Word out of the Cannes Film Festival is that Oculus director Mike Flanagan will helm an adaptation of Stephen King's 1992 novel, Gerald's Game, about a woman who fights to survive after a bondage game with her husband goes horribly wrong. Gerald's Game was the followup to King's 1991 behemoth, Needful Things, which--at 690 pages--was nearly … Continue reading Oculus director to adapt Stephen King’s kinky psych-horror Gerald’s Game
Pete Yorn pushes 40 with an old Gibson and a “hard reset”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 21, 2014 By Steve Newton The last time Pete Yorn came through town—for a show at the Commodore in 2011—he was accompanied by a full band, but this time around things are different. When he plays the recently refurbished Imperial at Main and Cordova on Thursday (May 29) it will be … Continue reading Pete Yorn pushes 40 with an old Gibson and a “hard reset”
Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle of Wight to be released on Blu-ray
By Steve Newton As if the news about Brian Setzer's upcoming rockabilly CD weren't enough to keep guitar freaks satiated today, now comes word from Sony Music that its Legacy Recordings imprint will release Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle of Wight on Blu-ray on June 17. In August of 1970 the legendary guitarman performed … Continue reading Blue Wild Angel: Jimi Hendrix Live At The Isle of Wight to be released on Blu-ray
Brian Setzer returns to a Stray Cats vibe with Rockabilly Riot: All Original
By Steve Newton Universal Music Canada has announced that former Stray Cat and current shit-hot guitar slinger Brian Setzer will release a straight-ahead rockabilly album on August 12. Titled Rockabilly Riot: All Original, the disc will feature 12 Setzer-penned tracks performed in the company of pianist Kevin McKendree, bassist Mark Winchester, and drummer Noah Levy. That … Continue reading Brian Setzer returns to a Stray Cats vibe with Rockabilly Riot: All Original
Pink Floyd’s Division Bell gets the 20th anniversary box set treatment
By Steve Newton Those folks down at the Pink Floyd boxed-set factory are at it again. Two years ago they put together a deluxe Immersion edition of The Wall that was to die for, and now comes news that the band's last studio album, 1994's The Division Bell, will be released June 30 in a 20th anniversary set … Continue reading Pink Floyd’s Division Bell gets the 20th anniversary box set treatment
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers bring Hypnotic Eye to Vancouver this summer
One of my all-time favourite rock bands, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, will play Vancouver this summer. Maybe they're one of your all-time faves too! I mean, who doesn't like "Refugee"? I think it's safe to say that if you don't like "Refugee" you're f***ed in the head! The show takes place August 14 at Rogers … Continue reading Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers bring Hypnotic Eye to Vancouver this summer
Pride & Glory’s Zakk Wylde says he’ll always be Ozzy’s guitar player
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 20, 1994 By Steve Newton Rock guitarists have a few things to worry about during a live performance—such as blowing an amp, breaking a string, or dropping a pick during a crucial guitar freak-out. Personal injury isn’t usually one of the main onstage concerns for today’s rock artists, but—as Pride & … Continue reading Pride & Glory’s Zakk Wylde says he’ll always be Ozzy’s guitar player
Bob Rock gets the Payola$ back together for a Mick Ronson-inspired raveup in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 20, 1994 By Steve Newton Ya gotta like that Bob Rock guy. When he gets tired of producing platinum-plus CDs for bands like Metallica and Mötley Crüe, he forms his own group, Rockhead, and gets back to his ’70s-rock roots with melodic, radio-friendly sing-along tunes such as “Bed of Roses” and … Continue reading Bob Rock gets the Payola$ back together for a Mick Ronson-inspired raveup in Vancouver
Kim Mitchell and Pye Dubois have come a long way from the Sarnia high-school smoking section
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 29, 1994 By Steve Newton When the time comes to sit down with Kim Mitchell and his lyricist, Pye Dubois, at the Bulldog Cafe, I have a bone to pick with them—and it isn’t one of the Nelson Street eatery’s tasty chicken wings. I want to know why one of Canadian … Continue reading Kim Mitchell and Pye Dubois have come a long way from the Sarnia high-school smoking section
Tinsley Ellis’s new disc features Chuck Leavell and 14-year-old Derek Trucks
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 29, 1994 By Steve Newton Tinsley Ellis really gets around. According to the Atlanta bluesman’s Alligator Records bio, he plays upward of 250 nights a year—and that ain’t no house gig, either. When I reached the seasoned road warrior by phone last week, he was at a place … Continue reading Tinsley Ellis’s new disc features Chuck Leavell and 14-year-old Derek Trucks
Nena of “99 Luftballoons” fame says she tries her best
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 1, 1984 By Steve Newton "When the Rolling Stones were in Berlin for their concert they let balloons flow at the end of the show. And Carlo thought, 'What might happen if the balloons go over the border to East Berlin?' There could be a misunderstanding." Over the phone from her … Continue reading Nena of “99 Luftballoons” fame says she tries her best
Tony Carey rips into Rainbow after “A Fine, Fine Day”, just before “The First Day of Summer”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 1, 1984 By Steve Newton The memories of his days in Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow are not joyous ones for Tony Carey. The singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist was a member of the band for three years, and played keyboards on the Rainbow Rising and Live on Stage albums before leaving in disgust … Continue reading Tony Carey rips into Rainbow after “A Fine, Fine Day”, just before “The First Day of Summer”
Pete Yorn recalls scoring Me, Myself & Irene for the Farrelly Brothers
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 17, 2014 By Steve Newton The Farrelly Brothers have garnered a lot of laughs from moviegoers since bursting onto the film scene with 1994's Dumb and Dumber. I always thought that their second Jim Carrey vehicle, 2000's Me, Myself & Irene, was one of their funnier efforts. It also had a wicked … Continue reading Pete Yorn recalls scoring Me, Myself & Irene for the Farrelly Brothers