A night on the town in Vancouver circa 1985 starts with “Mick from Paradox” and ends with D.O.A.

bev davies photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 7, 1985 By Steve Newton Most people visit the Fraser Arms Hotel to see the Top 40 bands at Frams, but last Saturday night I had the urge for something a little more mellow. (I knew I’d be ending up at the D.O.A. show later … Continue reading A night on the town in Vancouver circa 1985 starts with “Mick from Paradox” and ends with D.O.A.

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, June 23 to 25

Shaun Verreault plays Guilt and Co. By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Vancouver country-rock band Pistol Whip the Devil plays the Roxy Cabaret, with guests the Railtown Prophets. FRIDAY: early Van Halen (David Lee Roth-era) tribute band Fair Warning, featuring former Soulbender guitarist Dave Groves as Eddie Van Halen, plays White Rock’s Blue Frog Studios. Pray they … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, June 23 to 25

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, June 19 to 23

Planet Terror screens at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the VIFF Centre of director Anton Corbijn‘s documentary Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipnosis), which tells the story of Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey “Po” Powell, the creative forces behind the iconic album-art design studio, Hipgnosis. MONDAY: screening at the Rio Theatre of Alien (The Director’s Cut), Ridley Scott’s modern … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, June 19 to 23

Former indie faves Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra take the major-label route

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 23, 1992 By Steve Newton Unless you’re an avid follower of the alternative music scene, the best Canadian rock album you’ve never heard is quite likely The Battle Hymn of the Apartment by Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra. A rowdy and witty collection of twisted … Continue reading Former indie faves Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra take the major-label route

Bob Rock resurrects the Payola$ with Paul Hyde and sets up a helluva three-night benefit for B.C.’s Children’s Hospital

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 8, 1994 By Steve Newton When the time comes to interview Bob Rock about the recent resurrection of the Payola$, the prospect is particularly appealing. Rumour has it that the big-time Vancouver producer (the Cult, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe) is to work with Metallica again soon, and I’m … Continue reading Bob Rock resurrects the Payola$ with Paul Hyde and sets up a helluva three-night benefit for B.C.’s Children’s Hospital

AC/DC’s undying influence on Vancouver rockers, record-store owners, and radio personalities

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 19, 2001 By Steve Newton The members of AC/DC aren’t doing any interviews in advance of their two shows at the Pacific Coliseum on Sunday and Monday (April 22 and 23), but that’s okay, because if they were, they’d probably just want to talk about their latest album, Stiff Upper Lip. And quite frankly, … Continue reading AC/DC’s undying influence on Vancouver rockers, record-store owners, and radio personalities

Van Halen’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton Guess I’m just more of a Dave guy. 20. “Runaround” (For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, 1991) 19. “Drop Dead Legs” (1984, 1984) 18. “You Really Got Me” (Van Halen, 1978) 17. “Oh, Pretty Woman” (Diver Down, 1982) 16. “Running With the Devil” (Van Halen, 1978) 15. “Dreams” (5150, 1986) 14. “Everybody Wants Some!!” … Continue reading Van Halen’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

David Lee Roth shows off manly biceps, a giant surfboard, and Steve Vai on the Skyscraper Tour

kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 27, 1988 By Steve Newton Whether you like David Lee Roth or not, there’s one thing you’ve got to admit: the guy’s a star. It’s hard to take your eyes off him, and few did at the Pacific Coliseum last Saturday (May 21). Whether you’re ogling his sexy bod, … Continue reading David Lee Roth shows off manly biceps, a giant surfboard, and Steve Vai on the Skyscraper Tour

Album review: The Four Horsemen, Nobody Said It Was Easy (1991)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 26, 1991 By Steve Newton It can be a long wait between AC/DC albums, so easily-pleased fans of gritty, bastardized blues might cotton to the latest release from a new band featuring former D.O.A. drummer Ken “Dimwit” Montgomery. The Four Horsemen’s Nobody Said It Was Easy offers … Continue reading Album review: The Four Horsemen, Nobody Said It Was Easy (1991)

Album review: Van Halen, Best of Volume I (1996)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 19, 1996 By Steve Newton Van Halen’s first-ever greatest-hits package is a generous collection of the legendary hard-rock act’s best-known material, but it still has its faults. First off, the two new tracks that reunited the band with David Lee Roth—“Can’t Get This Stuff No More” … Continue reading Album review: Van Halen, Best of Volume I (1996)

Seattle beats Portland as Flop’s unsullied exuberance outdoes Everclear’s grating thrash-punk in Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 20, 1994 By Steve Newton After being seduced by several catchy tunes on the latest Flop album, Whenever You’re Ready, I was definitely ready to check out the quartet’s energized brand of thrash-pop in a live setting. But my enthusiasm for the new music put together by these … Continue reading Seattle beats Portland as Flop’s unsullied exuberance outdoes Everclear’s grating thrash-punk in Vancouver

Riff Kills Man proves that Martin Popoff knows his shit when it comes to metal

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 17, 1994 By Steve Newton Heavy-metal and hard-rock fans are a fanatical bunch. They thrive on raunchy guitar solos, thundering drums, and howling vocals. They live for feedback. They despise earplugs. And when it comes to their favourite kind of music, they always know who rules. So does … Continue reading Riff Kills Man proves that Martin Popoff knows his shit when it comes to metal

From Bon Jovi in a stadium to Killer Dwarfs in a club: it’s just another night in Vancouver circa 1987

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 10, 1987 By Steve Newton Jon Bon Jovi had a novel way to describe the horrendous sound in B.C. Place last Thursday (July 2). “I’ve fallen in love in Vancouver more times than there’s echo comin’ out of these speakers,” said the 25-year-old sex symbol, sounding more than pleased with the … Continue reading From Bon Jovi in a stadium to Killer Dwarfs in a club: it’s just another night in Vancouver circa 1987