ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 4, 1993 By Steve Newton Before potential listeners can get to the music on the new xtra large CD, NOWiEATthem, they have to get past one freaky cover illustration. Fashioned by acclaimed American artist Mark Ryden (who did Michael Jackson’s Dangerous cover), it portrays two women being wed by a huge … Continue reading xtra large guitarist inspired by Keith Moon, Andy Kaufman, and pimento loaf
Tag: Town Pump
Seattle’s Sister Psychic goes against the grain of grunge
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 31, 1992 By Steve Newton From the heady, hook-filled pop-grunge soaring off Sister Psychic’s debut CD, Fuel, you’d think the members of the Seattle power trio had been together for years, honing their skills with their chosen instruments until the time was right to unleash that sound on … Continue reading Seattle’s Sister Psychic goes against the grain of grunge
Blind Melon’s Shannon Hoon defines success as making it last
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 23, 1992 By Steve Newton When he was a headline-making member of the infamous Sex Pistols, John Lydon went to extremes to make sure people either loved or hated his grating, nihilistic Johnny Rotten persona. And, according to Blind Melon vocalist Shannon Hoon, Lydon hasn’t given up his Rotten ways. “One … Continue reading Blind Melon’s Shannon Hoon defines success as making it last
Robert Gordon saves his Vancouver show after Chris Spedding nearly wrecks it
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 5, 1992 By Steve Newton It’s a good thing Robert Gordon has plenty of charisma—enough, in fact, to make up for Chris Spedding’s total lack of charm. For their show at the Town Pump on Saturday (May 30), Gordon was the picture of suave coolness, while guitarist Spedding—who … Continue reading Robert Gordon saves his Vancouver show after Chris Spedding nearly wrecks it
Widespread Panic finds a home on Phil Walden’s resurrected Capricorn label
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 2, 1992 By Steve Newton If you were a fan of southern rock back in the days of vinyl, chances are you owned a couple of discs with the Capricorn label on them. With an early ’70s roster that included the Allman Brothers, the Marshall Tucker Band, Wet Willie, Elvin Bishop, … Continue reading Widespread Panic finds a home on Phil Walden’s resurrected Capricorn label
B.B. King’s busted guitar string becomes treasure for Tinsley Ellis
When one of your biggest idols gives you a souvenir that thing automatically becomes priceless, as Tinsley Ellis can easily attest.
She Stole My Beer goes direct to tape with Sparks Off the Guardrail
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 20, 1992 By Steve Newton Some band names really leave you wondering. I mean, what do you make of bands called Scootertrash, Afghan Whigs, Hocus Pick Manoeuver, and Mutant Starfish? At least a fellow can relate to a group called She Stole My Beer. “Back in our high-school days we used … Continue reading She Stole My Beer goes direct to tape with Sparks Off the Guardrail
Stone Gossard says Pearl Jam’s hard work is all paying off
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 19, 1991 By Steve Newton When a rock writer does a lot of “phoners”—media slang for telephone interviews—with bands that are coming to town, once in a while wires get crossed. This scribbler was planning to speak to Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder last week, but guitarist Stone Gossard rang up … Continue reading Stone Gossard says Pearl Jam’s hard work is all paying off
Dave Alvin recalls how his record label wanted him to sound like Eurythmics
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 28, 1991 By Steve Newton Rock ’n’ roll bands can be like families. A band offers its members a place where they can have a sense of belonging, where they can look out for one another, and where they can share the joys of their good fortune—whether that be getting a … Continue reading Dave Alvin recalls how his record label wanted him to sound like Eurythmics
Promising Pearl Jam pulls off a loud one at the Town Pump in Vancouver
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 3, 1991 By Steve Newton I’d been warned by someone who caught Pearl Jam’s sound check at the Town Pump last Thursday afternoon (September 26) that the Seattle band was extremely loud. My second clue, upon entering the busy club around midnight, was the abundance of black leather … Continue reading Promising Pearl Jam pulls off a loud one at the Town Pump in Vancouver
Tad brings sludgy Seattle-style grunge to Vancouver, skips the chainsaw
Wearing a XXXL black t-shirt sporting the message “Smoke Pot”, singer-guitarist Tad Doyle used his trusty SG/Marshall combo to good effect.
Bobby Baker thinks the Tragically Hip are better players and songwriters on new Road Apples
“The songs were much more of a collective effort,” says Baker, “which is something we’ve been working toward since the beginning."
Alice in Chains matches drug-war desperation with Facelift’s angry riffs
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 10, 1991 By Steve Newton It’s been pretty hard to skip through any Seattle TV news broadcasts lately without hearing all about the devastation that Washington’s largest city and its outlying areas are feeling from drug wars. Reports on crack houses and citizens under gang-related fire are nightly occurrences as the … Continue reading Alice in Chains matches drug-war desperation with Facelift’s angry riffs