By Steve Newton Please note: this list doesn’t include any of the songs Neil wrote and recorded with groups like Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, or the Stills-Young Band, so don’t come cryin’ to me that “Long May You Run” isn’t on there. 20. “Walk On” (On the Beach, 1974) 19. “I Believe in You” (After the … Continue reading Neil Young’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton I always thought the Beat Farmers were one of the world’s most underrated rock ‘n’ roll bands. Their club gigs were legend. But when I usually think about them I picture the latter-day lineup that included dual guitarists/vocalists Jerry Raney and Joey Harris. Lest we forget how incredible the band was before … Continue reading Oh man, this video of the Beat Farmers doing Neil Young’s “Powderfinger” is bloody awesome
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 2, 1998 By Steve Newton Just before Reverend Horton Heat singer-guitarist Jim Heath is due to ring the Straight from his Missouri hotel, I’m checking out his band’s Web site, searching for last-minute interview clues. I see that he personally contributes to the site with sporadic updates from … Continue reading Jim Heath isn’t big on Dallas music critics or Neil Young’s guitar, but loves the theme from Jonny Quest
By Steve Newton Everybody and their dog knows that Taylor Swift is bringing her hugely publicized Eras Tour to BC Place Stadium for three shows this December, and that’s cool. She’s awesome in every way. But Vancouver’s old-school guitar-rock fans deserve something to look forward to as well, don’tcha think? Enter Pearl Jam. The Seattle … Continue reading Move over Swifties: guitar-rock greats Pearl Jam to kickstart world tour with two Vancouver dates
tedeschi trucks photo by susan weiand By Steve Newton Melissa Etheridge: confessional folk-rock singer-songwriter from Kansas performs with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as part of her I’m Not Broken Tour. March 23 at the Orpheum Theatre. Reverend Horton Heat: psychobilly band from Dallas, Texas, featuring guitarist-vocalist Jim Heath, with guests Dale Watson and Jason D. Williams. March 26 at the Rickshaw Theatre. … Continue reading Newt’s top 20 Vancouver concert picks for 2024
Headstones play the Commodore By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Vancouver guitarists Tony D (MonkeyJunk) and Paul Pigat (Cousin Harley) perform two dinner shows at 2nd Floor Gastown (Water St. Cafe). FRIDAY: the Rogue Folk Club presents local gypsy-jazz group Van Django performing its 10th annual Cool Yule Christmas show, with vocalist L.J. Mounteney and guitarist-vocalist Andy Hillhouse. … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Dec. 2 to 4
By Steve Newton Last week I posted a blog about the ten best rock concerts I ever saw at the Pacific Coliseum in the 1980s. Well, I saw a few decent shows at the Coliseum in the ’90s too. Here’s 10 of my faves: Aerosmith, October 25, 1997 from the newt’s collection At the climax … Continue reading The 10 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum in the ’90s
Neil Young: Harvest Time screens at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the VIFF Centre of Let There Be Drums!, director Justin Kreutzmann’s documentary in which the world’s most famous drummers reflect on the art of drumming and how it has shaped their lives. Includes interviews with Stewart Copeland, Ringo Starr, and the … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, Nov 28-Dec 2
Jim Campilongo plays the BlueShore at CapU By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Nancy Ho and Arash Narchi host Laughter on the Drive, a fundraiser for the BC Crisis Centre featuring comedians Jacob Samuel, Kwasi Thomas, Tanya Sabrina, Danielle Florence, Aidan DeSousa, Martin Navarro, and Toben Spencer-Iang at Havana. FRIDAY: American comedian and actor Kevin Hart performs … Continue reading Newt’s top 20 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Dec. 9-11
Jackie Brown screens at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY TO THURSDAY: SethFest celebrates the work of Vancouver movie star Seth Rogen with screenings at the Hollywood Theatre of Neighbours, Neighbours 2, Superbad, Pineapple Express (my fave), and This Is The End. MONDAY TO FRIDAY: the City of Vancouver’s annual Festival of Lights is a winter wonderland … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, Dec. 26-30
By Steve Newton Back in 1990 I did the first of my eight interviews with American guitar wizard Joe Satriani. At the time Satch was touring behind his Flying in a Blue Dream album, which is one fine batch of tunes. At one point in the conversation I asked him about a quote in Kerrang! … Continue reading That time Joe Satriani told me why Neil Young was such a great guitarist
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
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
