Not every established rock star in the world has a recording contract. Some of them don’t even have managers.
Tag: Richard’s on Richards
Southern Culture on the Skids’ Rick Miller loves Link Wray and Danelectros
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 8, 2001 By Steve Newton True to its name, Southern Culture on the Skids has always endeavoured to promote the stereotypical lifestyles of the culturally challenged dwellers in the former Confederate states. On previous CDs like Dirt Track Date and Plastic Seat Sweat, the North Carolina roots-rockers told tales of backwoods … Continue reading Southern Culture on the Skids’ Rick Miller loves Link Wray and Danelectros
“It’s rough all over the world,” says R.L. Burnside, “even down in Mississippi some.”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 18, 2001 By Steve Newton R.L. Burnside is one of the most popular blues artists around today, but up until five years ago he was barely known outside of his native northern Mississippi hill country. After being featured in the 1991 documentary film Deep Blues, and releasing the influential Too Bad … Continue reading “It’s rough all over the world,” says R.L. Burnside, “even down in Mississippi some.”
Good daughter Sarah Harmer goes solo with You Were Here
Sarah Harmer is a good daughter, and I’m not just saying that because she’s calling from the basement of Chalmers United Church in Guelph.
3 Doors Down thank Superman for “Kryptonite” and God for The Better Life
“It’s just like God gives you a gift, you know what I’m sayin’, and just says ‘Here, do what you want with it.’”
Wacky NRBQ celebrates the phenomenon of the tap-dancing bats
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 24, 2000 By Steve Newton If there were such a thing as the Illustrated Dictionary of Pop-Rock, you could probably look up the word whimsical and see a picture of Toronto’s clown princes of pop, the Barenaked Ladies. Or maybe not. Nowadays that spot may be filled by NRBQ, who—with new … Continue reading Wacky NRBQ celebrates the phenomenon of the tap-dancing bats
Richard Buckner’s “barely earned” B.A. in English helped him drop his “Jewelbomb” gem
“Jewelbomb”, the fourth track on American alt-country singer-songwriter Richard Buckner’s Since CD, was one of my favourite tunes last year.
Fastball’s “The Way” is arguably the catchiest pop tune of 1998
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 26, 1998 By Steve Newton Fastball’s “The Way” is arguably the catchiest pop tune of the year. The bouncy ditty about a couple who wake up one day and hit the road, leaving their past lives (and current children) behind for “an exit to eternal summer slacking”, became an immediate staple … Continue reading Fastball’s “The Way” is arguably the catchiest pop tune of 1998
Steve Kilbey says his band feels like the Church again
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 24, 1998 By Steve Newton That big old vinyl collection of mine sure comes in handy sometimes. Up until last week I had no idea that it included anything by the Church, but in preparation for a chat with singer-bassist Steven Kilbey, I took a hopeful meander through the alphabetically arranged … Continue reading Steve Kilbey says his band feels like the Church again
Teen tunesmiths unplug for dark but down-home Days of the New
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 26, 1998 By Steve Newton Days of the New is different from most international recording acts in a couple of ways. First off, the average age of the Louisville, Kentucky–based quartet is 19. Then there’s the fact that it’s a full-on guitar band that doesn’t have much use for Les Pauls … Continue reading Teen tunesmiths unplug for dark but down-home Days of the New
Ventures guitarist Don Wilson on the origin and influence of “Walk, Don’t Run”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 13, 1997 By Steve Newton When Ventures cofounder Bob Bogle walked onto a Seattle used-car lot one afternoon in 1959, he wasn’t expecting to form the nucleus of what would become the world’s top-selling instrumental-rock band—he was just looking for some new wheels. Fortunately, he ran into aspiring rhythm guitarist Don … Continue reading Ventures guitarist Don Wilson on the origin and influence of “Walk, Don’t Run”
Pimped-out La-Z-Boys, shotguns, and crackheads colour S.C.O.T.S.’ Plastic Seat Sweat
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 9, 1997 By Steve Newton Some rock musicians search high and low for inspiration, while others just find it cruising around with a tow-truck driver high on crack. That’s what happened with “40 Miles to Vegas”, one of the wildest tracks on the new Southern Culture on the Skids CD, Plastic … Continue reading Pimped-out La-Z-Boys, shotguns, and crackheads colour S.C.O.T.S.’ Plastic Seat Sweat
Chicago blues legend Otis Rush still gets around: “It’s a job, you know, and I got to work.”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 19, 1997 By Steve Newton In conversation, blues legend Otis Rush comes across like one of his classic guitar solos: direct and to the point. He’s no fancy talker, but he gets to the heart of the matter. When I track the 62-year-old musician down at his home in Chicago, and … Continue reading Chicago blues legend Otis Rush still gets around: “It’s a job, you know, and I got to work.”