Natalie Richard

VHS Archives #143: Helix Acoustic on MuchMusic – 1993 interview with Brian Vollmer and Greg Fraser by Natalie Richard

A sharp looking Brian Vollmer was accompanied by new Helix guitarist Greg Fraser (Brighton Rock) in a Slayer shirt for this acoustic performance!  The show was Start Me Up on Saturday afternoon, and Natalie Richard was the host.  It’s A Business Doing Pleasure was the new album, and it was a slightly more acoustic affair for the band.

Topics discussed:

  • Inspiration for writing the new songs, and working with Marc Ribler.
  • Special guests on the new album.
  • Sleepin’ in the doghouse again!
  • Doing an album after losing Paul Hackman.
  • Touring the new album.
  • A stunning acoustic version of “Tug of War” from the new album (and the only performance available with Frase on guitar).
  • Brian’s morning routine (which he still maintains today).
  • The super-8 videos used in “That Day Is Gonna Come”, and what inspired the song.
  • The very first platinum album that MuchMusic received – Walkin’ the Razor’s Edge by Helix!

VHS Archives #57: Rikki Rockett of Poison live interview (1993)

Did you check out our Poison album list today, as we counted ’em down from worst to best?

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.

Check out Mr. Rockett on live TV!

 

VHS Archives #48: Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes live interview 1992

“If I’m still playing music when I’m 35 or whatever, you know…” – Chris Robinson

By request of Vinyl Daft Dad, J!

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.