Tina's Korner Archives
From "Music Voice" magazine. Courtesy of EMOL. January 1996
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Phoenix, Arizona Musicians
After its recent acquisition by Toolies Country's Bill Bachand and almost six months of restoration, Phoenix's Celebrity Theater, located at 440 N. 32nd St., is set to open its doors. The first show scheduled there is with Tim & Will & The KMLE Christmas Breakfast Show, on Dec. 8th, followed by country singer Chris LeDoux. Congratulations to Mr. Bachand. For more show info., call 267-1600.
One Foot in the Grave, whose members are in the older age bracket, has been signed to Voices Music, a German recording company. Their new cd, "Old Farts," is set for release in Europe. The newest edition to the band is drummer Dave Cook. One Foot in the Grave begins its third European tour in January '96. Richard Marx of the Superstition Band, scored his sixth episode of the monthly human interest series "Copperstate Chronicles"on KTVK. The "Ridin' the Rails" episode tracks the story of the railroad in Arizona, with the title song being a contemporary arrangement of "I've Been Working on the Railroad." All music was produced at Happy Camper Recordings in Phoenix.
"Arizona Showcase" is a tv production on public television featuring Arizona talent. Produced by Arcade Group Productions in Glendale, Arizona, it can be sen every Friday at 11:30 a.m. on Cox Cable's channel 22. Some of the featured bands have included Box of Cherries, Cat Acoustic Groove, Wild Card and Anti-M. To be considered for future tapings, call James at 582-1107.
Tucson, Arizona Musicians
After getting frustrated with the "label thing" over ten years ago, resident hybrid connoisseur of the Southwestern Tucson sound, Al Perry has emerged with a 12-song cd, Losin' hand," on his own label, Addled Records. Although Perry has the reputation of being able to merge all genres into its own unique persona, he returns to one of his true musical loves on this one. "It's real straight country, like Buck Owens, Bakersfield kind of thing," Al told me when we ran into each other downtown. "The songs are about failed relationships, they're really depressing," he conceded saying he really likes this kind of music. Joining him are bassist Dave Roads, drummer Peter Catalonotte (check spelling) and pedal steel guitarist Neil Harry. Perry and his band treated Tucsonans to a taste of this country with a rocking sound at a CD release party held at Club Congress. Opening groups were the Rugburns and The Almighty Honeywagon.
Musician Paul Young, known for his role in the 80's bands UPS (Useless Piece of Shit) And Blood Spasm (and the great Jimi Hendix tattoo), has died of complications resulting from a foot injury. Paul, who worked at the Zip's Records in Park Mall, was well known for his influence in the formation of the punk music scene in the 80's. A memorial service was held Saturday, November 4th at the Downtown Performance Center. He and his contributions and memories to the the local music scene will be greatly missed.
National Rock
Commenting on "Monster," R.E.M.'s lead singer Michael Stipe said, "We wanted to make a really foxy record, raw and sexy, just spit it out. We were ready to throw out the book." Once, after sitting out a song in rehearsal, Stipe admitted he was smitten by the group. "If I wasn't in the band, I'd be a big fan," he announced. "I'd go see us live. I would be irritated by me every now and then, but I think I would like us a lot."
Frank Black, recently signed with American Recordings, will debut January 30th with "The Cult of Ray." The following month he will begin his U.S. tour with Chicago rocker Jonny Polonsky.
On The Foreman's album, "Folk Heroes," the satirical song "Ain't No Liberal," is aimed at California Governor Pete Wilson. "Pete Wilson is 'Casper the Friendly Candidate' -- you can see right through him," observed songwriter Roy Zimmerman. "I like to think The Foremen's recording is helping to draw people's attention to the pious hypocrisies Wilson and other Republican hopefuls are preaching."
For the first time since 1991, Julian Cope performed four East Coast solo acoustic concerts in support of his new album, "20 Mothers."
Skinny Puppy's American Recordings debut and final studio lp, "The Process," will hit the shelves February 20th. The 12th album in their career, the band has suffered a series of misfortunes, ranging from the departure of singer Nivek Ogre and the heroin overdose of keyboardist Dwayne Goettel. "He'd changed girlfriends," said Ogre of the warning signs. "He was with this woman who I thought was pretty disastrous to his life. He started doing a lot of speed and downers." Of the album's title and theme, Ogre explained that "The Process was a psychotherapy cult that started in the early 60's. They were deemed a Satanic cult, but they were neither Satanic nor Christian. In fact, they were both and all. They were into the duality of opposites."
