pow

ntertainment

T

Vai ing . For
Attention

egendary guitarist Steve said. "I don't know why ... I mean, rm
Vai as the vampire Lestat not a dark guy at all. Everybody has
in the movie Interview With his image or whatever; I guess mine
the Vampire? It almost hap- is just more intense."
Currently recording an album, ten-
pened.
"I worked very hard on trying to tatively titled The Ultra Zone, Vai is
get the role," said the former Frank taking time out to perform one show
Zappa/David Lee Roth sideman, for local radio station Z-Rock (102.7
whose recent string of instrumen- FM) at Detroit's State Theatre
tal albums has earned him Grammy - tonight. "This is the most important
nominations and the drooling acco- time in the production of my record
lades of guitar magazines worldwide. because now rm on deadline," he ex-
"At least I came very close — until plained. "But I'm willing to stop
Tom Cruise wanted the part," he everything and play this party be-
laughed. cause they've been so good to me."
But ever since his classic role as Z-Rock's Fourth Anniversary
the devil's guitar player in the 1986 Birthday Bash also marks Detroit's
film Crossroads, Vai has been con- first worldwide concert cybercast,
centrating solely on his music. Hailed which Vai seems excited about, but
as a genius by his mentor Zappa, Vai cautious. "When I perform live, I play
joined that eccentric's band at 18. His with a lot of energy -- sometimes
more than is good for the
trademark virtuosity and intimidat-
music because I go over the
ing persona came to atten-
Surfers of the
top. The stage performance
tion during his showy years
World Wide Web
is great, but the musical
with Roth, playing wild-
can see and hear
suffers; my
f
looking guitars and taking Steve Vai's concert p erformance
PlaYing
suffers
... So on one
a prominent role in music
live tonight as it
videos.
happens at the State hand, rm excited to be on
the cutting edge of the cy-
A short-lived stint with
Theatre.
ber explosion; but I'm re-
life-metal rockers Whites-
flake followed, but then Vai dropped served about the whole thing because
the bombshell. 1990's Passion and sometimes I'm embarrassed about
Warfare was a landmark instru- my live performance." D
Todd Wicks
mental album that blew the minds
of bedroom axe slingers and left gui-
2 Steve Vai will perform with
tar heroes like Joe Satriani (Vai's for-
Clutch and Kicking Harold tonight
mer guitar teacher) and Jeff Beck
at the State Theatre in Detroit (on
scrambling to recover. Since then, the
Woodward, next to the Fox The-
worshippers of his inimitable style
atre). Doors open at 6:30 p.m., con-
and showmanship have only gotten
cert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.
more rabid.
(313) 961-5450.
and
onstage
as
a
In Crossroads,
Z-Rock midday personality Steve- g
sideman, Vai's domineering presence
Black will host a live interactive 23
has always overshadowed those of
pre-concert interview with Steve :1'
other musicians or actors. "Ever since
Vai. Questions for Black can be
I was a kid, people have been very
sent to Steve Vai's Website:
withdrawn from me, very intimidat-
kip tio
n
ed, until they got to know me," he

—

's Best Bets

The Suicide
Machines

They insist they're
more punk than ska.

Fri., 6 p.m.

86

Judge for yourself at the
all-ages record release
party and show.
St. Andrews Hall, 431 E.
Congress, Detroit.
(313) 961-MELT.

Junior League
Showhouse

This is your last chance to
get 3-D decorating tips from
rooms designed by the
area's top interior
340 Lakeland
designers. .
,
des
Grosse Pointe.
(313) 881-0040.

Fri.-Sat.,
10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Enchanted

Closing weekend for the

romantic comedy by Jean

Giraudoux and directed

by Dan Walker of Purple

Rose Theatre Co. fame.

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre,

2275 Platt Road.

(313) 971-2228.

Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.

Beauty and the Beast

Heritage Festival

Catch Belle, the Beast, Gaston,
Lefou and the rest of their gang
before they pack up their
Disney effects and head to
D.C. Masonic Temple, Detroit.
(810) 645-6666.

Celebrate Memorial Day
weekend with
old-fashioned hay jumps,
pioneer games and
re-enactments. Rochester
City Park. (810) 656-0999.

Fri., 7:30 p.m.;
Sat., 2 & 7:30 p.m.;
Sun., 1 & 6:30 p.m.

Sat.-Sun.,
10 a.m.-5 p.m.