By Steve Newton Anyone who knows me knows that I never skip a chance to post the photo I have of me touching skull rings with Keith Richards. The latest opportunity came with today's announcement of the lineup for this year's Keithmas concert. The annual Vancouver Food Bank benefit, which takes place at the Rickshaw … Continue reading This year’s Keithmas Food Bank benefit at the Rickshaw will rock your freakin’ socks off
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Nov 25-27
The Vancouver Vinyl Record Show is at Heritage Hall By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Vancouver rockers the Graham Brown Band perform tunes from latest album Spirit and Soul at Seymour's Pub & Grill in North Vancouver. FRIDAY: A Family Curse, a family band created by 54•40 singer-songwriter Neil Osborne and his daughter Kandle, performs at Bez … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Nov 25-27
When Graham Brown plugs in his Telecaster he’s 12 years old again
rob bubek photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 23, 2022 By Steve Newton When I try calling Graham Brown at the time specified for our interview there's no answer, so I leave a message and try again a few minutes later. This time we do connect, only to have the local rocker apologize and explain that … Continue reading When Graham Brown plugs in his Telecaster he’s 12 years old again
The Sheepdogs’ Ewan Currie wanted to tell John Fogerty that he liked 60 of his songs
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 13, 2012 By Steve Newton When the Straight calls Sheepdogs singer, songwriter, and guitarist Ewan Currie, he’s hanging out in rainy Toronto, just hours away from playing at the 60th anniversary of the fabled Horseshoe Tavern. The gig has special significance for Currie, since the Horseshoe was the … Continue reading The Sheepdogs’ Ewan Currie wanted to tell John Fogerty that he liked 60 of his songs
That time I asked Steve Vai if he had any desire, like his buddy Satch, to try his hand at vocals
By Steve Newton I did my first interview with American guitar legend Steve Vai on May 31, 1990, eleven days after the release of his second album, Passion & Warfare--you know, the one with "For the Love of God". Seven months earlier Vai's former guitar teacher, Joe Satriani, had released his third album, Flying in … Continue reading That time I asked Steve Vai if he had any desire, like his buddy Satch, to try his hand at vocals
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, Nov. 21-25
Horror director Gigi Saul Guerrero appears at the Rio By Steve Newton MONDAY: American indie-rockers Built to Spill, featuring singer-guitarist Doug Martsch, play the Commodore Ballroom, with guests Braided Waves and Anchorbaby. MONDAY: the Vancouver Canucks take on the red-hot Vegas Golden Knights in National Hockey League action at Rogers Arena. Blue Rodeo plays the … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, Nov. 21-25
That time I asked Richard Marx if he was hoping to sell nine million copies of his followup to Repeat Offender
By Steve Newton When I interviewed Richard Marx back in November of 1991 he was one of the most popular singer-songwriters around. His self-titled 1987 debut album had sold three million copies, and his 1989 followup, Repeat Offender--the one with "Right Here Waiting"--had moved six million copies. So, doing the math, I asked him if … Continue reading That time I asked Richard Marx if he was hoping to sell nine million copies of his followup to Repeat Offender
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, November 18 to 20
Trace Bundy plays the Rio By Steve Newton FRIDAY: the Vancouver Canucks take on the Los Angeles Kings in National Hockey League action at Rogers Arena. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: the Vancouver Symphony performs live to a screening of The Wizard of Oz at the Orpheum Theatre. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: American comedian and actor Jay Mohr … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, November 18 to 20
That time 21-year-old Devin Townsend told me that he and Steve Vai give each other ulcers
Actual footage of Townsend giving Vai an ulcer By Steve Newton Back in September of 1993 I did my second interview with Canadian metal genius Devin Townsend. He was only 21 at the time, and had recently joined up with guitar virtuoso Steve Vai to record the vocals for Vai's Sex & Religion album and … Continue reading That time 21-year-old Devin Townsend told me that he and Steve Vai give each other ulcers
Rob Frith’s Neptoon Records marks 40 years of bringing vinyl joy to Vancouver
Looking back on the 40 years, Frith describes working at Neptoon--which he does seven days a week now--as "the best thing".
That time blues legend John Mayall told me why he handles his own gear and never uses roadies
By Steve Newton I did the second of my three interviews with British blues great John Mayall back in May of 1990, when he was heading to Vancouver for a show with his band the Bluesbreakers. He was touring to promote his latest album, A Sense of Place, which featured slide-guitar ace Sonny Landreth on … Continue reading That time blues legend John Mayall told me why he handles his own gear and never uses roadies
That time back in 1985 when Roger Glover told me about the reunited Deep Purple’s first jam session
By Steve Newton I did my second interview with Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover back in March of 1985, when the band's Mark II lineup--composed of him, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, singer Ian Gillan, keyboardist Jon Lord, and drummer Ian Paice--had reunited to record the Perfect Strangers album and embark on a sold-out world tour. At … Continue reading That time back in 1985 when Roger Glover told me about the reunited Deep Purple’s first jam session
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, Nov. 14 to 18
The Eastside Culture Crawl kicks off Thursday By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the Rio Theatre of Moonage Daydream, director Brett Morgan’s documentary exploring David Bowie’s creative and musical journey. MONDAY: Organ.ic Chemistry--a Vancouver jazz-funk quartet composed of organist Jason de Couto, saxophonist Tom Keenlyside, guitarist Adam Rohrlick, and drummer Nick Bracewell--performs at Guilt & Co. TUESDAY TO FRIDAY: … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, Nov. 14 to 18