By now most everyone who follows the Vancouver music scene has heard the sad news about the passing of local concert-biz legend Drew Burns. The longtime proprietor of the Commodore Ballroom died on Saturday, leaving scores of friends and fans feeling down--until memories of him got them up again. The last time I saw Drew was backstage … Continue reading Remembering the Commodore’s Drew Burns: Best. Promoter. Ever.
The Northern Pikes’ reunion sabotaged by awful sound at the Commodore
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 3, 2000 I’ve always been a sucker for rock ’n’ roll reunions. If a band I used to like gets back together—especially with all its former members intact—I say “Right on!” When I heard the Northern Pikes, one of my fave Canuck-pop groups from the ’80s, were touring … Continue reading The Northern Pikes’ reunion sabotaged by awful sound at the Commodore
The Northern Pikes reunite and hit the road with Walkmans on
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 20, 2000 Fans of the Northern Pikes must have been pleasantly surprised when they picked this paper up a couple of issues back and saw that the long-gone band was booked to play the Commodore Ballroom next Friday (January 28). The Saskatoon pop-rock quartet hasn’t performed live in … Continue reading The Northern Pikes reunite and hit the road with Walkmans on
Old Crow Medicine Show pays respect to moonshine and Peanuts on Remedy
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 24, 2014 By Steve Newton There's a plethora of fine tunes on the latest Old Crow Medicine Show album, Remedy, but one that really jumps out at you is the freewheelin’ bluegrass number “8 Dogs 8 Banjos”. According to the string band’s singer and main songwriter, Ketch Secor—who also handles fiddle, … Continue reading Old Crow Medicine Show pays respect to moonshine and Peanuts on Remedy
Will the new AC/DC album rock, or will it be a bust without Malcolm Young?
Blues-metal legends AC/DC announced today that they will release a new album, titled Rock or Bust, on December 2. The 11-track disc was recorded right here in Vancouver last spring, with Brendan O’Brien producing and Langley's Mike Fraser mixing. As reported here in July, the new AC/DC disc will be the first one in the band's illustrious career to … Continue reading Will the new AC/DC album rock, or will it be a bust without Malcolm Young?
Bill Henderson says Chilliwack ripped off its name for the First Nations vibe
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 6, 2000 By Steve Newton It’s a bit weird coming from a small town that has the same name as a popular ’70s rock band. When you admit to having been born and bred in Chilliwack, there’s always some joker who’ll wonder aloud, “Hey, isn’t that where that ‘Crazy Talk’ band … Continue reading Bill Henderson says Chilliwack ripped off its name for the First Nations vibe
David Wilcox’s whimsical boogie doesn’t warrant a 63-song box set
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 9, 1993 By Steve Newton In the early ’80s David Wilcox flew onto the Canadian music scene with Out of the Woods, a debut album that was chock-full of snappy, whimsically rocking tunes that couldn’t help but infect you with their primal, blues-driven energy. Catchy tracks such as … Continue reading David Wilcox’s whimsical boogie doesn’t warrant a 63-song box set
The Return of the Manticore box set is for devoted ELP fans only
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 9, 1993 By Steve Newton As a high schooler back in ’73, I blindly purchased a copy of Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s Brain Salad Surgery, which was highly unusual for me, since the band didn’t even have a rockin’ lead guitarist and I didn’t even do drugs. Yet … Continue reading The Return of the Manticore box set is for devoted ELP fans only
Message in a Box delivers all the great tracks the Police laid down before Sting went off by himself to be boring
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 9, 1993 By Steve Newton Now here’s one band that deserves to have its recorded output compiled in one nifty boxed set. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like the Police, the pioneering Anglo-American rock trio whose adventurous melding of pop styles and sheer musical talent made its … Continue reading Message in a Box delivers all the great tracks the Police laid down before Sting went off by himself to be boring
Ashes to Diamonds box set shines with unreleased Tom Cochrane gems
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 9, 1993 By Steve Newton This three-CD box set is a real bonus for Tom Cochrane fans who enjoyed his recent hits, “Big League” and “Life Is a Highway”, but who still believe his best musical moments occurred with his former band, Red Rider. The majority of the … Continue reading Ashes to Diamonds box set shines with unreleased Tom Cochrane gems
Led Zeppelin box gets you the best of Zep on tape or CD for one nominal price
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 3, 1991 By Steve Newton So you’re all upset because over the years you’ve invested $200 into your mint collection of Led Zeppelin LPs, only to turn around and find that vinyl is going the way of the dodo. Well, quit your bawling, ’cause now you can get … Continue reading Led Zeppelin box gets you the best of Zep on tape or CD for one nominal price
George Harrison box set stirs ’70s memories and gets Conan on the case
By Steve Newton An eight-disc George Harrison box set titled The Apple Years 1968-75 was released today, for all you post-Beatles Harrison freaks out there. I probably won't run out and buy it, since I don't have a spare hundred bucks kickin' around right now, but hearing about it made me recall the Year of Our Lord, 1973. That was … Continue reading George Harrison box set stirs ’70s memories and gets Conan on the case
Old Crow’s Ketch Secor likes listening to the Be Good Tanyas and whoever died last week
When I interview musicians I often ask what they've been listening to in their spare time, and sometimes it leads to an interesting response. When I called up Ketch Secor of the Old Crow Medicine Show last week to chat in advance of his band's appearance at the Orpheum Theatre this Sunday (September 28), the … Continue reading Old Crow’s Ketch Secor likes listening to the Be Good Tanyas and whoever died last week