ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 28, 2000 Matthew Good is a loud rocker. That’s easily discernible from a quick spin of his band’s latest CD, Beautiful Midnight. Matthew Good is also a loud talker, as I discover for myself when he calls the Straight from his West End apartment prior to his five … Continue reading Matthew Good and the great Radiohead controversy of 2000
Tag: 2000
The Tragically Hip rises above poor sound in Vancouver to peak with “Nautical Disaster”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 23, 2000 By Steve Newton Are the Tragically Hip, long thought of as Canada’s best rock band, finally losing their grip on that title? The fact that it just played two shows at the 12,000-seat Pacific Coliseum might make you think the Kingston quintet is as popular as … Continue reading The Tragically Hip rises above poor sound in Vancouver to peak with “Nautical Disaster”
Bob Rock brings his golden ears and guitars to Paul Hyde’s Living Off the Radar
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 16, 2000 Former Vancouverite Bob Rock is one of the most in-demand rock producers in the world today. The man who helped platinum acts like Metallica, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, and the Cult move mountains of CDs now lives and works on the Hawaiian island of Maui, where … Continue reading Bob Rock brings his golden ears and guitars to Paul Hyde’s Living Off the Radar
The Cramps’ Ivy Rorschach could be happy just sittin’ on a porch, playing guitar
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 2, 2000 By Steve Newton Psychosexual. Psychosomatic. Psychobabble. Psychobilly? You’ll find all but the last word in Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, because California demento-rockers the Cramps coined the term psychobilly themselves back in the mid-’70s. Since then it has become synonymous for many with twisted Cramps tunes like … Continue reading The Cramps’ Ivy Rorschach could be happy just sittin’ on a porch, playing guitar
Good daughter Sarah Harmer goes solo with You Were Here
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 2, 2000 Sarah Harmer is a good daughter. And I’m not just saying that because, when the Ontario singer-songwriter rings the Straight, she’s calling from the basement of Chalmers United Church in Guelph. (Her trio is playing an all-ages show there that night.) No, Sarah Harmer is a … Continue reading Good daughter Sarah Harmer goes solo with You Were Here
Carlos Santana chides firecracker-blasting moron in Vancouver, says “This isn’t a heavy-metal concert!”
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 2, 2000 By Steve Newton Carlos Santana has been blowing folks away with his fiery, straight-from-the-soul fret work for more than 30 years now, but at GM Place on October 26, he never let his status as a guitar god override his main goal for … Continue reading Carlos Santana chides firecracker-blasting moron in Vancouver, says “This isn’t a heavy-metal concert!”
Neil Osborne calls 54-40’s Casual Viewin’ “the band’s feel-good groove record”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 12, 2000 When it came to choosing a title for their latest album, Casual Viewin’, local guitar-rockers 54•40 didn’t follow previous procedures and look to their ideals (Fight For Love) or early gigging days (Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret). For their ninth studio album, they simply culled a lyric from … Continue reading Neil Osborne calls 54-40’s Casual Viewin’ “the band’s feel-good groove record”
Too Slim and the Taildraggers sample Lightnin’ Hopkins on King Size Troublemakers
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 12, 2000 You’d think a band from Washington state that’s been around as long as Too Slim and the Taildraggers would have made at least a couple of runs across the border to play for blues-hungry Canucks. But as guitarist-vocalist Tim “Too Slim” Langford explains from his Spokane … Continue reading Too Slim and the Taildraggers sample Lightnin’ Hopkins on King Size Troublemakers
Paul Rodgers on living the rock and roll fantasy and his new album Electric
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 21, 2000 By Steve Newton Anyone who’s ever raised a frosty Molson Pilsner to the bluesy riff-rock of Free or Bad Company would do well to attend the Commodore Ballroom on Friday (September 22), when the singer from those bands, Paul Rodgers, shows off the voice that launched … Continue reading Paul Rodgers on living the rock and roll fantasy and his new album Electric
Queensrÿche’s Geoff Tate give kudos to Maiden, Priest, and Sabbath (with Dio)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 14, 2000 By Steve Newton At the big metal show slated for the Pacific Coliseum on Wednesday (September 20), Seattle hard-rockers Queensrÿche will perform between openers Halford—featuring former Judas Priest screamer Rob Halford—and headliners Iron Maiden. You could say that it’s a return to the band’s roots, somewhat, … Continue reading Queensrÿche’s Geoff Tate give kudos to Maiden, Priest, and Sabbath (with Dio)
Kenny Wayne Shepherd never played with Stevie Ray, but still has hope for Clapton
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 7, 2000 By Steve Newton When Kenny Wayne Shepherd calls the Straight on a crapping-out cellphone from the wasteland of Duluth, Minnesota, it feels like a mixed blessing. On one hand, I’m happy to chat with anyone who’s helping to keep the Strat-ified blues-raunch spirit of Stevie Ray … Continue reading Kenny Wayne Shepherd never played with Stevie Ray, but still has hope for Clapton
Huevos Rancheros believe commerce is occasionally a good thing
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 17, 2000 A few years back Calgary instro-rockers Huevos Rancheros made my Top 10 with their CD Dig In!, a veritable smorgasbord of guitar-bass-drums delights. Now their new disc, Muerte del Toro, is a serious contender for my best-of-2000 list. Coproduced by Dave Alcock of Chixdiggit fame, it’s … Continue reading Huevos Rancheros believe commerce is occasionally a good thing
The immortal words of Country Dick Montana ring true at Steve Earle’s Vancouver show
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 17, 2000 By Steve Newton Some types of music are just made for drinkin’ to, and Steve Earle’s brand of down-home roots rock is one of them. And we’re not talking plain old boring beer, either. When it comes to liquid accompaniment for a Steve Earle concert, it’s … Continue reading The immortal words of Country Dick Montana ring true at Steve Earle’s Vancouver show