Category: across the pond

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

Spandau Ballet shun rock ‘n’ roll, embrace soul to strike gold with new album True

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 18, 1983 By Steve Newton Spandau Ballet are an immensely popular British band whose third album True is currently at the number 8 position on the local  Top 50 chart. Last week, before their Tuesday performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, I called drummer John Keeble in London and asked him … Continue reading Spandau Ballet shun rock ‘n’ roll, embrace soul to strike gold with new album True

Chris de Burgh on the making of his new Getaway album and its eerie hit “Don’t Pay the Ferryman”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 22, 1983 By Steve Newton His ability to tell captivating stories and to combine lyrical and musical nuances with easy effectiveness is what sets Ireland's Chris de Burgh apart from a lot of today's pop singer-songwriters. On his latest album, The Getaway, De burgh weaves enchanting tales of destiny, revolt, peace, … Continue reading Chris de Burgh on the making of his new Getaway album and its eerie hit “Don’t Pay the Ferryman”

Alannah Currie says that the Thompson Twins want to make music for the whole world

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 25, 1984 By Steve Newton The last time the Thompson Twins played Vancouver they were a support act for the Police.  But since that visit the British trio have hit it big with their Into the Gap album--which debuted on the U.K. charts at #1--and are now full-fledged headliners in their … Continue reading Alannah Currie says that the Thompson Twins want to make music for the whole world

Poly Styrene doc is a heartfelt study of the ’70s punk-rock icon

By Steve Newton Before I watched the documentary Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché, I had no idea who Poly Styrene was. I vaguely remember hearing about a late-'70s punk band called X-Ray Spex and their quirky single "Oh Bondage Up Yours!", but I had no clue about the band's extraordinarily unique singer. Now I'm … Continue reading Poly Styrene doc is a heartfelt study of the ’70s punk-rock icon

That time Wang Chung’s Nick Feldman told me about recording the soundtrack for William Friedkin’s latest film, To Live and Die in L.A.

By Steve Newton I interviewed Nick Feldman of Wang Chung in March of 1987, the day after the British pop band played the 86 Street Music Hall in Vancouver. I mainly wanted to chat with him because I loved the soundtrack Wang Chung did for the 1985 William Friedkin thriller, To Live and Die in … Continue reading That time Wang Chung’s Nick Feldman told me about recording the soundtrack for William Friedkin’s latest film, To Live and Die in L.A.

Nick Rhodes talks new Duran Duran spinoff Arcadia, working with David Gilmour and the “wild” Grace Jones

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 21, 1986 By Steve Newton I went to a Duran Duran concert once. Once! But I didn't stay very long; the noise in the Pacific Coliseum was unbearable. And it wasn't because the band was playing too loud. It was their fans who were making all the racket: several thousand young … Continue reading Nick Rhodes talks new Duran Duran spinoff Arcadia, working with David Gilmour and the “wild” Grace Jones

That time Al Stewart told me that he adored Don Henley’s latest hit, “The Boys of Summer”

By Steve Newton I first got turned on to Scottish-born singer-songwriter Al Stewart when I heard his catchy 1976 hit single "Year of the Cat", from the LP of the same name. I bought his next album, Time Passages, and I liked that one as well. Then I went back and checked out his earlier, … Continue reading That time Al Stewart told me that he adored Don Henley’s latest hit, “The Boys of Summer”

Al Stewart admits that he might be lynched if he doesn’t play “Year of the Cat”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 12, 1985 By Steve Newton In 1976, British singer-songwriter Al Stewart had a massive hit with the title track of his seventh album, Year of the Cat. A smooth and snappy number with a nice piano intro, acoustic and electric guitar solos, a breezy sax break, and evocative lyrics, "Year of … Continue reading Al Stewart admits that he might be lynched if he doesn’t play “Year of the Cat”

China Crisis found Steely Dan’s Walter Becker a taskmaster on Flaunt the Imperfection

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 10, 1987 By Steve Newton There's nothing like seeing a band that's huge in another country close up in a club-size venue. For local fans of Britain's China Crisis, that opportunity will arise Thursday (April 9) at Club Soda. It will be the pop quintet's first Vancouver appearance … Continue reading China Crisis found Steely Dan’s Walter Becker a taskmaster on Flaunt the Imperfection

Cliff Jones doesn’t think Texas cowboys will appreciate Gay Dad’s “Limey faggot look”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 17, 2000 By Steve Newton It’s high noon (or thereabouts) in Texas when Cliff Jones, who’s lounging in his band’s tour bus outside the Austin Music Hall, answers his cellphone. He’s playing there that night—if he makes it past sundown in one piece. “I’ve never been to Texas before,” says the … Continue reading Cliff Jones doesn’t think Texas cowboys will appreciate Gay Dad’s “Limey faggot look”