Dead Surf Kiss is a twisted embryo of melody and metal

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 28, 1991 By Steve Newton 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

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON 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 of messed up a lot of the … Continue reading Cadillac Tramps don’t let shady pasts colour their future

Dave Alvin recalls how his record label wanted him to sound like Eurythmics

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 28, 1991 By Steve Newton Rock ’n’ roll bands can be like families. A band offers its members a place where they can have a sense of belonging, where they can look out for one another, and where they can share the joys of their good fortune—whether that be getting a … Continue reading Dave Alvin recalls how his record label wanted him to sound like Eurythmics

Eddie’s off-the-cuff raunch blasts save Van Halen’s ass while Jimmy Page watches from the wings

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 21, 1991 By Steve Newton Twice during Van Halen’s show at B.C. Place last Wednesday (November 13), shaggy-maned vocalist Sammy Hagar apologized for having throat problems and not being able to sing up to par. The second time, he added, “But the band’s hot, and that's all that counts.” Yeah, sure, … Continue reading Eddie’s off-the-cuff raunch blasts save Van Halen’s ass while Jimmy Page watches from the wings

Tom Petty blows into the psychedelic harmonica on the Into the Great Wide Open Tour

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 21, 1991 By Steve Newton “Oh, those fabulous ’70s,” intoned Tom Petty halfway through his Monday-night (November 18) show at the Coliseum. The Florida native was catching his breath between a couple of his early tunes, “Here Comes My Girl” and “Breakdown”, but you couldn’t really tell if he was being … Continue reading Tom Petty blows into the psychedelic harmonica on the Into the Great Wide Open Tour

Chris Whitley figures Johnny Winter is the best blues-rock record ever made

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 14, 1991 By Steve Newton Certain albums hold sacred places in people’s hearts. They know every chorus, verse, and bridge of one particular LP. For me, that ultimate album might be Mott the Hoople’s Mott. For dobro ace Chris Whitley, it’s definitely Johnny Winter’s Johnny Winter. “To me, … Continue reading Chris Whitley figures Johnny Winter is the best blues-rock record ever made

Bass god Stu Hamm says that seeing Jaco Pastorius for the first time changed his life

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 7, 1991 By Steve Newton There are rock heroes, and then there are rock heroes’ rock heroes. For virtuoso bassist Stuart Hamm, it was the cosmic abilities of the late Jaco Pastorius that made the most profound impression on him. He couldn’t sleep for two days after seeing the troubled fretmaster. … Continue reading Bass god Stu Hamm says that seeing Jaco Pastorius for the first time changed his life

Tom Cochrane dedicates “Big League” to Stan Smyl in Vancouver on the Mad Mad World Tour

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 7, 1991 By Steve Newton Tom Cochrane wasn’t kidding when he told me a couple of weeks back that his new rhythm section worked like a high-performance engine. The former Streetheart team of drummer Matt Frenette and bassist Spider Sinneave was scary last Monday night (November 4), with Frenette being especially … Continue reading Tom Cochrane dedicates “Big League” to Stan Smyl in Vancouver on the Mad Mad World Tour

Tom Cochrane talks Mad Mad World just before “Highway” hits it huge

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 31, 1991 By Steve Newton I’ve been a fan of Tom Cochrane’s since Red Rider’s debut album, but his new tune, “Life Is a Highway”, threw me for a loop. Its bouncy sound wasn’t what I expected from the steely hero of Canadian heartland rock, and at first the tune rubbed … Continue reading Tom Cochrane talks Mad Mad World just before “Highway” hits it huge

The world’s not ready for AC/DC to stop busting ears

photo by Rebecca Blissett There's been a lot of rumour and speculation flying around the music world in the last few days regarding the status of legendary Aussie earbusters AC/DC. Some media outlets were actually reporting the band's demise, claiming that rhythm-guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young had suffered a stroke recently and would never … Continue reading The world’s not ready for AC/DC to stop busting ears

What the fuck was I doing at a George Michael concert in 1991?

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 17, 1991 By Steve Newton George Michael had two things to apologize for before he even sang a note at the Pacific Coliseum last Thursday (October 10). One was for ever having anything to do with that most nauseating of pop tunes, Wham!’s super-sucky “Wake Me Up Before … Continue reading What the fuck was I doing at a George Michael concert in 1991?

Anthrax brings the noise with a little help from Public Enemy

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 17, 1991 By Steve Newton “Disco and rap, it’s all crap.” That used to be this scribbler’s motto, until he heard Anthrax’s rapped-up version of “Bring the Noise”, which combines a seriously sonic guitar onslaught with the streetwise poetry of Public Enemy. It’s a great tune and one that led to … Continue reading Anthrax brings the noise with a little help from Public Enemy