By Steve Newton A few days ago I posted a list of The Tragically Hip's 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin' awesome. Not all Hip fans agreed with my picks, though. I tried explaining in the intro to the Top 20 that, to me, the Tragically Hip were best "when rockin’ out," but that … Continue reading Tragically Hip fans confirm that the band had too many great songs for just a “20 best” list
Newt’s top 10 (or 13) Metro Vancouver concerts in October
Iron Maiden plays Rogers Arena By Steve Newton Iron Maiden: British heavy metal legends, featuring vocalist Bruce Dickinson, perform on their The Future Past Tour. October 2 at Rogers Arena. Here's my interview with Bruce Dickinson from 1983. Coheed and Cambria: prog-metal quartet from New York, featuring guitarist-vocalist and main songwriter Claudio Sanchez, with guests Deafheaven. October 2 … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 13) Metro Vancouver concerts in October
10 minutes on the phone with Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers in 1991
By Steve Newton Back in July of 1991 I did the second of my four interviews with American guitar legend Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band. Two weeks earlier the band had released its tenth studio album, Shades of Two Worlds, which Dickey had written most of the material for. Here's the first ten minutes … Continue reading 10 minutes on the phone with Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers in 1991
That time Nigel Mogg of the Quireboys told me about being the nephew of Phil Mogg from UFO
By Steve Newton Back in November of 1990 I did an interview with Nigel Mogg, bassist for the Quireboys (who were known in North America as the London Quireboys.) At the time the band was touring behind its debut album, A Bit of What You Fancy, which was a rollicking platter full of Faces-style boogie … Continue reading That time Nigel Mogg of the Quireboys told me about being the nephew of Phil Mogg from UFO
Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, September 25 to 29
Andrew Dice Clay plays Rick Bronson's House of Comedy By Steve Newton MONDAY: Finnish power-metal band Beast in Black plays the Rickshaw Theatre, with guests Dance With the Dead. MONDAY & WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY: the Fashion Fictions exhibition, running until October 9 at the Vancouver Art Gallery, explores the increasing influence of research-based, materially driven practices on the … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, September 25 to 29
The Tragically Hip’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton The Tragically Hip ruled my world in the '90s, and I just think they were best when rockin' out. Man, did they ever have a lotta great tunes. 20. "As Makeshift As We Are" (In Between Evolution, 2004) 19. "Fireworks" (Phantom Power, 1998) 18. "Born in the Water" (Road Apples, 1991) 17. … Continue reading The Tragically Hip’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
10 minutes on the phone with Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson in 1983
By Steve Newton I don't get out to that many rock concerts these days, mainly 'cause I'm an old fogie living out in the 'burbs and most of my concert-going buddies have either passed away (like Ferg) or moved back to Alberta (like the guys from Mad Duck). But my nephew Jeff offered to take … Continue reading 10 minutes on the phone with Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson in 1983
Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, September 22 to 24
Ringu screens at the Rio By Steve Newton FRIDAY: East Vancouver garage-soul band the Vanrays plays the Fox Cabaret, with guests the Asian Persuasion All Stars. FRIDAY: Vancouver rockabilly trio Cousin Harley, featuring guitar wizard Paul Pigat, plays the Rickshaw Theatre, with guests Ruzz Guitar’s Blues Revue. Here’s my interview with Paul Pigat from 2021. FRIDAY … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, September 22 to 24
Iron Maiden’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton The choice of #1 was a no-brainer for me, but the other 19 picks were trickier. Up the Irons! 20. "Running Free" (Iron Maiden, 1980) 19. "Purgatory" (Killers, 1981) 18. "Speed of Light" (The Book of Souls, 2015) 17. "Wrathchild" (Killers, 1981) 16. "The Wicker Man" (Brave New World, 2000) 15. "Flight … Continue reading Iron Maiden’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Steel-guitar ace Scott Smith will trade licks with six-stringer Paul Pigat at Adventures in Pedal Steel
christopher edmonstone photo By Steve Newton I've always thought it would be one of the coolest things in the world to be able to play pedal-steel guitar. I mean that instrument just sounds so damn beautiful, soaring around like it does, making you damn near cry at times. But who's got the patience to learn … Continue reading Steel-guitar ace Scott Smith will trade licks with six-stringer Paul Pigat at Adventures in Pedal Steel
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, Sept. 18-22
Cousin Harley plays the Rickshaw By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the Rio Theatre of director Alan Parker's 1982 film Pink Floyd the Wall, starring Bob Geldof as a rock star who descends into madness in the midst of isolation. MONDAY & WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY: screenings at the VIFF Centre of Australian director Ian White’s new documentary Nick … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, Sept. 18-22
Pink Floyd’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton Man, it sure is hard trying to pick Pink Floyd's #1 song. I'm still not even sure if I got it exactly right or not. 20. "Mother" (The Wall, 1979) 19. "Learning to Fly" (A Momentary Lapse of Reason, 1987) 18. "Run Like Hell" (The Wall, 1979) 17. "Brain Damage" (Dark Side … Continue reading Pink Floyd’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
That time I asked Duke Robillard if there were big shoes to fill replacing Jimmie Vaughan in the Fabulous Thunderbirds
By Steve Newton I interviewed Rhode Island blues guitarist and vocalist Duke Robillard back in February of 1995, when he was touring behind his eighth album, Temptation, and about to play a show at the famed Antone's in Austin, Texas. A few years earlier he'd been playing with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, having taken over the … Continue reading That time I asked Duke Robillard if there were big shoes to fill replacing Jimmie Vaughan in the Fabulous Thunderbirds