Tag: 1995

Huevos Rancheros aren’t concerned about being the next Sloan

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 24, 1995 By Steve Newton Sometimes I wish I’d been more than a toddler in 1960 so I could have appreciated tunes such as the Ventures’ “Walk Don’t Run”, the Shadows’ “Man of Mystery”, and Duane Eddy’s “Shazam!” as soon as they were released. Nowadays I love nothing more than surrendering … Continue reading Huevos Rancheros aren’t concerned about being the next Sloan

Gordon Downie sees Bruce Allen in a Subway ad at Another Roadside Attraction

At one point Downie gestured at an airplane that was circling intrusively above. “Hey, look everybody,” he proclaimed, “Bruce Allen!”

Matthew Sweet wishes his records were as loose as Neil Young’s

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 6, 1995 By Steve Newton When Matthew Sweet checks in from his L.A. abode for an afternoon chat, I’ve got a fair supply of questions lined up. I want to uncover the acclaimed pop rocker’s thoughts about his place on the Another Roadside Attraction megatour, which comes to UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium … Continue reading Matthew Sweet wishes his records were as loose as Neil Young’s

Gordon Downie says opening for the Rolling Stones is like being a golf caddy

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 6, 1995 By Steve Newton In 1995, it’s as if the Tragically Hip can do no wrong. Late last February, the Ontario guitar-rockers played a Pacific Coliseum gig that sold out in 20 minutes flat. Not long after that, you could have flicked on Saturday Night Live and … Continue reading Gordon Downie says opening for the Rolling Stones is like being a golf caddy

A small world helped Brother Cane score tour with Slash’s Snakepit

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 4, 1995 By Steve Newton While more than 40 singers auditioned for the lead-vocalist job in Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash’s solo band, Snakepit, probably just as many bands would have lined up to try out for the prestigious opening spot on that group’s tour. When that bill hits the sold-out … Continue reading A small world helped Brother Cane score tour with Slash’s Snakepit

With the Big 3-0 looming, Slash figures that “it’s happy hour somewhere”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 27, 1995 By Steve Newton When you’re guitar god Slash from Guns N’ Roses and you’re looking for a singer, you get to take your pick. Many hopefuls tried out for the lead-vocalist position in Slash’s Snakepit, including King’s X crooner Doug Pinnick, Spike from the London Quireboys, and former Little … Continue reading With the Big 3-0 looming, Slash figures that “it’s happy hour somewhere”

After partying on the Black Crowes tour, the Jayhawks mellow out with Tom Petty

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 27, 1995 By Steve Newton Here’s a tip for new bands trying to get ahead in today’s music biz: make sure that when any important industry types call and you put them on hold, your music is what they hear while they’re waiting. It worked for the Jayhawks, when American Recordings … Continue reading After partying on the Black Crowes tour, the Jayhawks mellow out with Tom Petty

Rivers run deep on slide wizard Sonny Landreth’s South of I-10

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 13, 1995 By Steve Newton Unless you’re a devoted follower of critically acclaimed slide guitarists—or the type of music fan that analyzes the musician credits on CD liner notes—you might not have heard of Louisiana singer-songwriter-guitarist Sonny Landreth. He’s been around for a long time, though, and he’s even been up … Continue reading Rivers run deep on slide wizard Sonny Landreth’s South of I-10

Extreme borrows from the Addams Family to get by at the Commodore

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 13, 1995 By Steve Newton Extreme must be caught in a time warp or something. At times the group seems to have a fair handle on the thrashy grunge-funk style popular today, then you blink and it sounds like one of those really bad big-hair bands from the mid-’80s. The result … Continue reading Extreme borrows from the Addams Family to get by at the Commodore

Joe Walsh, the Eddie Shack of rock ‘n’ roll, helps the Eagles soar in Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 30, 1995 By Steve Newton I have to admit, I was feeling a tad cynical as I took my seat for the Eagles concert on Monday (March 27). Like most everybody else who grew up loving rock music in the ’70s, I had a soft spot in my heart for the … Continue reading Joe Walsh, the Eddie Shack of rock ‘n’ roll, helps the Eagles soar in Vancouver

Duke Robillard finds a sense of balance with Temptation

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 2, 1995 By Steve Newton Some music-crazy kids will do anything to get their youthful paws on their first electric guitar. They’ll beg, borrow, or steal. Or, if they’re like Duke Robillard, they’ll pull a fast one. As a 14-year-old in Providence, Rhode Island, he came up with a highly original … Continue reading Duke Robillard finds a sense of balance with Temptation

Horror review: Halloween–The Curse of Michael Myers

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 5, 1995 By Steve Newton I’m sorry to say that Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers is most definitely not a seasonal TV variety show starring that boyish redheaded comic from Saturday Night Live and Wayne’s World. The bad news is that it’s the sixth in the series … Continue reading Horror review: Halloween–The Curse of Michael Myers