The Aristocrats’ Guthrie Govan on the influence of Joe Satriani and Zal Cleminson

By Steve Newton Back in 2015 I interviewed guitarist Guthrie Govan, who–while not nearly as well known as the Satrianis and Vais of the world–is equally monstrous when it comes to technical ability and musical inventiveness. He plays in an instrumental rock-fusion trio called the Aristocrats, which made its debut Vancouver appearance at the Rickshaw Theatre. … Continue reading The Aristocrats’ Guthrie Govan on the influence of Joe Satriani and Zal Cleminson

Major concert news: Newt’s buddy’s band will play the Chilliwack Senior High class of ’75 reunion

By Steve Newton It probably won’t garner as much attention as the announcement of the upcoming AC/DC world tour, but I just found out that my old buddy’s cover band is playing the 40-year reunion for the Chilliwack Senior High School class of 1975. So I guess I’ll go. Here’s the unofficial setlist. The band … Continue reading Major concert news: Newt’s buddy’s band will play the Chilliwack Senior High class of ’75 reunion

Doc Neeson calls Angel City’s comparisons to AC/DC “a bonus”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 22, 1985 By Steve Newton “We were driving around L.A. yesterday,” relates Angel City vocalist Doc Neeson, “and we passed this fantastic crowd of about 20 or 30 black guys–a conga band. So I stopped. Then one of them grabbed a hold of our lead guitarist! And to us, culturally, you’re … Continue reading Doc Neeson calls Angel City’s comparisons to AC/DC “a bonus”

Mötley Crüe’s Mick Mars in 1985: “Without groupies, I probably wouldn’t have been a musician.”

mila geran photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 29, 1985 By Steve Newton Outside the hotel a huge tour bus sits, the dust on its sides inscribed with messages like “The Crue Rules”, “I Love You Vince”, and, strangely enough, “KISS”. Inside the lobby, a gaggle of pubescent females are trying to weasel information out of … Continue reading Mötley Crüe’s Mick Mars in 1985: “Without groupies, I probably wouldn’t have been a musician.”

My first Judas Priest interview: Screaming for Vengeance Tour, 1982

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 5, 1982 By Steve Newton If there ever was a music devised to torture grandmothers, it would probably sound a lot like Judas Priest, a band that fuses the meanest of lyrics and nastiest of guitar sounds to create what can only be described as raunch. Though more recently the band … Continue reading My first Judas Priest interview: Screaming for Vengeance Tour, 1982

Ann Wilson on making the Heart album: “Lookout! Three gals and a bottle of Dubonnet!”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 16, 1985 By Steve Newton It’s been ten years since Heart recorded their debut album Dreamboat Annie at Vancouver’s Mushroom Studios. At a time when Saturday Night Fever was running rampant that LP–with songs like “Magic Man” and “Crazy On You”–struck an important blow for guitar-driven rock and roll.  With raven-haired … Continue reading Ann Wilson on making the Heart album: “Lookout! Three gals and a bottle of Dubonnet!”

The Donnas love horror, wish Freddie Krueger would Spend the Night

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 24, 2002 By Steve Newton When yours truly hooks up via cell with Donnas vocalist Brett Anderson, she’s in the band’s bus as it winds through the Colorado mountains en route to Salt Lake City and the first of four shows with New York City hotshots the Strokes. … Continue reading The Donnas love horror, wish Freddie Krueger would Spend the Night

The world’s not ready for AC/DC to stop busting ears

photo by Rebecca Blissett There’s been a lot of rumour and speculation flying around the music world in the last few days regarding the status of legendary Aussie earbusters AC/DC. Some media outlets were actually reporting the band’s demise, claiming that rhythm-guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young had suffered a stroke recently and would never … Continue reading The world’s not ready for AC/DC to stop busting ears

My first interview with Stevie Ray Vaughan, when he sang me three lines of an Earl King song

photo by Mila Geran ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 6, 1985 By Stevie Ross Newton Texas blues guitar hero Stevie Ray Vaughan was in town last Saturday, for two sold out shows at the Commodore Ballroom. Prior to his appearance I caught up with Stevie, and asked him about his upcoming LP Soul to Soul, his … Continue reading My first interview with Stevie Ray Vaughan, when he sang me three lines of an Earl King song

NRBQ tars and feathers a Cabbage Patch Kid just for kicks in Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 14, 1985 By Steve Newton “Are you having a good time?” asked Terry Adams. And the capacity crowd at Club Soda–who obviously were–answered with a resounding ‘Yes!”. “Yes what?!” countered bassist Joey Spampinato. And that’s the way it was last Thursday–with the New Rhythm & Blues Quartet (NRBQ) making fun of … Continue reading NRBQ tars and feathers a Cabbage Patch Kid just for kicks in Vancouver

Guitarists from Exodus, Exciter, and Metal Church weigh in on the heaviness of metal in 1985

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 2, 1985 By Steve Newton Blue Oyster Cult‘s Tyranny and Mutation. Aerosmith‘s Rocks. UFO’s Phenomenon. The Montrose debut. Back in the early to mid-’70s those albums forged a sound that critic Lester Bangs called “heavy metal”. They were dynamic and forceful, fast, loud, and proud. The bands that … Continue reading Guitarists from Exodus, Exciter, and Metal Church weigh in on the heaviness of metal in 1985

Everclear’s Art Alexakis channels Angus Young in Vancouver, plays AC/DC’s “Sin City” flat on his back

@shotbykevin ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 4, 1996 By Steve Newton I went to see the 9:15 showing of Dead Man Walking at the Park last Saturday night (March 30), and because of that I missed the 11:15 showing of Naked Man Running at the Commodore. According to sources at the scene, the … Continue reading Everclear’s Art Alexakis channels Angus Young in Vancouver, plays AC/DC’s “Sin City” flat on his back