La Chinga plays Keithmas XIV By Steve Newton FRIDAY: late-night screening at the Rio Theatre of director Bob Clark's 1974 Canadian slasher flick, Black Christmas, starring Olivia Hussey. 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 from Canada Place to … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, December 15 to 17
The Georgia Satellites’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton The Georgia Satellites have to be one of the most underrated guitar-rock bands of all time. They recorded more great tunes in four years than more famous bands have in 40. 20. "Open All Night" (Open All Night, 1988) 19, "Over and Over" (Georgia Satellites, 1986) 18. "That Woman'" (Never Stop Rockin' … Continue reading The Georgia Satellites’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Dickey Betts just turned 80, so here’s five of the best quotes I ever got from the legendary Allman Brothers guitarist
By Steve Newton Happy birthday to southern-rock guitar hero Dickey Betts, who is celebrating his 80th trip around the sun today. Now I know why the Allman Brothers named that stellar 1975 compilation LP The Road Goes On Forever. During that legendary musical trek I got to interview Betts four times, in 1989 (just before … Continue reading Dickey Betts just turned 80, so here’s five of the best quotes I ever got from the legendary Allman Brothers guitarist
Pearl Jam’s Vs. gets the 30th anniversary vinyl treatment, could be time to trade in the CD
By Steve Newton I recently scored a 30th anniversary vinyl copy of Pearl Jam's second album, Vs. That got me thinking of that time back in '93 when I scored a copy on the format of choice at the time, the compact disc. I even dug up my old Vs. review: "The band has decided … Continue reading Pearl Jam’s Vs. gets the 30th anniversary vinyl treatment, could be time to trade in the CD
Hearing Dan Baird sing “Van Halen wailin’ on a stereo eight-track” brings back ancient memories
By Steve Newton Back in the late '70s/early '80s I spent way too much time working at a Canada Packers food-processing plant near Chilliwack called York Farms. It was not a great job--unless frantically stacking heavy boxes of juice on wooden pallets for eight hours is your idea of a good time. It was a … Continue reading Hearing Dan Baird sing “Van Halen wailin’ on a stereo eight-track” brings back ancient memories
Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this week, December 11 to 15
Black Christmas screens at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the Cinematheque of director Andrei Tarkovsky's first feature, Ivan's Childhood, about a 12-year-old Russian war orphan who goes behind German lines to avenge the death of his parents. MONDAY & WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY: the work of late Trinidadian-Canadian artist Denyse Thomasos is featured … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this week, December 11 to 15
Roy Wood Jr. won’t call himself an activist, but he’s an amplifier for sure
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 10, 2022 By Steve Newton To the best of his recollection, the first time Roy Wood Jr. laughed out loud at anything he was three or four years old. He was watching the disaster-movie parody Airplane! on TV, and he got a kick out of Otto the autopilot, the inflatable dummy called on to … Continue reading Roy Wood Jr. won’t call himself an activist, but he’s an amplifier for sure
Yngwie Malmsteen and Kim Mitchell both blocked me on Twitter (X), but I’ll get over it
By Steve Newton I've interviewed a lot of amazing guitarists over the last 40 years or so. Hundreds actually. And I don't think I've upset too many of them. But for some reason, in the last few years, I seem to have ticked off at least a couple fiery fretburners, who decided to block @earofnewt … Continue reading Yngwie Malmsteen and Kim Mitchell both blocked me on Twitter (X), but I’ll get over it
Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, December 8 to 10
Krystle Dos Santos performs at Liven UP--Coal Harbour By Steve Newton FRIDAY: screening at the Cinematheque of the 1997 Japanese crime drama Hana-bi, written, directed, and edited by Takeshi Kitano, who also stars in it. FRIDAY: Charlie Demers hosts East Van Laugh Riot at the Rio Theatre, featuring standup comedy by Alannah Brittany and Citizen … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, December 8 to 10
The 15 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s GM Place
jeff vinnick photo By Steve Newton When the Vancouver Canucks moved their home rink from East Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum to downtown's GM Place in 1995, "the Garage" became the main place to see arena-rock shows in the city--at least until the name was changed to Rogers Arena in 2010. During that 15-year period I saw … Continue reading The 15 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s GM Place
Tracing David Bowie’s live evolution from Ziggy Stardust to the Glass Spider Tour
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 14, 1987 By Steve Newton When David Bowie's Glass Spider Tour hits Vancouver this Saturday (August 15), it will be the latest in a succession of immense theatrical spectacles that Bowie has been bringing to the world for the last decade and a half. North American audiences first became aware of … Continue reading Tracing David Bowie’s live evolution from Ziggy Stardust to the Glass Spider Tour
Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this week, December 4 to 8
American Psycho screens at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY TO FRIDAY: the annual Festival of Lights features 15 acres of trees, plants, and pathways adorned with over one-million twinkling lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden. MONDAY TO FRIDAY: Bright Nights in Stanley Park is a family-oriented fundraiser for the BC Professional Firefighters' Burn Fund that … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this week, December 4 to 8
The 10 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum in the ’90s
By Steve Newton Last week I posted a blog about the ten best rock concerts I ever saw at the Pacific Coliseum in the 1980s. Well, I saw a few decent shows at the Coliseum in the '90s too. Here's 10 of my faves: Aerosmith, October 25, 1997 from the newt's collection At the climax … Continue reading The 10 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum in the ’90s