Matrex goes over big in Chilliwack with a little help from Deep Purple

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 12, 1985 By Steve Newton On Saturday night, in the wilds (well, not quite) of Chilliwack, Matrex were doing their best to make the natives restless. Their set at the Fiddler II Cabaret included about eight originals (some of which they're currently putting on a 24-track demo at Pr0file Studio), as … Continue reading Matrex goes over big in Chilliwack with a little help from Deep Purple

That time I suggested to guitar great Steve Stevens that he might want to cover Deep Purple’s “Highway Star”

By Steve Newton Back in September of 1989 I interviewed American guitar great Steve Stevens, who was touring behind his debut solo album, Atomic Playboys. That LP included a cover of the 1975 Sweet song "Action", which Stevens said he thought was a Queen song at first. At one point in the conversation I asked … Continue reading That time I suggested to guitar great Steve Stevens that he might want to cover Deep Purple’s “Highway Star”

Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts to see in the second half of 2023

Nita Strauss plays the Rickshaw By Steve Newton There were some darn fine concerts to see in Vancouver during the first half of 2023--including gigs by Jason Isbell, Larkin Poe, John Mellencamp, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Now here's my top 10 picks for the second half of the year. Rock on, people! Nita … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts to see in the second half of 2023

Album review: Teenage Head, Endless Party (1984)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 25, 1984 By Steve Newton Endless party indeed! With blistering versions of "Lucy Potato", "Picture My Face" and "Let's Go to Hawaii", this record is almost as essential as the New York Dolls' first album when it comes to wild party sounds. Recorded live on New Year's Eve 1983 at Rockland … Continue reading Album review: Teenage Head, Endless Party (1984)

That time I told Tom Cochrane that I didn’t think his new “Life is a Highway” song sounded like him

By Steve Newton Tom Cochrane turned 70 the other day--on May 14, 2023--so to celebrate I digitized my third interview with him, from October 17, 1991. That was less than a month after he released the single "Life Is a Highway", which became a massive hit. But as I pointed out to Tom about a … Continue reading That time I told Tom Cochrane that I didn’t think his new “Life is a Highway” song sounded like him

That time Geddy Lee called me up and I asked if he had fond recollections of Rush’s early days

By Steve Newton Back in the spring of '97 I did my first interview with Geddy Lee of Rush. He called me up from the band's office in Toronto and I congratulated him on the birth of his new daughter. Then I mentioned that the band was re-releasing its seventies catalog, and asked him if … Continue reading That time Geddy Lee called me up and I asked if he had fond recollections of Rush’s early days

Kate & Anna McGarrigle can’t stop pushing Love Over and Over

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 25, 1984 By Steve Newton It's been approximately two years since Kate and Anna McGarrigle played Vancouver, their last appearance being an '82 Orpheum date in support of the critically acclaimed LP Love Over and Over. But fans of the Montreal-based sisters can catch up on their current sound tomorrow (Saturday) … Continue reading Kate & Anna McGarrigle can’t stop pushing Love Over and Over

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, May 15 to 19

The Supersuckers play the Rickshaw By Steve Newton TUESDAY: classic film scholar Michael Van Den Bos presents an exploration of Elvis Presley’s musical career by way of film and vintage TV clips at the VIFF Centre. Speaking of Elvis, the horror-comedy Bubba Ho-Tep is currently streaming for free on Tubi. TUESDAY: 4X4: Four Bands for … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, May 15 to 19

Vancouver vocalist Lori Paul sets her sights on soulfulness

mila geran photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 19, 1985 By Steve Newton "I've always wanted to sing like a black lady," says Lori Paul. "They strike me as being the most genuine on stage, the most sincere. I guess that's what a soul singer is... and I want to be known as a soulful singer." … Continue reading Vancouver vocalist Lori Paul sets her sights on soulfulness

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, May 12-14

Carmanah plays the Biltmore By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Victoria soul-roots band Carmanah, featuring lead vocalist Laura Mina Mitic, plays its final Vancouver show at the Biltmore Cabaret, with guest Edwin Raphael. FRIDAY: Joke Books Comedy at Little Mountain Gallery is a fundraising standup show featuring performances by Gina Harms, Randee Neumeyer, Aaron Arya, Nathan Hare, Julie Kim, and … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, May 12-14

Five recommended horror flicks now streaming on Netflix Canada

By Steve Newton Here’s my original reviews of five worthy horror flicks now streaming on Netflix Canada. Three of them are from Lionsgate. Way to go, Lionsgate. Saw II (2005, Lionsgate) The original Saw had a pretty interesting premise, and one that kept the options wide open for gruesome, sadistic, squirm-in-your-seat horror. It was about a psychopathic … Continue reading Five recommended horror flicks now streaming on Netflix Canada

Vancouver’s MT Vessels drift into the spotlight with new single and video

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 19, 1985 By Steve Newton MT Vessels threw a record- and video-release party at the Town Pump last week. As part of their prize for taking the Spotlight 85 "Battle of the Bands" contest last March, the group had two of their songs pressed, to be distributed nationally by MCA Records, … Continue reading Vancouver’s MT Vessels drift into the spotlight with new single and video