The world’s not ready for AC/DC to stop busting ears

photo by Rebecca Blissett There's been a lot of rumour and speculation flying around the music world in the last few days regarding the status of legendary Aussie earbusters AC/DC. Some media outlets were actually reporting the band's demise, claiming that rhythm-guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young had suffered a stroke recently and would never … Continue reading The world’s not ready for AC/DC to stop busting ears

What the fuck was I doing at a George Michael concert in 1991?

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 17, 1991 By Steve Newton George Michael had two things to apologize for before he even sang a note at the Pacific Coliseum last Thursday (October 10). One was for ever having anything to do with that most nauseating of pop tunes, Wham!’s super-sucky “Wake Me Up Before … Continue reading What the fuck was I doing at a George Michael concert in 1991?

Anthrax brings the noise with a little help from Public Enemy

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 17, 1991 By Steve Newton “Disco and rap, it’s all crap.” That used to be this scribbler’s motto, until he heard Anthrax’s rapped-up version of “Bring the Noise”, which combines a seriously sonic guitar onslaught with the streetwise poetry of Public Enemy. It’s a great tune and one that led to … Continue reading Anthrax brings the noise with a little help from Public Enemy

Superstar producer Bob Rock gets his guitar jollies at the Rock Cellar with riff-based Rockhead

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 10, 1991 By Steve Newton After producing hit records by the likes of Motley Crue, the Cult, and Metallica, Vancouver’s Bob Rock is tying on the gloves and stepping into the ring with Rockhead, his new hard-rock four-piece. The band’s been playing at various local top-40 bars, and if Saturday’s (October … Continue reading Superstar producer Bob Rock gets his guitar jollies at the Rock Cellar with riff-based Rockhead

Promising Pearl Jam pulls off a loud one at the Town Pump in Vancouver

kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 3, 1991 By Steve Newton I’d been warned by someone who caught Pearl Jam’s sound check at the Town Pump last Thursday afternoon (September 26) that the Seattle band was extremely loud. My second clue, upon entering the busy club around midnight, was the abundance of black leather … Continue reading Promising Pearl Jam pulls off a loud one at the Town Pump in Vancouver

Mark Farner’s current “God rock” set doesn’t include Grand Funk’s “We’re an American Band”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 12, 1991 By Steve Newton Usually when this scribbler prepares for an interview, he starts by listening to the artist’s tape or CD, perusing its liner notes, scanning a record company bio, and maybe reading some press clippings. But for a chat with former Grand Funk Railroad singer/guitarist Mark Farner, getting … Continue reading Mark Farner’s current “God rock” set doesn’t include Grand Funk’s “We’re an American Band”

Chrissy Steele hits the perfect volume level for Brian “Too Loud” MacLeod

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 5, 1991 By Steve Newton If you’re a hard-rock kinda person, sometimes it really pays to hang out at Club Soda, along with the folks from Aerosmith and the Scorpions. For local rocker Chrissy Steele, that’s where she first met former Headpins guitarist Brian “Too Loud” MacLeod, who was impressed enough … Continue reading Chrissy Steele hits the perfect volume level for Brian “Too Loud” MacLeod

Trailer Park Boys take a crazed road trip to Chuckleville in Don’t Legalize It

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, APRIL 15, 2014 The first feature film to be spawned by Showcase TV’s low-budget Trailer Park Boys series, 2006’s Trailer Park Boys: The Movie, was freakin’ hilarious. The followup, 2009’s Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to Liquor Day, was possibly the funniest Canadian movie ever made. And now the white-trash shenanigans of petty Nova Scotia criminals … Continue reading Trailer Park Boys take a crazed road trip to Chuckleville in Don’t Legalize It

Steve Miller’s ’70s blues-rock tunes can still pack the joint

  photos by the newt During his sold-out gig at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver last night, Steve Miller talked about how he moved to Chicago as a young man and learned all he could about the blues jamming with the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Buddy Guy. That love of the blues came … Continue reading Steve Miller’s ’70s blues-rock tunes can still pack the joint

Steve Earle follows the Copperhead Road to Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, April 21, 1989 How many famous touring stars hang around backstage after a show, tirelessly signing autographs and posing for pictures, till nearly all the hangers-on have snagged their mementos and headed off, leaving the object of their affection looking around and thinking, "Where'd everybody go?" Steve Earle is … Continue reading Steve Earle follows the Copperhead Road to Vancouver

Drive-By Truckers’ new disc dedicated to loveable merch guy Craig Lieske

Any fan of the Drive-By Truckers is aware of how cool their merchandise is. A lot of it has to do with the southern-goth artistry of Wes Freed, whose work has long been a staple of the band's album covers, t-shirts, and posters. I've got one proudly displayed in my home hallway, as a matter of … Continue reading Drive-By Truckers’ new disc dedicated to loveable merch guy Craig Lieske