ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 12, 1998 By Steve Newton Bluesman Luther Allison, folk-pop troubadour Jeff Buckley, fingerstyle-guitar innovator Michael Hedges, and jazz drummer Tony Williams might seem unlikely heroes for a southern-rock band, but they’re who Gov’t Mule’s new CD, Dose, is dedicated to. Between the time the band started recording Dose and the deadline … Continue reading Talking Ry Cooder, Ronnie Montrose, and the Allmans with Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes
Gordie Johnson draws inspiration from Eddie Kramer and kudos from Bruce Fairbairn for Big Sugar’s Heated
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 12, 1998 By Steve Newton During a recent interview with famed local rock producer Bruce Fairbairn, I asked him if he’d heard any current albums that had blown him away, production-wise. It only took him a couple of seconds to come up with Heated, the latest CD from Toronto blues-rockers Big … Continue reading Gordie Johnson draws inspiration from Eddie Kramer and kudos from Bruce Fairbairn for Big Sugar’s Heated
Colin Linden inspired by Howlin’ Wolf and George Chuvalo on Raised by Wolves
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 1, 1998 By Steve Newton When you write for a weekly paper most of your interviews with touring musicians happen over the phone, because the story has to be out before your subject hits town. But once in a while you get to actually meet a performer in the flesh and … Continue reading Colin Linden inspired by Howlin’ Wolf and George Chuvalo on Raised by Wolves
BREAKING HORROR NEWS: Sam Raimi is developing an Evil Dead TV series
Here's some interesting news for horror fans. Apparently Sam Raimi--director of the original Evil Dead films and other genre gems like Darkman and Drag Me to Hell--is developing a TV series based on his Evil Dead franchise. According to the website bloodydisgusting.com, Raimi let slip earlier today at the San Diego Comic-Con that he is currently writing the series along with his … Continue reading BREAKING HORROR NEWS: Sam Raimi is developing an Evil Dead TV series
Steve Kilbey says his band feels like the Church again
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 24, 1998 By Steve Newton That big old vinyl collection of mine sure comes in handy sometimes. Up until last week I had no idea that it included anything by the Church, but in preparation for a chat with singer-bassist Steven Kilbey, I took a hopeful meander through the alphabetically arranged … Continue reading Steve Kilbey says his band feels like the Church again
David Lowery says Cracker’s songs remain the same on Gentleman’s Blues
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 3, 1998 A lot of today’s rockers love to go on at length about how their latest album is a huge departure from previous ones, how their current music signifies arrival at a whole new level of artistry, and other such bunk. David Lowery is not your typical … Continue reading David Lowery says Cracker’s songs remain the same on Gentleman’s Blues
Lars Ulrich cuddles firstborn, doubts fatherhood will make Metallica wimp out
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 27, 1998 By Steve Newton If there’s one thing you can bet on about a Metallica concert, it’s that Lars Ulrich will not pussyfoot around behind his drum kit. The diminutive Dane always plays like a man possessed, fiercely punishing the skins while his face contorts in a tortured grimace. He’s … Continue reading Lars Ulrich cuddles firstborn, doubts fatherhood will make Metallica wimp out
Big-hearted blues god B.B. King offers guitar picks and hugs backstage in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 13, 1998 By Steve Newton “Come on in!” urged B.B. King to the gaggle of well-wishers and autograph hounds gathered outside his dressing room in the bowels of GM Place. It was 12:30 a.m., about 45 minutes after King had finished his set on the first night of the 44-date B.B. … Continue reading Big-hearted blues god B.B. King offers guitar picks and hugs backstage in Vancouver
Bass legend Tommy Shannon has jammed with all the greats–except Hendrix
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 6, 1998 By Steve Newton Blues-rock bassist Tommy Shannon is best-known for playing with Stevie Ray Vaughan in Double Trouble, but his résumé hardly stops there. The veteran musician has performed with so many other guitar legends that you’d be hard-pressed to find one he hasn’t accompanied somewhere … Continue reading Bass legend Tommy Shannon has jammed with all the greats–except Hendrix
Two years after saying goodbye to Crowded House, Neil Finn returns with solo debut
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 9, 1998 By Steve Newton After making the agonizing decision in 1996 to break up his world-famous Kiwi pop combo Crowded House, Neil Finn wasn’t exactly sure what to do next. An Aussie artist-musician friend of his suggested Finn try painting, so he spent two weeks at a beachside location doing … Continue reading Two years after saying goodbye to Crowded House, Neil Finn returns with solo debut
Patty Griffin learns how to live on Flaming Red
Griffin is part of the Lilith Fair tour again this year, although she isn’t scheduled to take part in its Vancouver stop.
Creed’s Mark Tremonti says My Own Prison is about trying to find hope
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 9, 1998 By Steve Newton When Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti called from Toronto on Canada Day, his band was 90 minutes away from taking the stage at Edgefest, the touring rock show that visits UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium on Saturday (July 11). The fast-rising Florida quartet is on a bill that includes … Continue reading Creed’s Mark Tremonti says My Own Prison is about trying to find hope
An inspired Yes makes up for a flaccid Alan Parsons Project in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 23, 1998 By Steve Newton There are some bands I used to like in the ’70s that make me embarrassed by that fact in the ’90s. Back in high school, I figured Uriah Heep Live was the cat’s ass, but now, it’s like, “What was I thinking!” And I still recall … Continue reading An inspired Yes makes up for a flaccid Alan Parsons Project in Vancouver