By Steve Newton Gather 'round kiddies and let ole Grandpa Newt tell tales of the long-ago days when the music industry was awash with cash, and promo reps didn't know what do with it all. Back in 1984 some brainiac at A&M Records came up with the idea of putting the names of rock critics the … Continue reading Why couldn’t my name have been foil-stamped on a Maiden album instead of Roger Hodgson?
Steve Earle’s marathon Vancouver show a winner despite a-hole sighting
photos by the Newt By Steve Newton Steve Earle was his typically cool and collected self during his marathon set at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver last night, but there was one moment when his calm demeanour got left backstage. Just before his encore one overly enthusiastic fan scampered up on the empty stage to grab … Continue reading Steve Earle’s marathon Vancouver show a winner despite a-hole sighting
Steve Earle might cover Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top in Vancouver, but either way, it’s all good
By Steve Newton Back in the day you didn't have easy access to what songs your fave touring performers might be playing when they made it to your town. I mean, even when Steve Earle played the Commodore in Vancouver 15 years ago you weren't sure he was gonna do "Copperhead Road" until you maybe heard that … Continue reading Steve Earle might cover Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top in Vancouver, but either way, it’s all good
Stevie Ray Vaughan tears it up in Vancouver, says “serious trouble indeed”
mila geran photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 6, 1985 By Steve Newton Since he flew onto the international music scene in 1983, people have been raving on and on about Texas guitar wizard Stevie Ray Vaughan. After his startling shows at the Commodore last week (August 29 and 31), you can bet that local blues-rock … Continue reading Stevie Ray Vaughan tears it up in Vancouver, says “serious trouble indeed”
American Stars ‘n Bars: Lynyrd Skynyrd and the lure of the Confederate flag
By Steve Newton The Rebel flag. The Southern Cross. Stars and Bars. Whatever you call it, the battle flag of America's former Confederate states has been getting a lot of attention lately—most of it in the wake of last June's mass shooting of black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina. Nine parishioners were killed by 21-year-old … Continue reading American Stars ‘n Bars: Lynyrd Skynyrd and the lure of the Confederate flag
Dear Iron Maiden: please play Vancouver on the Book of Souls World Tour –your old buddy, Newt
By Steve Newton The world's old-school headbangers got some great news the other day when British metal legends Iron Maiden announced that it would embark on a global tour in 2016 that is set to visit 35 countries in six continents. "Details of the precise schedule are currently being finalised," said the band on its website, … Continue reading Dear Iron Maiden: please play Vancouver on the Book of Souls World Tour –your old buddy, Newt
Prairie fretmaster Jack Semple on teenage trauma, guitar contests, and watching Tommy Emmanuel like a hawk
By Steve Newton They say you can judge a man by the company he keeps, so Saskatchewan guitar wizard Jack Semple was on the right track when he tweeted a photo of himself seated alongside guitarists Vinny Raniolo, Tommy Emmanuel, and Frank Vignola. Taken in Louisiana this past June at Tommy Emmanuel Guitar Camp USA, … Continue reading Prairie fretmaster Jack Semple on teenage trauma, guitar contests, and watching Tommy Emmanuel like a hawk
My first interview with Stevie Ray Vaughan, when he sang me three lines of an Earl King song
photo by Mila Geran ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 6, 1985 By Stevie Ross Newton Texas blues guitar hero Stevie Ray Vaughan was in town last Saturday, for two sold out shows at the Commodore Ballroom. Prior to his appearance I caught up with Stevie, and asked him about his upcoming LP Soul to Soul, his … Continue reading My first interview with Stevie Ray Vaughan, when he sang me three lines of an Earl King song
Backcountry will scare you out of the woods
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 24, 2015 By Steve Newton If you’re thinking about going camping anywhere bears might be, Backcountry is definitely not for you. It’s Stephen Colbert’s worst nightmare come to life, basically. Surrey escapee Missy Peregrym, from TV’s Rookie Blue, and Montreal’s Jeff Roop star as Jenn and Alex, a young couple embarking on a … Continue reading Backcountry will scare you out of the woods
Saskatchewan guitar wizard Jack Semple is a Strat man all the way
By Steve Newton Three days ago I called Jack Semple up at his home in Regina, Saskatchewan, for an interview to help promote his show at Vancouver's Rickshaw Theatre on August 31 (with guest Don Alder). In preparing for the chat I spent a lot of time listening to the Canadian guitar wizard's latest CD, … Continue reading Saskatchewan guitar wizard Jack Semple is a Strat man all the way
Craig Northey covers Art Bergmann’s “Faithlessly Yours” to show support for The Apostate
By Steve Newton Vancouver music great and all-around good guy Craig Northey recently recorded a version of Art Bergmann's 1991 song "Faithlessly Yours" to show support for Bergmann's new album, The Apostate. If you want to follow Northey's lead, you can help in the creation of Art's new music via Pledge Music. Here's the original video … Continue reading Craig Northey covers Art Bergmann’s “Faithlessly Yours” to show support for The Apostate
Sinister 2 is a groan-inducing cash grab
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 19, 2015 By Steve Newton Blumhouse Productions’ 2012 sleeper Sinister was an impressively creepy fright flick that drew much of its strength from Ethan Hawke’s convincing portrayal of Ellison Oswalt, a struggling true-crime writer who seeks inspiration by moving his unknowing family into a home where an unsolved mass murder occurred. For Sinister … Continue reading Sinister 2 is a groan-inducing cash grab
Van Halen “rock concert” flyer from early Pasadena High School gig unveiled by author Greg Renoff
By Steve Newton If you're anything like me—and by that I mean an old guy who grew up loving guitar-rock in the seventies—that first Van Halen album of '78 was one of the most amazing things ever. At the time, I could barely comprehend how raunchy it was. Eddie's guitarwork was inconceivably fierce. Diamond Dave's caveman … Continue reading Van Halen “rock concert” flyer from early Pasadena High School gig unveiled by author Greg Renoff