If you're a concert-loving Monster Magnet fan living in Vancouver--or anywhere in North America, for that matter--you may well be wondering where the hell the band has been for the last ten years. It's been releasing albums every three years or so, but has not toured the U.S. or Canada in a decade. As Dave … Continue reading Monster Magnet back touring North America after ten years away
The world’s greatest living rock guitarist chooses the song he’d most want to be remembered by
We here at Ear of Newt have, for quite some time now, purported that Jeff Beck is the world's greatest living rock guitarist. But the British axe master has recorded so many unbelievable tracks that it's pretty near impossible to choose the most memorable one. That's why it's cool that guitarworld.com posted a story today … Continue reading The world’s greatest living rock guitarist chooses the song he’d most want to be remembered by
Hot Tuna brings its deathless blues to Seattle this winter
Jack (left) and Jorma still chuckle about the mellow good times they had at Altamont back in '69. Good news for '70s-rock fans who might feel like taking a quick musical trip Stateside this winter. Hot Tuna--aka guitarist-vocalist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady--will be performing an acoustic show in Seattle on Feb. 20 at … Continue reading Hot Tuna brings its deathless blues to Seattle this winter
Guitar phenom Allan Holdsworth says he’s not impressed by flash
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 11, 1983 By Steve Newton Eddie Van Halen calls him "fantastic". Gary Moore says "he's frightening. He's definitely dangerous and getting better all the time." Carlos Santana gives him "more credit than anyone for just pure expression in soloing." Journey's Neil Schon says: "If you play guitar and ever think you're … Continue reading Guitar phenom Allan Holdsworth says he’s not impressed by flash
Peyton’s redneck weaponry proves the spud gun’s range beyond Powell River
While doing some YouTube research for my story on the Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band--which plays the Vancouver Fan Club this Wednesday--I came across a pretty cool video from 2009 for the tune "Mama's Fried Potatoes". What struck me most about the clip--apart from the awesome shitkicker music--was the Rev's use of a homemade shootin' … Continue reading Peyton’s redneck weaponry proves the spud gun’s range beyond Powell River
Big Country’s Stuart Adamson plays just what he feels
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 5, 1993 By Steve Newton Big Country? You mean those guys from Scotland who had the guitars that sounded like bagpipes? Didn't they have a hit song back in '83 called "In a Big Country"? Yeah, I remember the chorus: "In a big country dreams stay with you, like a lover's … Continue reading Big Country’s Stuart Adamson plays just what he feels
Tedeschi Trucks Band lays the soul on heavy in Vancouver
There was a whole lotta soul rolling off of the Vogue Theatre stage last night. That's what happens when you've got a hugely talented 11-piece band joyfully letting go with bluesy, heartfelt, and sometimes funky-as-hell rock music. That's also what happens whenever bottleneck-guitar master Derek Trucks' glass slide grazes the strings of his trusty red … Continue reading Tedeschi Trucks Band lays the soul on heavy in Vancouver
Steve Hackett says that everyone he’s ever played with in Genesis has managed to write at least one incredible song
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 5, 1993 By Steve Newton Whatever happened to Steve Hackett? Good question. Considering how visible all four of his former bandmates in Genesis have been, Hackett has been conspicuously absent from the music scene. Or at least it seems that way here in North America. But in actual fact, the 43-year-old … Continue reading Steve Hackett says that everyone he’s ever played with in Genesis has managed to write at least one incredible song
Blind Melon’s Shannon Hoon pees on stage in Vancouver
By Steve Newton Most of the Halloweens I lived through in the nineties involved getting dressed up and going to house parties--usually the semi-rowdy ones I threw at the divey South Van house I rented for over a decade near Main & 58th. But on October 31, 1993, I had a concert to go to … Continue reading Blind Melon’s Shannon Hoon pees on stage in Vancouver
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band has a secret weapon
TWO WEEKS AGO I got turned on to one of the coolest musical acts ever, when veteran Vancouver promoter and blues expert Ron Simmons sent in some info on the Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. It got me watching the video for “Devils Look Like Angels”, a tune off the group’s latest album, Between the Ditches, and … Continue reading Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band has a secret weapon
It’s ’70s-rock heaven as Blue Oyster Cult, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, and Nazareth play Vancouver
By Steve Newton On November 6, 1993, I saw the Total Recall tour at the Commodore Ballroom. No less than four of my fave bands from the '70s were on the bill. Here's the review that ran in the Georgia Straight the following week. In last week's Straight we ran a little panel discussion wherein various … Continue reading It’s ’70s-rock heaven as Blue Oyster Cult, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, and Nazareth play Vancouver
Tedeschi Trucks enlists Clapton collaborator Doyle Bramhall II
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, NOV. 5, 2013 By Steve Newton You might think that the pressure of travelling around the world with an 11-piece band that includes your soul mate might be a tad hard to take at times. But guitarist Derek Trucks—coleader of the Tedeschi Trucks Band with his wife, singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi—says not … Continue reading Tedeschi Trucks enlists Clapton collaborator Doyle Bramhall II
Derek Trucks offers advice to 14-year-old guitar star Quinn Sullivan
Derek Trucks knows what it's like to be just a kid and have everybody hollerin' about how goddamn great you are. He bought his first guitar at a yard sale when he was nine and by his 13th birthday had played alongside Buddy Guy and opened for the Allman Brothers. Trucks's early arrival at guitar-hero … Continue reading Derek Trucks offers advice to 14-year-old guitar star Quinn Sullivan