For all those diehard Black Sabbath fans who saw the band in concert last year and went, "Man, that was wicked, but how cool would it have been with Bill Ward!", there is still hope. According to Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, the British metal legends intend to record one final album and embark on one final tour. … Continue reading Black Sabbath may yet tour with its original lineup, hints Ozzy Osbourne
Dick Dale doesn’t need no augmented ninth to make your ears bleed
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 8, 2000 By Steve Newton Dick Dale, the undisputed “King of the Surf Guitar”, is known for a uniquely fierce playing style. In concert, he grinds guitar picks down by the dozen, while conjuring a frenzied instro-rock din that—as Ted Nugent used to boast about his own noise—could … Continue reading Dick Dale doesn’t need no augmented ninth to make your ears bleed
Chili Peppers bring heat to Vancouver with pogoing Flea after Dave Grohl gets his nipple pinched
kevin statham photos ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 1, 2000 By Steve Newton Nobody rocks like Flea. As soon as the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ hyperkinetic bassist stepped on the GM Place stage last Sunday (May 28), he started churning out monstrous hard-funk licks, and he didn’t slow down until the gig was over. And when … Continue reading Chili Peppers bring heat to Vancouver with pogoing Flea after Dave Grohl gets his nipple pinched
After scary times in Bosnia the smalls set their sights on Texas
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 25, 2000 By Steve Newton Last February, Edmonton guitar-rockers the smalls found a unique way to celebrate their 10 years together: they kicked off a month-long European tour with a few dates in that popular wintertime destination, Bosnia-Herzegovina. When bassist-songwriter Corby Lund calls from outside of Winnipeg with the claim that … Continue reading After scary times in Bosnia the smalls set their sights on Texas
Horns is one of the most engrossing horror flicks ever made in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 21, 2014 Who knew that a scary movie based on the bizarre idea of a mortal man growing devil horns could prove so damn captivating? Horns is right up there with The Cabin in the Woods as among the most engrossing horror flicks ever made in and around Vancouver. The film opens with young … Continue reading Horns is one of the most engrossing horror flicks ever made in Vancouver
Alvin Youngblood Hart loves Southern rock, was an Allman Brother for a night
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 25, 2000 By Steve Newton Until now, Alvin Youngblood Hart has been best-known as an acoustic folk-blues performer. His first two albums—1996’s Big Mama’s Door and 1998’s Territory—showed him carrying a traditional torch similar to that of blues revivalists Taj Mahal and Guy Davis. So it comes as quite a surprise … Continue reading Alvin Youngblood Hart loves Southern rock, was an Allman Brother for a night
Joe Satriani takes a techno turn on new Engines of Creation
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 18, 2000 By Steve Newton I’ve yet to be bitten by the techno bug. You won’t find any discs by the Chemical Brothers or Crystal Method in my collection, or any stashes of Ecstasy in my dresser drawer. But after listening to the new Joe Satriani CD, Engines of Creation, I’m … Continue reading Joe Satriani takes a techno turn on new Engines of Creation
Kim Mitchell ponders Max Webster’s past while on the Rockland tour
Twenty-five years ago today--on October 15, 1989--a 37-year-old Kim Mitchell played the Orpheum Theatre, touring behind his third solo album, Rockland. In advance of the show I interviewed him on the phone from his Toronto home, and we talked a bit about the new album, which was gettting a buzz at the time from the raucous … Continue reading Kim Mitchell ponders Max Webster’s past while on the Rockland tour
Tina Turner brings raw passion and grace to Vancouver
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 18, 2000 By Steve Newton You always know pretty well what to expect at a Tina Turner concert. First off, there’s the legendary lady herself, whom you can rely on to perform with raw passion and grace. It’s in her blood, which apparently hasn’t thinned that much in … Continue reading Tina Turner brings raw passion and grace to Vancouver
Limblifter’s Ryan Dahle gets his T. Rex on for Bellaclava
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 11, 2000 By Steve Newton In the CD booklet for Bellaclava, the new disc by local power-pop trio Limblifter, there’s a black-and-white photo of the unkempt band members casually posing beside a wall. They look like typical young Canucks, the kind you might see enthusiastically hoisting brewskis in … Continue reading Limblifter’s Ryan Dahle gets his T. Rex on for Bellaclava
3 Doors Down thank Superman for “Kryptonite” and God for The Better Life
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 11, 2000 By Steve Newton At my third annual 40th-birthday bash a few weeks back, a little mickey of Fireball whiskey talked me into taking an extended turn behind the borrowed drum kit set up in our garage. In my altered state I thought I sounded just peachy … Continue reading 3 Doors Down thank Superman for “Kryptonite” and God for The Better Life
A killer album is the best revenge for the Headstones’ Hugh Dillon
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 20, 2000 By Steve Newton Technical difficulties have been gnawing away at me lately. First, the automatic garage door at our house doesn’t feel like opening; next thing our freaky cat, Toonces, sets off the burglar alarm we just got. Now, 20 minutes into an interview with Headstones … Continue reading A killer album is the best revenge for the Headstones’ Hugh Dillon
Ray Bonneville hits his stride with Juno-winning Gust of WInd
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 6, 2000 BY STEVE NEWTON Only two songs into Ray Bonneville’s new CD, Gust of Wind, and I’m starting to think: “This guy reminds me of someone.” There’s a familiar timbre to his laid-back vocals, and the gently percolating blues rings a bell. I’ve got it! Eric Clapton, … Continue reading Ray Bonneville hits his stride with Juno-winning Gust of WInd