Videos

VHS Archives #43: The best Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.) interview you’ll ever see (1989)

“The object of being an artist is to stir the minds of men…Unless you’re saying something musically, lyrically, or you’re touching people emotionally somehow, you are not an artist.  You are a factory that makes records.” — Blackie Lawless

Erica Ehm was never gun shy about her distaste for W.A.S.P., yet she helmed the best interview I’ve ever seen with frontman Blackie Lawless.  It’s not a shorty either, so grab a beverage.

Blackie was doing press for W.A.S.P.’s “get serious” album The Headless Children.  He was invited to co-host the Pepsi Power Hour (live!) in 1989.  Erica wasn’t about to throw softball questions, but it’s quite clear that Lawless wins her over.  Blackie is remarkably forthright, with a dash of humour.  He also picked the tunes for the show, and you’ll find out what songs he chose and why.

The myriad subjects discussed:

  • What “Headless Children” means
  • What led to Blackie’s change of lyrical direction
  • The P.M.R.C.
  • The Decline of Western Civilization Part II and Chris Holmes
  • Being shot at
  • The Who’s reunion tour
  • Responsibility
  • Helix
  • Horses
  • Nazis
  • and much, much more.

The Headless Children is the main focus, and for good reason.  It’s an amazing record, and a terrific interview.

 

VHS Archives #42: Rick Hughes of Sword on the Pepsi Power Hour (1987)

MuchMusic introduced me to Sword when they premiered the white hot “F.T.W.” back in 1987.  When Rick Hughes stopped by the Pepsi Power Hour a few months later, I was ready to record!

With sometimes-host Christopher Ward, Rick discussed touring with Motorhead and what Lemmy’s really like.  He also touches on the long awaited second Sword album, on-stage injuries, and what the metal scene was like in Montreal at the time.

Check out this smashing live interview with the always cool Rick Hughes!

VHS Archives #41: The Beatles Help! home video TV ad

I found this ad in the commercials as I was fast-forwarding a tape. In 1987, MPI Home Video released The Beatles movie Help! on VHS for the first time. But wait, there’s more! Order now, and get Sixties Headlines for free! Regular price: $74.95? Holy shit! The 80s were expensive!

VHS Archives supplemental: How they put on a KISS concert (1980)

I was going to put this video online myself, but a more complete version already exists. No point in duplicating it, but I still wanted to make a post for it.  I had this in my VHS collection on one of my 1985 tapes.

I didn’t know what show this was from, since it came from the “Balasz Tapes” recorded off my next door neighbour.  I watched and treasured it, because it was the only video I had of Peter Criss as a kid.  My only Catman footage.  Not to mention it was Kiss!  Kiss in makeup too, and there wasn’t much of that in the mid-80s.

This was from a TV show called 3-2-1 Contact, and it’s a pretty cool demonstration of what goes in to putting on a Kiss concert.

George used to complain about one detail.  The sound tech shows how he can use a harmonizer to create the Gene Simmons “God of Thunder” monster voice.  “He does that with his own voice!” protested George.  As for me, I’m more upset that the sound tech thinks it was Darth Vader who says “My the Force be with you”.

From way back on the Dynasty tour, check out this really cool Kiss clip.

 

VHS Archives #40: Dokken interview (1987)

I always liked this interview clip.  Jeff Pilson seemed so friendly and enthusiastic.  Don, meanwhile, didn’t even know how many songs were slated for the Back for the Attack album!  I think he forgot “Mr. Scary”.

Back for the Attack wasn’t out yet, so Laurie Brown asked Dokken about Under Lock & Key.  Check it out!

VHS Archives #39: Dee Snider says “Don’t drink and drive!” (1984)

This public service announcement from Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider mostly likely aired on an episode of Toronto Rocks’ Midweek Metal Mania show, the prototype for the Power Hour. It’s probably from 1984 or 85. I don’t know its exact origin because this comes from one of the “Balasz Tapes” — stuff originally recorded by next door neighbour George and then taped by me in one of our childhood recording sessions.

It’s lower quality because it’s a tape of a tape, but I think it’s still pretty cool.

 

VHS Archives #38: Slash N’ Duff (GN’R) interview (1988)

MuchMusic’s Laurie Brown took over the Pepsi Power Hour in 1988, and for me personally, a lot of their best shows were from her era.

This interview with the young rockers named Duff McKagan and Slash (from some band called Guns N’ Roses) is definitely an anachronism.  Cigarettes lit, the guys seem fairly sedated though refreshingly authentic.  Their naivete is interesting in hindsight.  They clearly did not see themselves becoming the mega-phenom that they are.  “Guns N’ Roses is five kids, who pretty much don’t have a whole lot of influence on the rest of the world, as far as we know.”

Duff and Slash offer insight about their early years, getting signed, and touring with Iron Maiden.  It’s quite obvious they are not having a good time with Iron Maiden!  Laurie also asks them about the original cover to Appetite For Destruction.  “We didn’t see any rape thing going on,” insists Duff.  “Her bra fell off, what?” laughs Slash.  Slash mockingly relents.  “OK, alright fine.  We were generally promoting rape…I mean come on.”

What do you think of this old Guns interview?

VHS Archives #37: The Girl With the Poison Tattoo

Speaker’s Corner was a place where anyone could get on TV!  You would step into the recording booth, pop in some coins, and record a brief video.  If you were lucky, you’d be chosen for the Speaker’s Corner TV show.! The Barenaked Ladies got their start by playing a song on Speaker’s Corner (“Be My Yoko Ono”).  There were lonely people looking for love, there were eccentrics and even LeBrain and his pals (though I don’t know if our video was ever broadcast).  There were also recurring people, like Brie.

Funny thing.  A guy I used to work with at the Record Store named Joe Perry once said to me “I know a girl with a Poison tattoo.”  He was shocked when I answered, “Is her name Brie?”

“How, how the hell do you know that?” he asked.

How could Joe have known that I was taping Speaker’s Corner the day she showed off her Poison tattoo!

You gotta give the girl credit for getting a Poison tattoo in the 1990s.

 

VHS Archives #36: Yngwie Malmsteen on Classical influences (1986)

Once upon a time, John Roberts was J.D. Roberts. He wasn’t a political pundit on Fox News, he was the host of the Pepsi Power Hour! The year was 1986 and Yngwie J. Malmsteen was in the studio.

J.D. asked him about his Classical influences, and then a dumb question about turning Bach into Rock. Check it out.

VHS Archives #35: Ronnie James Dio talks Satanism in Metal (1987)

While out promoting 1987’s Dream Evil, Ronnie James Dio and Craig Goldy sat for an interview with MuchMusic’s Erica Ehm.  She asked him about Satanism in rock lyrics and videos.