By Steve Newton One of the best concerts I've ever seen was Neil Young & Crazy Horse at the Pacific Coliseum on April 17, 1991. That was seven months after the band had released its stellar album, Ragged Glory, and it was kicking major ass, with Young accompanied by rhythm guitarist Frank Sampedro, bassist Billy … Continue reading Randy Bachman raves about seeing Neil Young & Crazy Horse last night
No Riot City: pretending that the Canucks actually won the Cup
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 16, 2011 By Steve Newton VANCOUVER, B.C.—It was a dream come true for long-suffering hockey fans here in Vancouver. Last night, for the first time in its 40 year existence, the Vancouver Canucks won the biggest prize in professional hockey—the Stanley Cup—with a narrow 1-0 victory over the visiting Boston Bruins. … Continue reading No Riot City: pretending that the Canucks actually won the Cup
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, May 20 to 24
Sarah McLachlan plays the Coliseum By Steve Newton MONDAY: the Vancouver Canucks take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of their Stanley Cup Playoffs matchup at Rogers Arena. 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 … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, May 20 to 24
Vancouver’s rowdy Scissors tone down the housewrecking vibe and get serious in the studio
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 1, 1983 By Steve Newton "We're still pretty wild," says Bill Barker of the Scissors, chomping on a Big Mac in the Commercial Drive studio he co-owns with bandmate Ray Fulber. The Scissors' reputation as rowdies has been built over the past few years through incidents like the band's housewrecking party … Continue reading Vancouver’s rowdy Scissors tone down the housewrecking vibe and get serious in the studio
Discovering that Jerry Seinfeld’s taste in VHS horror was pretty lame
By Steve Newton I was just watching an old Seinfeld rerun—a 1996 episode called “The Shower Head” where Jerry and his buddies are forced to purchase “black market” showerheads through Newman because they can’t get enough water pressure to decently rinse their hair—and noticed something interesting. At the part in the show where Elaine corners Jerry’s mom on the … Continue reading Discovering that Jerry Seinfeld’s taste in VHS horror was pretty lame
French Letters make waves on the Vancouver scene thanks to CiTR, Tom Harrison, and lotsa macaroni
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 13, 1983 By Steve Newton "Alll three of us have worked in factories," says French Letters vocalist Jay Homenchuk, referring to himself, bassist Kelly Cook, and guitarist Ben Louie. The three of them sit gathered in the lounge outside the heavy soundproofed door that leads into Gastown's Water Street Sound studio. … Continue reading French Letters make waves on the Vancouver scene thanks to CiTR, Tom Harrison, and lotsa macaroni
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, May 17 to 19
Fu Manchu plays the Rickshaw By Steve Newton FRIDAY: late-night 45th anniversary screening at the Rio Theatre of director George Miller's post-apocalyptic action flick Mad Max, starring Mel Gibson as a vengeful cop who launches a personal vendetta against a ruthless motorcycle gang. FRIDAY: Vancouver instrumental surf-rock trio the Reviberators--composed of guitarist Noah Walker, bassist … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, May 17 to 19
That time the Foo Fighters turned into bar band the Holy Shits and raunched out on early Van Halen
By Steve Newton Back on June 20, 2014, any hardcore '70s-rock fans in attendance at the Firefly Festival in Dover, Delaware, got a special treat when the Foo Fighters went back in time to raunch out a bit. "Lemme tell ya something," said Dave Grohl near the end of his band's headlining set, "we're gonna … Continue reading That time the Foo Fighters turned into bar band the Holy Shits and raunched out on early Van Halen
Vancouver bar band Trama rose from the ashes of Shama to make good music, that’s all
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 18, 1983 By Steve Newton "We're not trying to shake up the music world," says Trama bassist-vocalist Michael Sicoly "We're just trying to make good music, that's all." They may not be shaking up the music world, but since forming 18 short months ago, Trama have certainly caused a good portion … Continue reading Vancouver bar band Trama rose from the ashes of Shama to make good music, that’s all
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, May 13 to 17
James "Super Chikan" Johnson plays the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY AND THURSDAY: screenings at the VIFF Centre of director Francis Galluppi's crime thriller The Last Stop in Yuma County, about a traveling knife salesman thrust into a high-stakes hostage situation at a middle-of-nowhere Arizona rest stop. MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY: True Tribal: Contemporary … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, May 13 to 17
That time Sigourney Weaver had a gas trying out the Alien flamethrower
By Steve Newton Back in 2015 somebody posted this photo on Reddit of Sigourney Weaver trying out the flamethrower from Alien on the backlot lawn of Shepperton Studios in 1978. They didn't wimp out with CG back then. This was the real deal. Notice no one is standing too close. Director Ridley Scott's decision not to f**k around … Continue reading That time Sigourney Weaver had a gas trying out the Alien flamethrower
Midnite Rodeo Band guitarist Ed Molyski likes country guys who keep their sound
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 11, 1984 By Steve Newton Country music may not--or may never--be really popular in Vancouver, but that hasn't stopped Ed Molyski's Midnight Rodeo Band from becoming one of Canada's premier country acts. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1982 on RCA Records, produced no less than four hit singles, of which … Continue reading Midnite Rodeo Band guitarist Ed Molyski likes country guys who keep their sound
Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, May 10 to 12
The Oilers are in town. By Steve Newton FRIDAY: the Rogue Folk Club presents Vancouver blues legend Jim Byrnes with gospel/R&B group the Sojourners at Mel Lehan Hall at St. James. SOLD OUT. Here's my interview with Jim Byrnes from 1985. FRIDAY: Comedy in the Forecast features standup comedy by Yumi Nagashima, Robert Peng, Nancy Ho, … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, May 10 to 12