That time I photobombed Armored Saint backstage when they were opening for Metallica on the Ride the Lightning Tour

bev davies photo By Steve Newton Legendary Vancouver punk and metal photographer Bev Davies just sent me a photo from 1985 that I never knew existed. It’s a backstage shot of American metal band Armored Saint getting all wild ‘n’ crazy, but if you look close you can see me in the background, chuckling at … Continue reading That time I photobombed Armored Saint backstage when they were opening for Metallica on the Ride the Lightning Tour

That time Lee Rocker told me that the Stray Cats instantly connected with people, even in the early days

By Steve Newton Lee Rocker is best known as the bassist for the Stray Cats, but he also made some great music with a band called Phantom, Rocker & Slick, which included guitar great Earl Slick and Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom. When I interviewed Rocker in March of 2007 he was touring behind … Continue reading That time Lee Rocker told me that the Stray Cats instantly connected with people, even in the early days

Ben Harper found a way to deal with loss on Bloodline Maintenance

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 24, 2022 By Steve Newton The cover of Ben Harper‘s latest album, Bloodline Maintenance, appears to be a photo of a little kid poking the relaxed, shades-wearing Harper in the chest with a blue toy shovel. But when Harper calls in for an interview from Paris, France, where he’s just finished … Continue reading Ben Harper found a way to deal with loss on Bloodline Maintenance

Matthew Sweet channels Phil Spector, goes session-player crazy on In Reverse

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 4, 1999 By Steve Newton Matthew Sweet is best-known for stripped-down, three-and-a-half-minute pop-rock tunes that require no more than five people to perform. But on his new CD, In Reverse, the Nebraska native goes hog-wild in the personnel department, lining up as many as 17 musicians to play … Continue reading Matthew Sweet channels Phil Spector, goes session-player crazy on In Reverse

Hammond B3 organ ace Delvon Lamarr doesn’t worry about mistakes

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 15, 2022 By Steve Newton Here’s a tip for young entertainment journalists just starting out: before you interview musicians who might be headed to your city for a gig, check out their tour itinerary. That’s what I did before calling up Delvon Lamarr of Washington State’s Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, and … Continue reading Hammond B3 organ ace Delvon Lamarr doesn’t worry about mistakes

That time Vinnie Paul told me about experiencing “the ultimate high” when Judas Priest fanatics Pantera jammed with Rob Halford

By Steve Newton Back on February 20, 1992, I did my one and only interview with Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul. That was five days before the Texas metal band released its most popular album, the double-platinum Vulgar Display of Power. At one point in the conversation I asked Vinnie about Rob Halford’s professed love for … Continue reading That time Vinnie Paul told me about experiencing “the ultimate high” when Judas Priest fanatics Pantera jammed with Rob Halford

That time Rob Thomas told me that what sets Matchbox 20 apart from all the other rock bands with debut albums is “penis size”

By Steve Newton I’m not the biggest Matchbox 20 fan in the world, but when I interviewed 25-year-old frontman Rob Thomas in June of 1997 the band was touring behinds its debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You, which would go on to sell over nine-million copies in the U.S. alone. So what do I … Continue reading That time Rob Thomas told me that what sets Matchbox 20 apart from all the other rock bands with debut albums is “penis size”

That time Jason Newsted told me that Black Sabbath were “the inventors” and they could do anything they want

By Steve Newton Jason Newsted is best known as the bassist who played with Metallica for 14 years, during the peak of their popularity, on discs like …And Justice For All and The Black Album. I interviewed him back in July of 2013, when he was fronting his own group, Newsted, three weeks before it … Continue reading That time Jason Newsted told me that Black Sabbath were “the inventors” and they could do anything they want

The Allman Brothers’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton If you’re wondering why “Statesboro Blues” and “One Way Out” aren’t on here, it’s because I didn’t include live recordings, just studio ones. Sorry about that. 20. “Old Friend” (Hittin’ the Note, 2003) 19. “Dreams” (The Allman Brothers Band, 1969) 18. “Pegasus” (Enlightened Rogues, 1979) 17. “Kind of Bird” (Shades of Two … Continue reading The Allman Brothers’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

Roger Glover plugs new solo album Mask, keeps mum about Deep Purple reunion

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 7, 1984 By Steve Newton After leaving his band of four years, Rainbow, Roger Glover is back again with the original lineup of seventies supergroup Deep Purple. Glover supplied the bottom end for Purple on such powerful tunes as “Smoke On the Water” and “Highway Star”, but often had to stand … Continue reading Roger Glover plugs new solo album Mask, keeps mum about Deep Purple reunion

Craig Northey calls his Strippers Union cohort Rob Baker a very deep musician

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB, 27, 2021 By Steve Newton There’s been some amazing double albums released in the history of rock. Looking through my vinyl stacks, I spot fine examples like the Beatles‘ White Album, the Who‘s Quadrophenia, and Led Zeppelin‘s Physical Graffiti. The new Strippers Union double album, The Undertaking, is amazing as well, … Continue reading Craig Northey calls his Strippers Union cohort Rob Baker a very deep musician

That time COC’s Pepper Keenan told me that Warren Haynes “nailed it” with his slide playing on “Stare Too Long”

a closeup shot of Haynes nailing it By Steve Newton Back in January of 2001 I did my first interview with Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity, whose band was touring behind its America’s Volume Dealer album. At one point in the conversation I asked Keenan how he had hooked up with Warren Haynes, who … Continue reading That time COC’s Pepper Keenan told me that Warren Haynes “nailed it” with his slide playing on “Stare Too Long”

Robert Connely Farr brings his deep and dirty southern blues up north

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 20, 2021 By Steve Newton When Louisiana slide-guitar wizard Sonny Landreth played the Rio Theatre in August of 2019, those who arrived early enough to see the opening act got a real treat. It was a local Mississippi transplant named Robert Connely Farr, who’d been blowing people away with his album … Continue reading Robert Connely Farr brings his deep and dirty southern blues up north