ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 28, 1998 By Steve Newton If you’ve listened to rock radio at all in the past decade, you’ve heard Mike Fraser’s work. His mixing and engineering talents have graced such hugely popular recordings as Aerosmith’s Pump, Metallica’s Load, and Van Halen’s Balance. In the past few years, he’s branched out into … Continue reading Studio star Mike Fraser helps Bruce Fairbairn and Bob Rock put Vancouver on the musical map
Category: from the ‘hood
Bruce Fairbairn: legendary Vancouver rock producer tells all in 1998
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 12, 1998 By Steve Newton It’s been a very long time since Kiss performed at a nightclub in Vancouver. Twenty-four years, actually, since Gene Simmons nearly set the Commodore Ballroom’s red velvet curtains ablaze with his fire-breathing antics. But there they were again two months back, the four original members, gyrating … Continue reading Bruce Fairbairn: legendary Vancouver rock producer tells all in 1998
Kradle strives to put Vancouver on the melodic-metal map in 1984
On March 5, 1984, local glam-metal band Kradle played Burnaby's James Cowan Theatre with Black Knight. At the time I was the guy with the Judas Priest cap at the Georgia Straight who was covering the metal scene, and I was mightily impressed by these young lads from the suburbs of Vancouver. Looking back, they … Continue reading Kradle strives to put Vancouver on the melodic-metal map in 1984
The Payola$’ Paul Hyde talks coproducer Mick Ronson and rock idols Ian Hunter and Alex Harvey
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 17, 1984 By Steve Newton On the strength of their third album, Hammer on a Drum, Vancouver's Payola$ have been nominated in nine categories of 1984's CARAS -sponsored Tribute to West Coast Music. As well as Group of the Year and Album of the Year, the group has two tunes in … Continue reading The Payola$’ Paul Hyde talks coproducer Mick Ronson and rock idols Ian Hunter and Alex Harvey
Devin Townsend’s early days: Gray Skies, Steve Vai, Commodore highs
Vancouver's Devin Townsend is a master of extreme metal. I'm not saying that from personal experience, because I'm not into extreme metal. Old Iron Maiden's about as extreme as I get these days. But from what I've heard the fortyish singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist is quite the artistic genius when it comes to various … Continue reading Devin Townsend’s early days: Gray Skies, Steve Vai, Commodore highs
Kitsilano fingerstyle ace Don Alder set to shine at NAMM’s All Star Guitar Night
Vancouver acoustic guitarist and avowed Wishbone Ash devotee Don Alder will appear at NAMM's All Star Guitar Night this Saturday in Anaheim, California. I've been spreading the word about this stunning player since he won Guitar Player magazine's Guitar Superstar competition back in September of 2010. I interviewed him in his Kitsilano stomping ground a … Continue reading Kitsilano fingerstyle ace Don Alder set to shine at NAMM’s All Star Guitar Night
Ex-Georgia Straight editor spearheads blues-rocking benefit for Mary Steinhauser bursary
PHOTO BY THE NEWT By Steve Newton Remember "Hurricane", that great Bob Dylan tune about the imprisonment of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter? Bob Mercer sure does. Dylan's 1975 protest song came out five months after a notorious hostage-taking incident at the B.C. Penitentiary that took the life of 32-year-old prison social-worker Mary Steinhauser. Three years later, … Continue reading Ex-Georgia Straight editor spearheads blues-rocking benefit for Mary Steinhauser bursary
The Falcons give diehard instro-rock fans a reason to rejoice
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 20, 2012 IN CELEBRATION OF their 20th anniversary, Vancouver instro-rockers the Falcons recently released EP Collection, a batch of tracks recorded between 1991 and ’97, newly remixed and remastered in analogue. The 12 originals—plus a version of the deathless instro classic “Apache”—were recorded “live off the floor” at a no-frills Kitsilano location … Continue reading The Falcons give diehard instro-rock fans a reason to rejoice
Jim Byrnes busts out of the blues
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 18, 2004 By Steve Newton For many Vancouver music fans, the name Jim Byrnes brings to mind a laid-back blues veteran, grizzled yet hip, weaving soulful tales with his smoky voice, slipping in subtle slide-guitar bits here and there. The actor-musician's latest CD, Fresh Horses, doesn't abandon his patented sound, but … Continue reading Jim Byrnes busts out of the blues
Blue Voodoo shoots for versatility
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 15, 2004 By Steve Newton It's just after midnight on a Friday in downtown New Westminster, but there are few signs of weekend revelry along the main drag of Columbia Street. Still, a Surrey-based acoustic combo named the Blue Voodoo is doing its best to get at least a few of … Continue reading Blue Voodoo shoots for versatility
Kroeker Fulfills His Wish List
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 13, 2003 WHEN JOEL KROEKER shows up at the Straight office gripping a backpack, it's easy to mistake him for one of the bike couriers who frequent the place. With his short, dyed-blond hair and pierced right eyebrow, he's got that alternative vibe that hard-core couriers favour; the slim 30-year-old also looks in … Continue reading Kroeker Fulfills His Wish List
Vancouver guitar ace Russell Marsland travels to the heart of the blues with Dig Deep
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 17, 2004 By Steve Newton Local guitar ace Russell Marsland has been a powerful presence on the Vancouver music scene for more than 30 years. At 15, he would sneak out of his parents' East Van residence to play between strip shows at the Penthouse; two years later he was in … Continue reading Vancouver guitar ace Russell Marsland travels to the heart of the blues with Dig Deep
Ox’s Mark Browning discards his “folk-porno” rulebook on Dust Bowl Revival
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 22, 2004 By Steve Newton Devotees of Vancouver's singer-songwriter scene should be familiar with Mark Browning. He was a fixture on the local acoustic-folk circuit a couple of years ago and could often be seen doing his thing down at the Railway Club. Looking back, though, Browning is not particularly proud … Continue reading Ox’s Mark Browning discards his “folk-porno” rulebook on Dust Bowl Revival