Jesse Cook thinks the best of Crowded House is right up there with the best of the Beatles

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 16, 2000 By Steve Newton Jesse Cook is the first to admit that Celtic music isn’t his forte, but that doesn’t mean he won’t give it a shot. The Toronto flamenco-pop guitarist got the opportunity to sit in with one of the genre’s legendary groups recently when he … Continue reading Jesse Cook thinks the best of Crowded House is right up there with the best of the Beatles

That time I asked Neil Finn what inspired him to write one of my all-time favourite tunes, Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over”

By Steve Newton I did my first interview with Crowded House frontman Neil Finn back in August of 1998, when he was touring behind his debut solo album, Try Whistling This. I’d been a fan of Crowded House since the 1986 release of its first album, which featured one of the most beautiful pop songs … Continue reading That time I asked Neil Finn what inspired him to write one of my all-time favourite tunes, Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over”

Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in May

The Schizophonics play the Biltmore By Steve Newton Australasian pop band Crowded House, led by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Neil Finn, plays the Orpheum Theatre on May 2. If they forget to play “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, ask for your money back. Australian prog-rock guitar wizard Plini plays the Rickshaw Theatre on May 2, with guests Sungazer and Jakub … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in May

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, May 1 to 5

Crowded House plays the Orpheum By Steve Newton TUESDAY: Australasian pop band Crowded House, led by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Neil Finn, plays the Orpheum Theatre. If they forget to play “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, you should ask for your money back. TUESDAY: F7 Entertainment Group presents Australian prog-rock guitar wizard Plini at the Rickshaw … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, May 1 to 5

Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts to see in the first half of 2023

Jason Isbell plays the Queen E By Steve Newton Bowie Ball: the eighth annual tribute to David Bowie and fundraiser for the BC Cancer Foundation, featuring performances by local acts the Bad Beats, Rebel Valentine, Ophelia Falling, China Syndrome, Ford Pier, Cherry Maraschino, Mime, Left Spine Down, and Rat Silo. January 7 at the Rickshaw … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts to see in the first half of 2023

Album review: The New Odds, Cheerleader (2008)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 19, 2008 By Steve Newton The original Odds team of singer-guitarists Craig Northey and Steven Drake was a pairing made in pop heaven. On its best songs, like “I Would Be Your Man” and “Nothing Beautiful”, its melodic sensibilities rivaled the Beatles-esque beauty of Crowded House. Mind you, … Continue reading Album review: The New Odds, Cheerleader (2008)

Shaun Verreault plays Blue Öyster Cult’s “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” Tri-Slide style just ’cause I asked

By Steve Newton When I interviewed Shaun Verreault back in January of 2021 my article wound up focusing on how the Vancouver guitar great had developed his “Tri-Slide” style of playing, where he uses three slides at once on a lap steel guitar. I was blown away by his short, Tri-Slide reimaginings of bits of … Continue reading Shaun Verreault plays Blue Öyster Cult’s “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” Tri-Slide style just ’cause I asked

That time I asked Malcolm Young if AC/DC were from Australia and he politely set me straight

By Steve Newton Here’s one of my favourite audio excerpts from my interview with Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson, and new AC/DC drummer Simon Wright back in 1983. At one point in the conversation–which took place on a Vancouver hotel-room floor where the lads were sipping tea and smokin’ ciggies–I asked about the Australian music scene, … Continue reading That time I asked Malcolm Young if AC/DC were from Australia and he politely set me straight

Pseudo Echo rises from Down Under to turn North America into “Funkytown”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 11, 1987 By Steve Newton They say that rock ‘n’ roll is a young man’s game, although the number of aging rock stars raking in big bucks today makes you wonder. Still, there are always some fine young whipper-snappers whose youthfulness comes through in the freshness and vitality of their … Continue reading Pseudo Echo rises from Down Under to turn North America into “Funkytown”

Pink Floyd blows Vancouver away on its A Momentary Lapse of Reason tour

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 18, 1987 By Steve Newton Seeing Pink Floyd live is a luxury that every rock fan should allow him or herself at least once. Yours truly took advantage of the opportunity to do just that last Thursday (December 10), along with about 44,000 other lucky dogs at B.C. Place. It was my first Floydian experience, and … Continue reading Pink Floyd blows Vancouver away on its A Momentary Lapse of Reason tour

That time Gord Downie told me about Bill Barilko and the story behind the Tragically Hip’s “50 Mission Cap”

By Steve Newton I did my second interview with the Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie in November of 1992, one month after the release of the Fully Completely album. As you may already know, that’s the best Hip album ever, partly because of the uber-Canadian song “50 Mission Cap”, which mentions a hockey card and … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me about Bill Barilko and the story behind the Tragically Hip’s “50 Mission Cap”

Two years after saying goodbye to Crowded House, Neil Finn returns with solo debut

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 9, 1998 By Steve Newton After making the agonizing decision in 1996 to break up his world-famous Kiwi pop combo Crowded House, Neil Finn wasn’t exactly sure what to do next. An Aussie artist-musician friend of his suggested Finn try painting, so he spent two weeks at a beachside location doing … Continue reading Two years after saying goodbye to Crowded House, Neil Finn returns with solo debut

Neil Finn got passion from his dad and ability from his mom

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 4, 2002 By Steve Newton I might not be the most sensitive guy in the world—what Skynyrd-loving bozo ever could be?—but there are certain heart-rending pop songs that can get even my old throat aclenchin’. Neil Finn’s “Lullaby Requiem” is one such pensive tune. It’s included on the … Continue reading Neil Finn got passion from his dad and ability from his mom