That time Ray Manzarek told me what he really thought of Oliver Stone’s Doors movie

By Steve Newton Back in December of 2005 I interviewed keyboardist Ray Manzarek from the Doors. At the time he was playing Doors songs in a group called Riders on the Storm–aka Doors of the 21st Century–that included former Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger and, in the role of frontman Jim Morrison, Ian Astbury from the … Continue reading That time Ray Manzarek told me what he really thought of Oliver Stone’s Doors movie

Ray Manzarek claims that Riders on the Storm singer Ian Astbury is “cut from the same cloth” as Jim Morrison

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 15, 2005 By Steve Newton When keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robbie Krieger decided they wanted to tour and re-create the music of their old band, the Doors, they had to find a frontman who could take the place of Jim Morrison, both vocally and visually. Since the guy from the … Continue reading Ray Manzarek claims that Riders on the Storm singer Ian Astbury is “cut from the same cloth” as Jim Morrison

Joss Stone says that she wants to open doors with soul and spread the music far and wide

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 26, 2012 By Steve Newton It must be pretty sweet being Joss Stone these days. When I hook up with the 25-year-old millionaire soul-pop superstar she’s on her cell at a café in Brussels, Belgium, where she’s doing some TV shows and concerts. The next day, Stone will be popping over … Continue reading Joss Stone says that she wants to open doors with soul and spread the music far and wide

Annabel Lamb gave up nursing and followed her passion to The Flame

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 29, 1984 By Steve Newton “I wanted the album to sound as though it didn’t necessarily come from anywhere,” says British singer Annabel Lamb about her new LP The Flame. “I didn’t want it to sound like a British album and I didn’t want it to sound like an American album. … Continue reading Annabel Lamb gave up nursing and followed her passion to The Flame

Matrex goes over big in Chilliwack with a little help from Deep Purple

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 12, 1985 By Steve Newton On Saturday night, in the wilds (well, not quite) of Chilliwack, Matrex were doing their best to make the natives restless. Their set at the Fiddler II Cabaret included about eight originals (some of which they’re currently putting on a 24-track demo at Pr0file Studio), as … Continue reading Matrex goes over big in Chilliwack with a little help from Deep Purple

The 30 best title tracks of the ’70s, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

5 guys from Chilliwack High’s Class of ’75 rob hall photo By Steve Newton The title track wasn’t always the best song on an album in the ’70s. But when you were standing in the record store, rabidly poring over the brand new LP by your favourite band, that title could get deeply imbedded in … Continue reading The 30 best title tracks of the ’70s, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

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

Shaun Verrreault plays the Roxy By Steve Newton MONDAY TO FRIDAY: True Tribal: Contemporary Expressions of Ancestral Tattoo Practices explores 30-plus years of Indigenous tattooing from around the world and showcases the artists who are reconnecting with traditional skin-marking practices, at the Museum of Vancouver. TUESDAY: Vancouver guitarist-vocalist and Wide Mouth Mason member Shaun Verreault … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, April 1 to 5

Billy Idol to release expanded edition of his Rebel Yell LP, the one where Steve Stevens kicks ass

By Steve Newton I remember when Billy Idol released Rebel Yell back in November of 1983. That was one impressive chunk of vinyl, boasting the catchy-as-hell hit singles “Eyes Without a Face”, “Flesh for Fantasy”, “Catch My Fall”, and the title track. I was particularly blown away by the frenzied guitar stylings of Steve Stevens, … Continue reading Billy Idol to release expanded edition of his Rebel Yell LP, the one where Steve Stevens kicks ass

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, January 9-13

Dita Von Teese is at the Queen E By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the VIFF Centre of director Ron Chapman’s music documentary Revival69: The Concert That Rocked the World, featuring John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Chuck Berry, Alice Cooper, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, and the Doors. MONDAY TO FRIDAY: Canyon Lights at North Vancouver’s Capilano Suspension Bridge features dazzling coloured … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, January 9-13

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, January 2 to 6

Team America: World Police screens at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY: final day of the City of Vancouver’s annual Festival of Lights, a winter wonderland featuring more than one million lights decorating 15 acres of VanDusen Botanical Garden. Goes good with hot chocolate. MONDAY TO FRIDAY: Canyon Lights at North Vancouver’s Capilano Suspension Bridge … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, January 2 to 6

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, December 30 to January 1

The Big Lebowski screens at the Rio By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Mad Riddim is a drum- and bass-led groove machine mixing classic dub sensibilities with the attitude of funk and the improvisation of jazz at Guilt and Co. FRIDAY: parody ’80s hair-metal band Steel Panther (“It Won’t Suck Itself”) plays the second of two nights … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, December 30 to January 1

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

It’s a Wonderful Life screens at the Rio By Steve Newton FRIDAY: vocalist Dawn Pemberton and bassist/bandleader Jodi Proznick lead an all-star band in joyful holiday classics in O Come All Ye Soulful at New Westminster’s Anvil Centre. FRIDAY: screening at the VIFF Centre of Neil Young: Harvest Time, Bernard Shakey’s docu-film that takes an intimate … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Dec 23-25