ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 11, 1990 By Steve Newton As if 1988’s Alien Nation weren’t enough, here comes another action flick about drug dealers from another world. Lord knows there aren’t enough of them on Earth to go around. In I Come In Peace, Swedish hunk Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV’s nasty Russian … Continue reading Horror review: I Come in Peace
Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band to perform at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver
Maybe you saw him at the Grammy's the other night, performing his old hit "Photograph" and then playing drums behind Paul McCartney on some song that wasn't a Beatles tune. Well, now you can see him in the flesh, as legendary Fab Four drummer and all-around good guy Ringo Starr is bringing his All-Starr Band … Continue reading Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band to perform at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver
Interviewing Tim Curry, aka Pennywise, on the set of Stephen King’s IT
By Steve Newton I just finished reading Stephen King's latest novel, Doctor Sleep, and to be honest--even though it was dedicated to Warren Zevon--I wasn't that crazy about it. Then again, as much as I adore King's early work and appreciate all he's done for the horror genre, I haven't been that crazy about a few of … Continue reading Interviewing Tim Curry, aka Pennywise, on the set of Stephen King’s IT
Horror review: The Exorcist III
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 23, 1990 By Steve Newton Seventeen years ago the highly original and ultra-shocking Exorcist had faint-hearted theatre-goers across North America passing out or racing down the aisles in terror. With the dull and nonsensical Exorcist III, you're more likely to see folks nodding off or fleeing down the … Continue reading Horror review: The Exorcist III
Horror review: Darkman
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 30, 1990 By Steve Newton Sam Raimi has finally done it. The director of the wildly imaginative Evil Dead films has shunned the Freddy/Jason syndrome and come up with a brand new deformed killer who horror audiences can cheer for without feeling guilty. This new creation, Darkman, doesn’t … Continue reading Horror review: Darkman
Horror review: Hardware
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 25, 1990 By Steve Newton The advance press on British writer/director Richard Stanley’s futuristic thriller, Hardware, was enough to get any horror/sci-fi fan foaming at the mouth. “Ferocious, stylish, and hallucinatory,” wrote horror auteur Clive Barker. “As terrifying as Alien,” blubbered US magazine. “The best science-fiction horror film … Continue reading Horror review: Hardware
Slash says that the original Guns N’ Roses lineup “just stopped rocking”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEBRUARY 11, 1994 By Steve Newton Guns N’ Roses may well be the most popular hard-rock band in the world. It’s certainly one of the most controversial, having made headlines recently with the much-publicized inclusion of an uncredited Charles Manson song on its latest recording, The Spaghetti Incident? There’s also singer Axl … Continue reading Slash says that the original Guns N’ Roses lineup “just stopped rocking”
Matt Andersen’s Weightless energized by Hip producer Berlin
Steve Berlin first got noticed on the music scene as a saxophonist for the Blasters, and later on Los Lobos, but in recent years he's been known just as much for his producer credits, having helmed records by such diverse artists as Susan Tedeschi, Deer Tick, Leo Kottke, Buckwheat Zydeco, and Leftover Salmon. Berlin's latest … Continue reading Matt Andersen’s Weightless energized by Hip producer Berlin
North Mississippi Allstars shake ’em on down in Vancouver
photos by the Newt By Steve Newton Saw my first concert at the Rio Theatre last night, and I gotta say, I love that venue for live music. The sound was great. And not only that, you can buy PBR in a can and walk around with it. Mind you, it helps if the band … Continue reading North Mississippi Allstars shake ’em on down in Vancouver
Horror review: I, Frankenstein
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JAN. 24, 2014 As anyone who's ever read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein knows, the biggest obstacle to successfully creating life from death is that pesky part about the soul missing. You can transplant as many stolen hearts and brains as you want, but without a soul your stitched-up fellow's still gonna be a monstrous … Continue reading Horror review: I, Frankenstein
Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1972
1972 was a year when I got introduced to a number of bands that would become all-time faves, including Blue Oyster Cult, Mott the Hoople, and Steely Dan. And as far as live albums went, the Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, the J. Geils Band, and Rory Gallagher were well represented. I wouldn't say '72 was … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1972
Kitsilano fingerstyle ace Don Alder set to shine at NAMM’s All Star Guitar Night
Vancouver acoustic guitarist and avowed Wishbone Ash devotee Don Alder will appear at NAMM's All Star Guitar Night this Saturday in Anaheim, California. I've been spreading the word about this stunning player since he won Guitar Player magazine's Guitar Superstar competition back in September of 2010. I interviewed him in his Kitsilano stomping ground a … Continue reading Kitsilano fingerstyle ace Don Alder set to shine at NAMM’s All Star Guitar Night
B.B. King plays Vancouver in 1984, Newt gets the scoop (and a photo)
bev davies photo By Steve Newton On January 21, 1984, B.B. King was in the midst of a two-week stand at the Plazazz Showroom in North Vancouver, and I got the thrill of my blues-loving life when I sat down with him in his hotel room and asked him a bunch of questions. Some of … Continue reading B.B. King plays Vancouver in 1984, Newt gets the scoop (and a photo)