Run Lola Run screens at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY TO FRIDAY: True Tribal: Contemporary Expressions of Ancestral Tattoo Practices explores 30-plus years of Indigenous tattooing from around the world and showcases the artists who are reconnecting with traditional skin-marking practices, at the Museum of Vancouver. WEDNESDAY: Canadian-American jazz-guitar stylist Harrison Ivaz performs his … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, June 3 to 7
The 20 most memorable rock concerts I ever saw before becoming a music writer and getting in for free
By Steve Newton Before I started writing about music professionally and getting in to all the concerts for free I would make the 80-minute trek (70 MPH, no seatbelts) into Vancouver from my Chilliwack hometown and blow all my lawnmowing money to see my fave rock bands. I remember getting butterflies in my stomach when … Continue reading The 20 most memorable rock concerts I ever saw before becoming a music writer and getting in for free
Rick Scott says that Pied Pear is still pretty solid, despite the lack of folk venues in cosmopolitan Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 12, 1983 By Steve Newton "One thing about us," says Rick Scott of Pied Pear, "is that we write in all styles. We don't stay in one groove, and that's one of the reasons we haven't achieved the commercial success that people say you should be going for. Where the music … Continue reading Rick Scott says that Pied Pear is still pretty solid, despite the lack of folk venues in cosmopolitan Vancouver
Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in June
Scott Smith and the Midnight Riders play the Shipyards By Steve Newton Spendo: Vancouver rock quintet performs tracks off its EP The Great Unknown, with guests Wise Youngblood. June 1 at the Red Room. Day of Music: a full day of free musical performances at various Vancouver locations culminates in an evening performance by the … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in June
Five of Vancouver’s top musicians become Unsung Heroes to have fun in the clubs
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 10, 1983 By Steve Newton "I think we're exactly what our name signifies," says singer Nancy Nash of Unsung Heroes. "Not to be pompous, but the name Unsung Heroes refers to the people who are always doing the work behind the scenes. To me any star, or anybody who makes it, … Continue reading Five of Vancouver’s top musicians become Unsung Heroes to have fun in the clubs
That time Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys got Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour to sign his copy of Dark Side of the Moon
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 31, 2016 By Steve Newton Man, that Bubbles dude has it good these days. Not only is the googly-eyed bastard from Trailer Park Boys basking in the recent premiere of his show's 10th season on Netflix, but just the other day he probly got free tickets to see David Gilmour in concert. Then--along with fellow Sunnyvale … Continue reading That time Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys got Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour to sign his copy of Dark Side of the Moon
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, May 31 to June 2
derek carr photo Unleash the Archers plays the Rickshaw By Steve Newton FRIDAY: musical director Otto Tausk leads violinist Vadim Gluzman and the Vancouver Symphony in a program at the Orpheum Theatre that includes Tchaikovsky’s beloved Violin Concerto. FRIDAY: the B.C. Lions take on the Edmonton Elks in a Canadian Football League preseason game at … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, May 31 to June 2
That time Steve Morse told me about his recent gig with Eddie Van Halen and Albert Lee at NAMM
By Steve Newton Back in May of 1991 I did my first interview with Steve Morse, who called me up from his home in the hills of Northern California. That was just after he’d released his fourth post-Dixie Dregs album, Southern Steel, and three years before he joined Deep Purple. Near the start of the interview … Continue reading That time Steve Morse told me about his recent gig with Eddie Van Halen and Albert Lee at NAMM
Spent Youth’s John Mead likes rockabilly, but his heart is in country music
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 25, 1983 By Steve Newton "Like every band knows," says Spent Youth singer John Mead, "it's really difficult to find a name. I was at the practice space one day, sweeping the room by myself, and it just dawned--like a light went on--and I thought 'Spent Youth. Misspent Youth. Spent Youth. … Continue reading Spent Youth’s John Mead likes rockabilly, but his heart is in country music
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, May 27 to 31
They Shot the Piano Player screens at VIFF Centre By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the VIFF Centre of They Shot the Piano Player, directors Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal's animated musical docu-fiction based on the story of Francisco Tenório Jr, a Brazilian pianist who was murdered while touring Argentina in 1976. Narrated by Jeff … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, May 27 to 31
As Canada’s team takes on Dallas, Johnny Winter’s foreboding 1969 blues tune comes to mind
By Steve Newton Now that the Edmonton Oilers have sent the Vancouvers Canucks golfing--and quashed any possibility of yet another Vancouver hockey riot--it's time to see how Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and the boys do against the formidable Dallas Stars. It's not gonna be an easy battle for Canada's team, I'm sure of that, … Continue reading As Canada’s team takes on Dallas, Johnny Winter’s foreboding 1969 blues tune comes to mind
That time Steve Earle told me: “I been locked up. A buncha kids throwing plastic bottles doesn’t really scare me very much.”
By Steve Newton I did the third of my six interviews with Steve Earle, one of my favourite all-time singer-songwriters, back in July of 1996. That was three months after the release of his sixth album, I Feel Alright--the one with "Hardcore Troubadour". A week earlier he'd performed in Dallas as part of the Lollapalooza … Continue reading That time Steve Earle told me: “I been locked up. A buncha kids throwing plastic bottles doesn’t really scare me very much.”
Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, May 24 to 26
Tedeschi Trucks plays the Queen E By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Lower Mainland blues-fusion quintet Blues Hoodoo--composed of guitarist Konrad Breuers, saxophonist Ian Putz, keyboardist Stuart “Stubop” Young, bassist Shawn Stewart, and drummer Ron Wells--plays Frankie's Jazz. FRIDAY: late-night screening at the Rio Theatre of director Stuart Gordon's gory 1985 horror-comedy Re-Animator, starring Jeffrey Combs and … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, May 24 to 26