ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 30, 2008 By Steve Newton AC/DC has it rough. Ever since the Aussie quintet came roaring back from the tragic death of Bon Scott with Back in Black, picky buggers like me have wanted them to match the consistent quality of that 1980 ear buster. There was a … Continue reading Album review: AC/DC, Black Ice (2008)
By Steve Newton It’s not too often you take home a free souvenir from an AC/DC concert. Most likely you’ll be dropping $40 for a t-shirt, $25 for a tour program, and maybe seven or eight bucks for a “Have a Drink on Me” shotglass or a “Highway to Hell” keychain. Mind you, if you’re … Continue reading AC/DC dropped fake American dollar bills on its fans during the 1990-’91 Razors Edge world tour, and I’ve still got mine
By Steve Newton I’ve interviewed Todd Kerns a few times, because he’s one of my favourite Canadian rockers. A few years ago I actually dubbed him “The Rockingest Canadian Bass Player of the 21st Century,” partly because of his unwavering enthusiasm on stage. The title didn’t really catch on in the media, but I stand … Continue reading That time Todd Kerns told me that AC/DC replacing Brian Johnson with Axl Rose was the most surreal thing he’d heard in a long time
ORIGINALLY POSTED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, 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. … Continue reading AC/DC’s undying influence on Vancouver rockers, record-store owners, and radio personalities
By Steve Newton There was a lotta fuss being made in the rock-music world back on July 25, 2020, when AC/DC‘s Back in Black celebrated its 40th anniversary. But where was all the commotion on May 5, 2018, when Powerage hit the BIg Four-Oh? Now that was cause for celebration! Don’t get me wrong: I … Continue reading Powerage is the only AC/DC album better than Back in Black
By Steve Newton There were a lot of rumours in the past couple years–some started by yours truly–about AC/DC making a new album in Vancouver with Mike Fraser. And those rumours were proven true with the release in November 2020 of Power Up. The band’s previous album, 2014’s Rock or Bust, was the first one … Continue reading That time Mike Fraser told me what it was like recording AC/DC without Malcolm Young
By Steve Newton Way the funk back in 1985 I did my one and only interview with Doc Neeson, frontman for Angel City, who were known as the Angels in their native Australia. I thought Angel City were an awesome band. They put out an album called Face to Face that–with killer tracks like “Take … Continue reading That time I asked Doc Neeson if the Angels/Angel City were inspired by their longtime friends AC/DC
By Steve Newton Okay, this is probably the last audio excerpt I’m gonna post from that old interview I did with AC/DC back in ’83, at the start of the Flick of the Switch tour. It’s from when I was interviewing Malcolm, Brian, and new drummer Simon Wright, and I asked them which songs they … Continue reading That time I asked AC/DC which songs they most liked doing live and Malcolm Young said it was all about the kids
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
By Steve Newton Back in December of 1991 I wrote an article in the Georgia Straight–the weekly Vancouver newspaper I still work for–on local producer-to-the-stars Bob Rock, who’d made a name for himself in recent years with bands like Blue Murder, Motley Crue, and especially Metallica (he’d helmed their breakthrough Black Album, which was released four … Continue reading That time I asked legendary producer Bruce Fairbairn if Bob Rock had tried stealing his AC/DC project, The Razors Edge
By Steve Newton Guess I’m just more of a Bon guy. 20. “T.N.T.” (High Voltage, 1976) 19. “Problem Child” (Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, 1976) 18. “Hells Bells” (Back in Black, 1980) 17. “Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be” (Let There Be Rock, 1977) 16. “Whole Lotta Rosie” (Let There Be Rock, 1977) 15. “Gimme … Continue reading AC/DC’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton I’ve been reading Mick Wall’s 2012 book about AC/DC, Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be, and today I got to the part about the band recording 1983’s Flick of the Switch, which the author reckons is AC/DC’s worst album ever. I will admit it’s no Powerage, but hey–the title track is … Continue reading That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what their fave tunes were on the new Flick of the Switch album
By Steve Newton I’ve interviewed hundreds of rock musicians over the past 35 years, but I’ve only been interviewed myself a few times–most of those discussions taking place earlier this year when local Tragically Hip fans like Jody Vance and Drex wanted to know about the book I’d just written about Gord Downie. But I was on … Continue reading AC/DC-in-Vancouver news-breaker talks recording rumours, the Warehouse connection, and the magic of Malcolm Young
photo by nick yacyshyn, rufus drum shop By Steve Newton You may have heard that several members of AC/DC have been spotted at Vancouver’s Warehouse Studio, leading to speculation that they’re recording a new album here. It all started when I got a call from one of my rock ‘n’ roll sources on the street, … Continue reading AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd’s presence in Vancouver prompts raves from local skinbasher Pat Steward
photo courtesy Glenn Slavens and Crystal Lambert (cgrocker18@gmail.com) By Steve Newton Hardcore AC/DC fans and photographic rumour-spreaders Glenn Slavens and Crystal Lambert are at it again. The dynamic Vancouver duo–he has the camera, she has the pad–have shared another photo with Ear of Newt that furthers the idea that everybody’s fave hard-rock band is working … Continue reading AC/DC in Vancouver: Mike Fraser spotted with Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd, maybe calling Cliff Williams on his phone?
By Steve Newton At the ungodly hour of around 6:30 am today I talked to CBC Radio’s Early Edition and gave a rundown of all the AC/DC action that’s been happening around Vancouver in the last week, since I first reported that Phil Rudd and Stevie Young were spotted in town, then followed that up … Continue reading AC/DC furor in Vancouver gets the Newt on the radio trying to explain it in 7 minutes
photo courtesy Glenn Slavens and Crystal Lambert (cgrocker18@gmail.com) By Steve Newton Alright, I’m starting to feel a tad guilty now, posting all these candid AC/DC photos. Actually, it’s only been two now–the first one being yesterday’s rumour-busting shot of Phil Rudd and Brian Johnson yukking it up on the patio deck at Vancouver’s Warehouse Studio. … Continue reading AC/DC exclusive: Angus Young lights up nephew Stevie at the Warehouse in Vancouver
photo courtesy Glenn Slavens & Crystal Lambert: cgrocker18@gmail.com By Steve Newton For all those AC/DC fans who’ve been hoping and praying that Brian Johnson would get back in the band–and that Axl Rose would go back to Guns N’ Roses, where he’s welcome–it appears as if those prayers have been answered. A few days ago … Continue reading AC/DC blockbuster news: Newt’s rumour proven true; Phil Rudd is in Vancouver–and Brian Johnson too!