Slayer's upcoming lp is tentatively titled "Selected and Exhumed."
Barkmarket played Tucson's Club Congress November 26th. Their five-week jaunt wraps up December 9th at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ.
"The Isle of View," the name of the Pretenders home video features the band in a live acoustic performance backed by the Duke Quartet, a classical string ensemble. Tracks include "Brass in Pocket," "Back on the Chain Gang" and "The Phone Call." Of the 14 cuts, "Blue Sun" and a cover of Radiohead's "The Creep," are two special tracks not included on the CD, which is titled the same.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers current world tour will run through 1997. Opening through December 31st will be The Flaming Lips and Silverchair.
Speaking of Silverchair, the Australian rock band was featured in the October issue of the on-line publication, Addicted to Noise.
Besides Sweet 75 and Hovercraft on the Sky Cries Mary tour, Microsoft is also on the bill, demonstrating their new CD Plus technology.
"Inarticulate Nature Boy" will be the A&M solo record by Josh Clayton-Felt, the former lead singer of School of Fish. Due for release in early 1996, Clayton-Felt played all the instruments on the disc. "I kept collecting stuff, writing and playing different instruments. I felt the songs take on a character that seemed like the sound that I'd been looking for. I decided to make the record the same way," he said. "I did the whole thing on my own in a home studio we set up. I felt no pressure there. The music just came out. Catch Clayton-Felt and his touring band at Gibson's in Phoenix on December 14th and at Club Congress in Tucson on December 15th.
Everclear has been named "Band of the Year" by Addicted to Noise.
"Fiddlehead Salad" is a 16-song collection performed mainly by gay and lesbian artists. On Reprise Records, the collection is in support of Maine Won't Discriminate, a coalition opposing discriminatory measures on the Maine November ballot. "Hatred and discrimination are ugly," stated Reprise president Howie Klein. "It is with aggressive pleasure that Reprise can play even a small role in helping to defend basic human rights for any oppressed minority." Some cuts include "12 Gays of Christmas" by Venus Envy, "You're One" by Imperial Teen and "Surfer Dyke Pal" by Phranc.
Col. Bruce Hampton has been signed to Capricorn Records. His latest ensemble is the Fiji Mariners with the Col. on guitar, Dan Matrazzo on keyboards and Pete C. on drums. An album is slated for the spring of '96.
Music Industry
In response to comments mad by White House Director of Drug Policy, Dr. Lee Brown on the Capricorn release "Hempilation," Capricorn Records and NORML have issued a joint statement. "Capricorn Records does not advocate the use or legalization of marijuana. The lp was intended as a forum for the artists to air their views on the topic and the record company stands firmly by the decision to distribute the product to the public. It is our deepest hope that Dr. Brown's recognition of this project will lead to positive discussions on the issue."
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December 1995 from "Music Voice" magazine
Skinny Puppy's keyboardist, Dwayne Goettel, was found dead of an apparent heroin overdose at his parents house in Edmonton, Canada. The 31-year-old musician and Evin Key were in the midst of working on their first American Recordings album at the time of his August death. Former band vocalist Ogre, who had left the group several months ago due to intense band problems, issued a statement from his Seattle home, which said in part, "I am truly sorry for Dwayne's family and hope Dwayne is rememberd as being extremely sensitive and the beautiful, gifted person/artist whose talent and offerings were cut short by drugs. He was the little known genius behind the curtain of Skinny Puppy."
Glenn Danzig and drummer Joey Castillo are laying down basic tracks at Ocean Way Studios. With the departure of Eerie Von and guitarist John Christ, Danzig will be announcing
new players in the future.
After making their American concert debut on the Lollapalooza '95 tour, British group Laika took on a number of September dates with Tricky. An EP is scheduled to be released any time now and their follow-up album is due in early '96.
Queen will release it's 20th album this month. Entitled "Made in Heaven," it will come close to four years to the date of the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury. It was his wish that the band complete the work, which contains 10 new tracks. Hollywood Records will issue "Made in Heaven" on Nov. 7th.
Hootie and the Blowfish, k.d. lang, R.E.M., Lou Reed, Pretenders and Joni Mitchell are among the artists to be on the Reprise Records release, "Friends." The dozen songs will be incorporated into the popular tv program throughout the season. The show's theme song, incidentally, "I'll Be There for You," is sung by the Rembrandts.
