Rewind: KK Downing Reveals Shady Secret
Sunglasses hold a lofty perch atop the list of rock-star accessories, but for Judas Priest guitarist Kenneth “KK” Downing, they also helped hide a nasty secret.
Peter Criss: A 2003 chat with the Cat
When it comes to KISS interviews, Simmons and Stanley seem semi-rehearsed, rarely off-the-cuff and always geared toward the latest, greatest, biggest, whatever. Peter Criss, on the other hand, seems more comfortable going off script and offering Happy Hour glimpses into his shortcomings and quirks.
Southpark Meadows: A Crash Landing Affair
By Metal Dave Before Southpark Meadows was home to Bed, Bath & Beyond, it was a sprawling cow pasture that hosted some of the biggest rock concerts in Austin. How big? During the 1990s, I was at Southpark Meadows for Metallica with Fight, Suicidal Tendencies and Candlebox; Van Halen with Skid Row; Pearl Jam with…
Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx is Too Fast to Die
Nikki Sixx is always a great interview. How could he not be? In the world of Sixx, even a trip to the grocery store could take a violent detour into drugs, strippers, tattoos and switchblades.
The Batusis returns to ATX lookin’ for a snotty kiss
Next stop was a dark corner near the stage where I found Syl and Cheetah lurking among their gear. Handshakes and hellos ensued as both got a laugh out of meeting their “driver.”
Vains of Jenna bleeds new blood in Austin
By Metal Dave I first met Vains of Jenna in 2006 when half the band was too young to drink (what happens in Austin, stays in Austin … especially during SXSW). The kids from Sweden were being hyped as a new-generation Motley Roses, so of course I went sniffing for trouble and immediately liked what…
Yakking with …. D’Toys bassist Mike Watson
ABOVE: Ten Boots Stompin: Dangerous Toys in 1989 with Watson far right. By Metal Dave It seems a lifetime of rock’n’roll has turned Mike Watson into a stark, raving, uhhhh … miniature tree enthusiast! Say wha? It’s true, but more on that later. More pressing is welcome news that Watson and his hard-rocking Dangerous Toys are…
Yakking with … Jetboy guitarist Billy Rowe
By Metal Dave In what appeared to be a victorious re-launch of sorts, long-time San Francisco glam-rockers Jetboy took off for Europe this month for their first-ever overseas tour. The catch? Mohawked singer Mickey Finn backed out at the last minute leaving the band with a difficult choice: Scrap the tour and stay grounded at…
Buckcherry Before the Gold & Platinum
By Metal Dave Buckcherry’s 1999 debut album turned me into an instant lifelong fan. More accurately, it was a 1998 advance promo CD with a plain white insert that served as my introduction. In those early days, the band name was broken into two words before morphing into one in order to dispel confusion that singer…
Unchained: Roth’s on the Phone, I’m LMAO!
Because humility is out of the question when talking to a guy who’s bagged more lingerie than Victoria’s Secret, a chatter-fest with Roth is like yakking with a guy who’s bartering the biggest beads at Mardi Gras.
Broken Teeth kicks off ShipRocked 2010!
BROKEN TEETH ROCKS THE BOAT AT 5:45 P.M. SHARP, THURS., NOV. 11 AND 1:30 A.M. FRI., NOV. 12 By Meteal Dave A shipload of rock’n’roll sets sail Nov. 11-14 when the annual ShipRocked cruise launches from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and makes its way to ports in Nassau and Coco Cay Bay, Bahamas. On a bill…
Fun Fun Fun with Big Boy Chris Gates
By Metal Dave Before “Fun Fun Fun” became the name of an annual three-day, alterna-punk-metal festival in Austin, Texas, it was the title of a song by seminal hardcore band, the Big Boys. Likewise, before Austin musician Chris Gates became a friend of mine, he was the bass player in said Big Boys. On the eve…