Matt Andersen plays the Hollywood By Steve Newton Matt Andersen: blues-roots singer-songwriter and guitarist from the Maritimes plays two shows with his band the Big Bottle of Joy, with guests the Hello Darlins. April 5 and 6 at the Hollywood Theatre. Big Sugar: Toronto blues-rock band led by singer-guitarist Gordie Johnson. April 15 at the … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Metro Vancouver concerts in April
Month: March 2023
Fabulon’s Marty Higgs says things are looking better for Vancouver’s alternative music scene
Fabulon with vocalist Darren Simcoe ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 25, 1985 By Steve Newton If you're looking for an interesting band to check out this weekend, let me suggest Fabulon, who play the Town Pump till Saturday. The group is made up of singer Brian King, drummer Rick Eden, keyboardist Randy Paar, bassist David "Bud" … Continue reading Fabulon’s Marty Higgs says things are looking better for Vancouver’s alternative music scene
Album review: Jim Dandy’s Black Oak Arkansas, Ready as Hell (1985)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 25, 1985 By Steve Newton Let's get one thing straight: This isn't heavy metal, no matter what the record company calls itself. Heavy Metal Records is a new label--distributed by Quality Records--that seems to be trying to cash in on the fierce attraction that "heavy metal" has among youngsters these days. … Continue reading Album review: Jim Dandy’s Black Oak Arkansas, Ready as Hell (1985)
Lee Aaron on the state of heavy metal, touring with Bon Jovi, and lovin’ every minute of Loverboy’s new song
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 1985 By Steve Newton Lee Aaron recorded her first album, The Lee Aaron Project, at the tender age of nineteen, joined on that LP by the likes of Rik Emmett (Triumph), Buzz Shearman (Moxy), Rick and Mark Santers, and Frank Soda. Her second LP, Metal Queen, was released last year. … Continue reading Lee Aaron on the state of heavy metal, touring with Bon Jovi, and lovin’ every minute of Loverboy’s new song
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, March 31 to April 2
David Spade plays the Vogue By Steve Newton FRIDAY: American comedian and actor David Spade performs standup at the Vogue Theatre as part of his Catch Me Inside Tour. Spade’s a funny dude. Maybe not Dana Carvey funny, but still. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: Capilano University Theatre presents performances of Carrie: The Musical, based on the horror novel by Stephen King, at … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, March 31 to April 2
Album review: Various Artists, Greenpeace (1985)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 1, 1985 By Steve Newton "By purchasing this album, you will be helping to ensure that Greenpeace can continue its campaign to protect the natural world." That's what it says on the back cover of the new Greenpeace benefit album, and that's reason enough to dig into your pockets and help … Continue reading Album review: Various Artists, Greenpeace (1985)
Album review: Phantom, Rocker & Slick (1984)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 1984 By Steve Newton When I first heard this album, two weeks ago, I thought it was good. I mean really good. But after repeated listenings the LP's initial impact deteriorated a little. The main reason is singer/bassist Lee Rocker's vocals. He did backup vocals in his former band, the … Continue reading Album review: Phantom, Rocker & Slick (1984)
Heavy-metal expert Martin Popoff ponders his amazing career as a cranker-outer of books
By Steve Newton When you're a young, rock-obsessed kid living in a small town, anywhere you can buy music is like the ultimate candy shop. Fortunately for author Martin Popoff--Canada's leading authority on heavy metal--growing up in the wee burgh of Trail, B.C. offered several places where he could slake his thirst for new tunes. … Continue reading Heavy-metal expert Martin Popoff ponders his amazing career as a cranker-outer of books
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, March 27 to 31
The Red Hot Chili Peppers play BC Place By Steve Newton MONDAY: the Rocket Revellers--vocalist Dennis Brock, guitarist Stephen Nikleva, pianist Mike Van Eyes, bassist Joseph Lubinsky-Mast, and drummer Paul Townsend--perform a mix of western swing, jump blues, and rockabilly at Guilt and Co. MONDAY: the 55-acre VanDusen Botanical Garden features over 7,500 plant species … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, March 27 to 31
Kingdom Come hopes to avoid Zeppelin comparisons with new In Your Face LP
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 30, 1989 By Steve Newton Diehard Led Zeppelin fans were either impressed or outraged when Kingdom Come's debut album came out two years ago. The LP--made here in Vancouver at Little Mountain Sound and produced by Bob Rock--sounded an awful lot like a tribute to (or cloning of) Messrs. Page and … Continue reading Kingdom Come hopes to avoid Zeppelin comparisons with new In Your Face LP
Album review: Kate Bush, Hounds of Love (1985)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 1985 By Steve Newton Hounds of Love, Kate Bush's fifth album (her seventh counting mini-LPs) entered the British charts at No. 1, and from the effect of its lead-off track (and first single) "Running Up That Hill", it's easy to see why. Over a backdrop of pattering drums and keyboards … Continue reading Album review: Kate Bush, Hounds of Love (1985)
David Wilcox would rather be known as a rocker than a bluesman
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 1985 By Steve Newton When David Wilcox was 12 years old he played his first gig at a club for recently released convicts. As he recalls, the ex-cons weren't particularly impressed. "It was a good introduction to what came later," says Wilcox with a laugh. "It was pretty funky. I … Continue reading David Wilcox would rather be known as a rocker than a bluesman
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, March 24 to 27
La Chinga plays LanaLou's By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Vancouver Rock Shop presents the Canadian Pink Floyd tribute show Comfortably Numb at the Vogue Theatre. FRIDAY: Comedy Here Often?'s monthly standup showcase at 604 Studios features headliner Joe Hill from New York City and B.C. comics Cassidy Anhorn, Josh De Grandi, and Patti Savard. FRIDAY: triple-bill … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, March 24 to 27