Kick Axe guitarist Gillstrom helps Vancouver metalheads kick ass

Gillstrom with Kick Axe, second from right ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 22, 1988 By Steve Newton Heavy metal. The words strike fear into the hearts of Julio lovers everywhere. Luckily Larry Gillstrom isn't an Iglesias fan. The guitarist for local metal merchants Kick Axe prefers his music fast and hard, so, along with Club Soda … Continue reading Kick Axe guitarist Gillstrom helps Vancouver metalheads kick ass

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, March 17 to 19

The Residents play the Hollywood Theatre By Steve Newton FRIDAY: late-night screening at the Rio Theatre of the 1993 horror flick Leprechaun, starring Warwick Davis and Jennifer Aniston in her feature-film debut. FRIDAY: Canadian indie-pop quintet Alvvays plays the Commodore Ballroom, with guests Big Rig. SOLD OUT. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: Punkstravaganza VII at the Rickshaw … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, March 17 to 19

Love and Rockets moves on from Tones on Tail and Bauhaus

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 4, 1987 By Steve Newton First they were in a band called Bauhaus. Then a couple of them formed Tones on Tail. And now they're known as Love and Rockets. About the only thing that has remained constant for the British trio of Daniel Ash, David J., and Kevin Haskins has … Continue reading Love and Rockets moves on from Tones on Tail and Bauhaus

Can-Am blues-rock summit sees David Gogo trading fierce licks with Walter Trout in Vancouver

By Steve Newton Two of the top talents in Canadian and American blues-rock collided in a fine way at the York Theatre in Vancouver last Friday (March 10). That's when the New Jersey-born bluesman Walter Trout--formerly of Canned Heat and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers--invited Nanaimo's David Gogo up to jam. Gogo had opened the show with … Continue reading Can-Am blues-rock summit sees David Gogo trading fierce licks with Walter Trout in Vancouver

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, March 13 to 17

John Mellencamp plays the Orpheum By Steve Newton MONDAY AND TUESDAY: Indiana rock legend John Mellencamp performs two shows at the Orpheum Theatre. TUESDAY: the Vancouver Canucks take on the high-flying Dallas Stars in National Hockey League action at Rogers Arena. TUESDAY: Vancouver rockabilly band the Party Timers--featuring guitarists Jody Peck, Noah Walker, and Steve Charles, with … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, March 13 to 17

Robert Plant keyboardist Phil Johnstone says they don’t do “Stairway to Heaven”

Johnstone on the left, Plant on the right. ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 17, 1988 By Steve Newton Let's say you're a songwriter with a whole bunch of tunes you want the world to hear. You're not sure who to send them to, but you figure "What the hell", and mail a bunch of them off … Continue reading Robert Plant keyboardist Phil Johnstone says they don’t do “Stairway to Heaven”

NRBQ makes a Cabbage Patch Kid do a lowdown limbo after Tom Harrison’s BGM gets loud and tacky

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 24, 1986 By Steve Newton A few songs into their opening set for NRBQ last Thursday, Tom Harrison, lead singer for Bruno Gerussi's Medallion, commented. "We hope we're loud and tacky, like our namesake." Well, his hopes were answered. But despite loud and tacky tunes like their theme song, written by … Continue reading NRBQ makes a Cabbage Patch Kid do a lowdown limbo after Tom Harrison’s BGM gets loud and tacky

Parachute Club took cues from Mayan ruins and feminists for At the Feet of the Moon

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 14, 1984 By Steve Newton I heard your laughter ringing out between the waves and the sun/A Mayan secret, one thousand voices carved in stone/We of the sun, we have desire to follow a poem for the future, whose name is tomorrow/I saw your shadow, you were standing at the feet … Continue reading Parachute Club took cues from Mayan ruins and feminists for At the Feet of the Moon

Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, March 10 to 12

Hump! Fest is at the Rio By Steve Newton FRIDAY: the Sister Jazz Orchestra, an 18-woman jazz ensemble showcasing Vancouver’s top female jazz artists, performs at the BlueShore at CapU in celebration of International Women's Day. Program features trombonist Audrey Ochoa and opening act NiteCap. FRIDAY: Journeyman Productions presents Speak No Evil, a night of instrumental … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, March 10 to 12

John Oates plugs new Hall & Oates book, says things could be worse for pop music’s most successful duo

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 7, 1984 By Steve Newton With some 40 million records sold worldwide, Daryl Hall and John Oates are probably the most popular duo in contemporary music. In 13 years the two have garnered nine gold and five platinum albums, with their songs topping not only pop, but adult contemporary, R&B, and … Continue reading John Oates plugs new Hall & Oates book, says things could be worse for pop music’s most successful duo

Holly Woods distances herself from Toronto but keeps the name alive (for now)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 10, 1984 By Steve Newton With four platinum-plus records to their credit, Toronto is easily one of the most popular bands in the history of Canadian rock. High-velocity LPs like Lookin' For Trouble and Get It on Credit combined with outstanding live shows, won the group plenty of fans across the … Continue reading Holly Woods distances herself from Toronto but keeps the name alive (for now)

Album review: Honeymoon Suite, Honeymoon Suite (1984)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 10, 1984 By Steve Newton If you like the heavy, melodic rock of Def Leppard, but with a more poppy, Loverboy effect, then the debut LP from Eastern Canada's Honeymoon Suite is well worth checking out. Although the album starts off weakly--with the plodding, lackluster "New Girl Now"--things change quickly with … Continue reading Album review: Honeymoon Suite, Honeymoon Suite (1984)