By Steve Newton The Rolling Stones threw a huge schmooze in the London borough of Hackney, England today, to announce the details of its upcoming album, Hackney Diamonds, scheduled for release on October 2o. The band also released the debut single from the album, “Angry”, and I gotta admit: the first time I heard it … Continue reading Does the new Rolling Stones song suck, or is it awesome?
By Steve Newton A few days ago I published a blog with the headline: Does the new Rolling Stones song suck, or is it awesome? I posted it just a few hours after the Stones had released the video for “Angry”, the first single off its upcoming Hackney Diamonds album. Since then, the clip–which portrays … Continue reading The votes are in: according to the Internet, the new Rolling Stones song doesn’t suck
By Steve Newton I’ve just been watching the TV news, and apparently there’s quite an uproar among Celine Dion fans because she wasn’t included in Rolling Stone‘s new list of “The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.” Well, here’s another uproar for ya: why the hell isn’t Phil Lynott’s name on the list? You know, … Continue reading Rolling Stone shockingly omits Phil Lynott from its Top 200 singers list. And Paul Rodgers too!
By Steve Newton I guess Sticky Fingers might be the best Stones album. 20. “Little T&A” (Tattoo You, 1981) 19. “Bitch” (Sticky Fingers, 1971) 18. “Time Waits for No One” (It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll, 1974) 17. “When the Whip Comes Down” (Some Girls, 1978) 16. “Wild Horses” (Sticky Fingers, 1969) 15. “Under My Thumb” … Continue reading The Rolling Stones’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 13, 2012 By Steve Newton When the Straight calls Sheepdogs singer, songwriter, and guitarist Ewan Currie, he’s hanging out in rainy Toronto, just hours away from playing at the 60th anniversary of the fabled Horseshoe Tavern. The gig has special significance for Currie, since the Horseshoe was the … Continue reading The Sheepdogs’ Ewan Currie wanted to tell John Fogerty that he liked 60 of his songs
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 27, 2009 By Steve Newton I’ve never actually seen the HBO vampire series True Blood, mainly because I’m too busy watching the cable channel’s other offerings like Entourage, Eastbound & Down, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. (Larry David fans take note: CYE’s seventh season premieres September 20.) But if True Blood is anywhere … Continue reading Album review: Various Artists, True Blood: Music From the HBO Original Series (2009)
The DDs in Montreal last Wednesday By Steve Newton Any Vancouverites up for a rowdy evening of ’80-style hard-rock tonight? The Dead Daisies, a guitar-rock collective originally formed in 2012 by Australian businessman-turned-rocker David Lowy, plays the Hollywood Theatre in Kits tonight (Saturday, September 2). In previous incarnations the group has included such old-school rock … Continue reading The Dead Daisies–featuring ex-members of Whitesnake, Mötley Crüe, Dio, and Pride & Glory–play Vancouver tonight
bev davies photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 31, 1985 By Steve Newton Animal Slaves threw a record-release party at John Barley’s last week to celebrate their new eight-song album Dog Eat Dog. It was the first time I’d seen the Animals Slaves–drummer Roscoe Hales, bassist Rachel Melas, and singer/keyboardist Elizabeth Fischer–but it didn’t take long … Continue reading Vancouver celebs groove to Animal Slaves’ primal funk at release party for Dog Eat Dog
chris cameron photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 2, 1989 By Steve Newton When a band has only one album out, it’s tough for it to play a whole set–unless it plays a bunch of cover tunes, or maybe throws in a half-hour drum solo. In the Breit Bros.‘ case, they played a couple of songs … Continue reading Ontario’s Breit Bros. deliver the musical goods at the Town Pump
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 1984 By Steve Newton When I first heard this album, two weeks ago, I thought it was good.s I mean really good. But after repeated listenings the LP’s initial impact deteriorated a little. The main reason is singer/bassist Lee Rocker‘s vocals. He did backup vocals in his former band, the … Continue reading Album review: Phantom, Rocker & Slick (1984)
By Steve Newton I did the second of my three interviews with American blues-rock guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa in December of 2011, when he was touring behind his Dust Bowl album. Shortly before our chat Rolling Stone had published its 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list, so we spent some time ridiculing that, and … Continue reading That time Joe Bonamassa complained to me about Rolling Stone’s ranking of Robert Johnson on its 100 Greatest Guitarists list
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 10, 1989 By Steve Newton Rock critics and rock musicians don’t always see eye-to-eye. It’s the critic’s job to point out the flaws he sees in the musician’s work, and the musician’s job to say he doesn’t give a damn. But once in a while the relationship is beneficial for one … Continue reading Jeffrey Hatcher plans to take the brotherly Big Beat everywhere
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 16, 1998 By Steve Newton Dave Alvin used to rock Vancouver in the ’80s as lead guitarist for the Blasters, but this weekend (July 17-19) he’ll be turning down and tuning in to the folksy vibe of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach Park. He’ll be … Continue reading Dave Alvin goes folk, says some Blasters fans will never forgive him for leaving the band