Out on Warner Reprise Video is "No. 1 Video in America This Week," a collection of Mudhoney video clips filmed during the Sub Pop and Reprise Records eras.
The Muffs apeared at a free concert in Dallas and Babes in Toyland did the same in LA and San Francisco in late September. Sponsored by Spin Magazine, Levi's and the top alternative station in each city, special cd campler was sold in all the Levi outlets to coinside with the performances. Featured tracks include those by Ash, Grant Lee Buffalo, The Foremen, Morrissey, The Muffs and Babes in Toyland. "Blonder and Blonder" is the Muffs current LP while the one from Babes in Toyland is called "Nemesisters."
"Living With the Dead," a full-length biography of the Grateful Dead, will be released this month by Warner Audio Video Entertainment (WAVE). The three-hour audio was written and narrated by Grateful Dead manager Rock Scully and biographical rock author David Dalton. WAVE President Lori Weintraub stated, "Jerry Garcia's death brought the Grateful Dead phenomena full circle. The spoken audio read by Rock Scully brings the legendary story to life through the words of someone who shared it. For many fans, 'Living With the Dead' will be the time capsule of an era." It was recently announced that the Dead will not continue together any longer.
British trio Supergrass spent a busy October, hitting 11 cities las month, including Gibson's in Tempe.
Talk show host Kathi Lee Gifford, inspired by her two sons, has recorded an album of 10 original lullabies. Special guests include Aaron Neville, Kenny Loggins, Sandi Patty and Nancy LaMott.
Warner Reprise Video has simultaneously issued the cd and video of Travis Tritt, "Greatest Hits -- From the Beginning," covering the chronicles of his career.
With Marco's departure to Century Media Records, Stephanie Cabral is now National Director of Publicity and Matthew Bower will be handling tour promotions/A&R/Publicity.
The Gin Blossoms will perform a benefit concert for Arizona's Camp Hakuna Matata on Nov. 5th at the Arizona State Fair Coliseum. The band will donated the entire guarantee of the performance, allowing the HIV/AIDS summer camp for children to operate a full week instead of the usual four days and being able to provide a retreat for at least 200 children (this year the camp accommodated 90). In an official statement released by the Gin Blossoms they acknowledged "that these special children deserve a chance to have some fun, and if the Gin Blossoms can help them do that by sending them to camp, that's terrific. What could be more important?"
Monsters of Rock, joining forces with Global Artists, produced their first-ever live Internet multicast from Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Monsters of Rock tour, a South American/Mexican jaunt, features Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Megadeth, Therapy?, Faith No More and Paradise Lost.t
Julian Cope's latest, "20 Mothers," is out on American Recordings.
During it's first week on the radio, Ruth Ruth's "Uninvited," off of their "Laughing Gallery" LP, was the second most added track on alternative radio, including KUKQ, KUPD and KROC as well as being added to MTV's 120 Minutes and Alternative Nation. In other news, The Mother Hips was added on KDKB.
Jim Shepard is recording his American Recordings debut under the name V-3, which he has used before. Commented A&R executive Johan Kugelberg, "He moves between Pavement/Guided by Voices lo-fi, hard psyche rock, jazzy improv and folk songs with great ease. He is an amazing lyricist with an honesty and sense of urgency that makes me think of the Beats and the best of the 60/70s counter-culture writers."
Halloween night saw Slayer on American Recordings Internet Chat Room, who answered questions to fans and media for one hour. By no coincidence, their first home video, "Live Intrusion," was released on the same day.
Dan Baird's second solo album, "Buffalo Nickel," will be on the shelves on January 16th. Produced by Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Pete Droge), one of the numbers on the record is "Hush," which was a hit for Deep Purple in '69. Joe South, who wrote the song, contributes backing vocals. "Classic shit is classic for a reason," stated Baird. "The only thing I worry about is sounding phony."
Songs like "Die Mother Die," "Mary Pickford, Marry Me," and "Generation Crap" are among the numbers that grace Stiffs, Inc. current album, "Nix Naught Nothing."
Among those sighted at Long Fin Killie concerts (on tour with Medicine) have been Superchunk's Mac McCaughn, Come's Thalia and Chris, Sebadoh's Lou Barlow and Pavement's Mark Ibold.
