ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 4, 1986 By Steve Newton Newmarket, Ontario is not known as one of Canada's hotbeds for rock and roll. But the music scene in the small city, just north of Toronto, has livened up considerably since hometown band Glass Tiger began moving up the Canadian charts. "You know what happens," explains … Continue reading Glass Tiger employs a Vancouver connection to make its mark with The Thin Red Line
Category: canuck rock
The Newt is psyched that bits of his old Gord Downie interviews will be heard in the Tragically Hip’s Amazon Prime docuseries
By Steve Newton Looking back on my over 40 years as a music writer, there's one thing that I did pretty consistently that I'm really, really happy about. I kept almost all of the cassette tapes I used to record my interviews. I mean, I never thought, while I was recording my phone conversation with … Continue reading The Newt is psyched that bits of his old Gord Downie interviews will be heard in the Tragically Hip’s Amazon Prime docuseries
10 minutes on the phone with 21-year-old Devin Townsend in 1993
By Steve Newton I interviewed Devin Townsend for the second time in September of 1993, shortly after he'd hooked up with Steve Vai and they'd recorded Vai's Sex & Religion album. He was 21 at the time, and has since gone on to become one of the most acclaimed and prolific metal musicians in the … Continue reading 10 minutes on the phone with 21-year-old Devin Townsend in 1993
Shred Kelly’s Jim Newton embraces the comparison to Spirit of the West
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 14, 2021 By Steve Newton You can learn a lot about Shred Kelly from the band's music videos. A good starting point is the clip for "Take Me Home", an upbeat track off the band's latest album, Like a Rising Sun. It's set entirely on the front porch of frontman Tim Newton's home in … Continue reading Shred Kelly’s Jim Newton embraces the comparison to Spirit of the West
Tragically Hip fans confirm that the band had too many great songs for just a “20 best” list
By Steve Newton A few days ago I posted a list of The Tragically Hip's 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin' awesome. Not all Hip fans agreed with my picks, though. I tried explaining in the intro to the Top 20 that, to me, the Tragically Hip were best "when rockin’ out," but that … Continue reading Tragically Hip fans confirm that the band had too many great songs for just a “20 best” list
The Tragically Hip’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton The Tragically Hip ruled my world in the '90s, and I just think they were best when rockin' out. Man, did they ever have a lotta great tunes. 20. "As Makeshift As We Are" (In Between Evolution, 2004) 19. "Fireworks" (Phantom Power, 1998) 18. "Born in the Water" (Road Apples, 1991) 17. … Continue reading The Tragically Hip’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Phantom Power 25th anniversary box set features previously unreleased Hip tunes and alternate tracks
By Steve Newton I always thought Phantom Power was one of the Tragically Hip's best albums. Not quite as amazing as Fully Completely or Day for Night or Up to Here or Road Apples, but pretty damn close, overall. In my original 1998 review of the album, I pointed out that "Vapour Trails" was the standout … Continue reading Phantom Power 25th anniversary box set features previously unreleased Hip tunes and alternate tracks
Ivan Doroschuk says that Men Without Hats are trying to prove that a synth band can kick ass
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 24, 1984 By Steve Newton In support of their new LP, Folk of the '80s (Part III), Men Without Hats will be performing at the UBC War Memorial Gym tonight (Friday, August 24). Best known for encouraging people to dance ("The Safety Dance"), the group--composed of brothers Ivan, Colin, and Stefan … Continue reading Ivan Doroschuk says that Men Without Hats are trying to prove that a synth band can kick ass
Red Rider’s Symphony Sessions let Tom Cochrane retrace Procol Harum’s footsteps
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 8, 1989 By Steve Newton "Brand new from K-Tel, it's the chart-topping, ever popular ****-tones, captured live and in concert with the acclaimed, 65-piece !!!!-orchestra. A once-in-a-lifetime performance! It's music history in the making!" Whenever a rock band decides to record an album with an orchestra, you can bet that all … Continue reading Red Rider’s Symphony Sessions let Tom Cochrane retrace Procol Harum’s footsteps
Jeffrey Hatcher plans to take the brotherly Big Beat everywhere
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
Canada’s ubertalented Breit brothers chose music over hockey
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 19, 1989 By Steve Newton For twin brothers Garth and Gary Breit--and younger sibling Kevin--growing up in the small Ontario town of McKerrow (pop. 250) did not offer a lot of youthful diversions. Hockey and music were the two biggies, and fortunately the Breit (pronounced "bright") brothers made a career out … Continue reading Canada’s ubertalented Breit brothers chose music over hockey
Tommy Chong goes Cheech-less, reunites with Bobby Taylor to form the Far Out Man Band
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 23, 1988 By Steve Newton Whether you're a new-age hemp addict, old-fashioned hippie, or charter member of the John Birch Society, you've probably heard of Cheech & Chong, counter-culture heroes to millions of adolescents. In the '70s, Richard "Cheech" Marin and Tommy Chong turned out comedy albums like Big Bambu and … Continue reading Tommy Chong goes Cheech-less, reunites with Bobby Taylor to form the Far Out Man Band
Canadian guitar hero Pat Travers brings his classy fretwork to Vancouver’s Town Pump
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 12, 1986 By Steve Newton The last time Pat Travers visited Vancouver he was sharing the Pacific C0liseum stage with Aerosmith playing to a crowd of several thousand hard-rock fans. This time around the fiery Canadian guitarist will be playing in a much more intimate venue--he's at the Town Pump this … Continue reading Canadian guitar hero Pat Travers brings his classy fretwork to Vancouver’s Town Pump