ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 3, 1989 By Steve Newton Unlike the multitude of rock bands around today whose first and foremost goal is finding a shortcut to the bank, the Alarm is one group that sets its sights a little higher. Things like fading cultures and lost languages are important to it. That's why the … Continue reading The Alarm recruits ace producer Tony Visconti and honours its Welsh roots on Change
If The Dark Side of the Moon hasn’t blown you away enough already, check out this new vinyl version
By Steve Newton Hardcore Pink Floyd freaks who are also dedicated vinyl connoisseurs have something to look forward to this spring. Yesterday the legendary British prog-rock band announced the upcoming release of an upscale collector’s edition of The Dark Side Of The Moon, the mindblowing 1973 album that has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. … Continue reading If The Dark Side of the Moon hasn’t blown you away enough already, check out this new vinyl version
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, February 2 to 4
The White Album is deconstructed at VIFF Centre By Steve Newton FRIDAY: eight-piece Vancouver band Zappostrophe’ plays favourites and lesser-known works from Frank Zappa’s eclectic recordings at Frankie's Jazz Club. FRIDAY: local outlaw country-folk singer-songwriter Jay Gavin performs at the Princeton Pub, with friends the Unbranded, Cat Murphy Band, Rubarb, Sinead X. Sanders, and Leah … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, February 2 to 4
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s tragic death marked by ironies and premonitions
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 31, 1990 By Steve Newton It was only a few short weeks ago that Stevie Ray Vaughan was in Vancouver for a Pacific Coliseum concert with British blues belter Joe Cocker. In advance of the show I interviewed him, and the Texas blues and rock guitarist seemed reflective, even pensive. At … Continue reading Stevie Ray Vaughan’s tragic death marked by ironies and premonitions
When Jim Heath was young he imagined doing the world’s fastest version of “Hot Rod Lincoln”
By Steve Newton Back in 1995 I interviewed Jim Heath, singer-guitarist for the Texas psychobilly trio Reverend Horton Heat. At one point in the conversation I mentioned that one of my fave tunes on his band's new album, Liquor in the Front, was "Five-O Ford". That 2 1/2-minute rager reminded me of a sped-up version … Continue reading When Jim Heath was young he imagined doing the world’s fastest version of “Hot Rod Lincoln”
Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in February
Gov't Mule plays the Vogue By Steve Newton Colin James: Vancouver blues-rock veteran ("Voodoo Thing") performs with his Little Big Band. February 2 and 3 at the Commodore Ballroom. February 3 SOLD OUT. GDBC: Vancouver's Grateful Dead cover band. February 3 at the Rickshaw Theatre. Paul Pigat plays the Shadbolt Centre Paul Pigat: Vancouver guitar … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in February
God bless Warner E. Hodges flipping his Telecaster with Jason & the Scorchers
By Steve Newton I really admire incredible guitar playing. Sometimes, when I hear a guitar solo that blows me away, I even ask God to bless it. In previous blogs I’ve asked Him to bless amazing lead breaks by Scott Gorham on Thin Lizzy’s “Romeo and the Lonely Girl”, Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser on Blue Öyster Cult’s “Burnin’ … Continue reading God bless Warner E. Hodges flipping his Telecaster with Jason & the Scorchers
Two weeks before the launch of Joe Satriani’s original G3 Tour Steve Vai explained how it came to fruition
By Steve Newton I interviewed guitar virtuoso Steve Vai for the second time back in September of 1996, one week after the release of his Fire Garden album. Vai had also recently announced that he'd be part of the first G3 Tour, which saw him go on tour with fellow fretmasters Joe Satriani and Eric … Continue reading Two weeks before the launch of Joe Satriani’s original G3 Tour Steve Vai explained how it came to fruition
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, January 29 to February 2
Colin James plays the Commodore By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the Cinematheque of French director Jean-Luc Godard’s 1960 feature debut, Breathless, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg. In French with English subtitles. MONDAY TO FRIDAY: 31 emerging and seasoned local designers and makers were selected to create 22 objects made from vintage mahogany for Reclaim + Repair: … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, January 29 to February 2
That time blues guitar great Bill Perry told me why it only took him six days to record and master his new debut album
By Steve Newton Back in October of 1996 I did my one and only interview with New York blues-rocker Bill Perry, who called me up from a roadside pay phone in Iowa. At the time Perry was touring in support of his debut release, Love Scars, which blew me away with its intense, Gary Moore-type … Continue reading That time blues guitar great Bill Perry told me why it only took him six days to record and master his new debut album
Three wicked box sets I’d buy right now if I was stinkin’ rich
By Steve Newton Ever go hunting around on Amazon for the kind of wicked box sets that you'd kill for, if murder wasn't such a bad thing? I'm one of those stubborn old rock freaks who refuses to go digital, and can't get the most out of music unless I hold it in my hands … Continue reading Three wicked box sets I’d buy right now if I was stinkin’ rich
Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, January 26 to 28
Ché Aimee Dorval plays the WISE Hall By Steve Newton FRIDAY: B.C. premiere screening at the Rio Theatre of writer/director/producer/star Tommy Wiseau's 2023 horror-comedy Big Shark, with special introduction by Greg Sestero, co-star of Wiseau's 2003 cult phenom The Room. FRIDAY: comedic stunt magician and YouTuber Wes Barker performs at the Biltmore Cabaret. FRIDAY: late-night … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, January 26 to 28
Jack White calls Big Sugar’s 500 Pounds “the best blues-based record to ever come out of Canada”
By Steve Newton If you haven't already figured out that Big Sugar is an awesome band, the guy from White Stripes has a message for you. In a video posted today, rock legend Jack White extolls the virtues of the Toronto group's second album, Five Hundred Pounds (released in the U.S. as 500 Pounds). "I … Continue reading Jack White calls Big Sugar’s 500 Pounds “the best blues-based record to ever come out of Canada”