Yesterday AC/DC released the song titles for its highly anticipated new album, and by all accounts the Aussie blues-metal legends will continue to rock. It's right there in the titles: "Rock the House", "Rock the Blues Away", "Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder", and the title track, "Rock or Bust". It appears that the nasty … Continue reading AC/DC’s new album will ROCK! It says so right in the song titles!
The Tragically Hip to release super-deluxe edition of the Newt’s fave Hip album
By Steve Newton When you love the Tragically Hip as much as I do—or did, anyway, back in the '90s—it's hard to pinpoint one favourite album. But let's try anyway. My alltime fave song of theirs—the one that has given me the most chills when heard either on record or live—is "Nautical Disaster", so sometimes … Continue reading The Tragically Hip to release super-deluxe edition of the Newt’s fave Hip album
Blue Öyster Cult’s “Reaper” writer says death is on everybody’s mind
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 10, 2000 By Steve Newton Ever wonder why classic-rock stations often play the hell out of a ’70s band’s old hits, but won’t even touch its current material, no matter how strong it is? I have. I’m especially curious about why local FM station CFMI Rock 101 totally ignored the latest … Continue reading Blue Öyster Cult’s “Reaper” writer says death is on everybody’s mind
Guitar legend Jeff Beck to release new concert Blu-ray next month
By Steve Newton Hey guitar freaks: get ready for the best news you've heard all week. Eagle Rock Entertainment announced today that it will release a new Jeff Beck live Blu-ray (or DVD for you neanderthals) on November 24. Live in Tokyo will features the world's greatest living rock guitarist with his new backing band of guitarist Nicolas Meier, … Continue reading Guitar legend Jeff Beck to release new concert Blu-ray next month
Creepy-doll flick Annabelle has more potent scares than The Conjuring
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 6, 2014 I've been a sucker for creepy-doll flicks ever since that ventriloquists' dummy from Magic put its unblinking spell on me back in 1978. The genre has had its ups (Child's Play) and downs (Dead Silence), but it gets a major boost with Annabelle, a prequel to last year's over-rated The Conjuring. Married couple … Continue reading Creepy-doll flick Annabelle has more potent scares than The Conjuring
Tusk goes off the rails as a crazed body-horror trainwreck
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 1, 2014 By Steve Newton Kevin Smith’s podcast-spawned Tusk has to be one of the most insane horror-comedies I’ve ever seen. Considering how supergonzo it is, I’m surprised I didn’t like it more. The movie opens with self-absorbed L.A. podcaster Wallace (Justin Long) and his best friend, Teddy (Haley Joel Osment), in the … Continue reading Tusk goes off the rails as a crazed body-horror trainwreck
Remembering the Commodore’s Drew Burns: Best. Promoter. Ever.
By now most everyone who follows the Vancouver music scene has heard the sad news about the passing of local concert-biz legend Drew Burns. The longtime proprietor of the Commodore Ballroom died on Saturday, leaving scores of friends and fans feeling down--until memories of him got them up again. The last time I saw Drew was backstage … Continue reading Remembering the Commodore’s Drew Burns: Best. Promoter. Ever.
The Northern Pikes’ reunion sabotaged by awful sound at the Commodore
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 3, 2000 I’ve always been a sucker for rock ’n’ roll reunions. If a band I used to like gets back together—especially with all its former members intact—I say “Right on!” When I heard the Northern Pikes, one of my fave Canuck-pop groups from the ’80s, were touring … Continue reading The Northern Pikes’ reunion sabotaged by awful sound at the Commodore
The Northern Pikes reunite and hit the road with Walkmans on
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 20, 2000 Fans of the Northern Pikes must have been pleasantly surprised when they picked this paper up a couple of issues back and saw that the long-gone band was booked to play the Commodore Ballroom next Friday (January 28). The Saskatoon pop-rock quartet hasn’t performed live in … Continue reading The Northern Pikes reunite and hit the road with Walkmans on
Old Crow Medicine Show pays respect to moonshine and Peanuts on Remedy
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 24, 2014 By Steve Newton There's a plethora of fine tunes on the latest Old Crow Medicine Show album, Remedy, but one that really jumps out at you is the freewheelin’ bluegrass number “8 Dogs 8 Banjos”. According to the string band’s singer and main songwriter, Ketch Secor—who also handles fiddle, banjo, … Continue reading Old Crow Medicine Show pays respect to moonshine and Peanuts on Remedy
Will the new AC/DC album rock, or will it be a bust without Malcolm Young?
Blues-metal legends AC/DC announced today that they will release a new album, titled Rock or Bust, on December 2. The 11-track disc was recorded right here in Vancouver last spring, with Brendan O’Brien producing and Langley's Mike Fraser mixing. As reported here in July, the new AC/DC disc will be the first one in the band's illustrious career to … Continue reading Will the new AC/DC album rock, or will it be a bust without Malcolm Young?
Bill Henderson says Chilliwack ripped off its name for the First Nations vibe
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 6, 2000 By Steve Newton It’s a bit weird coming from a small town that has the same name as a popular ’70s rock band. When you admit to having been born and bred in Chilliwack, there’s always some joker who’ll wonder aloud, “Hey, isn’t that where that ‘Crazy Talk’ band … Continue reading Bill Henderson says Chilliwack ripped off its name for the First Nations vibe
David Wilcox’s whimsical boogie doesn’t warrant a 63-song box set
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 9, 1993 By Steve Newton In the early ’80s David Wilcox flew onto the Canadian music scene with Out of the Woods, a debut album that was chock-full of snappy, whimsically rocking tunes that couldn’t help but infect you with their primal, blues-driven energy. Catchy tracks such as … Continue reading David Wilcox’s whimsical boogie doesn’t warrant a 63-song box set