How I wound up backstage with Canada’s horror master and America’s shock-rock king

kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 7, 2012 By Steve Newton I haven't done a lot of traveling, but back in '86 I did make it out to Australia for my little sister's wedding. I spent five-and-a-half weeks down there, mostly on the beach between Frankston (a nice little seaside town outside Melbourne) and … Continue reading How I wound up backstage with Canada’s horror master and America’s shock-rock king

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, September 16 to 20

Pat Steward appears at Rufus Drum Shop By Steve Newton MONDAY: Vancouver folk-rock band Just a Season, fronted by singer-songwriter and guitarist Scott Smith, plays Guilt and Co. The Cult plays the Vogue TUESDAY: British hard-rock band the Cult, featuring singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy, plays the Vogue Theatre, with guests Patriarchy from … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, September 16 to 20

God bless Geoff Tate’s lead vocals on Queensrÿche’s “Spreading the Disease”

By Steve Newton One of my favourite prog-metal albums of all time is Operation: Mindcrime, released by Seattle-based Queensrÿche in the Year of Our Metal Lord, 1988. It was a concept album about a drug addict who becomes disillusioned with the corrupt society of his time and reluctantly becomes an assassin for a revolutionary group. … Continue reading God bless Geoff Tate’s lead vocals on Queensrÿche’s “Spreading the Disease”

The Clash’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton The Clash have been called "the only band that matters", which is bullshit, but they were definitely one of the bands that mattered. 20. "White Riot" (The Clash, 1977) 19. "Straight to Hell" (Combat Rock, 1982) 18. "London's Burning" (The Clash, 1977) 17. "Last Gang in Town" (Give 'Em Enough Rope, 1978) … Continue reading The Clash’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, September 13 to 15

British comedian Eric Idle performs at the Vogue on Saturday as part of his Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, Live! Tour.

If you were a teenager when Queen released its debut album, prepare to be blown away again (at a price)

By Steve Newton On their 1978 debut album, Outlandos d'Amour, the Police had a song called "Born in the '50s" that I could totally relate to. I was born in the Year of Our Lord, 1957, and I thank my lucky stars for that, 'cause it meant that I would spend my teenage years in … Continue reading If you were a teenager when Queen released its debut album, prepare to be blown away again (at a price)

Stephen King’s imagination gets the better of him as he mistakes Jeff Healey’s scary guitar licks for slide

By Steve Newton The other night as I was finishing off Stephen King's new collection of stories, You Like it Darker, the first sentence of the book's afterword caught my attention. "One day while I was taking my morning walk," writes King, "listening to the Jeff Healey Band playing 'Highway 49' and thinking of nothing … Continue reading Stephen King’s imagination gets the better of him as he mistakes Jeff Healey’s scary guitar licks for slide

Virtual screening of The Humbler–Danny Gatton helps support the family of “the world’s greatest unknown guitarist”

If you're a diehard follower of Danny Gatton--or just a big fan of amazing guitar playing--then there's a virtual screening going on right now that you should be aware of.

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, September 6 to 8

The Vancouver Fringe Festival on Granville Island features an eclectic program of over 65 shows, including Holly M. Brinkman's A Woman's Guide to Peeing Outside.

Fubar’s Pilsner-shotgunning “Governor of givin’r” returns to the big screen in Deaner ’89

By Steve Newton If you don't have any plans for this Friday (September 6), you might want to consider going to the movies, 'cause that's when Mongrel Media's Deaner '89--a new heavy-metal comedy flick starring Canadian actor Paul Spence from the Fubar films--hits theatres. According to a recent press release from Pender PR, in the … Continue reading Fubar’s Pilsner-shotgunning “Governor of givin’r” returns to the big screen in Deaner ’89