By Steve Newton I don't get out to that many rock concerts these days, mainly 'cause I'm an old fogie living out in the 'burbs and most of my concert-going buddies have either passed away (like Ferg) or moved back to Alberta (like the guys from Mad Duck). But my nephew Jeff offered to take … Continue reading 10 minutes on the phone with Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson in 1983
Category: heavy metal
Scott Ian on the media frenzy surrounding the Anthrax name after 9/11
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 11, 2012 By Steve Newton A couple of weeks back I got a package in the mail containing the new CD by a metal band that was headed to town. No big whoop; happens all the time. But if I'd gotten this Fedex labeled "ANTHRAX" about 11 years ago, shit would … Continue reading Scott Ian on the media frenzy surrounding the Anthrax name after 9/11
Bill O’Leary’s 1980 photo of Judas Priest’s K.K. Downing might be the most metal concert image of all time
Bill O'Leary photo By Steve Newton Just came across a photo by American concert photographer Bill O'Leary that blew me away, so I had to share it (with his permission, of course). It's a live shot of Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing that was taken on July 3, 1980, during Priest's British Steel Tour, at … Continue reading Bill O’Leary’s 1980 photo of Judas Priest’s K.K. Downing might be the most metal concert image of all time
That time back in ’84 when I asked Virgin Steele singer David DeFeis what the metal scene was like in New York
By Steve Newton I was playing some of my old interview cassettes from the '80s a while back and came across a short conversation I had in 1984 with David DeFeis, the singer and main songwriter for New York metal band Virgin Steele. At the time he was promoting the band's second album, 1983's Guardians … Continue reading That time back in ’84 when I asked Virgin Steele singer David DeFeis what the metal scene was like in New York
Heavy-metal expert Martin Popoff ponders his amazing career as a cranker-outer of books
By Steve Newton When you're a young, rock-obsessed kid living in a small town, anywhere you can buy music is like the ultimate candy shop. Fortunately for author Martin Popoff--Canada's leading authority on heavy metal--growing up in the wee burgh of Trail, B.C. offered several places where he could slake his thirst for new tunes. … Continue reading Heavy-metal expert Martin Popoff ponders his amazing career as a cranker-outer of books
Kingdom Come hopes to avoid Zeppelin comparisons with new In Your Face LP
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 30, 1989 By Steve Newton Diehard Led Zeppelin fans were either impressed or outraged when Kingdom Come's debut album came out two years ago. The LP--made here in Vancouver at Little Mountain Sound and produced by Bob Rock--sounded an awful lot like a tribute to (or cloning of) Messrs. Page and … Continue reading Kingdom Come hopes to avoid Zeppelin comparisons with new In Your Face LP
Megadeth brings its ear-busting metal noise to the Fraser Valley on April 28
By Steve Newton Fraser Valley residents with a hankering for heavy metal have something to look forward to. Megadeth has announced that it will play the Abbotsford Centre on April 28, which--thanks to the metal gods--is a Friday night. The band--which features the current lineup of founding guitarist-vocalist Dave Mustaine, guitarist Kiko Loureiro, bassist James … Continue reading Megadeth brings its ear-busting metal noise to the Fraser Valley on April 28
That time Rick Wartell told me that Trouble was going over really well with the thrash-loving Pantera fans
By Steve Newton Back in October of 1992 I interviewed Trouble founder and guitarist Rick Wartell when the Chicago hard-rock quintet was touring with Pantera and heading to Vancouver for a show at the Commodore Ballroom. At the start of the conversation I mentioned how much I liked his band's current album, Manic Frustration, and … Continue reading That time Rick Wartell told me that Trouble was going over really well with the thrash-loving Pantera fans
That time I asked 24-year-old Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof what he thought of mainstream metal
By Steve Newton Way back in July of 1985 I interviewed Metal Church rhythm guitarist and main songwriter Kurdt Vanderhoof. At the time the Seattle-based band was touring behind its self-titled debut album, and taking part in a two-night show at Vancouver's New York Theatre called Metal Massacre. That gig also featured fellow up-and-coming heavy-metal … Continue reading That time I asked 24-year-old Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof what he thought of mainstream metal
That time back in ’84 when Judas Priest’s Rob Halford told me that metal was a young musical force
bev davies photo By Steve Newton I did my first interview with Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford back in May of 1984, when Judas Priest was touring behind its Defenders of the Faith album. At one point in the conversation I mentioned how one of Priest's songs from two years earlier, "You've Got Another Thing … Continue reading That time back in ’84 when Judas Priest’s Rob Halford told me that metal was a young musical force
Metallica announces new album to be released on my birthday, but won’t play Vancouver on world tour
By Steve Newton Metallica, arguably the world's greatest-ever heavy-metal band, has announced that it will release its next album on my birthday. The Bay Area headbangers will unleash their 12th studio album, 72 Seasons, on April 14, 2023. “72 seasons," says Metallica singer-guitarist James Hetfield in a press release. "The first 18 years of our … Continue reading Metallica announces new album to be released on my birthday, but won’t play Vancouver on world tour
That time 21-year-old Devin Townsend told me that he and Steve Vai give each other ulcers
Actual footage of Townsend giving Vai an ulcer By Steve Newton Back in September of 1993 I did my second interview with Canadian metal genius Devin Townsend. He was only 21 at the time, and had recently joined up with guitar virtuoso Steve Vai to record the vocals for Vai's Sex & Religion album and … Continue reading That time 21-year-old Devin Townsend told me that he and Steve Vai give each other ulcers
Anthrax to play Vancouver with Black Label Society and Exodus
By Steve Newton Hey Vancouver metalheads: get your wallets ready. American metal legends Anthrax have announced that they're playing the PNE Forum on January 20, along with fellow Yanks Black Label Society and Exodus. Anthrax's current lineup includes singer Joey Belladonna, lead guitarist John Donais, rhythm guitarist Scott Ian, bassist Frank Bello, and drummer Charlie … Continue reading Anthrax to play Vancouver with Black Label Society and Exodus