By Steve Newton Sometimes it's fun when you're searching through your stacks of cassettes packed with interviews you've done since 1982 and you find one that captures a crucial moment in history. I just came across an interview I did with Midnight Oil drummer and cosongwriter Rob Hirst that was dated October 26, 2001, which … Continue reading That time I asked Midnight Oil’s Rob Hirst if, six weeks after 9/11, “U.S. Forces” was off the setlist
Tag: 9/11
Kim Simmonds keeps the spirit of Savoy Brown alive for ’70s-rock holdouts
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 14, 2002 By Steve Newton It’s been 36 years since guitarist-vocalist Kim Simmonds founded British boogie-blues band Savoy Brown, and he’s kept the name alive through constant touring and steady CD releases. But the undying outfit might have been wiped out for good in a torrent of jet … Continue reading Kim Simmonds keeps the spirit of Savoy Brown alive for ’70s-rock holdouts
Midnight Oil won’t forgo antinationalist songs in the wake of 9/11
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 2001 By Steve Newton Midnight Oil is one of the most politically motivated and socially conscious guitar-rock bands in the world. Although best known for embracing Aboriginal land-rights issues in its native Australia via the 1988 hit “Beds Are Burning”, the quintet has always kept an eye out for international … Continue reading Midnight Oil won’t forgo antinationalist songs in the wake of 9/11
Sonny Rhodes went hell-bent for leather on the lap-steel guitar
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 20, 2001 The first musician I interviewed after terrorists committed those atrocious acts in the U.S. last week was American blues veteran Sonny Rhodes. And the impression I got—after passing on my condolences regarding his country’s anguish—was that the 60-year-old Florida resident is a straight-up kinda guy. “I … Continue reading Sonny Rhodes went hell-bent for leather on the lap-steel guitar
Horror review: Cloverfield
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JAN. 23, 2008 Imagine if somebody came up to you, grabbed your head, and jiggled it around for 80 minutes. Now imagine they did that while you were trying to watch a movie about a monster attacking New York City. Pretty irritating, eh? Cloverfield’s herky-jerky camerawork isn’t the only thing preventing … Continue reading Horror review: Cloverfield