The 1993 greatest hits collection by Prince, "The Hits 1" and "The Hits 2" have been certified Platinum. The albums are on Warner Bros./Paisley Park Records.
Tom Petty's "Wildflowers," on the other hand, has reached Triple Platinum. Petty also received Best Male Video for "You Don't Know How It Feels" at the 1995 MTV Video Awards.
Chris Isaak has struck Gold with "Forever Blue."
"The Birthday Concert" was recorded on Dec. 1, 1981 on Jaco Pastorius' 30th birthday in his hometown of Ft. Lauderdale with top-notch players, friends and family. On the Warner Bros. label, the album was released to coinside with Bill Milkowski's book, "Jaco: The Extraordinary and Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius" from Miller Freeman books.
Clara, the five-year-old daughter of Flea, provided the artwork on the invitation for the Red Hot Chili Peppers listening party for "One Hot Minute." called "Dreamship: Lullabies for Little Ones." Warner Kids President Lori Weintraub commented that "'Dreamship' is the kind of record we love to see. Kathi Lee's public persona and reputation as a role-model mother, combined with the album'sbeautifully crafted songs are a guarantee of parent approval. It's an equation that translates into broad appeal."Reprise Archives have issued tow classic albums. Rosemary Clooney's "Love" was originally recorded for RCA Records but never released. It was recorded with singer and arranger Nelson Riddle at a time when romance was in full bloom for the two. "More of Other Worlds, Othr Sounds" is the album of Juan Garcia Esquivel heralded as the Mexican Duke Ellington to the King of Quirk. The reissue by Reprise Archives includes original artwork and liner notes.
From Good Homes
While performing at a local New Jersey club a few years back, The Dogs were asked to stop playing at their gig, a request to which they reluctantly obliged. Undaunted, they went elsewhere to hoist a few drinks and upon returning, the place was locked with their instruments inside. Wanting to play one more number, they broke in, got caught and had to appear in court. The sentencing judge, commenting that they all came "from good homes," sentenced them to community service.
This New Jersey band, who have played under an assortment of different names, have been "From Good Homes" for the past five years. Touting an acoustic-based sound that features guitar, harmonica, drums, bass, saxophone, melodica, fiddle and mandolin, this five-member band has a groove that defies easy classification.
One Jersey critic dubbed them "hick pop," a term that charmed the band so much they named their independently-released CD "Hick Pop Coming At Ya" on their label, GRRRRrrrr Records. "Open Up the Sky," however, is their CD on RCA Records. Produced by Don Smith (Cracker, John Hiatt) and Jim Rondinelli (Jayhawks, Matthew Sweet), the album offers a mellifluous blend of perky beats, folk accents, touches of funk, sweet harmonies and the winning lead vocals of Todd Sheaffer.
From Good Homes has been building their fan base via constant touring. Besides headlining their own shows, they have performed with Widespead Panic, Hootie and The Blowfish and the Dave Matthews Band. "Open Up the Sky" reveals a clever interpretation of the musical styles that surround us, presented with an undeniable good time feel.
"Souled Out" marks Tower of Power's third release on Epic Records and their 15th album during the course of their 25-year career. While the core members remain the same -- Emilio Castillo, Carmen Grillo, Nick Milo, Doc Kupka and Rocco Prestia -- the current line-up featues five new members, adding a fresh touch. In choosing the lead vocalist, the band auditioned 30 singers.
Brent Carter, who nabbed the postion, said that if he had known they were screening so many people, he wouldn't have flown to the tryout. "Brent had a real distinctive style, he had a very pleasant personality, he seemed to have really good values," said co-founding member Emilio Castillo in a recent phone interview, "which is important to us because we're going to live on the bus with this guy for seven months out of the year.
He tried really hard in the audition. He's great, and a pleasure to work with, too." On "Souled-Out," the multi-talented Jeff Lorber co-produced five numbers, co-wrote three and contributed keyboards on a few tracks. Although Castillo admitted to being less than enthused upon his initial meeting with Lorber, who is a big fan of the band, he decided to take a chance and employ his talents on this LP. "After that it was a total, great experience," Castillo affirmed. "I loved every minute of it. He's just a great producer, a great writer, totally happening."
