By Steve Newton I've interviewed a helluva lot of rock musicians over the last 40 years or so--literally hundreds and hundreds--but there are still a few that got away. Like Brian "Too Loud" MacLeod, best known for being a member of Vancouver-based rock groups Headpins and Chilliwack. It doesn't make sense that I wouldn't have … Continue reading Wish I would have interviewed the guy with the best nickname in rock, Brian “Too Loud” MacLeod
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, February 19 to 23
La Chinga plays the WISE Hall By Steve Newton MONDAY TO FRIDAY: 31 emerging and seasoned local designers and makers were selected to create 22 objects made from vintage mahogany for Reclaim + Repair: The Mahogany Project, running until August 7 at the Museum of Vancouver. MONDAY & WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY: the work of late … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, February 19 to 23
That time I asked Deep Purple’s Roger Glover if he still gets a buzz when the bass kicks in on “Smoke on the Water”
By Steve Newton I've interviewed Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover three times--in 1984, 1985, and 2004--because, hey, Deep Purple rules. Or they did when I was a teenager, anyway, especially on that Machine Head album. You know, the one with "Highway Star" and "Space Truckin'" and "Smoke On the Water" and all that good stuff. … Continue reading That time I asked Deep Purple’s Roger Glover if he still gets a buzz when the bass kicks in on “Smoke on the Water”
Ear of Newt has two free tickets to Coast to Coast’s February 24 gig in Surrey: who wants ’em?
Coast to Coast By Steve Newton If you're a big fan of classic hard-rock bands like UFO, Scorpions, and the Michael Schenker Group, here's a contest for ya. Local tribute band Coast to Coast--known for cranking out fab versions of UFO's "Lights Out", the Scorps' "No One Like You", and MSG's "Armed and Ready"--is playing … Continue reading Ear of Newt has two free tickets to Coast to Coast’s February 24 gig in Surrey: who wants ’em?
Images in Vogue pondered taking their synths to England to make their mark on the new-music scene
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 23, 1983 By Steve Newton "I think the reason it's been called new music," says Images in Vogue synthesist Joe Vizvary, "is because there's been so much emphasis on old music, like with the Doors and Led Zeppelin. If people who were programming that on radio and listening to that at … Continue reading Images in Vogue pondered taking their synths to England to make their mark on the new-music scene
Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, February 16 to 18
Bunny runs at Anvil Theatre By Steve Newton FRIDAY: L.A. alt-rock quartet Silversun Pickups play tunes from latest album Physical Thrills at the Commodore Ballroom. FRIDAY: Salt Spring Island-based musician Harry Manx performs slide guitar-laced blues blended with Indian folk melodies at Mel Lehan Hall at St. James. SOLD OUT. Here's my interview with Manx … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, February 16 to 18
Move over Swifties: guitar-rock greats Pearl Jam to kickstart world tour with two Vancouver dates
By Steve Newton Everybody and their dog knows that Taylor Swift is bringing her hugely publicized Eras Tour to BC Place Stadium for three shows this December, and that's cool. She's awesome in every way. But Vancouver's old-school guitar-rock fans deserve something to look forward to as well, don'tcha think? Enter Pearl Jam. The Seattle … Continue reading Move over Swifties: guitar-rock greats Pearl Jam to kickstart world tour with two Vancouver dates
AC/DC announces European Tour, featuring original guitarist Angus Young and longtime vocalist Brian Johnson
By Steve Newton Rumours have been circulating for weeks now that Australian rock legends AC/DC were soon going to announce a world tour in support of their latest album, Power Up. Well, today AC/DC finally made a tour announcement, but folks in my neck of the woods (Vancouver) are gonna have to chill, because it's … Continue reading AC/DC announces European Tour, featuring original guitarist Angus Young and longtime vocalist Brian Johnson
Braindead Rock Hall nominates Mariah Carey and Cher, snubs Johnny and Rory yet again!
By Steve Newton It looks like Newt's Rock Hall won't be closing down any time soon. Three months ago I posted a blog in which I stated that, once the waaaaayyyy overdue inductions of Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher into the official Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were announced, I'd be shuttering the underground … Continue reading Braindead Rock Hall nominates Mariah Carey and Cher, snubs Johnny and Rory yet again!
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, February 12 to 16
Harry Manx plays two venues By Steve Newton MONDAY TO FRIDAY: 31 emerging and seasoned local designers and makers were selected to create 22 objects made from vintage mahogany for Reclaim + Repair: The Mahogany Project, running until August 7 at the Museum of Vancouver. MONDAY AND FRIDAY: Basically Good Media Lab and Emily Carr … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, February 12 to 16
That time I asked Rik Emmett what it was like being a solo artist after 13 years with Triumph
By Steve Newton I did my third interview with Rik Emmett in September of 1990, when he was promoting his debut solo album, Absolutely, which went gold in Canada. Two years earlier he'd left the popular Canadian power trio Triumph, so when he called from his home in Mississauga I asked him was it was … Continue reading That time I asked Rik Emmett what it was like being a solo artist after 13 years with Triumph
That time I asked Zakk Wylde if he thought his hard-rock fans would accept the less-raunchy sound of his new Book of Shadows CD
By Steve Newton I interviewed heavy-metal guitar hero Zakk Wylde for the second time back in August of 1996, when he was touring behind his debut solo album, Book of Shadows. That acoustic-based disc was a lot less raunchy than Wylde's previous work with Ozzy Osbourne and Pride & Glory, so when he called in … Continue reading That time I asked Zakk Wylde if he thought his hard-rock fans would accept the less-raunchy sound of his new Book of Shadows CD
The Tragically Hip to release Live at CBGB’s on pink vinyl and cassette for Record Store Day
By Steve Newton The Tragically Hip, the greatest Canadian rock band ever (unless you're a Rush freak), announced today that it will be releasing a live album on Record Store Day (April 20). Live at CBGB's features nine tracks originally recorded at the famed New York City venue on January 14, 1993, when the Hip … Continue reading The Tragically Hip to release Live at CBGB’s on pink vinyl and cassette for Record Store Day