ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 21, 1986 By Steve Newton John Fogerty found himself with a hard act to follow after 1985's top-notch Centerfield album. While his new LP. Eye of the Zombie, is far from being a bad record, it still doesn't contain any tracks that match Centerfield's title track or "The Old Man … Continue reading Album review: John Fogerty, Eye of the Zombie (1986)
Album review: Stray Cats, Rock Therapy (1986)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 14, 1986 By Steve Newton Before Brian Setzer went solo with The Knife Feels Like Justice, one of the most consistently fine rock albums of '86, and before Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker joined up with guitar ace Earl Slick to produce two albums as Phantom, Rocker & … Continue reading Album review: Stray Cats, Rock Therapy (1986)
Album review: Peter Gabriel, So (1986)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 8, 1986 By Steve Newton Anyone who saw or heard Peter Gabriel's performance at the recent Amnesty International concert must admit that he was one of the show's major treats. Two of the songs he performed, "Red Rain" and "Sledgehammer", are included on his great new album So. … Continue reading Album review: Peter Gabriel, So (1986)
Todd Kerns promises the most classic of Canadian classic-rock at Toque’s Juno Fest shindig
By Steve Newton Whenever Todd Kerns hits Vancouver--whether it's playing bass with Slash or fronting the Age of Electric--I try to get out and cheer him on. Dude's hugely talented and nice as hell. I stand by my claim that he's "the most rockin' Canadian bass player of the 21st century." Kerns won't be handling … Continue reading Todd Kerns promises the most classic of Canadian classic-rock at Toque’s Juno Fest shindig
Album review: AC/DC, Who Made Who (1986)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 12, 1986 By Steve Newton This latest offering from Aussie ear-busters AC/DC is the official soundtrack of the new Stephen King film Maximum Overdrive. So is it music to watch possessed trucks run people over by? You betcha. Actually, Who Made Who is more of a compilation album … Continue reading Album review: AC/DC, Who Made Who (1986)
Unsane is as crazy good as iPhone-shot psycho-thrillers get
By Steve Newton There’s a lot to fear around the world at this particular moment in time, and we’re not just talking spiders and snakes. There’s the ongoing fear of your kids getting shot while they’re attending high school. There’s the newer fear of coming in contact with a deadly Russian nerve agent while you’re … Continue reading Unsane is as crazy good as iPhone-shot psycho-thrillers get
Back to the ‘Wack: Newt signs Gord Downie book in Chilliwack
By Steve Newton In case you haven't heard, my first book came out last month. It's called Gord Downie, and it's about a poetic Canadian guy who rocked his ass off for decades and won over his home country before bravely succumbing to brain cancer and winning over his home country even more. When the … Continue reading Back to the ‘Wack: Newt signs Gord Downie book in Chilliwack
John Cougar Mellencamp sells seats, not principles, in Vancouver
chris cameron photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 25, 1988 By Steve Newton Some guys have it and some guys don't. A great band, that is. Springsteen had one when he played here in 1984. And the latest hero of the American heartland, John Cougar Mellencamp, had one at the sold-out Coliseum last Saturday (March 19). … Continue reading John Cougar Mellencamp sells seats, not principles, in Vancouver
Album review: Eurythmics, Revenge (1986)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 8, 1986 By Steve Newton With super tunes like "Sisters Are Doin' it For Themselves" and "Woud I Lie To You?", Eurythmics' Be Yourself Tonight was among the cream of 1985's rock albums. With songs like "Missionary Man", "Thorn in my Side", "A Little of You", and "Take Your Pain Away", the … Continue reading Album review: Eurythmics, Revenge (1986)
Kiss on stage in 1988 is no match for Kiss Alive! in ’75
@shotbykevin ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 18, 1988 By Steve Newton One of the most memorable concerts of this scribbler's young life was seeing Kiss at the Commodore Ballroom just after the release of its second album, Hotter Than Hell. A bunch of my buddies and I had crammed into a rented van and … Continue reading Kiss on stage in 1988 is no match for Kiss Alive! in ’75
That time Robin Trower told me that most of the pop music in England was “rubbish”
By Steve Newton Robin Trower is one of my fave guitarists of all time. His string of wicked albums in the seventies--in particular Twice Removed from Yesterday, Bridge of Sighs, and For Earth Below--were a major part of the soundtrack to my teenage existence. He's never gotten the cred he deserves, partly due to the … Continue reading That time Robin Trower told me that most of the pop music in England was “rubbish”
Album review: Various Artists, Metal For Lunch (1986)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 6, 1986 By Steve Newton Metal For Lunch is the follow-up to last year's Metal For Breakfast album, a collection of previously released tracks from som great (and not so great) hard rock bands. On this one, the top tunes come via Aerosmith ("Back in the Saddle"), Judas Priest ("Love … Continue reading Album review: Various Artists, Metal For Lunch (1986)
Album review: Brian Setzer, The Knife Feels Like Justice (1986)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 23, 1986 By Steve Newton For his first solo album, former Stray Cats guitarist/vocalist Brian Setzer has surrounded himself with a crack band that includes former Derringer bassist Kenny Aaronson, Allman Brothers keyboardist Chuck Leavell, John Cougar Mellencamp's drummer Kenny Aronoff, and a fiery guitarist by the name of … Continue reading Album review: Brian Setzer, The Knife Feels Like Justice (1986)