That time AC/DC’s Malcolm Young told me that drummer Phil Rudd had “grown out” of the band

By Steve Newton Back in October of 1983 I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down (on a Vancouver hotel-room floor) with three members of AC/DC. It was the day before the band kicked off its Flick of the Switch Tour, and the local promo rep at the record label (WEA Canada) had set up … Continue reading That time AC/DC’s Malcolm Young told me that drummer Phil Rudd had “grown out” of the band

Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, December 29 to 31

The Big Lebowski screens at VIFF Centre By Steve Newton FRIDAY: screening at the VIFF Centre of The Wrecking Crew director Denny Tedesco’s new documentary Immediate Family, about the team of 1970s session players composed of guitarists Danny Kortchmar and Waddy Wachtel, bassist Leland Sklar, and drummer Russ Kunkel. FRIDAY: the LowDown Brass Band from Chicago melds modern funk, … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, December 29 to 31

Newt’s top 10 Metro Vancouver concert picks for 2024 (so far)

The Mule plays the Vogue By Steve Newton Hey, there's more to life than Taylor Swift. Gov't Mule: blues-rock jam band featuring guitarist-vocalist Warren Haynes plays tunes from latest album Peace...Like a River. February 8 at the Vogue Theatre. Harry Manx: Salt Spring Island-based musician performs slide guitar-laced blues blended with Indian folk melodies. February … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Metro Vancouver concert picks for 2024 (so far)

That time Tom Cochrane told me that all the Tragically Hip needed to break through in the U.S. was one accessible pop song

By Steve Newton Back in November of 1995 I did the fifth of my seven interviews with Canadian rock great Tom Cochrane. At the time he was promoting his new album, Ragged Ass Road, the followup to 1991's Mad Mad World, which featured the smash hit that broke him in the States, "Life is a … Continue reading That time Tom Cochrane told me that all the Tragically Hip needed to break through in the U.S. was one accessible pop song

Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this week, December 25 to 29

The Flyers play the Canucks By Steve Newton TUESDAY: screening at the Cinematheque of the 1997 Japanese crime drama Hana-bi, written, directed, and edited by Takeshi Kitano, who also stars in it. TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY: the work of late Trinidadian-Canadian artist Denyse Thomasos is featured in the career retrospective Denyse Thomasos: just beyond, running until March of 2024 at … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this week, December 25 to 29

Hey Michael Schenker freaks: Coast to Coast blasts the best of UFO, MSG, and Scorps at a Surrey Food Bank benefit

By Steve Newton One of my favourite hobbies back in the '70s and early '80s was collecting LPs by bands like UFO, Scorpions, and MSG. The one thing that all three bands had in common--at one point or another--was lead guitarist Michael Schenker, whose speedy and intense yet beautifully melodic playing kept me transfixed for … Continue reading Hey Michael Schenker freaks: Coast to Coast blasts the best of UFO, MSG, and Scorps at a Surrey Food Bank benefit

Nature and the afterlife inspire Desirée Dawson’s soulful sounds

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 13, 2022 By Steve Newton The first CD that Desirée Dawson ever got as a gift was an album by the similarly named British crooner Des'ree. As a youngster growing up in White Rock, she also listened to a lot of R&B-inflected pop by the likes of Destiny's Child, Tracy Chapman, and Diana … Continue reading Nature and the afterlife inspire Desirée Dawson’s soulful sounds

Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, December 22 to 24

Pan's Labyrinth screens at VIFF Centre By Steve Newton FRIDAY: screening at the Orpheum Theatre of the classic Will Ferrell Christmas comedy Elf, with the score performed live by the Vancouver Symphony. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: Liven UP--Coal Harbour is a free, family-friendly event that will see lighting installations, artists, musicians, and storytellers along a walk … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, December 22 to 24

From the ‘hood: 10 of my fave albums by 10 of my fave Vancouver bands

By Steve Newton When you've covered the Vancouver music scene for as long as I have, you realize there's a lot more to it than Loverboy and Bryan freakin' Adams. Art Bergmann Sexual Roulette (1990) The hero of Vancouver’s alternative music scene really hit his stride on his second full-length album, telling insightful and thoroughly … Continue reading From the ‘hood: 10 of my fave albums by 10 of my fave Vancouver bands

Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this week, December 18 to 22

Zakk Sabbath plays the Commodore By Steve Newton MONDAY AND TUESDAY: 20th anniversary screenings at the Rio Theatre of writer-director-producer-star Tommy Wiseau's godawful cult classic The Room. Wiseau's costar in the film, Greg Sestero, will direct a live reading of the first edition of Wiseau’s original screenplay, lead a Q&A, and supply live commentary during … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this week, December 18 to 22

Kim Mitchell’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton So what if Canadian party-rocker Kim Mitchell blocked me on Twitter (X) for some weird reason. He still has a lotta great tunes. 20. "Patio Lanterns" (Shakin' Like a Human Being, 1986) 19, "Big Best Summer" (Kim Mitchell EP, 1982) 18. "Monkey Shine" (Kimosabe, 1999) 17. "All We Are" (Akimbo Alogo, 1984) … Continue reading Kim Mitchell’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

The 10 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena

By Steve Newton The name of Vancouver's major downtown hockey and concert venue was changed from GM Place to Rogers Arena in July of 2010, and two months later I was rockin' out with Aerosmith at the newly-christened joint.  I've seen a few other decent shows at Rogers Arena since then as well. Iron Maiden, … Continue reading The 10 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena