kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 22, 1994 By Steve Newton There was one nagging question on my mind after the Rolling Stones’ show last Saturday (December 17) at B.C. Place, and it kept elbowing for space in there with about a thousand Chuck Berry guitar riffs. I couldn’t stop wondering just how in … Continue reading The Rolling Stones wow Vancouver on the Voodoo Lounge Tour, Spin Doctors not so much
Steve Dawson and Jesse Zubot put the soul in the Spirit Merchants
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 15, 1994 By Steve Newton Seems like every year of late I’ve come across one particular release from a local band that’s been head-and-shoulders above the other Vancouver discs sent my way. Last year, it was Two Trains’ Too Many Faces; the year before that, She Stole My Beer’s Sparks Against … Continue reading Steve Dawson and Jesse Zubot put the soul in the Spirit Merchants
Warren Haynes on the Allman Brothers reunion, Dickey Betts’ signature sound, and Where It All Begins
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 27, 1994 By Steve Newton Word on the street is that the Allman Brothers Band is playing some of the finest, most intense gigs of its illustrious career. And according to people who have seen the group recently, it’s not just the best-known members—Dickey Betts and Gregg Allman—who are making things … Continue reading Warren Haynes on the Allman Brothers reunion, Dickey Betts’ signature sound, and Where It All Begins
Gilby Clarke plays Pawnshop Guitars, says “everything’s cool” in Guns N’ Roses
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 27, 1994 By Steve Newton With a volatile dude like Axl Rose at the helm, it’s no wonder Guns N’ Roses breeds fast-flying rumours about everything from the singer’s supposed spousal abuse to how long he brushes his teeth. Then of course there’s the intriguing question of who’s gonna be in … Continue reading Gilby Clarke plays Pawnshop Guitars, says “everything’s cool” in Guns N’ Roses
Aerosmith shows love for cancer kid and Tojo’s sushi in Vancouver
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 27, 1994 By Steve Newton The most memorable moment of Aerosmith’s latest Vancouver concert didn’t occur when Steven Tyler came tearing out in multicoloured rags to kick-start the show with a screech at the beginning of “Eat the Rich”. Nor was it when bare-chested guitar … Continue reading Aerosmith shows love for cancer kid and Tojo’s sushi in Vancouver
Aerosmith’s Tom Hamilton says some drugs “just go damn well with music”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 20, 1994 By Steve Newton When Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton calls from Newport Beach during an afternoon stop on the band’s whirlwind Get a Grip tour, I presume he’ll be playing somewhere in California that night. Wrong-o, Steve-o. He’s doing a gig in Vegas instead. You can do that when you’ve … Continue reading Aerosmith’s Tom Hamilton says some drugs “just go damn well with music”
Oculus director to adapt Stephen King’s kinky psych-horror Gerald’s Game
Word out of the Cannes Film Festival is that Oculus director Mike Flanagan will helm an adaptation of Stephen King's 1992 novel, Gerald's Game, about a woman who fights to survive after a bondage game with her husband goes horribly wrong. Gerald's Game was the followup to King's 1991 behemoth, Needful Things, which--at 690 pages--was nearly … Continue reading Oculus director to adapt Stephen King’s kinky psych-horror Gerald’s Game
Pete Yorn pushes 40 with an old Gibson and a “hard reset”
By Steve Newton The last time Pete Yorn came through town—for a show at the Commodore in 2011—he was accompanied by a full band, but this time around things are different. When he plays the recently refurbished Imperial at Main and Cordova on Thursday (May 29) it will be as part of a solo tour, … Continue reading Pete Yorn pushes 40 with an old Gibson and a “hard reset”
Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle of Wight to be released on Blu-ray
By Steve Newton As if the news about Brian Setzer's upcoming rockabilly CD weren't enough to keep guitar freaks satiated today, now comes word from Sony Music that its Legacy Recordings imprint will release Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle of Wight on Blu-ray on June 17. In August of 1970 the legendary guitarman performed … Continue reading Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle of Wight to be released on Blu-ray
Brian Setzer returns to a Stray Cats vibe with Rockabilly Riot: All Original
By Steve Newton Universal Music Canada has announced that former Stray Cat and current shit-hot guitar slinger Brian Setzer will release a straight-ahead rockabilly album on August 12. Titled Rockabilly Riot: All Original, the disc will feature 12 Setzer-penned tracks performed in the company of pianist Kevin McKendree, bassist Mark Winchester, and drummer Noah Levy. That … Continue reading Brian Setzer returns to a Stray Cats vibe with Rockabilly Riot: All Original
Pink Floyd’s Division Bell gets the 20th anniversary box set treatment
By Steve Newton Those folks down at the Pink Floyd boxed-set factory are at it again. Two years ago they put together a deluxe Immersion edition of The Wall that was to die for, and now comes news that the band's last studio album, 1994's The Division Bell, will be released June 30 in a 20th anniversary set … Continue reading Pink Floyd’s Division Bell gets the 20th anniversary box set treatment
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers bring Hypnotic Eye to Vancouver this summer
One of my all-time favourite rock bands, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, will play Vancouver this summer. Maybe they're one of your all-time faves too! I mean, who doesn't like "Refugee"? I think it's safe to say that if you don't like "Refugee" you're f***ed in the head! The show takes place August 14 at Rogers … Continue reading Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers bring Hypnotic Eye to Vancouver this summer
Pride & Glory’s Zakk Wylde says he’ll always be Ozzy’s guitar player
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 20, 1994 By Steve Newton Rock guitarists have a few things to worry about during a live performance—such as blowing an amp, breaking a string, or dropping a pick during a crucial guitar freak-out. Personal injury isn’t usually one of the main onstage concerns for today’s rock artists, but—as Pride & … Continue reading Pride & Glory’s Zakk Wylde says he’ll always be Ozzy’s guitar player