ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 23, 1983 By Steve Newton "I love 'em," shouts Damon Karjala over the din of howling partiers and steady chug of the S.S. Britannia as it courses through Vancouver Harbour. The guitarist/vocalist for Richmond's Shadowfax is talking about boat cruises--this being the band's third. "Casey and I got sick of doing … Continue reading Richmond’s Shadowfax hits the high seas with its sights set on Ocean Sound
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, July 8 to 12
Rock 'n' Roll High School screens at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY TO FRIDAY: Emily Carr: A Room of Her Own, running until January 2025 at the Vancouver Art Gallery, features approximately 25 works drawn from the Gallery’s Emily Carr Collection, the most comprehensive holdings of her work in the world. MONDAY TO FRIDAY: … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, July 8 to 12
Toronto’s Urgent sets its sites on Western Canada’s more traditional rock ‘n’ roll fans
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 15, 1984 By Steve Newton "They're more traditional rock and rollers," says Urgent bassist-vocalist Doug Baynham of the Western Canadian record-buying public. "Chances are we'll even try to break out of there, if the album really picks up. "We'll probably be out there before we go anywhere else," he adds, "'cause … Continue reading Toronto’s Urgent sets its sites on Western Canada’s more traditional rock ‘n’ roll fans
The Rolling Stones’ pricey Vancouver gig rekindles memories of seeing them four times for free
By Steve Newton The Rolling Stones play Vancouver's BC Place tonight (July 5), but I'm not going. It's not so much the exorbitant prices for concerts these days, or the fact that the Stones are now older than dirt. It's just that I've seen them play BC Place four times already, starting with the Steel … Continue reading The Rolling Stones’ pricey Vancouver gig rekindles memories of seeing them four times for free
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, July 5 to 7
The Stones play BC Place By Steve Newton FRIDAY: British rock legends the Rolling Stones perform their hits and tunes from new album Hackney Diamonds at BC Place. FRIDAY: Canadian alt-rock act Softcult, featuring twin sisters Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn, plays tunes from new EP Heaven at the Pearl, with guests Present. Ring of Fire … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, July 5 to 7
Dragon Fly guitarist Zakat Zahir cut his teeth on Santana, raves about the Headpins’ “Too Loud” MacLeod
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 11, 1983 By Steve Newton Patrons of Frams Cabaret experienced a club act of a different sort last week. It isn't often that you'll come across a nine-piece, all-Black band doing heavy metal. But there they were, stirring things up with rowdy, riff-riddled covers of songs by Night Ranger and Judas … Continue reading Dragon Fly guitarist Zakat Zahir cut his teeth on Santana, raves about the Headpins’ “Too Loud” MacLeod
Montrose’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton The first track on the first side of the first Montrose album will always be first in my books. Ronnie really rocked my nation back in '73. 20. "Ready, Willing and Able" (Mean, 1987) 19. "Man of the Hour" (Mean, 1987) 18. "We're Going Home" (Paper Money, 1974) 17. "Twenty Flight Rock" … Continue reading Montrose’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, July 1 to 5
Coast to Coast plays Surrey Canada Day By Steve Newton MONDAY: Canada Together is a Canada Day celebration at Canada Place featuring food trucks, kids' entertainment, Indigenous displays, and mainstage performances by Said the Whale, Fake Shark, and the Free Label. MONDAY: Surrey Canada Day features free mainstage performances by the Sheepdogs, Sass Jordan, and … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, July 1 to 5
Vancouver’s Benedict and the Insomniacs seek expression in the notorious Top-40 town
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 6, 1984 By Steve Newton "It's because I'm up all night," says singer/songwriter/guitarist Benedict Patrick of the name Insomniacs. "I'm usually right here at the piano," he adds, glancing at the turn-of-the-century Hansen in the corner of his East Van living room, "and I'll just keep going till six in the … Continue reading Vancouver’s Benedict and the Insomniacs seek expression in the notorious Top-40 town
Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in July
The Stones play BC Place By Steve Newton Gowan: Canadian pop-rock singer-songwriter from the '80s ("A Criminal Mind") and current member of Styx. July 4 at Great Canadian Casino Vancouver. Here's my interview with Gowan from 1990. The Rolling Stones: British rock legends from the ’60s perform their hits and tunes from new album Hackney Diamonds. July … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in July
Vancouver’s K.T. Rouge aren’t interested in wearing spandex–except maybe on a good night
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 20, 1984 By Steve Newton On the walls are album sleeves from Bryan Adams' Cuts Like a Knife, Queen II, and Led Zeppelin IV. Headphones, cords, and guitar-string packets are also hung up here and there. And a single red spotlight in the middle of the room shines its gaudy glare … Continue reading Vancouver’s K.T. Rouge aren’t interested in wearing spandex–except maybe on a good night
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, June 28 to 30
Scott Smith and the Midnight Riders play the Shipyards By Steve Newton FRIDAY: late-night screening at the Rio Theatre of director Ti West's 2022 horror flick X, about a group of young filmmakers who set out to make an adult film in rural Texas and wind up fighting for their lives. FRIDAY: the third night … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, June 28 to 30
T. Rex’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton Was there any doubt that "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" was going to be number one? I mean, come on. 20. "Rock On" (The Slider, 1972) 19. "The Motivator" (Electric Warrior, 1971) 18. "Metal Guru" (The Slider, 1972) 17. "Hot Love" (stand-alone single, 1971) 16. "Electric Slim and the Factory Hen" … Continue reading T. Rex’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome