Dick Dale–the Strat-shredding, pick-melting King of the Surf Guitar–is dead at 81

By Steve Newton The unconfirmed reports circulating earlier today have now been confirmed: Dick Dale, the legendary guitarist whose finger-bleeding fretting style inspired countless guitarists, has died at 81. Dale's passing was confirmed by his bass player, Sam Bolle, and first reported by the California Rocker website. No cause of death was given, but Dale … Continue reading Dick Dale–the Strat-shredding, pick-melting King of the Surf Guitar–is dead at 81

Dick Dale doesn’t need no augmented ninth to make your ears bleed

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 8, 2000 By Steve Newton Dick Dale, the undisputed “King of the Surf Guitar”, is known for a uniquely fierce playing style. In concert, he grinds guitar picks down by the dozen, while conjuring a frenzied instro-rock din that—as Ted Nugent used to boast about his own noise—could … Continue reading Dick Dale doesn’t need no augmented ninth to make your ears bleed

Headstones frontman Hugh Dillon says he’s not as dumb as he can be

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 2, 1997 The Granville Mall proved a pretty functional location for the stag party I took part in a few months back. After getting the obligatory eyeful at the Cecil strip bar, the toga-clad hubby-to-be was paraded down to the Commodore Lanes, where, amazingly, yours truly decimated all … Continue reading Headstones frontman Hugh Dillon says he’s not as dumb as he can be

Freaky ponytail action and ’60s rave-ups set the tone at Link Wray’s Vancouver riff-o-rama

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 10, 1997 By Steve Newton When I heard that legendary instro-rock guitarist Link Wray was performing a few tunes and signing autographs at the Virgin Megastore last Friday afternoon (July 4), I snuck off from work early and headed down to Robson Street clutching my trusty Plexiglas-body Raven guitar and one … Continue reading Freaky ponytail action and ’60s rave-ups set the tone at Link Wray’s Vancouver riff-o-rama

Link Wray: my one and only interview with the inventor of the raunchy riff

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 3, 1997 By Steve Newton There’s been a missing Link on the North American music scene for a long time, but now he’s back, and instro-rock fans have serious cause to rejoice. Two weeks ago in Texas, 68-year-old guitar god Link Wray launched his first North American tour in 25 years, … Continue reading Link Wray: my one and only interview with the inventor of the raunchy riff

Scooter’s gutbucket brings a hillbilly vibe to the Deadcats’ surf-punk

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 28, 1996 There’s a warning label on the back cover of the new Deadcats CD, Bucket O’ Love, but it’s not there to caution potential buyers about any explicit lyrics or backwards satanic messages. It’s more just a declaration of the kind of music the local quartet proudly … Continue reading Scooter’s gutbucket brings a hillbilly vibe to the Deadcats’ surf-punk