ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 11, 2012 By Steve Newton A couple of weeks back I got a package in the mail containing the new CD by a metal band that was headed to town. No big whoop; happens all the time. But if I'd gotten this Fedex labeled "ANTHRAX" about 11 years ago, shit would … Continue reading Scott Ian on the media frenzy surrounding the Anthrax name after 9/11
The votes are in: according to the Internet, the new Rolling Stones song doesn’t suck
By Steve Newton A few days ago I published a blog with the headline: Does the new Rolling Stones song suck, or is it awesome? I posted it just a few hours after the Stones had released the video for "Angry", the first single off its upcoming Hackney Diamonds album. Since then, the clip--which portrays … Continue reading The votes are in: according to the Internet, the new Rolling Stones song doesn’t suck
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, Sept. 11-15
The Last Waltz screens at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY: the Rio Theatre pays tribute to the late Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Robbie Robertson with a screening of director Martin Scorsese‘s 1978 concert film The Last Waltz, documenting the Band's farewell concert of 1976. MONDAY: American dance-pop superstar and businesswoman Beyoncé performs at BC Place Stadium as … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, Sept. 11-15
Queen’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton I always thought that some of Queen's best songs were overlooked, and some of its biggest hits were kinda mediocre. So don't go looking for "We Will Rock You" or "We Are the Champions" here. 20. "White Queen (As It Began)" (Queen II, 1973) 19. "You and I" (A Day at the … Continue reading Queen’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Sue Foley’s stunning guitar licks make for a killer night of Texas blues at the Rio
michele gare photo By Steve Newton When I did my first interview with Sue Foley, back in 1992, she was 23 years old and about to play a show at the Commodore Ballroom as part of the Antone’s Women Blues Revue, which saw her in the company of blues belters Angela Strehli, Lou Ann Barton, … Continue reading Sue Foley’s stunning guitar licks make for a killer night of Texas blues at the Rio
Newt’s top 10 (or 12) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, September 8 to 10
Colleen Rennison plays Mel Lehan Hall By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Saskatchewan guitar virtuoso and singer-songwriter Jack Semple leads his current band at Blue Frog Studios. Here’s my interview with Jack from back in 1993. FRIDAY: late-night screening at the Rio Theatre of Planet Terror director Robert Rodriguez's underrated 1998 sci-fi/horror flick The Faculty. Here's my original … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 12) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, September 8 to 10
17 minutes in a hotel room with Peter Frampton on David Bowie’s Glass Spider Tour
Pete n' Dave in '87 By Steve Newton The vast majority of my interviews with rock legends have been over the phone. The idea is to catch the artist on tour when they're headed to town and get the story published in time to help sell some tickets--and maybe a few albums to boot. But … Continue reading 17 minutes in a hotel room with Peter Frampton on David Bowie’s Glass Spider Tour
Does the new Rolling Stones song suck, or is it awesome?
By Steve Newton The Rolling Stones threw a huge schmooze in the London borough of Hackney, England today, to announce the details of its upcoming album, Hackney Diamonds, scheduled for release on October 2o. The band also released the debut single from the album, "Angry", and I gotta admit: the first time I heard it … Continue reading Does the new Rolling Stones song suck, or is it awesome?
Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this week, September 4 to 8
One Million Years B.C. screens at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY: final day of the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), featuring carnival rides, games, the SuperDogs competition, jousting and high-dive shows, immersive Monet art exhibit, agriculture displays, cooking demonstrations, a pyro musical, and Summer Night Concerts. Don’t forget those little donuts. MONDAY: Canadian roots-rock greats Blue … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this week, September 4 to 8
That time 25-year-old Paul Gilbert told me how he wangled a ride from a Mr. Big fan to see Pat Travers near Vancouver
By Steve Newton I interviewed Mr. Big guitarist Paul Gilbert back in March of 1992, when the band was in Detroit, touring behind its second album, Lean Into It. That's the one that spawned the #1 hit single "To Be With You", and went platinum in the States. Mr. Big was gonna be playing Vancouver … Continue reading That time 25-year-old Paul Gilbert told me how he wangled a ride from a Mr. Big fan to see Pat Travers near Vancouver
The Dead Daisies–featuring ex-members of Whitesnake, Mötley Crüe, Dio, and Pride & Glory–play Vancouver tonight
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