Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 4: Loose Change “breaks in” new singer Lori Paul

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE CHILLIWACK PROGRESS, APRIL 15, 1981 By Steve Newton (In the fourth of a series of stories on local bands The Progress presents a profile of the group Loose Change. Next: Midnight Smoke.) Loose Change, described by bass player Richard Todd as "an uptempo blues-rock" band, is a Chilliwack group composed of … Continue reading Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 4: Loose Change “breaks in” new singer Lori Paul

Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 3: The Vacationers enjoy “doing a couple of Jeff Beck tunes”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE CHILLIWACK PROGRESS, APRIL 8, 1981 By Steve Newton (In the third of a series of stories on local bands, The Progress presents a profile of The Vacationers. Next: Loose Change.) The Vacationers, specialists in hard driving rock and roll, are a Chilliwack group composed of Mike Evans on lead guitar and … Continue reading Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 3: The Vacationers enjoy “doing a couple of Jeff Beck tunes”

My one and only interview with guitar legend Tommy Tedesco

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 9, 1986 By Steve Newton When word gets around in the recording industry that so-and-so is a hot session player, the demand for his talent grows considerably. For Tommy Tedesco, who hosts a guitar clinic at the Hotel Georgia May 17, it's been growing for 30 years. Today he's the most … Continue reading My one and only interview with guitar legend Tommy Tedesco

Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 2: The Lakers say “booking agents are parasites”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE CHILLIWACK PROGRESS, APRIL 1, 1981 By Steve Newton (In the second of a series of stories on local bands The Progress presents a profile on the Lakers. Next week: The Vacationers.) The Lakers are a rhythm and blues-based band composed of Ernie Britton on keyboards and vocals, John Moran on lead … Continue reading Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 2: The Lakers say “booking agents are parasites”

Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 1: Joker, featuring my old buddy Scott Vye

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE CHILLIWACK PROGRESS, MARCH 18, 1981 By Steve Newton (In the first of a series of stories on local bands The Progress presents a profile on the group, Joker. Next week: The Lakers. ) Joker is a Chilliwack-based performing band composed of leader and MC Gary McNab on rhythm guitar, wife Gail … Continue reading Back in the ‘Wack Vol. 1: Joker, featuring my old buddy Scott Vye

The Age of Electric reunites in a blaze of guitar-rock glory and brotherly love

adrian o'brien photo By Steve Newton Let's face it: straight-up, melodic, guitar-driven rock 'n' roll has been taking a shit-kicking of late. In the age of evil EDM and the dreaded DJ it's hard to find a guitar-bass-drums combo that'll knock you out with a show that's electrifying from beginning to end. It happened at the … Continue reading The Age of Electric reunites in a blaze of guitar-rock glory and brotherly love

Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan needn’t fear a Tonya Harding from Slash bassist Todd Kerns

By Steve Newton I was interviewing Todd Kerns a couple weeks ago in advance of the Age of Electric show at the Commodore tonight (April 30), and had an evil thought. Since Kerns is well known as the bassist for Slash, just how far would he go to steal the coveted bass gig in Guns N' Roses … Continue reading Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan needn’t fear a Tonya Harding from Slash bassist Todd Kerns

Todd Kerns feels like the Age of Electric are on a mission from god

By Steve Newton Some rock bands from decades past really push it when it comes to authenticity. Often you’ll see a group that’s touring under its old moniker with only one or two original members. Or maybe there’ll just be one—who also happens to be the drummer. (I’m talkin’ to you, Foghat!) It’s a rarity … Continue reading Todd Kerns feels like the Age of Electric are on a mission from god

Slash bassist Todd Kerns thinks it’s “surreal” that Axl Rose is in AC/DC

By Steve Newton I was interviewing Todd Kerns a few days ago in advance of his gig with the Age of Electric in Vancouver next weekend, and naturally--since he's the bassist for Slash--the conversation headed in to Guns N' Roses territory. I asked him what he thought of GN'R singer Axl Rose taking Brian Johnson's … Continue reading Slash bassist Todd Kerns thinks it’s “surreal” that Axl Rose is in AC/DC

Blues-rock guitar great Lonnie Mack, idol of Stevie Ray Vaughan, dies at 74

By Steve Newton The music world is still in heavy mourning, trying to come to grips with the shocking news of Prince's death today. But the pop legend from Minneapolis wasn't the only gifted artist to pass away on April 21, 2016. Alligator Records sent out a press release tonight relaying the sad news that guitar … Continue reading Blues-rock guitar great Lonnie Mack, idol of Stevie Ray Vaughan, dies at 74

Joe Satriani isn’t a Gibson man but he’s the ultimate melody maker

By Steve Newton Joe Satriani has long been known as one of the most technically proficient rock guitarists around, a speedy fretburner and masterful creator of—to use the title of his 2002 album—Strange Beautiful Music. The beauty in his tunes has a lot to do with his ability to craft gorgeous melodies. You may recall … Continue reading Joe Satriani isn’t a Gibson man but he’s the ultimate melody maker