Canadian Horror Show in Vancouver features icky Michael Ironside

The last time the Georgia Straight chatted with Vince D'Amato, back in the fall of 2003, he was busy overseeing the gruesome torture of his fiancée at his mom’s house in Burnaby. D’Amato was directing an extremely low-budget ($3,000) horror flick called Human Nature, and his bride-to-be, Nicole Hancock, portrayed an unfortunate victim. That set visit turned into … Continue reading Canadian Horror Show in Vancouver features icky Michael Ironside

Ouija is by-the-numbers horror leading nowhere

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 23, 2014 By Steve Newton I remember Ouija. When I was a kid in the late '60s my older sister would use our "weegee board" to try to conduct séances and communicate with the dead. I was never into it. "Leave the dead alone," was my motto. Plus, I didn't have … Continue reading Ouija is by-the-numbers horror leading nowhere

Black Sabbath may yet tour with its original lineup, hints Ozzy Osbourne

For all those diehard Black Sabbath fans who saw the band in concert last year and went, "Man, that was wicked, but how cool would it have been with Bill Ward!", there is still hope. According to Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, the British metal legends intend to record one final album and embark on one final tour. … Continue reading Black Sabbath may yet tour with its original lineup, hints Ozzy Osbourne

Dick Dale doesn’t need no augmented ninth to make your ears bleed

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 8, 2000 By Steve Newton Dick Dale, the undisputed “King of the Surf Guitar”, is known for a uniquely fierce playing style. In concert, he grinds guitar picks down by the dozen, while conjuring a frenzied instro-rock din that—as Ted Nugent used to boast about his own noise—could … Continue reading Dick Dale doesn’t need no augmented ninth to make your ears bleed

Chili Peppers bring heat to Vancouver with pogoing Flea after Dave Grohl gets his nipple pinched

kevin statham photos ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 1, 2000 By Steve Newton Nobody rocks like Flea. As soon as the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ hyperkinetic bassist stepped on the GM Place stage last Sunday (May 28), he started churning out monstrous hard-funk licks, and he didn’t slow down until the gig was over. And when … Continue reading Chili Peppers bring heat to Vancouver with pogoing Flea after Dave Grohl gets his nipple pinched

After scary times in Bosnia the smalls set their sights on Texas

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 25, 2000 By Steve Newton Last February, Edmonton guitar-rockers the smalls found a unique way to celebrate their 10 years together: they kicked off a month-long European tour with a few dates in that popular wintertime destination, Bosnia-Herzegovina. When bassist-songwriter Corby Lund calls from outside of Winnipeg with the claim that … Continue reading After scary times in Bosnia the smalls set their sights on Texas

Enthralling Horns has twisted humour tempered by a whole lotta heart

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 21, 2014 By Steve Newton Who knew that a scary movie based on the bizarre idea of a mortal man growing devil horns could prove so damn captivating? Horns is right up there with The Cabin in the Woods as among the most engrossing horror flicks ever made in and around Vancouver. The film opens … Continue reading Enthralling Horns has twisted humour tempered by a whole lotta heart

Alvin Youngblood Hart loves Southern rock, was an Allman Brother for a night

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 25, 2000 By Steve Newton Until now, Alvin Youngblood Hart has been best-known as an acoustic folk-blues performer. His first two albums—1996’s Big Mama’s Door and 1998’s Territory—showed him carrying a traditional torch similar to that of blues revivalists Taj Mahal and Guy Davis. So it comes as quite a surprise … Continue reading Alvin Youngblood Hart loves Southern rock, was an Allman Brother for a night

Joe Satriani takes a techno turn on new Engines of Creation

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 18, 2000 By Steve Newton I’ve yet to be bitten by the techno bug. You won’t find any discs by the Chemical Brothers or Crystal Method in my collection, or any stashes of Ecstasy in my dresser drawer. But after listening to the new Joe Satriani CD, Engines of Creation, I’m … Continue reading Joe Satriani takes a techno turn on new Engines of Creation

Kim Mitchell ponders Max Webster’s past while on the Rockland tour

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 29, 1989 By Steve Newton I'm just doing my rock 'n' roll duty/Creating a buzz buzz buzz/Some say I'm in it for the money/Man I'm in it for the love love love Kim Mitchell's been doing his rock 'n' roll duty for so long now that it's become second nature to … Continue reading Kim Mitchell ponders Max Webster’s past while on the Rockland tour

Tina Turner brings raw passion and grace to Vancouver

kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 18, 2000 By Steve Newton You always know pretty well what to expect at a Tina Turner concert. First off, there’s the legendary lady herself, whom you can rely on to perform with raw passion and grace. It’s in her blood, which apparently hasn’t thinned that much in … Continue reading Tina Turner brings raw passion and grace to Vancouver

Limblifter’s Ryan Dahle gets his T. Rex on for Bellaclava

"You know when you feel like you’re gonna have, like, a nervous breakdown or something? Walking’s good for that. And it’s a long walk, too.”