That time Alex Van Halen told me why his band chose “incredible guy” Bruce Fairbairn to produce Balance

By Steve Newton On January 24, 1995, Van Halen released Balance, its 10th studio album and the last of the four that featured Sammy Hagar on lead vocals. The LP--which hit #1 on the Billboard chart and sold over three-million copies in the U.S. alone--was produced by Vancouver's Bruce Fairbairn, who had previously helmed multiplatinum … Continue reading That time Alex Van Halen told me why his band chose “incredible guy” Bruce Fairbairn to produce Balance

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, April 24 to 28

The Big Lebowski screens at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY AND TUESDAY: screenings at the VIFF Centre of director Lisa Cortés's new music documentary, Little Richard: I Am Everything. WEDNESDAY: 25th anniversary screening at the Rio Theatre of Joel and Ethan Coen's comedy The Big Lebowski, starring Jeff Bridges as "The Dude". White Russians … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, April 24 to 28

Body Electric’s Frank Ludwig connects with street kids through rock ‘n’ roll

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 6, 1984 By Steve Newton "A lot of people figure, 'Gee, you were in Trooper, you were in Iron Horse. I guess it's a real snap'. But we're struggling, I'll be honest with you--have been for a long time. So it's really encouraging that people are coming out and saying they … Continue reading Body Electric’s Frank Ludwig connects with street kids through rock ‘n’ roll

Annabel Lamb gave up nursing and followed her passion to The Flame

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 29, 1984 By Steve Newton "I wanted the album to sound as though it didn't necessarily come from anywhere," says British singer Annabel Lamb about her new LP The Flame. "I didn't want it to sound like a British album and I didn't want it to sound like an American album. … Continue reading Annabel Lamb gave up nursing and followed her passion to The Flame

Aussie rockers V. Spy V. Spy aren’t trying to change the world or anything

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 4, 1988 By Steve Newton If you've been seeing ads about an Australian band that's coming to town called V. Spy V. Spy, but you've been hearing about a band called "Spy Versus Spy"--don't worry. You've not crazy. It's just that these top-notch rockers from Sydney have had a tricky time … Continue reading Aussie rockers V. Spy V. Spy aren’t trying to change the world or anything

UFO’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton UFO are one of the most underrated hard-rock bands of all time. They should have been huge in the '70s--I mean Aerosmith huge. 20. "Lonely Heart" (The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent, 1981) 19. "Let It Roll" (Force It, 1975) 18. "Silver Bird" (Flying, 1971) 17. "Year of the Gun" (Seven … Continue reading UFO’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

Newt’s top 10 (or 12) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, April 21 to 23

Little Richard: I Am Everything screens at VIFF Centre By Steve Newton FRIDAY: legendary L.A. punk-rockers Fear, featuring frontman Lee Ving, play the Vogue Theatre, with guests Dayglo Abortions and the Vicious Cycles. FRIDAY: the City of Delta and Vancouver Chamber Music Society present New York City's Zodiac Trio--clarinetist Kliment Krylovskiy, pianist Riko Higuma, and … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 12) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, April 21 to 23

Vancouver’s Raymond May shoots for the big time with Bruce Allen-backed debut LP

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 15, 1988 By Steve Newton Music and money. The two don't always go hand in hand. Just ask your typical Vancouver musician. But when they do mix in this city, chances are there's a guy named Bruce Allen bringing them together. Raymond May, the latest upstart to come out of the … Continue reading Vancouver’s Raymond May shoots for the big time with Bruce Allen-backed debut LP

That time I asked Alice Cooper if he had a personal fave tune on his new album, Trash

By Steve Newton Back in September of 1989 I did my third interview with shock-rock legend Alice Cooper. The Coop was promoting his latest album, Trash, a star-studded affair that included guest appearances by Jon Bon Jovi, Steve Lukather, Kip Winger, Richie Sambora, and four of the guys from Aerosmith. At one point in the … Continue reading That time I asked Alice Cooper if he had a personal fave tune on his new album, Trash

Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, April 17 to 21

Paul Pigat and Kevin Breit play Blue Frog Studios By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the Rio Theatre of director Ari Aster's deeply disturbing 2018 horror flick Hereditary, about an American family suffering a nightmarish breakdown. TUESDAY: rootsy Vancouver folk-rock band Just a Season, featuring singer-songwriter and guitarist Scott Smith from Terminal Station, plays tunes … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, April 17 to 21

Russell Crowe’s casting in The Pope’s Exorcist recalls Anthony Hopkins’ role in The Rite

By Steve Newton Hey, sorry if that headline made you think this is a review of the new horror flick The Pope's Exorcist. I haven't seen that movie, which stars Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe as the chief exorcist of the Vatican, battling demons for the souls of the possessed. The plot just reminded me of … Continue reading Russell Crowe’s casting in The Pope’s Exorcist recalls Anthony Hopkins’ role in The Rite

Toronto rockers Clean Slate kickstart their career with a boost from producer Alex Lifeson

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 23, 1988 By Steve Newton If you were in a young Canadian band about to make its first record, who would you like to see behind the controls in the producer's chair? How about Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, who--with 14 years experience making his own band's vinyl--would certainly know a thing … Continue reading Toronto rockers Clean Slate kickstart their career with a boost from producer Alex Lifeson