By Steve Newton I did my eighth interview with Joe Satriani a couple years ago, and finally got to ask him about something that his former G3 tourmate Yngwie Malmsteen once said to me. Back in 2014 I had interviewed Yngwie in advance of his Guitar Gods show in Vancouver, and that was when he … Continue reading Joe Satriani responds to Yngwie Malmsteen’s claim that Ibanez guitars are “a bad copy” of the Strat
Blue Öyster Cult transforms into the “New York Guitar Army” in Vancouver
I once owned a belt buckle just like this, but I traded it for a see-through guitar. True story. ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 20, 1988 By Steve Newton Blue Öyster Cult is the sort of band you either love or hate. There's no in-betweens. Nobody every says, "Oh, Blue Öyster Cult, they're … Continue reading Blue Öyster Cult transforms into the “New York Guitar Army” in Vancouver
Album review: White Lion, Pride (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 4, 1988 By Steve Newton Good news for Bon Jovi fans! You don't have to wait for Jon and the boys to put out that follow-up to Slippery When Wet--a band called White Lion has already done it. Pride sports the same kind of cleanly played and immaculately produced … Continue reading Album review: White Lion, Pride (1988)
Album review: George Thorogood & the Destroyers, Born to Be Bad (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 26, 1988 By Steve Newton When it comes to party-time, rockin' blues, few people deliver with the same kind of no-frills, honest urgency as George Thorogood. Well, the bad-ass guitar ace from Wilmington, Delaware has come through with another sturdy collection of originals and classic blues covers that … Continue reading Album review: George Thorogood & the Destroyers, Born to Be Bad (1988)
Album review: Paul McCartney, All the Best (1987)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 12, 1988 By Steve Newton Die-hard McCartney fans whose record collections aren't already jammed with his solo and Wings projects may want to consider this two-album set featuring the biggest hits (but not necessarily best songs) of the "cutest" Beatle. When McCartney is in prime songwriting form he can still … Continue reading Album review: Paul McCartney, All the Best (1987)
Midnight Oil proves itself a kick-ass rock ‘n’ roll band that counts on the Diesel and Dust tour
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 29, 1988 By Steve Newton At Midnight Oil's press conference the day of their April 22 show the band's drummer (and one of the major songwriters) Rob Hirst was asked about the group's preoccupation with political themes. Hirst acknowledged the political side of the band, but also pointed out that politically inclined … Continue reading Midnight Oil proves itself a kick-ass rock ‘n’ roll band that counts on the Diesel and Dust tour
That time Dickey Betts told me that he liked the Allman Brothers’ opening act, Blues Traveler, “a whole lot”
By Steve Newton If you've been checking out Ear of Newt much in the last couple years, you likely noticed that I really enjoy posting audio excerpts from my four interviews with Dickey Betts. As I've been saying all along, he's one of my fave guitarists, but I like hearing his down-home southern drawl almost as … Continue reading That time Dickey Betts told me that he liked the Allman Brothers’ opening act, Blues Traveler, “a whole lot”
Album review: Andy Taylor, Thunder (1987)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 3, 1987 By Steve Newton Former Duran Duran and Power Station guitarist Andy Taylor shows himself to be a significant solo artist on Thunder--although he had a lot of help from Steve Jones, whose Les Paul used to propel the Sex Pistols. Jones plays guitar on the album, co-wrote … Continue reading Album review: Andy Taylor, Thunder (1987)
Album review: R.E.M., Dead Letter Office (1987)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 26, 1987 By Steve Newton For R.E.M. fans who can't wait for the follow-up to last year's Life's Rich Pageant LP, there is now a unique compilation of b-sides and studio out-takes to keep them going. And what's most surprising is that, on a whole, Dead Letter Office is … Continue reading Album review: R.E.M., Dead Letter Office (1987)
Album review: Mötley Crüe, Girls, Girls, Girls (1987)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 12, 1987 By Steve Newton When I first heard Mötley Crüe back in 1981, I was quite impressed. The group's debut album, Too Fast for Love, had a rough-edged punk feel, and songs like "Live Wire", "Public Enemy #1", and "Piece of Your Action" made repeated rounds on the old turntable. But … Continue reading Album review: Mötley Crüe, Girls, Girls, Girls (1987)
Album review: David Bowie, Never Let Me Down (1987)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 5, 1987 By Steve Newton David Bowie has not broken any stylistic barriers on his new album, as he's been wont to do in the past. Instead he's opted to go for the big '80s dance-rock sound that he has been favouring since 1983's hit Let's Dance LP. And on Never Let … Continue reading Album review: David Bowie, Never Let Me Down (1987)
Album review: Ozzy Osbourne/Randy Rhoads, Tribute (1987)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 5, 1987 By Steve Newton Everybody has their favourite rock guitarists. "Hendrix," scream some, "Jimi Hendrix rules!" "Page is king," others argue. "Clapton is God," says the next person. And then there are people who bow down before Jeff Beck. Me, I'm a Randy Rhoads kinda guy. I still remember the … Continue reading Album review: Ozzy Osbourne/Randy Rhoads, Tribute (1987)
Roy Buchanan talks jamming with Pink Floyd “bluesman” David Gilmour and boasts about his new Bluesmaster guitar
roger fritz photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 8, 1988 By Steve Newton Blues guitar giant Roy Buchanan makes his yearly visit to Vancouver this week, and fans of his searingly soulful, technically awesome style can get their 1988 dose of it. This time around, though, Roy will be shooting off those wild licks with the … Continue reading Roy Buchanan talks jamming with Pink Floyd “bluesman” David Gilmour and boasts about his new Bluesmaster guitar