Pop

Kate Bush: Will She or Won’t She?

  Nick Krewen One question has followed Kate Bush during the 15 years since she released her first album and captured hearts everywhere with her elegant voice: Is she ever going to tour in North America? Until now, the British singer’s response has always been “no.” In a Toronto interview with Canadian journalists, the normally media shy Bush said she may change her ways to promote her new album, The Red…


Underworld’s first transformation

By Nick Krewen Hamilton Spectator, July 1, 1990 TORONTO – Ever wonder what happened to the group that recorded “Doot-Doot” five years ago, the silly alternative pop hit that grooved with a whirrr? They’re back, but under a different guise. Karl Hyde, Rick Smith, Alfie Thomas and Bryn Burrows used to be the minimalist pop band Freur, but they’ve resurfaced as Underworld. With a new album called Underneath The Radar, keyboardist…


Moving into Shadowland

  Nick Krewen Hamilton Spectator June 25, 1988   NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: She once raised a ruckus at the Juno Awards by donning a wedding dress and reciting vows, formerly dressed like a cowpunk rodeo spinster and at one time claimed to be the spiritual reincarnation of country legend Patsy Cline. That was three years ago. Nowadays, k.d. lang, the 26-year old pride of Consort, Alberta (population 650) – is treated with…


Propellerheads’ History Repeating for the First Time

NICK KREWEN Special To The Spectator May 26, 1998   TORONTO — It’s a case of “History Repeating” for Alex Gifford, but success is sweeter the second time around. The last time Gifford was in Toronto, he was a teenager playing sax for British punk rockers The Stranglers, a position he held from 1984 until lead singer Hugh Cornwell announced his departure in 1990. Now he’s back on a promo…


‘Better, not bitter’

Carlos Santana’s strategy for success has kept him on top for 20 years   Nick Krewen Hamilton Spectator Friday, July 24, 1987   It was 20 years ago today that Carlos Santana taught his band to play. The summer of love may be best remembered for The Beatles‘ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,  but 1967 should also go down in history as the year Latin rock surfaced to the…