Up to bat: Erica Ehm (MuchMusic)
Pitcher: Duane Ward (Toronto Blue Jays)
Catcher: Gerald McGhee (Brighton Rock)
Umpire: Greg Fraser (Brighton Rock)
In 1991 Brighton Rock released their third album Love Machine, featuring backing vocals by Duane Ward of the Toronto Blue Jays! Erica Ehm got to play ball and ask questions of all of them. Questions about:
What a brilliant band, Cry of Love were! Audley Freed is a hella talented guitar player; don’t forget that he did a stint with the Black Crowes. The band visited MuchMusic in 1994 to play live and acoustically. Erica Ehm interviewed the guys on the Saturday Start Me Up program.
Check out this amazing version of “Carnival” from their first and best album Brother.
Tony “Wild T” Springer was hot in 1993! He was sailing high with his second album Givin’ Blood, not to mention a gig playing with David Bowie on Black Tie White Noise. He also scored a gig as the opening act for Bon Jovi on the Keep the Faith tour. MuchMusic’s Erica Ehm asked ‘T’ about the Bon Jovi slot, and the rock scene in Trinidad where Tony was born.
Check out Tony Springer, Danny Bilan, and Nazeem Lakay — Wild ‘T’ and the Spirit.
“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.
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.
Michael Olivieri recently left Leatherwolf leaving them with only one original member! Back in ’88, they were firing on all cylinders with Olivieri and original guitarist Geoff Gayer. The pair sat down with Erica Ehm on the Pepsi Power Hour to talk about their second album, Leatherwolf.
The guys discuss recording in the Bahamas, Robert Palmer, the Triple Axe Attack, live performances, “The Calling” video concept, and where that “edge” comes from.
Leatherwolf were a great band when these two guys were in it. Check out the live clips in this interview, and hear what they had to say back in the day!
Brin Vollmer and Greg “Fritz” Hinz were in the MuchMusic studios in early ’88 to show Erica Ehm how to play the drums! Enjoy this clip of an epic drum trio.
It’s Friday so here’s something you’ll want to watch from start to finish. This episode of the Pepsi Power Hour on MuchMusic should be considered a “Holy Grail” find for fans of Triumph. Foreshadows of Triumph’s impending breakup can be sensed in this excellent interview, coupled with a performance of “Let the Light (Shine On Me)” and a guitar duel with protégé Sil Simone! All on live, national television.
Rik was always comfortable in the Much studios and gave great interviews. (I have at least two more on tape.) He is one of the world’s premier guitarists, as you will hear in the guitar duel! Rik also performs Triumph’s “Let the Light (Shine On Me)” acoustically. (Listen for that one bum note! Live television, people.)
Topics discussed include going solo (seriously!), guitar, heavy metal, Whitesnake, Steve Vai, and more.
Believe me when I say you won’t regret watching this whole interview/performance. Special mention must go to Erica Ehm, a charismatic host who had great rapport with Rik.
