ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 17, 2004 LOCAL GUITAR ACE Russell Marsland has been a powerful presence on the Vancouver music scene for more than 30 years. At 15, he would sneak out of his parents' East Van residence to play between strip shows at the Penthouse; two years later he was in the house band … Continue reading Russell Marsland Travels to the Heart of the Blues
The MC5’s Wayne Kramer recalls raging against the American war machine
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 30, 2004 By Steve Newton It's hard to find a contemporary garage-rock band that isn't heavily indebted to the MC5. Although it only released three albums in its five-year recording career, the Detroit quintet--along with fellow Motor City maniacs the Stooges--left an indelible impression on nearly every punk-edged act that … Continue reading The MC5’s Wayne Kramer recalls raging against the American war machine
Finn Brothers focus on fraternal harmony with Everyone Is Here
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 8, 2004 By Steve Newton When you hear the compelling vocal harmonies of the Finn brothers, Neil and Tim, it's easy to imagine that they took a lot of stylistic inspiration from John Lennon and Paul McCartney. But when the Beatles were famously showcasing their collaborative singing skills to the … Continue reading Finn Brothers focus on fraternal harmony with Everyone Is Here
Ox’s Browning Discards His “Folk-Porno” Rulebook
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 22, 2004 DEVOTEES OF VANCOUVER'S singer-songwriter scene should be familiar with Mark Browning. He was a fixture on the local acoustic-folk circuit a couple of years ago and could often be seen doing his thing down at the Railway Club. Looking back, though, Browning is not particularly proud of those solo … Continue reading Ox’s Browning Discards His “Folk-Porno” Rulebook
Atomic 7 Messes With Skynyrd Fans’ Minds
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 22, 2004 By Steve Newton That Brian Connelly guy has got it goin' on! His snazzy fretwork with Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet during the late '80s/early '90s helped make that group the leading instro-rock outfit in Canada, and his current trio, Atomic 7, is continuing the legacy. So … Continue reading Atomic 7 Messes With Skynyrd Fans’ Minds
Matthew Good sees the light
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 5, 2004 On the new Matthew Good CD, White Light Rock & Roll Review, there's a printed message on the disc itself from the shit-disturbing local rocker. It reads "INSERT IN PLAYER/FEEL THE GLOW OF COMMERCE." Although Good notes that it's a "tongue-in-cheek" statement, it's also very accurate, as the music … Continue reading Matthew Good sees the light
Queensryche guitarist Michael Wilton does double duty in Soulbender
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 12, 2004 By Steve Newton Local metal legend Devin Townsend will be the main attraction when his eponymous hardcore group headlines the Showroom Cabaret on Saturday (August 14), but the headbangers in the crowd who get there early enough to see opening act Soulbender might recognize a few other well-respected … Continue reading Queensryche guitarist Michael Wilton does double duty in Soulbender
Headstones Leader Resurrected As Lumberjack, Actor
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 26, 2004 By Steve Newton Hugh Dillon turned a few heads when he laid his popular guitar-rock band, the Headstones, to rest last year. The Toronto-based outfit had been making well-received music for a decade, but that didn't stop the singer, songwriter, and guitarist--also noted for his acting work in … Continue reading Headstones Leader Resurrected As Lumberjack, Actor
That time I took my kid to a Hilary Duff concert to try and win the Dad of the Year Award
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 10, 2004 By Steve Newton The rain was pelting down Vancouver-style as the hordes of kiddies (and their accompanying parents) descended on the sold-out Coliseum last Friday. But it was going to take more than soaking-wet ponytails and soggy Lizzy McGuire runners to dampen the spirits of these hard-core Hilary Duff fans, … Continue reading That time I took my kid to a Hilary Duff concert to try and win the Dad of the Year Award
Queensryche resurrects prog-metal storytelling
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 30, 2004 By Steve Newton The 1980s aren't generally regarded as great years for hard rock, thanks mainly to the scores of hair-farmer bands that--capitalizing on the then-new music-video craze--made headbands, spandex, and bright-red leather jackets a common sight. Queensryche spent its fair share of time at the hairdresser's, but … Continue reading Queensryche resurrects prog-metal storytelling
Limblifter Gets User-Friendly
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 7, 2004 When Limblifter leader Ryan Dahle drops by the Straight office for an interview, it's almost as if he knows more folks at the paper than I do. While fixing himself a cuppa joe in the kitchen, Dahle runs into the paper's effervescent promo queen Christine MacKay, who he apparently knows … Continue reading Limblifter Gets User-Friendly
The ghost of Buford Pusser rises on the Drive-By Truckers’ Dirty South
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 21, 2004 By Steve Newton On the back of the booklet that comes with the Drive-By Truckers' latest CD, The Dirty South, there's a photo of a bare-chested toddler standing in front of Buford Pusser's gravestone. For the uninitiated, Pusser was the Tennessee sheriff whose brutal approach to law 'n' … Continue reading The ghost of Buford Pusser rises on the Drive-By Truckers’ Dirty South
Van Halen still brings the dynamite in both hands
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 28, 2004 By Steve Newton Much has been made of the Sam & Dave controversy in regard to American hard-rock legends Van Halen. There are those who scoff at the idea of the band existing without original vocalist David Lee Roth, while others feel that his replacement, Sammy Hagar, has … Continue reading Van Halen still brings the dynamite in both hands