This funk and soul band, known for their impeccable rhythm section and a phenomenal horn unit, are on the road for the next year. Future plans include widening their fan base and expanding into writing film scores. "We're freshly back into it," Castillo affirmed. We went through the whole 80's without a record deal and people counted us out, said we were dinosaurs. We stuck to our guns, kept playing this kind of music and it's paid off for us."
Read Tina's interview with Tower of Power .
Eleven
Eleven is an enigma unto itself -- a triage of parallel lines that do intersect. Guitarist/vocalist Alain Johannes was born in Chile, but grew up in Switzerland and Mexico. Natasha Shneider, who handles vocals, organ and bass, grew up in Moscow, studied classical piano and became privvy to rock 'n roll through the Soviet underground.
Moving to LA in the mid-80's, she met Johannes at an art studio and the two have been together for the past nine years, both professionally and personally. Ex-Chili Peppers drummer Jack Irons joined the band and has recently departed when asked to join Pearl Jam.
Meanwhile, Greg Upchurch, watching MTV in his home state of Oklahoma, decided Eleven was his favorite band and moved to LA. Landing a job at a record store, Upchurch met Johannes and Shneider when they stopped in and is now their drummer. And "Thunk" is the band's second release on Hollywood Records.
Prior to his departure, Irons played on seven numbers, while Soundgarden's Matt Cameron contributed on four. Clearly, "Thunk" demonstrates that Eleven will not be restricted to conventional approaches common in the industry. On "Seasick of You," droney, androidish vocals reign; a transcendental aura dominates "You Will Know;" and "No Ground" has a dark, tormented musical backdrop fronted by Shneider's gruff vocals.
With their multi-dimensional sound, Eleven is trodding on unique turf. "If music isn't twisted to some degree, it's no good," Shneider claimed, "but it still has to have a sense of elegance." Added Johannes, "I guess you could say our ears are very stretched. We listen to a lot of different stuff -- classical, Indian, Bulgarian, jazz -- and try to soak it in."
(Tucson, Arizona)
Plastic Museum is one of those bands that likes to use their imagination with humor. For starters, they derived their name from a "Cops" episode. Later, bassist Rich Soumakian contacted the group after he saw an ad for a guitarist in the University paper entitled "Hot Sex." And the band's latest CD is called "Full Frontal Nudity" on Polymur Records. But all jesting aside, one thing these Tucson players take seriously is their music.
Formed three years ago, the band consists of vocalist Eric Hulstedt, guitarists Eric Brobeck and Rich Soumakian, bassist Thomas J. Ferrugia, Jr., and drummer Michael Wagner. In 1993 and '94, they won the Battle of the Bands competition sponsored by the Rock and this past summer has seen them playing in Los Angeles. In demand, especially on the local University music scene, they have played a variety of venues, including The Rock, O'Malley's, the Buena Vista, The Electric Ballroom (Tempe), Monsoons (Flagstaff) and Ronco's (Scottsdale).
Their self-titled 1993 demo revealed a band with a mission, but with haphazard direction. Viewing that effort as a learning experience, Plastic Museum feels more comfortable with "Full Frontal Nudity," recorded at the Salt Mines in Mesa. "Someone made the statment that we were like freshmen in high school with the demo," said Eric Hulstedt, "and with this one we were soon to be graduating from college."
Clearly, their contemporary rock sound draws from the band's combined musical influences of 80's dance bands, reggae, grunge, jazz, metal and classics like the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. Hulstedt's vocal intensity ranges from a dreamy mood in "Breathe" to straight-in-your-face candidness on "Happy Birthday Shithead." The punk-driven birthday ode was penned for his roomate's girlfriend, Mia. "She came over and I was sitting on the couch tinkering with the guitar. She said, 'Eric, it's my birthday. Why don't you write me a song?' So that was the first thing that came out -- 'Happy Birthday Shithead -- are you getting any older and smarter? I don't think so.' It was done sarcastically," he was sure to add.
Juggling school, work, recording and performing, Plastic Museum realizes it's necessary to tow the line in all areas. "I think that a sign of healthy living is that you've got to be motivated if you going to get anywhere," Hulstedt noted. And, oh yeah, about that "Cops" episode -- when the police questioned the suspect, who lived with his mother, on why he had women's panties and high heel shoes in his dresser drawers, he replied "Man, I'm gonna start me a plastic museum." The band concurred. "We thought that was kind of groovy," Hulstedt reflected. "He had a response to the question, so we said, 'Well hell, we might as well start one too."
See Plastic Museum page.
