I have a surprising amount of Poison interviews on my VHS tapes. They must have been an extremely media friendly band. From the Native Tongue period alone, I have three separate interviews on my tapes. The first was the best Bret Michaels interview I’ve seen, on Kitchener’s Metal Mike show in 1993. The next will be a sit down with Bret and Richie Kotzen in the MuchMusic studios. This one, however, is a rare live interview with drummer Rikki Rockett.
There are awkward moments, like when he lies about the album selling “really good”. Hear all about the “party cage” and other tour goings-on. He also talks about growing up in a musical family, which is probably the most illuminating part.
“You read interviews, and Gene’s giving me digs, and I’m giving him digs, and stuff like that…one day it’ll just be Kiss in makeup again.” — Ace Frehley
I don’t know about you, but I remember being disappointed to hear that Ace Frehley was touring, but without any new music behind him. The quote about a Kiss reunion proved to be rather prophetic. No wonder Ace was laughing! Check out this Ace interview with Teresa Roncon on MuchMusic. The news anchor was Lance Chilton.
“Richie takes a little getting used to. He’s a strange cat.” — Bret Michaels
In 1991, a new cable access show catering to metalheads hit the local airwaves: The Metal Mike show, with host Mike Coughlin. Since MuchMusic’s Power 30 was declining in quality, there was a vacuum for another good metal show.
Check out this terrific interview with Poison frontman Bret Michaels in 1993. The band had parted with C.C. Deville and were re-emerging the middle of the grunge era with Native Tongue. Today it’s considered to be their best album, but nobody cared in ’93.
Metal Mike eases Bret in comfortably but then hits him up with a tough question: what really happened with C.C. Deville? And Bret doesn’t hold back. Fist fights, drugs and alcohol all came into play, and the trainwreck MTV Awards appearance all contributed.
They move on to finding Richie Kotzen. Pay attention and notice that the fit seems awkward. The clues were there. “He sometimes can be kinda weird,” says Bret of his new bandmate. There was no question of the man’s chops, however, nor his stage presence. Check it out.
“You know what time it is? It’s thrash time!” – Nick Walsh
1992 was all about a resurgence of Canadian Rock. Slik Toxik, Sven Gali, and Big House were all making waves. Lee Aaron and Killer Dwarfs had new music. But it was Slik Toxik who won Best Metal Video for “Helluvatime” (directed by Don Allan).
The award was presented by Brian Vollmer (Helix), Phil X (Triumph, now Bon Jovi) and Mike Levine (Triumph). Slik Toxik then performed…but my tape ran out! This is what I captured. Neal Busby is one helluva of a drummer!
I also have this cool CBC recording about Slik Toxik, featuring a fan from Thunder Bay, talking about Slik’s rise to fame. Broadcast March 15 2019.
I am pleased to present the best quality copy of this video available. It’s complete and in stereo!
You can read a review of the first Deadline mini-album (from which “Donna (Do You Wanna)” was the single) right here. From Sarnia Ontario, this quartet was primed for the big time but failed to launch. You can tell from this video that they spared no expense in looking and sounding like pros.
This video was recorded from MuchMusic’s Start Me Up program, in early 1993.
This tape, from November of 1992, contains a Guns N’ Roses concert called Live in Paris. You remember that one? With Soundgarden, Lenny Kravitz, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry? I set the VCR to record it in the middle of the night, so I captured all the commercials as well. First one: Tom Green and his old rap group, Organized Rhyme, selling pizza on late night TV!
The only other copy of this on Youtube is in black and white. Not sure why that would be, so here you go, Tom Green fans!
Gene Simmons and Bruce Kulick of visited MuchMusic in May of ’92 for an interview, and to host the Power 30. There are some real moments of sincerity, such as when they are asked about Eric Carr. However the clips you are about to watch are also notable for showing how the Power 30 was a drop in quality from the Power Hour.
Unlike previous MuchMusic visits, this one was broadcast in separate segments. First is an interview by Teresa Roncon; the best part. Then there is a Power 30 co-hosting gig, and a smattering of interview outtakes from the Kiss Spotlight. All filmed the same day, but split apart since the Power 30 was too short.
I’ve recently given you two great Power Hour shows with guest hosts. Rik Emmett from Triumph was a fabulous co-host and also played music in addition to a substantial interview. Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. picked the tunes for his co-hosting gig, and the candid interview made it one of the best episodes of the entire run of the Power Hour. Now, here is Kiss co-hosting the shorter Power 30, and there is very little substance. A bad joke by Gene that went too far and got censored is the only particularly notable moment. Well, that and Gene’s advice to “fat girls”. Bruce Kulick seems far more engaged, but it’s jokey and short compared to what the Power Hour used to do.
Stuff to look for:
Cool live footage from the Phoenix club in Toronto
Gene’s Canadian jokes, which Bruce eventually apologises for
Talking about the club tour and playing obscure songs
A brief clip from the famed Creatures-era limo interview with Jeanne Bekker
Another brief clip from a 1992 Peter Criss interview
I remember when the Kiss spotlight aired, my mom really liked when Gene compared Kiss to “electric church”. Yeah, my mom loved that….
This one required a bit of editing to make it cohesive; I hope you enjoy.
The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion was fresh on the racks, and the Black Crowes were hitting the charts for “round two”. With a plane to catch, Chris Robinson still had time to stop by the MuchMusic studios for a live chat with Natalie Richard. If you’ve never heard a French Canadian accent before, prepare to swoon.
Live phone calls are answered and Chris does his best to explain what The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion is all about.
mikeladano.com 