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
Colin Linden charms Vancouver with rollicking tunes from new When the Spirit Comes LP
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 21, 1988 By Steve Newton Bryan Adams was there. I was there. My sisters and brother-in-law were there. And if you're lucky, you were there too--at the Town Pump, that is, to see the first Vancouver appearance in a long while by Toronto's slide guitar ace Colin Linden. One of Hogtown's … Continue reading Colin Linden charms Vancouver with rollicking tunes from new When the Spirit Comes LP
Drivin’ n’ Cryin’s Kevn Kinney took the “i” out of his name when he was a punk rocker
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 9, 1989 By Steve Newton Kevn Kinney is the lead vocalist, chief songwriter, and coguitarist for Atlanta, Georgia's Drivin' n' Cryin', but he's as surprised as anyone that he's even ended up in a band. As he explained to me from Oklahoma City last week, Kinney was the odd man out … Continue reading Drivin’ n’ Cryin’s Kevn Kinney took the “i” out of his name when he was a punk rocker
Newt’s top 10 (or 11) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, April 14 to 16
Big Sugar plays the Commodore By Steve Newton FRIDAY: American comedian, YouTuber, and podcaster Shane Gillis performs an evening of standup at the Vogue Theatre. Prepare to bust a gut. FRIDAY: late-night screening at the Rio Theatre of director Stanley Tong's stunt-packed, Vancouver-shot 1995 action flick, Rumble in the Bronx, starring Jackie Chan. The mountains … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 11) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, April 14 to 16
The Tragically Hip to release children’s picture book this fall
By Steve Newton Penguin Random House Canada has just announced that it will release The Tragically Hip ABC, a picture book for young music fans, on October 24, 2023. "Decades of the band’s hit singles, iconography, and touchstones can be appreciated in a brand-new way," reads a press release, which describes the book as "a … Continue reading The Tragically Hip to release children’s picture book this fall
14-year-old B.C. blues boy Liam Docherty treats the guitar as homework
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 3, 2021 By Steve Newton We've all heard stories about guitar players who make their mark early in life, who catch people's attention because they've been playing since they were 11 or 12 years old. Well, Liam Docherty's got 'em all beat. He first wrapped his fingers around a guitar neck … Continue reading 14-year-old B.C. blues boy Liam Docherty treats the guitar as homework
Johnny Winter’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
charles campbell photo By Steve Newton Can you believe Johnny Winter hasn't been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yet? It's a bloody outrage. What's wrong with those people? 20. "Sound the Bell" (Serious Business, 1985) 19. "Roll With Me" (John Dawson Winter III, 1974) 18. "Messin' With the Kid" (White, Hot … Continue reading Johnny Winter’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
That time Alex Van Halen told me that his band switched producers in ’94 because they didn’t want to make For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Part 2
At one point I asked Alex how Van Halen came to work with Bruce Fairbairn, which led to some interesting commentary on the producer's role.
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, April 10 to 14
Steve Hill plays Mel Lehan Hall By Steve Newton TUESDAY: New Jersey punk-rock trio Screaming Females plays the Rickshaw Theatre, with guests Smirk and Becky Black (of the Pack A.D.) TUESDAY: local comedy group the Smashed Potato Kids present Welcome to Spudsville, a night of standup, sketch comedy, musical numbers, and short films at the … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, April 10 to 14
That time I asked House of Lords singer James Christian if there was a lot of pressure living up to Gene “Moneybags” Simmons’ hype
By Steve Newton I interviewed House of Lords frontman James Christian back in November of 1988, when the band was enthusiastically hyping its new, self-titled debut LP. The quintet--which also featured keyboardist Gregg Giuffria from Angel--was signed to Gene Simmons' own label, Simmons Records, so there was a big promotional push on the album. At … Continue reading That time I asked House of Lords singer James Christian if there was a lot of pressure living up to Gene “Moneybags” Simmons’ hype
Gary Moore talks covering the Yardbirds and scoring with metal while opening for Rush
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 18, 1984 By Steve Newton "I always liked the Yardbirds when I was a kid," says metal guitar-hero Gary Moore. "I was always into Jeff Beck and everything. And apart from the fact that I like the song and the guitar, the lyrics appealed to me as well because they fitted … Continue reading Gary Moore talks covering the Yardbirds and scoring with metal while opening for Rush
Vancouver blues-rock party band the Fins just wants chicks, coke, Cadillacs–and money
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 18, 1984 By Steve Newton "Occasionally you get booked into a room that's just the pits," points out Dave Chisholm of the Fins, a local blues-rock outfit that's currently paying dues and honing licks on steady road trips to the interior of B.C. and Yukon Territories. In a spare room above … Continue reading Vancouver blues-rock party band the Fins just wants chicks, coke, Cadillacs–and money