By Steve Newton On March 29, 1984, Billy Idol played the University of British Columbia's War Memorial Gym. The 28-year-old Brit was touring behind his second solo album, Rebel Yell, which boasted the hit singles "Eyes Without a Face", "Flesh for Fantasy", "Catch My Fall", and the title track. His videos were getting a shitload of … Continue reading Billy Idol on working with Tobe Hooper, getting on MTV, and showing off his Rebel Yell
On the Vancouver set of the unfathomable sea-beast flick Deep Rising
By Steve Newton Back in 1997 I went on the set of the Vancouver-shot action-horror flick Deep Rising on assignment for Fangoria. I chatted with director Stephen Sommers and actors Treat Williams and Famke Janssen. The movie wound up sucking but, hey, it wasn't my fault. It shouldn't come as any real surprise, when you … Continue reading On the Vancouver set of the unfathomable sea-beast flick Deep Rising
Neil Finn recruits loved ones to reach Dizzy Heights
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 27, 2014 By Steve Newton As a singer-songwriter, Neil Finn has been known to create tunes that are both beautifully simple (Split Enz’s “One Step Ahead”) and simply beautiful (Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over”). Simplicity has been part of his oeuvre since day one, but on his … Continue reading Neil Finn recruits loved ones to reach Dizzy Heights
Metallica: Through the Never shows the Bay Area earbusters still fucking rule
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 25, 2013 Last year, American metal legends Metallica played three shows in Vancouver, during which director Nimród Antal (Vacancy, Predators) shot the brunt of this 3-D IMAX film. Earplugs are optional. The movie opens with stunning nighttime aerial footage that takes viewers soaring over beautiful downtown Van toward the glowing … Continue reading Metallica: Through the Never shows the Bay Area earbusters still fucking rule
This Is the Blues goes heavy on underrated guitar hero Peter Green
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 15, 2010 By Steve Newton Several years ago I was combing the CD stacks at Zulu Records—back when they were located on the other side of Fourth and a little further east—and came across the 1995 tribute album Rattlesnake Guitar: The Music of Peter Green. Man, what a find that … Continue reading This Is the Blues goes heavy on underrated guitar hero Peter Green
Iron Man 2 compiles some of AC/DC’s best, if not biggest
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, APRIL 16, 2010 By Steve Newton In advance of the May 7 release of the superhero action sequel Iron Man 2 comes a collection that's sure to please anyone who's ever banged a head or tapped a toe to AC/DC's irrepressible brand of boogie-blues raunch. "This album is the hard loud … Continue reading Iron Man 2 compiles some of AC/DC’s best, if not biggest
Live in London Blu-ray shows the Pretenders in killer form
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 5, 2010 By Steve Newton The last time I saw the Pretenders in concert was in 2007 on a bill with the Stray Cats and ZZ Top, and they definitely held their own with the rockabilly hepcats and the bearded boogie-bluesmen. Though pushing 60, lead singer and rhythm guitarist Chrissie … Continue reading Live in London Blu-ray shows the Pretenders in killer form
David Bowie’s A Reality Tour could have used some Aladdin Sane
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, FEB. 5, 2010 By Steve Newton The first time I saw David Bowie in concert was at the Pacific Coliseum in early ’76 on the Station to Station tour. While it was an entrancing show—all blinding white light and Earl Slick’s biting, feedback-laden guitar—the Thin White Duke’s performance was clinical and … Continue reading David Bowie’s A Reality Tour could have used some Aladdin Sane
Past Masters reissue brings sweet Beatles nostalgia in stereo
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, NOV. 2, 2009 By Steve Newton I’ll never forget the day I got my very first record. I was six or so, visiting my grandparents at their home in Point Grey, and my mom took me on a walk to a music store on 10th Avenue. I came back with a … Continue reading Past Masters reissue brings sweet Beatles nostalgia in stereo
Crest of a Wave shows off the best of shockingly underrated Rory Gallagher
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 2, 2009 By Steve Newton I’m a sucker for guitar heroes. Check out my CD stash and you’ll find the biggest sections are reserved for Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, and Joe Satriani. But in recent years my main guitar-god … Continue reading Crest of a Wave shows off the best of shockingly underrated Rory Gallagher
Drive-By Truckers captured at its raw and raucous best on Live from Austin TX
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 12, 2009 By Steve Newton Drive-By Truckers fans had cause for concern when long-time guitarist-vocalist Jason Isbell—one of the group’s main songwriters, along with cofounding singer-guitarists Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley—decided to leave the southern rock–influenced alt-country band in 2007. But the group simply responded by recruiting guitarist and pedal-steel … Continue reading Drive-By Truckers captured at its raw and raucous best on Live from Austin TX
Dio-era Rules of Hell box proves Sabbath thrived after Ozzy
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, DEC. 3, 2008 By Steve Newton Just as there are many who feel that Van Halen turned to crap when David Lee Roth left the fold, there are scads of metalheads who believe that Black Sabbath wasn’t worth shite without Ozzy Osbourne at the mike. Screw them. There’s no denying that … Continue reading Dio-era Rules of Hell box proves Sabbath thrived after Ozzy
Jeff Healey’s amazing legacy captured on three-disc package
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, DEC. 3, 2008 By Steve Newton At eight months old Jeff Healey lost his eyesight to a rare form of cancer, but he would overcome that monumental setback to achieve critical acclaim and international stardom. The Toronto blues-rocker died way too soon—just last March at the age of 41—but he left … Continue reading Jeff Healey’s amazing legacy captured on three-disc package