Spinner
Subscribe
Email

Steve McLean

Contributor

Steve McLean is a veteran music magazine/website editor, freelance writer and the author of the book Hot Canadian Bands.

Most Recent Post:
Alejandro Escovedo SXSW: Annual Concert Attracts Members of R.E.M. + More
@us

Old 97's Texan Frontman Rhett Miller Hearts Hockey

New West Records Rhett Miller is best known as the frontman of the Old 97's, a solo artist with four albums under his belt and, for some, a dreamy hunk. But the man born Stewart Ransom Miller II -- who just released his eighth studio album, 'The Grande Theatre, Volume One,' with the Old 97's -- also happens to be a huge hockey fan. Miller ...

Continue reading

@us

Shonen Knife's Favourite Japanese Bands -- Count Five

Good Caramel Records Japan's Shonen Knife has been playing their trademark blend of girl group pop and Ramones-style punk, with occasional elements of head-banging metal thrown in for good measure, since forming in 1981. The group released an English version of their 2007 Japanese disc called 'Fun! fun! fun!' along with an Anglo version of the ...

Continue reading

@us

Richard Thompson's Favourite Covers of His Own Songs -- Count Five

Beesweb Richard Thompson has written and recorded more than 400 songs over the course of his 40 year music career. Through his work with British folk rock group Fairport Convention, collaborations with now ex-wife Linda Thompson, and decades spent as a solo artist, Thompson has earned a reputation as one of the best and most versatile ...

Continue reading

@us

Shonen Knife Reissue Albums in English, Play Pop Montreal

Good Charamel Records Shonen Knife has had their ups and downs in North America over their near 30-year career, but the Japanese all-female pop-punk band are now enjoying their highest profile since the early '90s when Sonic Youth, Redd Kross and Kurt Cobain were singing their praise. "When I finally got to see them live, I was transformed ...

Continue reading

@us

Chromeo's Best Dance Songs of the 2000s

Tim Saccenti Chromeo, everyone's favourite Montreal-born electro-funk duo, are releasing their third album 'Business Casual' on Sept 14. Keyboardist/talk boxer P. Thugg (Patrick Gemayel) and lead singer/guitarist Dave 1 (Dave Macklovitch) have used the new record to expand on the '80s-influenced electronic dance-pop of their debut, 'She's in ...

Continue reading

@us

The Soft Pack Played Hard at NXNE

San Diego's the Soft Pack, who played a 4PM Saturday set in Yonge-Dundas Square as part of the NXNE Music Festival, was originally named The Muslims, but changed it after being subjected to ignorant racist taunts. Luckily, the group hasn't changed its music, which remains pretty diverse and eclectic. Some songs featured lots of guitar feedback, ...

Continue reading

@us

Thee Oh Sees Bring the Noise to NXNE

San Francisco's Thee Oh Sees often eschew the stage and set their gear up down in front of it. But perhaps they wanted to let the large contingent of Toronto fans who gathered at The Great Hall for NXNE to get a good look at them because they broke with that tradition. But lead guitarist/singer John Dwyer (who plays both his six- and 12-string ...

Continue reading