UB40 didn’t realize “Red Red Wine” was a Neil Diamond song until after they recorded it

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 24, 1984 By Steve Newton British reggae artists UB40 will be appearing at the UBC SUB Ballroom tomorrow (Saturday), touring in support of their latest album, Labour of Love. That record--which debuted at #1 on the British Top 10--is an amalgam of tunes originally recorded by the likes of Bob Marley … Continue reading UB40 didn’t realize “Red Red Wine” was a Neil Diamond song until after they recorded it

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

The Alarm recruits ace producer Tony Visconti and honours its Welsh roots on Change

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 3, 1989 By Steve Newton Unlike the multitude of rock bands around today whose first and foremost goal is finding a shortcut to the bank, the Alarm is one group that sets its sights a little higher. Things like fading cultures and lost languages are important to it. That's why the … Continue reading The Alarm recruits ace producer Tony Visconti and honours its Welsh roots on Change

That time Nigel Mogg of the Quireboys told me about being the nephew of Phil Mogg from UFO

By Steve Newton Back in November of 1990 I did an interview with Nigel Mogg, bassist for the Quireboys (who were known in North America as the London Quireboys.) At the time the band was touring behind its debut album, A Bit of What You Fancy, which was a rollicking platter full of Faces-style boogie … Continue reading That time Nigel Mogg of the Quireboys told me about being the nephew of Phil Mogg from UFO

Holy ’80s flashback Batman! 16 minutes on the phone with new-wave hitmaker Nik Kershaw in 1985

By Steve Newton Yesterday I went searching around in my cherished stash of interview cassettes for something really ancient to digitize before the tape itself got so old it turned to dust. I came across an interview dated April 10, 1985, with an artist named Nik Kershaw. It was recorded on a cheapo, no-name-brand cassette, … Continue reading Holy ’80s flashback Batman! 16 minutes on the phone with new-wave hitmaker Nik Kershaw in 1985

Cook da Books join Icicle Works and Frankie Goes to Hollywood in putting Liverpool back on the musical map

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 14, 1985 By Steve Newton Liverpool, England has been producing some rather electrifying bands of late. The city that grew famous for giving the world the Beatles is back in vogue with groups like Frankies Goes to Hollywood, Icicle Works, and Cook da Books--who opened Joan Armatrading's sellout show at the … Continue reading Cook da Books join Icicle Works and Frankie Goes to Hollywood in putting Liverpool back on the musical map

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

After touring with the Police, new-wavers Re-Flex take their politics of dancing to a smaller crowd

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 20, 1984 By Steve Newton The opening slot on tour with a band as influential and heavily exposed as the Police is one that many groups would pay a pretty penny for. An up-and-coming British band named Re-Flex, whose new LP The Politics of Dancing is on the charts worldwide, were … Continue reading After touring with the Police, new-wavers Re-Flex take their politics of dancing to a smaller crowd

Love and Rockets moves on from Tones on Tail and Bauhaus

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 4, 1987 By Steve Newton First they were in a band called Bauhaus. Then a couple of them formed Tones on Tail. And now they're known as Love and Rockets. About the only thing that has remained constant for the British trio of Daniel Ash, David J., and Kevin Haskins has … Continue reading Love and Rockets moves on from Tones on Tail and Bauhaus