smalls, back in 2000, he was known as Corby and had just returned from a tour of Bosnia-Herzegovina with the Edmonton-based guitar rockers. Nearly a decade and a half later you can still call him Corby (“Either one, take your pick”), and … Continue reading The smalls get fast and furious again
No more “Dirty Deeds” quips please, Phil Rudd’s murder-for-hire charge has been dropped
Just a day after AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was charged with "procuring a murder" by New Zealand police, the shocking charges have been dropped. It's a good thing, too, because media all around the world were running out of ways to work the title of AC/DC's vengeance-for-hire ditty "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" into the story. According to … Continue reading No more “Dirty Deeds” quips please, Phil Rudd’s murder-for-hire charge has been dropped
Phil Rudd’s dirty deed? He wasn’t even in the “Guns for Hire” video
Things have not been rosey in the AC/DC camp of late. First off was the news six weeks ago that rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young had been confined to a nursing home, suffering from dementia. Now comes word that drummer Phil Rudd allegedly tried to have two men killed. Rudd, 60, appeared in New Zealand's Tauranga District Court … Continue reading Phil Rudd’s dirty deed? He wasn’t even in the “Guns for Hire” video
Paul McCartney & Wings deluxe-edition box sets are pretty sweet
By Steve Newton Nineteen-seventy-five was one hell of an awesome year for rock. That was when Floyd released Wish You Were Here, Zep dropped Physical Graffiti, and Lizzy unleashed Fighting.And a band named Wings, featuring ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, joined the fray with a 13-track monster titled Venus and Mars. Man, I played the crap out of that album. From the … Continue reading Paul McCartney & Wings deluxe-edition box sets are pretty sweet
The Hoodoo Gurus’ Brad Shepherd talks Aussie rock and Magnum Cum Louder
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 3, 1989 By Steve Newton The day afer the San Francisco earthquake, Hoodoo Gurus guitarist Brad Shepherd called me from Oxford, Mississippi. His band was scheduled to play the city by the bay in two weeks, and he wasn't even sure if the venue they were booked into was still standing. Although … Continue reading The Hoodoo Gurus’ Brad Shepherd talks Aussie rock and Magnum Cum Louder
C.O.C.’s Pepper Keenan says “Badass Warren Haynes” nailed it on America’s Volume Dealer
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 1, 2001 By Steve Newton One of the coolest things about being a rock writer is getting turned on to new bands—even if they’re old. Corrosion of Conformity has been making a serious racket since 1982, but it’s still new to me; for some strange reason its latest CD, America’s Volume … Continue reading C.O.C.’s Pepper Keenan says “Badass Warren Haynes” nailed it on America’s Volume Dealer
Eric Johnson strives for pure tone, not Fats Waller perfection
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 25, 2001 By Steve Newton Out of the many rock and blues guitarists that I’ve chatted with over the years, the most revered ones have invariably turned out to be the most self-effacing and down-to-earth. Whether it be Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Danny Gatton, or Roy Buchanan, they’ve … Continue reading Eric Johnson strives for pure tone, not Fats Waller perfection
Former Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford helps turn Pink Floyd blue
“It’s kind of everyone’s favourite side project, you know, just an excuse to play with some great friends that are great musicians.”
If you thought Stephen King’s Pennywise was creepy, get a loada this Clown!
Some people are really creeped out by clowns. The one that Tim Curry portrayed in the Stephen King mini-series IT freaked a few folks out, no doubt. Now here to give Pennywise a run for his kid-menacing money is the bozo in Clown, a new horror flick produced by Eli Roth, the frightmeister behind such gruesome efforts as Hostel and Cabin Fever. Here's … Continue reading If you thought Stephen King’s Pennywise was creepy, get a loada this Clown!