ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 27, 2002 By Steve Newton It’s usually pretty easy to think of questions to ask famous rock stars, but sometimes they do things that make it a snap. Like when the Goo Goo Dolls decided to title their 2001 remix compilation What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art … Continue reading The Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik fears the day the Canadian army attacks Buffalo
Tag: 2002
Vancouver’s rough ‘n’ tumble Twisters take the Long Hard Road
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 29, 2002 By Steve Newton When the time comes to track down Brandon Isaak and get the scoop on his local blues band, the Twisters, the red-haired guitarist with the monster tone is not around. He’s up in the Yukon, where his parents own the only blues bar … Continue reading Vancouver’s rough ‘n’ tumble Twisters take the Long Hard Road
David Gogo gives Depeche Mode a bluesy makeover on Skeleton Key
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 25, 2002 By Steve Newton David Gogo is a festive kinda guy. When he calls me up from his home in Nanaimo, he’s just returned from playing the Ottawa Blues Festival, where he got to see one of his guitar idols, Otis Rush, and shared the event’s acoustic stage with Vancouver … Continue reading David Gogo gives Depeche Mode a bluesy makeover on Skeleton Key
Joe Walsh, the Eddie Shack of rock, flies highest at the Eagles’ Vancouver show
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 20, 2002 By Steve Newton Boy, I sure took a lotta flack from the hipsters in the Straight’s editorial department for wanting to review the Eagles concert last Wednesday (June 12) at GM Place. “Woo-hoo, ‘Hotel California’!” gibed Mike Usinger, high sheriff of all things musical, before inserting … Continue reading Joe Walsh, the Eddie Shack of rock, flies highest at the Eagles’ Vancouver show
King’s X guitarist Ty Tabor is not into chops for chops’ sake
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 20, 2002 By Steve Newton When I reach King’s X guitarist Ty Tabor by phone in Cleveland, he’s just gotten back from doing several weeks of guitar clinics in Southeast Asia, helping to promote his signature series of Yamaha guitars in countries like Taiwan, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Most … Continue reading King’s X guitarist Ty Tabor is not into chops for chops’ sake
Jimmy Thackery pays tribute to Muscle Shoals soulman Eddie Hinton on We Got It
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 13, 2002 Most blues-rock guitarists of note have tales to tell about the first time they heard the likes of Jimi Hendrix or Buddy Guy. But as a teenager growing up in Washington, D.C., Jimmy Thackery actually got to see both those legends perform live. A 17-year-old Thackery … Continue reading Jimmy Thackery pays tribute to Muscle Shoals soulman Eddie Hinton on We Got It
Jennifer Batten calls Jeff Beck “the greatest guitar player who ever lived”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 13, 2002 By Steve Newton Any guitar freaks lucky enough to have seen Jeff Beck at the Commodore last year will rave about his top-hatted blond accompanist, whose mastery of the guitar-synth almost stole the show from the British rock legend. The waiflike lady was Jennifer Batten, who returns to Vancouver … Continue reading Jennifer Batten calls Jeff Beck “the greatest guitar player who ever lived”
Fingerstyle guitar ace Leo Kottke is deeply attracted to sloth
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 13, 2002 By Steve Newton Ever since he blasted onto the music scene with his 1969 debut on John Fahey’s tiny Takoma label, 6 and 12-String Guitar, Leo Kottke has been acknowledged as one of the greats of fingerstyle acoustic guitar. But that wasn’t his first instrument—or “victim”, … Continue reading Fingerstyle guitar ace Leo Kottke is deeply attracted to sloth
The John Butler Trio just said no to American record labels
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 23, 2002 BY STEVE NEWTON It doesn’t take long to figure out that Australian singer-songwriter and slide-guitar ace John Butler is an issue-oriented kinda guy. In the CD booklet that accompanies his trio’s latest disc, Three, one page is loaded with facts detailing the ongoing destruction of his … Continue reading The John Butler Trio just said no to American record labels
Lemmy Kilmister thinks Motörhead should have its own category by now
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 9, 2002 By Steve Newton I’ve always respected Motörhead for what it’s done over the past quarter-century to further the cause of heavy metal, and for its ability to do so, like Rush, within the confines of the power-trio format. But as far as Motörhead albums go, it’s … Continue reading Lemmy Kilmister thinks Motörhead should have its own category by now
Cracker’s David Lowery on The Big Lebowski, Camper Van Beethoven, and Forever
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 2, 2002 By Steve Newton After a few listens to the new Cracker CD, Forever, I came to the conclusion that the title track—with its infectious jangle and big-toned, Duane Eddy–style guitar riff—was the standout among the disc’s 13 tunes. My overwhelming fondness for that song had me … Continue reading Cracker’s David Lowery on The Big Lebowski, Camper Van Beethoven, and Forever
Weezer’s Brian Bell on geek-rock stigmas and Spike Jonze’s scary giraffe
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 25, 2002 By Steve Newton Weezer is one band that really knows how to turn a simple riff into a monster hit. The American power-pop quartet pulled that trick off to career-making effect in ’94 with its hooky single “Buddy Holly”, then did it again last year with the whimsical three-minute … Continue reading Weezer’s Brian Bell on geek-rock stigmas and Spike Jonze’s scary giraffe
Bob Rock says Metallica “never have and never will sell out”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 25, 2002 By Steve Newton What could possibly cause any sane person to willingly abandon the balmy paradise of Hawaii for the frigid climes of Vancouver in January? Well, if you’re record producer Bob Rock, your last name is reason enough. Good old riff-riddled rock is what draws … Continue reading Bob Rock says Metallica “never have and never will sell out”