ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 25, 2012 I apologize to any of the directors, writers, actors, or crew members who tried their best on the movies listed below. But hey--it's payback time. Alone in the Dark The Apparition Bloodrayne Captivity The Cave Club Dread Constantine Creature Cursed Dead Silence The Final Destination The Fog The … Continue reading The 40 worst horror flicks of the 21st century (so far)
The 21 Best Horror Flicks of the 21st Century (so far)
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 30, 2012 Last week I posted a blog called The 40 Worst Horror Flicks of the 21st Century (so far), in which I listed 40 of the crappiest fright flicks I've had the displeasure of seeing since Y2K (which was a pretty crappy fright flick itself, if you think about it). … Continue reading The 21 Best Horror Flicks of the 21st Century (so far)
Paul McCartney leaves Vancouver’s Beatles fans with little to complain about
photo by rebecca blissett ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, NOV. 26, 2012 By Steve Newton Pretty well all of the world’s biggest pop and rock acts have played Vancouver since the '60s. The Rolling Stones, the Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, U2, Guns N’ Roses—our city has played host to … Continue reading Paul McCartney leaves Vancouver’s Beatles fans with little to complain about
The Year in Fear: rating Hollywood’s 2012 horror flicks, from killer to crap
Even without an actual flying cabin, TCITW ruled the Hollywood horror roost in 2012. I reviewed 17 theatrically released horror flicks in 2012, starting with the ho-hum The Devil Inside in January and ending with the godawful Silent Hill: Revelation 3D in October. Thankfully there were some better ones in between. The Cabin in the Woods ********** (ten out of … Continue reading The Year in Fear: rating Hollywood’s 2012 horror flicks, from killer to crap
Big Jim Sullivan ponders the “forbidden zones” of the guitar
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, NOV. 10, 2012 I wasn't very familiar with the name Big Jim Sullivan until I started hearing it early last month, after the English session guitarist died on October 2 of complications from heart disease and diabetes at the age of 71. The name started popping up in the rock press, … Continue reading Big Jim Sullivan ponders the “forbidden zones” of the guitar
Bob Welch, former member of Fleetwood Mac and Paris, dead at 66
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 7, 2012 One of my fave rockers from the '70s, Bob Welch, died today. His body was discovered by his wife at their home in Nashville, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. A suicide note was found, according to Nashville police. I first tuned in to Welch's music … Continue reading Bob Welch, former member of Fleetwood Mac and Paris, dead at 66
Legendary bass guitarist Donald “Duck” Dunn passes away after gig in Japan
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 13, 2012 By Steve Newton Sad news for fans of blues, soul, and R&B music. Bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn, whose bottom end fuelled such classic tracks as Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign" and Otis Redding's "Respect", passed away in his sleep early this morning after a gig at the … Continue reading Legendary bass guitarist Donald “Duck” Dunn passes away after gig in Japan
Rock-guitar legend Ronnie Montrose dies at the age of 64
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 4, 2012 I was shocked to find out, just minutes ago, that one of my top guitar heroes from the '70s, Ronnie Montrose, died yesterday (March 3). He passed away after a five-year battle with prostate cancer. (As I--and most everybody else--learned later, Montrose actually died from a self-inflicted gunshot … Continue reading Rock-guitar legend Ronnie Montrose dies at the age of 64
Sonny Landreth and friends let the music do the talking
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JAN. 24, 2013 By Steve Newton Fans of Louisiana slide-guitar ace Sonny Landreth have reason to be thrilled about his latest album, Elemental Journey. It’s totally instrumental, which means there’s no pesky vocals getting in the way of the 61-year-old picker’s shimmering bottleneck licks. Turns out Landreth has yearned to go wordless … Continue reading Sonny Landreth and friends let the music do the talking
Soundgarden brings killer riffs and a sound mix from hell to Vancouver
photo by rebecca blissett ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, FEB. 10, 2013 By Steve Newton Vancouver's Soundgarden fans had real reason to rejoice in 2010 when the classic lineup of singer Chris Cornell, guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd, and drummer Matt Cameron reunited after 12 years apart, and then announced a summer arena tour that … Continue reading Soundgarden brings killer riffs and a sound mix from hell to Vancouver
Chicago bluesman Morris Holt, aka “Magic Slim”, dies at 75
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, FEB. 21, 2013 The blues world lost one of its elder statesmen yesterday when Morris Holt--aka "Magic Slim"--passed away at the age of 75 at a hospital in Philadelphia. He had been under medical care since late last month, when breathing problems caused him to suspend a tour with his … Continue reading Chicago bluesman Morris Holt, aka “Magic Slim”, dies at 75
Underrated Marshall Crenshaw flies under the pop radar
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 27, 2013 By Steve Newton In the annals of underappreciated pop-rock singer-songwriters, Marshall Crenshaw is probably at the top of the chart. Some may vaguely recall him hitting the top 40 back in 1982 with the single “Someday, Someway”, but it’s quite likely that even more remember rockabilly crooner Robert Gordon’s … Continue reading Underrated Marshall Crenshaw flies under the pop radar
Seventies guitar hero Alvin Lee of Ten Years After fame dies at 68
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 6, 2013 It's a sad day for fans of British blues-rock, as guitar hero Alvin Lee--best known for his work with Ten Years After--has died. The following message was posted on his website today: With great sadness we have to announce that Alvin unexpectedly passed away early this morning after … Continue reading Seventies guitar hero Alvin Lee of Ten Years After fame dies at 68