The DDs in Montreal last Wednesday By Steve Newton Any Vancouverites up for a rowdy evening of '80-style hard-rock tonight? The Dead Daisies, a guitar-rock collective originally formed in 2012 by Australian businessman-turned-rocker David Lowy, plays the Hollywood Theatre in Kits tonight (Saturday, September 2). In previous incarnations the group has included such old-school rock … Continue reading The Dead Daisies–featuring ex-members of Whitesnake, Mötley Crüe, Dio, and Pride & Glory–play Vancouver tonight
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, September 1 to 3
Bonnie Raitt plays the Queen E. By Steve Newton FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: TheatreSports features two teams of improvisers creating comedy sketches inspired by audience suggestions at the Improv Centre on Granville Island. FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) runs from August 19 to September 4, featuring carnival rides, games, the SuperDogs competition, jousting and high-dive … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, September 1 to 3
Phantom Power 25th anniversary box set features previously unreleased Hip tunes and alternate tracks
By Steve Newton I always thought Phantom Power was one of the Tragically Hip's best albums. Not quite as amazing as Fully Completely or Day for Night or Up to Here or Road Apples, but pretty damn close, overall. In my original 1998 review of the album, I pointed out that "Vapour Trails" was the standout … Continue reading Phantom Power 25th anniversary box set features previously unreleased Hip tunes and alternate tracks
Newt’s top 10 (or 15) Vancouver concerts in September
Sue Foley plays the Rio By Steve Newton The Dead Daisies: hard-rock band featuring former members of Whitesnake, Mötley Crüe, and Dio, with guests the Wild! and La Chinga. September 2 at the Hollywood Theatre. Bonnie Raitt: American blues-roots singer-songwriter and slide-guitar ace, with guest Roy Rodgers. September 3 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The Chicks: country … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) Vancouver concerts in September
Ear of Newt and the Tapes Archive present the Alex Van Halen 1995 interview
By Steve Newton Here's a special treat for all you Van Halen freaks out there--even the ones who liked the Sammy years. For the first time ever the entire audio of my 1995 interview with Alex Van Halen is being offered to the public for free, thanks to a partnership between Ear of Newt and … Continue reading Ear of Newt and the Tapes Archive present the Alex Van Halen 1995 interview
Webb Wilder’s twangy roots-rock is more like a shotgun than a sniper
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 8, 1989 By Steve Newton Childhood traumas come in all shapes and sizes--and occur when you least expect them. For Webb Wilder, leader of the crazed Mississippi rock band that sports his name, being kicked off a school bus--clarinet and all--was somewhat of a milestone in a career that brings him … Continue reading Webb Wilder’s twangy roots-rock is more like a shotgun than a sniper
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, August 28 to September 1
Midnight Cowboy screens at VIFF Centre By Steve Newton MONDAY: Vancouver blues-rock band Terminal Station, composed of singer-guitarist Scott Smith, keyboardist Darryl Havers, bassist Jeremy Holmes, and drummer Liam MacDonald, plays Guilt and Co. Check out their Allman Brothers vibe. MONDAY TO THURSDAY: screenings at the VIFF Centre of director Laura Moss's new psychological horror film Birth/Rebirth, which … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, August 28 to September 1
Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler is a real chatterbox
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 14, 2011 By Steve Newton Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler called from L.A. to promote his upcoming gig at Vancouver's Venue on August 25, and once he started talking, he didn't want to stop. He chatted about everything from the tuna salad sandwich he'd just had for lunch in the … Continue reading Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler is a real chatterbox
That time drum great Steve Smith told me about getting kicked out of Journey by Steve Perry
Back in March of 1987 I interviewed American drummer Steve Smith, who was bringing his jazz-fusion group Vital Information to Vancouver.
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, August 25 to 27
Me n' Billy Idol, who plays the PNE By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Comedy Here Often?'s monthly showcase at 604 Studios features standup by Harris Anderson, Gina Harms, Kevin Saxby, and headliner Sharon Mahoney. Get yer yuk-yuk's out. FRIDAY TO SUNDAY: the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) runs from August 19 to September 4, featuring carnival rides, … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, August 25 to 27
Zappa fans prepare to freak out! 50th anniversary edition of Over-Nite Sensation to include 57 unreleased and rare tracks
By Steve Newton Dedicated followers of much-missed musical maestro Frank Zappa have just been given a reason to get a little jiggy. Universal Music announced today that an 88-track, five-disc "Super Deluxe Edition" of Zappa's 1973 Mothers of Invention album, Over-Nite Sensation, will be released on November 3. It will include four CDs and a … Continue reading Zappa fans prepare to freak out! 50th anniversary edition of Over-Nite Sensation to include 57 unreleased and rare tracks
Holy ’80s flashback Batman! 16 minutes on the phone with new-wave hitmaker Nik Kershaw in 1985
By Steve Newton Yesterday I went searching around in my cherished stash of interview cassettes for something really ancient to digitize before the tape itself got so old it turned to dust. I came across an interview dated April 10, 1985, with an artist named Nik Kershaw. It was recorded on a cheapo, no-name-brand cassette, … Continue reading Holy ’80s flashback Batman! 16 minutes on the phone with new-wave hitmaker Nik Kershaw in 1985
Ivan Doroschuk says that Men Without Hats are trying to prove that a synth band can kick ass
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 24, 1984 By Steve Newton In support of their new LP, Folk of the '80s (Part III), Men Without Hats will be performing at the UBC War Memorial Gym tonight (Friday, August 24). Best known for encouraging people to dance ("The Safety Dance"), the group--composed of brothers Ivan, Colin, and Stefan … Continue reading Ivan Doroschuk says that Men Without Hats are trying to prove that a synth band can kick ass