Category: from the ‘hood

Odds’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton Odds are one the greatest pop-rock bands Canada has ever produced. Why they haven't sold millions is beyond me. 20. "The Real Thing" (Noise Trade EP, 2009) 19. "Satisfied" (Good Weird Feeling, 1995) 18. "Getting My Attention" (Cheerleader, 2008) 17. "It Falls Apart" (Bedbugs, 1993) 16. "Fall Guy" (Crash the Time Machine, … Continue reading Odds’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

Vancouver hard-rockers Legend found heavy inspiration in Rush

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 1, 1983 By Steve Newton "It's rough for a new band starting out," admits Legend bassist George Clarke. "We have a PA we're in hock for, so right now everything we make goes back into the band, into the equipment. It's not a profitable situation at the moment, but we hope … Continue reading Vancouver hard-rockers Legend found heavy inspiration in Rush

Check out Ron Obvious’s video of ’80s Vancouver music-critic band The Explosions

david boswell photo By Steve Newton I recently connected for the first time with noted Vancouver recording engineer and studio designer Ron Obvious after inquiring about some concert photos he took of AC/DC during their fabled 1978 opening slot for Aerosmith at the Pacific Coliseum. Turns out that way back in 1982 Mr. Obvious had … Continue reading Check out Ron Obvious’s video of ’80s Vancouver music-critic band The Explosions

Asiyah aims to make the hypnotic backbeat of reggae popular in Vancouver

image provided by Rob Frith ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 9, 1983 By Steve Newton "One thing about this music," says Hillary Tanner of Asiyah, "is that it is new in Vancouver. People don't hear it everyday, and not many have found out what Bob Marley was saying. And the music is indeed a message music. … Continue reading Asiyah aims to make the hypnotic backbeat of reggae popular in Vancouver

The Questionaires survive member changes and the recession to bring genuine R&B to Vancouver clubs

hans sipma photo, circa 1984 ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 3, 1983 By Steve Newton "An interesting thing about our band," says Questionaires vocalist Mike Jacobs, "is that we were semi-late bloomers. We were really pretty old for some of us to be starting careers in music. At 26 or 27, that's where I really gave … Continue reading The Questionaires survive member changes and the recession to bring genuine R&B to Vancouver clubs

Big Medicine’s Hawk loves fellow Vancouver bands the Villains, b-sides, and Red Herring

len mackave photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 29, 1985 By Steve Newton "People are very surprising," says Hawk, lead singer/songwriter/rhythm guitarist from Big Medicine. "They show their true colours when you look different, you know. But friends are friends in spite of what you look like, and the same goes for music too--if people enjoy … Continue reading Big Medicine’s Hawk loves fellow Vancouver bands the Villains, b-sides, and Red Herring

Vancouver rockers Crisis find steady club work but want to record and take over the world next week

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 8, 1983 By Steve Newton "It was actually pretty simple," says Gary Langen, describing how he came to be the newest member of Vancouver's hard-rocking club act Crisis. "I just picked up the phone, called the booking agent, and said 'Hi, does anybody need a drummer?'" That phone call has proven … Continue reading Vancouver rockers Crisis find steady club work but want to record and take over the world next week

Ron Haywood and Stripes bring the funk–and a Vegas-style showband vibe–to Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 9, 1984 By Steve Newton What do you get when you combine a singer from Nashville, a saxman from New Orleans, a drummer from Montreal, a bassist from Comox, and a guitarist and keyboardist from San Francisco? Well, in the case of Ron Haywood and Stripes, you get a tight and … Continue reading Ron Haywood and Stripes bring the funk–and a Vegas-style showband vibe–to Vancouver

H.B. Concept’s Henri Brown was more into basketball when his cousin Jimi Hendrix took flight

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 30, 1983 By Steve Newton In one of the songs from his latest album, Eddy Grant sings "Forget your troubles in dancing, singing and playing funky rock and roll." It would appear that bassist/vocalist Henri Brown of H.B. Concept has taken that message to heart. At a recent local gig the … Continue reading H.B. Concept’s Henri Brown was more into basketball when his cousin Jimi Hendrix took flight

Richmond’s Shadowfax hits the high seas with its sights set on Ocean Sound

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 23, 1983 By Steve Newton "I love 'em," shouts Damon Karjala over the din of howling partiers and steady chug of the S.S. Britannia as it courses through Vancouver Harbour. The guitarist/vocalist for Richmond's Shadowfax is talking about boat cruises--this being the band's third. "Casey and I got sick of doing … Continue reading Richmond’s Shadowfax hits the high seas with its sights set on Ocean Sound

Dragon Fly guitarist Zakat Zahir cut his teeth on Santana, raves about the Headpins’ “Too Loud” MacLeod

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 11, 1983 By Steve Newton Patrons of Frams Cabaret experienced a club act of a different sort last week. It isn't often that you'll come across a nine-piece, all-Black band doing heavy metal. But there they were, stirring things up with rowdy, riff-riddled covers of songs by Night Ranger and Judas … Continue reading Dragon Fly guitarist Zakat Zahir cut his teeth on Santana, raves about the Headpins’ “Too Loud” MacLeod