By Steve Newton Big things come in small packages, so they say, and in the world of hard rock there isn't anything bigger than AC/DC. But man are those guys tiny--or some of them are, at least. I mean, check out this backstage photo from an AC/DC concert in 2001. That's me on the right … Continue reading That time AC/DC producer Bruce Fairbairn requested some Chip & Pepper swag for the band, adding “these guys are small”
That time Live’s Chad Taylor told me that the beauty of music is that it’s not held back by anything
By Steve Newton Back on February 24, 1997, I interviewed guitarist Chad Taylor before his band, Live, played a sold-out show at a Vancouver nightclub called the Rage. That was nine days after the release of the band's fourth album, Secret Samadhi, which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold over … Continue reading That time Live’s Chad Taylor told me that the beauty of music is that it’s not held back by anything
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, April 26 to 28
Paul Pigat plays Mel Lehan Hall By Steve Newton FRIDAY: American filmmaker and pop-culture icon John Waters performs his latest spoken-word show, Devil’s Advocate, at the Rio Theatre. FRIDAY: the Rogue Folk Club presents Hornby Blues, a blues show featuring performances by Rick Fines, Samantha Martin, Paul Pigat, and Tim Willliams at Mel Lehan Hall … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend, April 26 to 28
Paul McCartney to release live-in-the-studio Wings album from 1974 for the first time ever
By Steve Newton Universal Music Canada has just announced that One Hand Clapping, a live-in-the-studio recording of Paul McCartney & Wings from 1974, will have its first official release on June 14. The album captures McCartney and his band--which included guitarists Denny Laine and Jimmy McCulloch, drummer Geoff Britton, and McCartney's wife Linda on keyboards … Continue reading Paul McCartney to release live-in-the-studio Wings album from 1974 for the first time ever
Rock Hall inducts 16 artists, but none of them are named Johnny Winter, Rory Gallagher, or J.J. Cale
By Steve Newton Yesterday the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted 16 artists for its class of 2024, but none of them were named Johnny Winter or Rory Gallagher. Or even J.J. Cale, for that matter. The braindead twats at the Rock Hall seem to believe that acts like Cher, Kool & the Gang, … Continue reading Rock Hall inducts 16 artists, but none of them are named Johnny Winter, Rory Gallagher, or J.J. Cale
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, April 22 to 26
Witnessing Genocide in Palestine at Massey Arts Society By Steve Newton MONDAY TO FRIDAY: True Tribal: Contemporary Expressions of Ancestral Tattoo Practices explores 30-plus years of Indigenous tattooing from around the world and showcases the artists who are reconnecting with traditional skin-marking practices, at the Museum of Vancouver. TUESDAY: UBC Public Humanities presents a roundtable … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, April 22 to 26
Sammy Hagar rips into Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth in upcoming autobiography
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 27, 2011 By Steve Newton On March 15 Sammy Hagar's autobiography, Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock, will hit bookshelves, but you can bet his old bandmate Eddie Van Halen won't be racing out to score a copy. According to excerpts published recently in the Marin Independent Journal, the 63-year-old "Red Rocker" … Continue reading Sammy Hagar rips into Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth in upcoming autobiography
Storman Norm Casler gets the ocean-going party started with his CFOX Sunday Blues Cruise
not the '98 blues cruise, but a similar vibe ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 30, 1998 By Steve Newton There’s something about drinking cold beer in the hot sun on a big boat with a smokin’ band that just makes me a happy human. Local blues musician and impresario Norm Casler—aka Storman Norman, the host of … Continue reading Storman Norm Casler gets the ocean-going party started with his CFOX Sunday Blues Cruise
Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, April 19 to 21
Big Sugar plays the Pearl By Steve Newton FRIDAY: roots band Steve Dawson & the Hooded Mergansers--led by Canadian guitarist, songwriter, pedal steel player, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and engineer Dawson--plays Mel Lehan Hall at St. James. FRIDAY: American punk-rock bands Strung Out and the Casualties coheadline the Rickshaw Theatre, with guests the Venomous Pinks. FRIDAY: Brewhalla … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, April 19 to 21
R.I.P. Dickey Betts: the 10 best quotes I ever got from the legendary Allman Brothers guitarist
kirk west photo By Steve Newton If you're a fan of southern rock, or just music in general, you may have heard the sad news: legendary Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts passed away today at the age of 80. Musicians don't get much more celebrated than Dickey did. His guitar playing--along with that of fellow … Continue reading R.I.P. Dickey Betts: the 10 best quotes I ever got from the legendary Allman Brothers guitarist
That time Dave Alvin told me what it was like being in the Pleasure Barons with Country Dick Montana and Mojo Nixon
By Steve Newton I've interviewed American singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Alvin, a founding member of the Blasters, four times over the years, 'cause he's just plain great. This is the first time, back in November of 1991, when he was touring behind his second solo album, Blue Blvd. At one point in the conversation I … Continue reading That time Dave Alvin told me what it was like being in the Pleasure Barons with Country Dick Montana and Mojo Nixon
Jeff Golub follows in the footsteps of Jeff Beck and Ronnie Wood playing guitar with Rod Stewart
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 28, 1989 By Steve Newton I didn't get it as first. When Alfie from Penta Records told me to call the Four Seasons Hotel and ask for Stanley Tools, the joke name went right past me. And I also couldn't figure out why Jeff Golub--solo artist and current Rod Stewart guitarist--needed … Continue reading Jeff Golub follows in the footsteps of Jeff Beck and Ronnie Wood playing guitar with Rod Stewart
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, April 15 to 19
The Black Crowes play the Queen E. By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the Rio Theatre of South Korean director Jae-hyun Jang‘s folkloric, occult thriller Exhuma, the highest grossing Korean film of 2024, so far. MONDAY TO FRIDAY: True Tribal: Contemporary Expressions of Ancestral Tattoo Practices explores 30-plus years of Indigenous tattooing from around the … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, April 15 to 19