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Archive for the ‘Interviews’ Category
Foghat – The Roger Earl interview
June 28th, 2009 No Comments
When the topic of great live rock and roll albums comes up, you can be sure that Foghat’s name will be mentioned. From their first live release back in 1977 to the latest Live At The Blues Warehouse, Foghat has been thrilling crowds with their blues-based boogie rock, giving their all at every show. In 2009, Foghat continue to deliver the goods onstage, a tribute to the band members who’ve carried on despite major setbacks. After the death of frontman “Lonesome” Dave Peverett in 2000, and the passing of slide guitarist extraordinaire Rod Price in 2005, it seemed that Foghat’s best days were behind them. But drummer Roger Earl wouldn’t let the band or its music die. He recruited vocalist and guitarist Charlie Huhn into the Foghat fold, joining Earl, guitarist Bryan Bassett and original bassist Tony Stevens. In 2005, Craig McGregor re-joined the ‘hat, replacing Stevens and solidifying the lineup that’s since released Foghat Live II and, now, Live At The Blues Warehouse. Earl and crew are determined to keep playing and making music for as long as they can, keeping Foghat in very good hands. Good news indeed.
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Tags: "Lonesome" Dave Peverett, Bryan Bassett, Charlie Huhn, Craig McGregor, Energized, Foghat, Fool For The City, Nick Jameson, Night Shift, Paul Butterfield, Rock And Roll Outlaws, Rod Price, Roger Earl, Rory Gallagher, Slow Ride, Steve Marriott, Stone Blue, Tight Shoes, Tony StevensAdam Levy of The Honeydogs interview
May 11th, 2009 No Comments
One of the biggest cliches in the music business is “best-kept secret.” But when it comes to the Minnesota-based band The Honeydogs, the cliché is true. For more than 15 years, the ‘dogs have built a loyal fan base across the upper Midwest, who were drawn initially to the band’s country rock efforts. Over time, the band has evolved into a melody-making rock machine, and began garnering serious critical acclaim with 2003’s epic 10,000 Years, a concept album about a test-tube kid who goes from criminal to possible savior, in the midst of wars, genocide and other horrific acts of man. If that doesn’t sound like the usual rock fare, it’s because chief songwriter and vocalist Adam Levy isn’t your songwriter du jour. He’s not afraid to sing about the dark side or bring together musical styles as disparate as bossa nova and funk, R&B and J.S. Bach. And he’s one of this generation’s great writer of melodies, following the footsteps of Elton John, Brian Wilson and, yes, Lennon & McCartney.
Stu Cook – Jackdawg’s lost album finally released
February 17th, 2009 1 Comment
For nearly 40 years, Stu Cook has been anchoring bands with his bass playing and harmony singing. From his time with the legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival to the country-tinged Southern Pacific to Cook’s current project with former Creedence drummer Doug Clifford titled Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Cook has remained an active and vital member on the music scene.
It was Cook’s affinity for country music that brought him together with Doobie Brothers’ members guitarist John McFee and drummer Keith Knudsen, as the three were part of Southern Pacific in the 1980s. The musical and personal chemistry were strong enough to survive the band’s eventual dissolution, and as the next decade was ushered in, Cook, McFee and Knudsen were writing together again – this time in a decidedly rock and roll context.
Posted in Interviews Tags: country music, creedence clearwater revival, doobie brothers, doug clifford, john mcfee, keith knudsenKeaton Simons – You Should Hear Him Now
February 16th, 2009 No Comments
One could forgive Keaton Simons if he chose to be a cynic. Like so many others in the music industry, Simons’ career has been marked by a series of starts and stops that makes many throw up their arms, pawn their guitars and look for a more reliable gig. But Simons has persevered, through a record label dissolution, working as a musical director, and even playing in movies.
In 2008, the singer/songwriter/guitarist finally got his chance, signing on with CBS Records, and releasing his long-overdue, full-length album Can You Hear Me Now, a record of surprising optimism and one that grooves from start to finish. I recently spoke with Simons about musical influences, Can You Hear Me, touring and much more.
Posted in Interviews Tags: bob dylan, cbs records, early blues, guitar player, howlin wolf, joni mitchell, muddy waters, ray charlesMarillion’s Steve Rothery on “Happiness Is The Road”
February 11th, 2009 No Comments
Do you remember your first math class? After being introduced to the wide world of numbers, you began learning that 1+1 = 2; 2+2 = 4; 2+3 = 5; 6 +3 = 9 and so on. As well, it didn’t matter if you wrote 2+3 or 3+2, the answer is still five. This is known as the commutative property of addition. But for some entities, 1+1+1+1+1 doesn’t equal 5 no matter how it’s written!
Posted in Interviews Tags: commutative property of addition, double cd, marillion, mark kelly, prog rock, steve hogarth, steve rotheryUriah Heep – From Very ‘Eavy to Wake The Sleeper
January 23rd, 2009 No Comments
Check out this three-way discussion covering the entire Uriah Heep catalog. Skull Sessions host Bob Nalbandian is joined by my friend and metal expert Martin Popoff and former publishing editor of Metal Rendezvous magazine John Strednansky. The trio talk about Heep records from Very ‘Eavy Very ‘Umble up to the latest release, Wake The Sleeper.
Heartwood – Robert Hudson & Tim Hildebrandt revisit “Nothin’ Fancy,” a “lost” Southern Rock belle
January 13th, 2009 2 Comments
The 1970s were, for many, the glory days of Southern Rock. All across the south great music could be heard from bands such as The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Outlaws, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Wet Willie, Marshall Tucker Band and many more. Of those bands that “made it,” dozens more enjoyed a run of regional popularity, soaking up the applause in back-road bars, juke joints and clubs. One such band was Heartwood, whose drummer Robert Hudson’s Web site provides the following history on the seven-piece country-rock outfit.
Yngwie Malmsteen interview: Sweden’s Stratocaster master
December 8th, 2008 No Comments
Sweden’s Yngwie Malmsteen is one of rock’s most influential and original guitarists. When most guitarists were woodshedding to copy Eddie Van Halen’s tapping technique in the late ’70s and early ’80s, Malmsteen looked much farther back for his inspiration, to the unlikely world of classical music and composers such as Antonio Vivaldi, J.S. Bach and Wolfgang Mozart. As well, the Italian virtuoso violinist Nicolò Paganini proved to be a major influence on Malmsteen’s playing and approach to his instrument. Studying such maestros, Malmsteen gained a rich harmonic palette and dazzling technique that translated amazingly well into the world of hard rock. Along the way, Malmsteen basically created the “classical metal” genre, one that’s still going strong today.
Posted in Interviews Tags: antonio vivaldi, eddie van halen, fender stratocaster, j s bach, paganini, rising force, wolfgang mozart, yngwie malmsteenNick D’Virgilio’s tribute to Genesis’ The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
December 4th, 2008 No Comments
In the world of progressive rock, few albums have enjoyed the critical and fan acclaim of Genesis’ The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. The 1974 release was in many ways the culmination of the musical explorations of Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Steve Hackett and Phil Collins – the five had previously recorded the superb triumvirate of Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot and Selling England By The Pound. Whereas those records contained music almost Victorian-like in its expansiveness and theatrics – including the epic “Supper’s Ready” – The Lamb featured tighter, street-tough progressive rock songs fueled by Gabriel’s remarkable lyrics, detailing the story of Rael, a Puerto Rican kid who wanders through New York City, experiencing its many guises.
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