By Steve Newton I always thought the Beat Farmers were one of the world's most underrated rock 'n' roll bands. Their club gigs were legend. But when I usually think about them I picture the latter-day lineup that included dual guitarists/vocalists Jerry Raney and Joey Harris. Lest we forget how incredible the band was before … Continue reading Oh man, this video of the Beat Farmers doing Neil Young’s “Powderfinger” is bloody awesome
54•40’s Neil Osborne says that Greater Vancouver is not all about the mountains in the tourist brochures
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 31, 2003 By Steve Newton Although they started out in the early ’80s as indie artists on MoDaMu Records, local guitar-rockers 54•40 have been signed to major labels since 1986, first with Warner Bros. and then with Columbia/Sony. But with its 10th studio album, Goodbye Flatland, the band … Continue reading 54•40’s Neil Osborne says that Greater Vancouver is not all about the mountains in the tourist brochures
Steve Miller’s first guitar teachers were Les Paul and T-Bone Walker
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 23, 2022 By Steve Newton As a youngster, Steve Miller had the best guitar teachers you could ever ask for. I mean, Les Paul and T-Bone Walker? Are you kidding? That must have been like the ultimate fairy tale for a music-loving kid in the 20th century. "I grew up in … Continue reading Steve Miller’s first guitar teachers were Les Paul and T-Bone Walker
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Oct. 21-23
gonzo stuntman steve-o is at the vogue on saturday By Steve Newton FRIDAY: American comedian Chris Rock performs standup at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre as part of his Ego Death World Tour 2022. FRIDAY: late-night double-bill at the Rio Theatre of Tod Browning's Freaks and Shinya Tsukamoto’s Tetsuo: The Iron Man. FRIDAY: Canadian … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Oct. 21-23
That time 21-year-old Devin Townsend raved to me about his new band, Noisescapes
kevin statham photo By Steve Newton I interviewed Devin Townsend for the second time in September of 1993, shortly after he'd hooked up with Steve Vai and they'd recorded Vai's Sex & Religion album. Townsend--who has since gone on to become one of the most acclaimed and prolific metal musicians in the world--was 21 at … Continue reading That time 21-year-old Devin Townsend raved to me about his new band, Noisescapes
Big Jack Johnson likes the sauce cooked into his barbecue
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 24, 2003 By Steve Newton When the Straight contacts Big Jack Johnson—the veteran bluesman, not the youthful chart-topping surfer dude—at his home in Clarksdale, Mississippi, he’s just gotten back from Milan, Italy. To hear him tell it, the blues is definitely alive and well in Europe, and has … Continue reading Big Jack Johnson likes the sauce cooked into his barbecue
Florida’s Lee Boys take the family approach to Sacred Steel
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 17, 2003 By Steve Newton I’ve wanted to interview Alvin Lee for years. Back in the ’70s, his speedy fret freakouts for Ten Years After were primo air-guitar fodder. On boogie numbers like “I’m Goin’ Home” and “Choo Choo Mama”, the skinny Brit axeman proved one of the sharpest white blues-rockers … Continue reading Florida’s Lee Boys take the family approach to Sacred Steel
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton I thank my lucky stars that I got to interview Stevie Ray. Twice! 20. "Wham" (The Sky is Crying, 1991) 19. "Cold Shot" (Couldn't Stand the Weather, 1984) 18. "Hide Away" (Couldn't Stand the Weather 1999 reissue bonus track) 17. "Testify" (Texas Flood, 1983) 16. "Come On [Part III] (Soul to Soul, … Continue reading Stevie Ray Vaughan’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Glamour Puss guitarist Travis Furlong wanted David “Honeyboy” Edwards to sign his Gibson ES-347
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 13, 2003 By Steve Newton Wire & Wood, the latest CD by New Brunswick blues-rockers Glamour Puss, features a photo of guitarist-vocalist Travis Furlong’s 1979 Gibson ES-347 laid out on a bar. If you look closely, you can see that it has been signed by such legendary pickers … Continue reading Glamour Puss guitarist Travis Furlong wanted David “Honeyboy” Edwards to sign his Gibson ES-347
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, October 17-21
the grateful dead's American Beauty is reimagined on Friday at West Van's Kay Meek Arts Centre By Steve Newton MONDAY: Timbre Concerts presents Toronto country-rock band the Sadies at the Fox Cabaret, with guests Kacy & Clayton. MONDAY TO FRIDAY: the 35th annual Vancouver Writers Fest features dozens of events with local and international writers … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, October 17-21
TrailerHawk’s intoxicating roots-rock lights up the new North Delta Centre for the Arts
photos by the Newt By Steve Newton As someone who's been an avid concert-goer since his teens--and has reviewed more than 300 concerts as a professional music writer--I used to dream about how cool it would be if I could just leave my house, walk a block or two, and see a show. Well, thanks … Continue reading TrailerHawk’s intoxicating roots-rock lights up the new North Delta Centre for the Arts
Luther Wright & the Wrongs go country and punkgrass on new Guitar Pickin’ Martyrs
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 11, 2003 By Steve Newton Luther Wright & the Wrongs raised a few eyebrows—and tweaked a lot of ears—with Rebuild the Wall, their 2001 country-bluegrass adaptation of Pink Floyd’s epic concept album. On their new CD, Guitar Pickin’ Martyrs, the Canadian roots performers continue to draw attention with … Continue reading Luther Wright & the Wrongs go country and punkgrass on new Guitar Pickin’ Martyrs
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Oct. 14-16
Colin James performs as part of the BlueShore at CapU 25th Anniversary Gala By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Kenny vs. Spenny at the Harbour Event & Convention Centre sees lifelong frenemies Kenny Hotz and Spencer Rice using personal attacks and lifelong grievances to create cringe-inducing comedy. FRIDAY: soul, jazz, and R&B singer Krystle Dos Santos performs with her five-piece band at the ACT … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Oct. 14-16