ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 26, 1989 By Steve Newton Before checking out he Romantics' show last weekend, I couldn't remember what their fourth hit single was. I could recall tunes like "Talking in Your Sleep", "One in a Million", and "What I Like About You", but that's basically it. I remember thumping my dashboard and … Continue reading Old-school Romantics revive the spirit of Cavern Club-era Beatles in Vancouver
Bill O’Leary’s 1980 photo of Judas Priest’s K.K. Downing might be the most metal concert image of all time
Bill O'Leary photo By Steve Newton Just came across a photo by American concert photographer Bill O'Leary that blew me away, so I had to share it (with his permission, of course). It's a live shot of Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing that was taken on July 3, 1980, during Priest's British Steel Tour, at … Continue reading Bill O’Leary’s 1980 photo of Judas Priest’s K.K. Downing might be the most metal concert image of all time
Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, July 21 to 23
Devin Townsend plays Thunderbird Arena By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Dreamsonic 2023, a prog-metal extravaganza featuring Dream Theater, Devin Townsend, and Animals as Leaders., takes place at Thunderbird Arena. Caution: it might be loud. FRIDAY: American comedian and actor Brad Williams performs two shows of standup at the Rio Theatre. Early show SOLD OUT. FRIDAY: the Vancouver Whitecaps take on … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, July 21 to 23
Canada’s ubertalented Breit brothers chose music over hockey
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 19, 1989 By Steve Newton For twin brothers Garth and Gary Breit--and younger sibling Kevin--growing up in the small Ontario town of McKerrow (pop. 250) did not offer a lot of youthful diversions. Hockey and music were the two biggies, and fortunately the Breit (pronounced "bright") brothers made a career out … Continue reading Canada’s ubertalented Breit brothers chose music over hockey
22 minutes on the phone with Brit Floyd’s Damian Darlington, talking Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, prog rock, and lasers
By Steve Newton I called up Brit Floyd guitarist, vocalist, and musical director Damian Darlington at his home in the county of Cheshire, England, a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to get the scoop on his group, which is regarded as the world's best Pink Floyd tribute band, in advance of its Vancouver show … Continue reading 22 minutes on the phone with Brit Floyd’s Damian Darlington, talking Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, prog rock, and lasers
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, July 17 to 21
Devin Townsend plays Thunderbird Arena By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the VIFF Centre of director George Miller’s post-apocalyptic 1981 action movie The Road Warrior, starring Mel Gibson as “Mad” Max Rockatansky. WEDNESDAY: Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society presents a 20th anniversary screening at the Cinematheque of Vancouver directors Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbot's rabble-rousing social documentary The Corporation, based on … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, July 17 to 21
Looks like my old buddy Ferg made a rubbing of Jimi Hendrix’s gravestone
By Steve Newton As I mentioned in a post last month, my longtime friend and concert-going buddy Ferg, aka Brian Ferguson, passed away in March of this year in Vernon, B.C., after developing a rare form of dementia called primary progressive aphasia. After his death at the too-young age of 63, I inherited some of … Continue reading Looks like my old buddy Ferg made a rubbing of Jimi Hendrix’s gravestone
Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, July 14 to 16
Albert Lee plays the Vancouver Folk Fest By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Saskatoon-born, Chicago-based blues guitarist, vocalist, and harmonica player Nigel Mack performs at Frankie's Jazz. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: the 35th annual Dancing on the Edge Festival features over 30 performances by top Canadian dance artists at various Vancouver venues. Get yer dance on! The Road Warrior … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, July 14 to 16
That time I called Rick Derringer up for an interview but he was taking his fiance out for her birthday
The Derringer I remember from high school By Steve Newton I had a ton of guitar heroes in the seventies, and Rick Derringer was certainly up there. His work with Johnny Winter in the early '70s, his solo album All American Boy, his kickass band Derringer--I loved it all. So it was awesome to finally … Continue reading That time I called Rick Derringer up for an interview but he was taking his fiance out for her birthday
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, July 10 to 14
Fast Times at Ridgemont High screens at VIFF Centre By Steve Newton MONDAY TO FRIDAY: the 35th annual Dancing on the Edge Festival, running to July 15 at various Vancouver venues, features over 30 performances by top Canadian dance artists. Get yer dance on! MONDAY & WEDNESDAY: screenings at the VIFF Centre of director Amy … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, July 10 to 14
Brit Floyd’s Damian Darlington got hooked on Pink Floyd at age 13
By Steve Newton Brit Floyd guitarist-vocalist and musical director Damian Darlington got his first guitar as a Christmas present when he was 11 years old, but it took him a couple of years before he really got into it. In the meantime, he bought his first-ever album (Eagles Live), which was followed by the purchase … Continue reading Brit Floyd’s Damian Darlington got hooked on Pink Floyd at age 13
Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, July 7 to 9
Pink Mountaintops play Khatsahlano By Steve Newton FRIDAY: screening at the VIFF Centre of director John Landis's 1981 horror-comedy An American Werewolf in London as part of the Back to the 80s film series. That transformation scene is wild! FRIDAY: Vancouver blues legend Jim Byrnes leads his band in the first of two nights at … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, July 7 to 9
That time I asked Alex Van Halen how he thought Van Halen had evolved musically since Sammy Hagar joined
By Steve Newton When I interviewed Alex Van Halen back in 1995 his band was touring behind Balance, its fourth and final studio album with Sammy Hagar at the mike. At one point in the conversation I asked Alex how he would say the band had evolved musically since Sammy joined for 5150. Have a … Continue reading That time I asked Alex Van Halen how he thought Van Halen had evolved musically since Sammy Hagar joined