Newt’s Rock Hall inducts Dick Dale, Soundgarden, the Guess Who, the Replacements, Bad Company, Mahogany Rush, the Edgar Winter Group, and the Stray Cats

By Steve Newton As I mentioned yesterday, since the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has just announced its seven inductees for the Class of 2023, my own little institution located in the wilds of British Columbia–Newt’s Rock Hall–is gonna counter with seven different inductees of its own. And of course mine will be better. … Continue reading Newt’s Rock Hall inducts Dick Dale, Soundgarden, the Guess Who, the Replacements, Bad Company, Mahogany Rush, the Edgar Winter Group, and the Stray Cats

Rock Hall finally inducts Link Wray, can Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher be far behind?

By Steve Newton After ten years of my complaining about Link Wray not being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the boneheads who run the high-falutin’ joint in Cleveland finally caved and decided to induct him, in the “musical influence” division. It’s about freakin’ time. Wray, who pretty well invented the raunchy guitar … Continue reading Rock Hall finally inducts Link Wray, can Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher be far behind?

That time Rick Richards from the Georgia Satellites told me how much he loved the Faces

By Steve Newton The Georgia Satellites were one of my fave bands of the ’80s. A lot of folks only know them from their big hit, “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”, but I much preferred tunes like “Railroad Steel”, “Red Light”, and especially “Battleship Chains”. The first time I interviewed lead guitarist and sometime vocalist … Continue reading That time Rick Richards from the Georgia Satellites told me how much he loved the Faces

Oh my f***ing god! Rock Hall snubs Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link Wray yet again!

By Steve Newton Well, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has done it again. A few days ago the Cleveland-based institution nominated 17 bands and artists to its class of 2022, but once more just plumb forgot the three artists most deserving of immediate induction: Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link Wray. Instead they … Continue reading Oh my f***ing god! Rock Hall snubs Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link Wray yet again!

Album review: Georgia Satellites, In the Land of Salvation and Sin (1989)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 1, 1989 By Steve Newton You’ve gotta like a band like the Georgia Satellites–they know what they do best, and the just keep doin’ it. On their first two albums they made pulverizing boogie-blues their one-and-only forte, and on their excellent third album they’ve not only kept the … Continue reading Album review: Georgia Satellites, In the Land of Salvation and Sin (1989)

Webb Wilder’s twangy roots-rock is more like a shotgun than a sniper

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 8, 1989 By Steve Newton Childhood traumas come in all shapes and sizes–and occur when you least expect them. For Webb Wilder, leader of the crazed Mississippi rock band that sports his name, being kicked off a school bus–clarinet and all–was somewhat of a milestone in a career that brings him … Continue reading Webb Wilder’s twangy roots-rock is more like a shotgun than a sniper

Album review: Gilby Clarke, Pawnshop Guitars (1994)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 5, 1994 By Steve Newton Sometimes I wonder if guitarists join Guns N’ Roses just so they can get in the position to release their own solo recordings of punk-inspired garage-rock and blues-based boogie. (I doubt if they do it so they can bask in the positive vibes … Continue reading Album review: Gilby Clarke, Pawnshop Guitars (1994)

Album review: Webb Wilder, Hybrid Vigor (1989)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 24, 1989 By Steve Newton I’d never heard of Webb Wilder before his Hybrid Vigor album showed up in the office, but lemme tell ya–one spin on the turntable and this scribbler was an immediate fan. Singer-guitarist Wilder fronts a band that churns out straightforward boogie in the … Continue reading Album review: Webb Wilder, Hybrid Vigor (1989)

Drivin’ n’ Cryin’s Kevn Kinney took the “i” out of his name when he was a punk rocker

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 9, 1989 By Steve Newton Kevn Kinney is the lead vocalist, chief songwriter, and coguitarist for Atlanta, Georgia’s Drivin’ n’ Cryin’, but he’s as surprised as anyone that he’s even ended up in a band. As he explained to me from Oklahoma City last week, Kinney was the odd man out … Continue reading Drivin’ n’ Cryin’s Kevn Kinney took the “i” out of his name when he was a punk rocker

Vancouver’s Raymond May shoots for the big time with Bruce Allen-backed debut LP

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 15, 1988 By Steve Newton Music and money. The two don’t always go hand in hand. Just ask your typical Vancouver musician. But when they do mix in this city, chances are there’s a guy named Bruce Allen bringing them together. Raymond May, the latest upstart to come out of the … Continue reading Vancouver’s Raymond May shoots for the big time with Bruce Allen-backed debut LP

Album review: Drive-By Truckers, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark (2008)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 20, 2008 By Steve Newton When long-time member (and major songwriting force) Jason Isbell left the Drive-By Truckers last year, some fans worried that the southern rock–influenced alt-country act might falter a step or two. No freakin’ way: it just recruited another wicked guitarist, pedal-steel specialist (and original … Continue reading Album review: Drive-By Truckers, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark (2008)

Iron Maiden loses out to the Go-Go’s and Jay-Z as the Rock Hall’s head plunges even further up its ass

By Steve Newton Iron Maiden are one helluva rock band. If they weren’t I wouldn’t have interviewed them six times. But those inept turdballs down at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame seem to think that a group like the Go-Go’s–who put out three studio albums in their heyday and another one 17 years … Continue reading Iron Maiden loses out to the Go-Go’s and Jay-Z as the Rock Hall’s head plunges even further up its ass

God bless Hughie Thomasson’s guitar solo on the Outlaws’ “Hurry Sundown”

By Steve Newton I really, really enjoy guitar solos sometimes. When a geetar player hits just the right notes with just the right feel, it’s almost like a religious experience for me. That’s why I’ve asked God to bless exquisite guitar solos by Scott Gorham on Thin Lizzy’s “Romeo and the Lonely Girl”, Donald “Buck … Continue reading God bless Hughie Thomasson’s guitar solo on the Outlaws’ “Hurry Sundown”