By Steve Newton Man, was I ever stoked for Joe Bonamassa's show--the first of three nights--at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver last night. For starters, the dude's a wicked guitarist, as most folks know, and his latest album, Redemption, blew me away, especially tracks like "Molly O", "Just 'Cos You Can Don't Mean You … Continue reading Joe Bonamassa’s “Guitar Event of the Year” sabotaged by poor sound (at least from where I was sitting)
The Beat Farmers’ wildman drummer Country Dick Montana steals the show in Vancouver
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 2, 1988 By Steve Newton Picture this: you walk into 86 Street and the first thing you see on stage is a big, bearded mother of a biker-type in a long black coat and cowboy hat. During a raunched-up version of "Lucille", this crazy dude douses the crowd … Continue reading The Beat Farmers’ wildman drummer Country Dick Montana steals the show in Vancouver
AC/DC’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton Guess I'm just more of a Bon guy. 20. "T.N.T." (High Voltage, 1976) 19. "Problem Child" (Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, 1976) 18. "Hells Bells" (Back in Black, 1980) 17. "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be" (Let There Be Rock, 1977) 16. "Whole Lotta Rosie" (Let There Be Rock, 1977) 15. "Gimme … Continue reading AC/DC’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi what she got from attending Berklee College of Music
By Steve Newton Here's another audio excerpt from my 1998 interview with Susan Tedeschi, for those who think she's awesome, like me. At one point in the interview I asked her about attending Berklee College of Music, which she graduated from in 1991. That's the Boston institution where such stellar musicians as Steely Dan's Donald … Continue reading That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi what she got from attending Berklee College of Music
That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what their fave tunes were on the new Flick of the Switch album
By Steve Newton I've been reading Mick Wall's 2012 book about AC/DC, Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be, and today I got to the part about the band recording 1983's Flick of the Switch, which the author reckons is AC/DC's worst album ever. I will admit it's no Powerage, but hey--the title track is … Continue reading That time I asked AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson what their fave tunes were on the new Flick of the Switch album
Kick Axe kicks ass at the Commodore in Vancouver, classic lineup or not
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 25, 1988 By Steve Newton It was billed as a Kick Axe reunion at the Commodore last Thursday (November 17), but according to original guitarist Larry Gillstrom, it was more of a "new-union". Kick Axe coguitarist Ray Harvey and bassist Victor Langen were off with their respective bands, Kirsten Nash and … Continue reading Kick Axe kicks ass at the Commodore in Vancouver, classic lineup or not
That time I asked Brian May of Queen about that scene in Wayne’s World with “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the car
By Steve Newton I loved Queen in the seventies. When that first album came out in 1973 it was in a steady battle for time on my turntable with other '73 debuts by Aerosmith, Skynyrd, Montrose, and Trower. I clearly remember playing it on my parents' living-room stereo (before I got my own) and being … Continue reading That time I asked Brian May of Queen about that scene in Wayne’s World with “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the car
Colin James lives up to the hype at the second of five straight sold-out Commodore shows
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 18, 1988 By Steve Newton The first time yours truly met Colin James was at the Commodore a couple of years ago. I forget who was playing, but I was hanging out in front of the bar with fellow rock scribbler John "Wacky" Mackie, a member of the band L. Kabong, … Continue reading Colin James lives up to the hype at the second of five straight sold-out Commodore shows
V. Spy V. Spy sweat it out in true Aussie fashion at Vancouver’s Town Pump
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 11, 1988 By Steve Newton It was really pouring last Saturday night (November 5), but inside the Town Pump it was perspiration that was coming down. The heat was just a-flyin' off the bodies of guitarist Mike Weiley and bassist Craig Bloxom, the frontline attack force of Aussie … Continue reading V. Spy V. Spy sweat it out in true Aussie fashion at Vancouver’s Town Pump
That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi if she had a favourite tune on Just Won’t Burn
By Steve Newton I love listening to Susan Tedeschi sing and play guitar. I mean, who doesn't? I love interviewing her too, because she's not just a wicked musician, but a total sweetie as well. The first time I chatted with her was back in 1998, when she was just 28, and touring behind her … Continue reading That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi if she had a favourite tune on Just Won’t Burn
That time B.B. King told me that Eric Clapton could make him do whatever he wants
By Steve Newton I've been lucky enough to have interviewed blues legend B.B. King twice, once way back in 1984, then again in 2002. The last time was a couple of years after he and Eric Clapton had recorded the awesome Riding With the King album, which was a shoo-in for my Top 10 albums … Continue reading That time B.B. King told me that Eric Clapton could make him do whatever he wants
That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi if she idolized Bonnie Raitt
By Steve Newton When I did my first interview with Susan Tedeschi, back in 1998, she was touring behind her Just Won't Burn album, which included a cover of John Prine's "Angel from Montgomery". When I asked her how she came to record that tune we got to talking about Bonnie Raitt, so I inquired … Continue reading That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi if she idolized Bonnie Raitt
30 great horror flicks from the last 30 years
By Steve Newton I've been reviewing horror movies professionally since 1988. Here's 30 of my faves: Hereditary (2018) "The wrath of Satan seems pretty tame compared to the suffering that damaged family members can inflict on one another." A Quiet Place (2018) "...ultimately A Quiet Place emerges as an effective nightmare-maker for parents that is … Continue reading 30 great horror flicks from the last 30 years