me 'n Roy hangin' at the Pump ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 14, 1986 By Steve Newton There were some people who felt that Roy Buchanan played way too loud and not nearly enough at the Town Pump last Monday (February 10). Then there were others--like myself--who could care less about such things as long as … Continue reading Roy Buchanan lets his soul scream in Vancouver
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies equals yuck
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 3, 2016 By Steve Newton The only thing worse than a novel combining Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice with zombie fiction, apparently, is a film version of the heinous mashup. I haven’t suffered such anguish at the movies since reviewing Uwe Boll’s appalling Alone in the Dark back in 2005. Pride and … Continue reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies equals yuck
Vancouver rockers, radio hosts, and record-store owners reflect on the power of Black Sabbath
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 15, 1999 By Steve Newton Because of its brutal sound and satanic overtones, Black Sabbath was never as widely accepted as the Beatles or the Stones, but its influence among rock fans is incredibly far-reaching. We asked a few local hard-rock aficionados and musicians to divulge their fondest recollections of the … Continue reading Vancouver rockers, radio hosts, and record-store owners reflect on the power of Black Sabbath
Roy Buchanan on turning down the Rolling Stones, loving Van Halen, and being flattered by Jeff Beck
me 'n Roy at the Town Pump, February 10, 1986 ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 7, 1986 By Steve Newton Not many guitarists can say they were invited to join the Rolling Stones. Not many can say they turned the offer down either. But Roy Buchanan--quite possibly the best white blues guitarist in the world--can say … Continue reading Roy Buchanan on turning down the Rolling Stones, loving Van Halen, and being flattered by Jeff Beck
The Boy isn’t the worst creepy-doll flick ever made
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 22, 2016 By Steve Newton In the realm of creepy-doll flicks, nothing tops Magic, director Richard Attenborough's riveting 1978 adaptation of William Goldman's novel about a psychotic ventriloquist. Compared to it, movies like The Boy are kids' stuff. The film opens with Greta (The Walking Dead's Lauren Cohan) enroute to a new job as … Continue reading The Boy isn’t the worst creepy-doll flick ever made
The 5th Wave takes alien-attack flicks to a new low
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 21, 2016 By Steve Newton Sci-fi action flicks about alien invasions are pretty hit-and-miss. For every kickass Edge of Tomorrow you’ll find a crappy Independence Day. And then there’s The 5th Wave, based on Rick Yancey's 2013 young-adult novel. It took three whole screenwriters to turn that book into a laughable pile of juvenile hokum. Chloë Grace Moretz stars as Cassie, … Continue reading The 5th Wave takes alien-attack flicks to a new low
Eagles singer-guitarist Glenn Frey dies at 67
By Steve Newton It's been a rough few weeks for music fans with the deaths of Lemmy Kilmister and David Bowie, and things aren't getting any better. Legendary country-rock band the Eagles released a statement today announcing the death of founding member Glenn Frey. “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the … Continue reading Eagles singer-guitarist Glenn Frey dies at 67
Mott the Hoople drummer Dale “Buffin” Griffin dies from Alzheimers at 67
By Steve Newton The drummer from one of my fave bands of the '70s has passed away. Dale "Buffin" Griffin, a founding member of Mott the Hoople, died peacefully in his sleep last night. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2009. Griffin played on all the Mott the Hoople albums, including 1972's breakthrough All the … Continue reading Mott the Hoople drummer Dale “Buffin” Griffin dies from Alzheimers at 67
Sonny Landreth says he’s sure Johnny Winter will make it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame one day
By Steve Newton In a few hours I'm heading out to see Louisiana slide-guitar ace Sonny Landreth play a gig in Vancouver. If you're a fan of Sonny, you may know that his latest album, Bound By the Blues, features a tribute to one of his musical heroes, Johnny Winter, called "Firebird Blues". You may also … Continue reading Sonny Landreth says he’s sure Johnny Winter will make it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame one day
David Bowie’s Glass Spider tour helps Frampton come alive again
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 21, 1987 By Steve Newton Old rockers never die, they just play guitar for David Bowie. At least, that's what Peter Frampton was doing at B.C. Place last Saturday. But Frampton and Bowie actually go back a long way--all the way back to the art school they used to attend in … Continue reading David Bowie’s Glass Spider tour helps Frampton come alive again
David Bowie descends from the body of a huge translucent arachnid on the Glass Spider Tour
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 21, 1987 By Steve Newton Fans of the Georgia Satellites who were expecting to see the hard-rocking Atlanta band open for David Bowie at the scheduled time of 7 pm last Saturday (August 15) were in for a rather nasty surprise. The Satellites' gig was pushed ahead to 6:30 pm so … Continue reading David Bowie descends from the body of a huge translucent arachnid on the Glass Spider Tour
Sonny Landreth on first hearing Johnny Winter: “Holy shit, man, this is awesome!”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 15, 2016 By Steve Newton When Sonny Landreth connects his glass slide to the strings of his Strat, there’s always a good chance a blues-drenched tone will emerge—perhaps blended with zydeco strains befitting the guitarist’s home state of Louisiana. A blues freak since day one, Landreth composed a love letter to … Continue reading Sonny Landreth on first hearing Johnny Winter: “Holy shit, man, this is awesome!”
Newt’s top 20 David Bowie songs of the seventies
By Steve Newton As everybody knows by know, pop-rock legend David Bowie has died. It's the worst loss for the music world since John Lennon was murdered, I reckon. A few days ago I did a blog about my personal remembrances of discovering Bowie as a teen in the seventies. Now here's my top 20 Bowie … Continue reading Newt’s top 20 David Bowie songs of the seventies