ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 22, 2022 By Steve Newton As a youngster growing up in Guinea, West Africa, Alpha Yaya Diallo took in a lot of culture. His family moved around a lot, and he was exposed to musical influences from the Susu, Maninka, and his own Fulani people. He also spent time in nearby … Continue reading Alpha Yaya Diallo likes to hear millions of guitar players
Category: from the ‘hood
Body Electric’s Frank Ludwig connects with street kids through rock ‘n’ roll
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 6, 1984 By Steve Newton "A lot of people figure, 'Gee, you were in Trooper, you were in Iron Horse. I guess it's a real snap'. But we're struggling, I'll be honest with you--have been for a long time. So it's really encouraging that people are coming out and saying they … Continue reading Body Electric’s Frank Ludwig connects with street kids through rock ‘n’ roll
Vancouver’s Raymond May shoots for the big time with Bruce Allen-backed debut LP
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 15, 1988 By Steve Newton Music and money. The two don't always go hand in hand. Just ask your typical Vancouver musician. But when they do mix in this city, chances are there's a guy named Bruce Allen bringing them together. Raymond May, the latest upstart to come out of the … Continue reading Vancouver’s Raymond May shoots for the big time with Bruce Allen-backed debut LP
Vancouver blues-rock party band the Fins just wants chicks, coke, Cadillacs–and money
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 18, 1984 By Steve Newton "Occasionally you get booked into a room that's just the pits," points out Dave Chisholm of the Fins, a local blues-rock outfit that's currently paying dues and honing licks on steady road trips to the interior of B.C. and Yukon Territories. In a spare room above … Continue reading Vancouver blues-rock party band the Fins just wants chicks, coke, Cadillacs–and money
Simon Kaos is rocking like there’s no tomorrow–and there nearly wasn’t
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 30, 1984 By Steve Newton "We were heading to Edmonton," explains drummer C.C. Brooks, "and Andy and the crew were in the bus just outside Abbotsford when it rolled. Our soundman kicked the front window out and dragged everybody out, and then the whole thing burst into flames." "It was burning … Continue reading Simon Kaos is rocking like there’s no tomorrow–and there nearly wasn’t
Fabulon’s Marty Higgs says things are looking better for Vancouver’s alternative music scene
Fabulon with vocalist Darren Simcoe ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 25, 1985 By Steve Newton If you're looking for an interesting band to check out this weekend, let me suggest Fabulon, who play the Town Pump till Saturday. The group is made up of singer Brian King, drummer Rick Eden, keyboardist Randy Paar, bassist David "Bud" … Continue reading Fabulon’s Marty Higgs says things are looking better for Vancouver’s alternative music scene
Kick Axe guitarist Gillstrom helps Vancouver metalheads kick ass
Gillstrom with Kick Axe, second from right ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 22, 1988 By Steve Newton Heavy metal. The words strike fear into the hearts of Julio lovers everywhere. Luckily Larry Gillstrom isn't an Iglesias fan. The guitarist for local metal merchants Kick Axe prefers his music fast and hard, so, along with Club Soda … Continue reading Kick Axe guitarist Gillstrom helps Vancouver metalheads kick ass
Dave Chisholm recalls those crazy beer-drenched days in the early ’80s when the Fins were the house band at Vancouver’s Marble Arch
donna hagerman photos If you went out drinkin' in downtown Vancouver in the early 1980s, and you weren't too much of a fancy pants, you may have found yourself down at the Marble Arch. It was located at 518 Richards, so a short walk to concert venues like the Commodore, Orpheum, Railway Club, and Queen … Continue reading Dave Chisholm recalls those crazy beer-drenched days in the early ’80s when the Fins were the house band at Vancouver’s Marble Arch
Bill Coon considers Oliver Gannon the godfather of jazz guitar in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 17, 2021 By Steve Newton Vancouver jazz artist Bill Coon started playing guitar in his early teens, thanks in large part to his brother David. His elder sibling—currently the leader of New Brunswick's Green Party—had a cheap acoustic six-string that, despite its high action, young Bill took a real shining to. … Continue reading Bill Coon considers Oliver Gannon the godfather of jazz guitar in Vancouver
Edmonton native Krystle Dos Santos found a soulful home among the amazing vocalists of Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 2021 By Steve Newton You might be a big Stevie Wonder fan, but I'll bet you're not as big a Stevie Wonder fan as Krystle Dos Santos. When she was four or five years old the local soul vocalist would sing along to his LPs, trying her best to read along … Continue reading Edmonton native Krystle Dos Santos found a soulful home among the amazing vocalists of Vancouver
Doug and the Slugs doc captures the essence of Doug Bennett
By Steve Newton When you think about the music of Doug and the Slugs, what comes to mind first are mostly likely the band's upbeat early-'80s radio hits, "Too Bad" and "Making It Work". Or maybe it's the catchy, singalong vibe of the whimsical "Day By Day". But for Teresa Alfeld--director of the 2022 documentary … Continue reading Doug and the Slugs doc captures the essence of Doug Bennett
This year’s Keithmas Food Bank benefit at the Rickshaw will rock your freakin’ socks off
By Steve Newton Anyone who knows me knows that I never skip a chance to post the photo I have of me touching skull rings with Keith Richards. The latest opportunity came with today's announcement of the lineup for this year's Keithmas concert. The annual Vancouver Food Bank benefit, which takes place at the Rickshaw … Continue reading This year’s Keithmas Food Bank benefit at the Rickshaw will rock your freakin’ socks off
When Graham Brown plugs in his Telecaster he’s 12 years old again
rob bubek photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 23, 2022 By Steve Newton When I try calling Graham Brown at the time specified for our interview there's no answer, so I leave a message and try again a few minutes later. This time we do connect, only to have the local rocker apologize and explain that … Continue reading When Graham Brown plugs in his Telecaster he’s 12 years old again