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December 1995
Armageddon Dildos
Armageddon Dildos are a German band who have released "Lost," their second album for Sire and the third in their discography. Initially, Dirk Krause (synthesizers) was the founding member of Head on Shoulders while Uwe Kanka (vocals) was in the punk band Beat the Beat. Together they formed the Dildos in Kassel, Germany in 1988. In 1991 they released "That's Armageddon" on the Zoth Ommog label, which went to the top of the German alternative charts. In 1992 they were signed to Sire Records and debuted with "Homicidal Dolls," garnering favorable reviews on both sides of the continent. In early 1994 they took Morrissey's hit "Everyday is like Sunday" and recorded a maxi-CD with six versions of the song. Mid-1994 saw the two in Chicago's Trax studios with Keith "Fluffy" Auerbach (Ministry, Lard, Revolting Cocks [penises of a feather?]) producing. "We liked Chicago from the first moment -- they city has a good spirit," admitted Kanka. "Our sessions happened mostly all through the night. Sometimes we did 36 or 48 hour sessions. But it was great fun this time because we met a lot of different musicians." Contributing on this LP is guitarist Mat Mitchell of Skatenigs who lends his ample talents to the endeavor. (name some songs). On the haunting "Too Far To Suicide," Kanka said a personal problem of his own prompted him to write the song. "It felt like I was walking through a long, dark tunnel," he explained. "I didn't find answers. I couldn't speak about my situation with friends. And I knew if I continued this way I would get worse and worse. I managed the situation after a while, but it took time. And so the lyrics, 'I can't stand this world no more, but it's too far to suicide' found their way out of my brain and my heart."
Wanderlust
When Wanderlust determined it was time for group photos, their location of choice was an attractive brownstone house on a quaint Philadelphia street. So off trotted lead singer Scot Sax, lead guitarist Rob Bonfiglio, bassist Mark Levin and drummer Jim Cavanaugh to model for the family glossies. Sax knocked on the door with the intent of asking permission to pose on the front steps. Well, it turned out the person who came to the door was the owner of a recording studio and also worked with producer Michael Musmanno, who had the revered standing of cultivating wonders in the studio. The brownstone resident asked that a demo be sent to him and by the first of October Wanderlust and Musmanno were recording. Three days later they surfaced with a four-song EP they intended to release locally. However, before the CD was even pressed, several major labels were pursuing Wanderlust. They ultimately signed with RCA Records, who requested the band to complete the record. Three months later their debut, "Prize," was on record shelves.
The album pushes off with "I Can't Remember," a full-speed, thrash-metal composition. The majority of the remaining tunes are primarily in the techno vein. "Germany" has hypnotic, blurred vocals giving it an eerie, enchanting touchEP into an LPFrom the start of "Wanna Feel New," Wanderlust exhibits smooth, melodic lead vocals and complimentary backing vocals. The title track demonstrates a dreamy, commerical appeal whereas a mids-60s pop sound can be heard on "Coffee in the Kitchen." Wanderlust is the type of outfit that writes good, comfortable hooks and has the right instrtumental trimmings to dress it up.
Pretty & Twisted
When Johnette Napolitano left Concrete Blonde, she knew whatever she did next, she'd have a pretty tall order to fill. After all, Concrete Blonded had released five well-received albums. "I'd been waiting along time to decided what to do after I left the grup, because I felt I really had a lot to live up to," Napolitano reflected. "Concrete Blonde is a great group and I didn't exactly know what I was going to do, but I trusted that I would when the moment was right and the right people were in place." Napolitano linked up with old buddy and Wall of Voodoo founding member Marc Moreland and drummer Danny Montgomery, a native San Franciscan she met while in Paris. Hence the birth of Pretty & Twisted and their self-titled debut on Wasrner Brothers Records. In a first, she produced the LP, which was recorded partly with the group and some parts on her own. "Pretty & Twisted shows a supple, instrumentally uncluttered work. "I feel these songs are intense without being as aggressive as Concrete Blonde, which isn't how I feel anymore," Napolitano clarified. "Deep and molten, maybe, but not outright angry. I like listening to this music. I'm not in my twenties anymore; the things that pissme off arent what they used to be. I also feel lucky just to be alive and doing this at all; everyone by now has lost someone to AIDS, drugs or violence." Napolitano dedicated the album to Marlon Brando after hearing a line in one of Moreland's songs. Piquing her interest, she read up on him and was taken by his attitude, work, point of view and honesty. Other well-known names pop up on the album too. The song "Come Away with Me" has unpublished lyrics by Janis Joplin and "Singing Is Fire" was written around a Charles Bukowski poem. For the moment, Napolitano is earger to tour, being away from the road for nearly two years. "I'm especially looking forward to performing this music live," she confirmed. "Danny and Marc have given me a lot of confidence in doing things live that I've never done before, like playing piano and guitar. It's going to be a blast to be on the road with these guys, just to hear what comes out!"
The Mother Hips
Following their successful 1992 debut, "Back to the Grotto," The Mother Hips have emerged with "Part-Timer Goes Full." And with over 500 performances under their belt, not to mention appearances at music conventions, two H.O.R.D.E. summer tours and at venues like CBGB's, and the Fillmore, the band has undoubtedly made the transition to being a full-time act. Back in 1990, the embryonic stage of The Mother Hips was beginning to take place. Guitarist Greg Loiacono and bassist Isaac Parsons met while moving into Northern California's Chico State Dormitory. Then, during a late-night jam in the dorm's bathroom, they met guitarist Tim Bluhm. The three then recruited drummer Mike Wofchuck. They gigged together for a bit and then Parsons and Wofchuck joined a hard rock cover band while the other two joined anacoustic trio. Eventually the guys reunited, started playing to packed houses and left Chico State University in 1992 to seek fame and fortune. That year they recorded "Back to the Grotto," began touring cross-country and were subsequently signed by American Recordings in 1994, who reissued their debut in March of 1995. With "Part-Timer Goes Full," the Mother Hips fuse just about every conceivable form -- guitar rock, soul, blues, R&B, pop and country. "We tried touse 'Beggar's Banquet'-era Rolling Stones as a model for the instrumentation," said Bluhm, referring to the piano and horns on some tracks. The opening number, "Shut the Door," boasts a nice guitar solo, a clear, relaxed sound with a hint of Elvis Costello. A funk, laid-back southern feel permeates "Stoned Up the Road." Noted Loiacon, "Our vocal heroes are people like the Everly Brothers. We found a lot of this later Everly Brothers stuff where they'd started doing country music and covering Buffalo Springfield songs. Their harmonies are so sweet and innovative. That's the kind of harmony we like, but we have our own version." Clearly, the band credits its open-minded approach to various musicians as part of the charm of their music. "Music is a medium where it's actually necessary to borrow and to insinuate your heroes, unless you want to be completely progressive," Bluhm verified. "You have to go back and grab things you thought were worthwhile, especially if they're obscure."
Warrant
Any original member of Warrent will tell you- it's been a hard road that they've traveled littered with its share of bumps and bruises. The smooth portion of the ride, their first two albums -- 89's "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinkin' Rich" and 91's "Cherry Pie" -- sold roughly 2.5 million units. When "Dog Eat Dog" came out in '92, grunge was riding the crest of the music wave and even though the album went gold, the group's popularity began to fade. As band and personal problems grew, the final blow came when vocalist Jani Lane, long considered the catalyst of the group, decided to leave in 1993. Remaining members guitarist Erik Turner and bassist Jerry Dixon began penning songs and searching for a new lead singer. Their attempts were futile and at the same time Lane was chomping at the bit. In less than six months since the split, all parties decided to give it another go and undertook a club tour, even though they had no record label and no current product. Personnel changes in the group persisted with guitarist Joey Allen quitting and the departure of drummer Steve Sweet. Replacing them were guitarist Rick Steier and drummer James Kottak, with keyboardist Dave White also joining the line-up. Signed to CMC International Records, Warrant went into the studio and sifted through 2 1/2 years worth of material, emerging with "Ultraphobic." Although they spent more time writing this record than previous ones, it took them only five weeks to record it. The LP shows a maturation -- be it credited to their years of turbulence, growing pains, or the newly shared songwriting endeavors. Warrant hasn't forsaken its roots, but instead added a meaningful dimension in content and style. The band tackles the weighty topic of child abuse on "Family Picnic," a number that has genuine feelings evidence in Lane's strong vocals. Ride #2" starts with a drum-oriented intro while "Live Inside You" is your hearty dose of hard rock and sex. Warrant's innovative passage into the mid-90's, despite the rollercoaster ride, has yielded some invigorating results.
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