ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 20, 1988 By Steve Newton I'd never heard of these guys before snagging a copy of their debut album, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear plenty from them in the near future, because they're good. Very good. And you'll think so, too, if you crave the kind … Continue reading Album review: Kings of the Sun, Kings of the Sun (1988)
Album review: Megadeth, So Far, So Good…So What? (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 20, 1988 By Steve Newton Another great album title from the young metal dudes that brought you Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? Led by former Metallica member Dave Mustaine, these Yankee headbangers sure do make a racket, from the opening instrumental "Into the Lungs of Hell" to the anti-censorship "Hook … Continue reading Album review: Megadeth, So Far, So Good…So What? (1988)
Album review: Ted Nugent, If You Can’t Lick ‘Em…Lick ‘Em (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 6, 1988 By Steve Newton Ted Nugent used to rock. I mean really rock. The first time I heard "Cat Scratch Fever" I was blown away--and the tune even made it onto AM radio! His first couple of solo albums (after the break-up of the Amboy Dukes) were … Continue reading Album review: Ted Nugent, If You Can’t Lick ‘Em…Lick ‘Em (1988)
Album review: Kingdom Come, Kingdom Come (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 22, 1988 By Steve Newton I don't know about these guys. Displaying your respect for a classic rock band by showing its influence is one thing, but to make a deliberate attempt at being a clone is another. Not to worry, though, because Kingdom Come isn't capable of capturing the essence … Continue reading Album review: Kingdom Come, Kingdom Come (1988)
Album review: Robert Plant, Now and Zen (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 22, 1988 By Steve Newton You know how some albums take a while to grow on you? Well, that's what happened with this new Plant LP. The first time I heard it I thought it was crummy, but now that I've listened to it a few times, I don't really … Continue reading Album review: Robert Plant, Now and Zen (1988)
Joe Satriani responds to Yngwie Malmsteen’s claim that Ibanez guitars are “a bad copy” of the Strat
By Steve Newton I did my eighth interview with Joe Satriani a couple years ago, and finally got to ask him about something that his former G3 tourmate Yngwie Malmsteen once said to me. Back in 2014 I had interviewed Yngwie in advance of his Guitar Gods show in Vancouver, and that was when he … Continue reading Joe Satriani responds to Yngwie Malmsteen’s claim that Ibanez guitars are “a bad copy” of the Strat
Blue Öyster Cult transforms into the “New York Guitar Army” in Vancouver
I once owned a belt buckle just like this, but I traded it for a see-through guitar. True story. ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 20, 1988 By Steve Newton Blue Öyster Cult is the sort of band you either love or hate. There's no in-betweens. Nobody every says, "Oh, Blue Öyster Cult, they're … Continue reading Blue Öyster Cult transforms into the “New York Guitar Army” in Vancouver
Album review: White Lion, Pride (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 4, 1988 By Steve Newton Good news for Bon Jovi fans! You don't have to wait for Jon and the boys to put out that follow-up to Slippery When Wet--a band called White Lion has already done it. Pride sports the same kind of cleanly played and immaculately produced … Continue reading Album review: White Lion, Pride (1988)
Album review: George Thorogood & the Destroyers, Born to Be Bad (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 26, 1988 By Steve Newton When it comes to party-time, rockin' blues, few people deliver with the same kind of no-frills, honest urgency as George Thorogood. Well, the bad-ass guitar ace from Wilmington, Delaware has come through with another sturdy collection of originals and classic blues covers that … Continue reading Album review: George Thorogood & the Destroyers, Born to Be Bad (1988)
Album review: Paul McCartney, All the Best (1987)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 12, 1988 By Steve Newton Die-hard McCartney fans whose record collections aren't already jammed with his solo and Wings projects may want to consider this two-album set featuring the biggest hits (but not necessarily best songs) of the "cutest" Beatle. When McCartney is in prime songwriting form he can still … Continue reading Album review: Paul McCartney, All the Best (1987)
Midnight Oil proves itself a kick-ass rock ‘n’ roll band that counts on the Diesel and Dust tour
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 29, 1988 By Steve Newton At Midnight Oil's press conference the day of their April 22 show the band's drummer (and one of the major songwriters) Rob Hirst was asked about the group's preoccupation with political themes. Hirst acknowledged the political side of the band, but also pointed out … Continue reading Midnight Oil proves itself a kick-ass rock ‘n’ roll band that counts on the Diesel and Dust tour
That time Dickey Betts told me that he liked the Allman Brothers’ opening act, Blues Traveler, “a whole lot”
By Steve Newton If you've been checking out Ear of Newt much in the last couple years, you likely noticed that I really enjoy posting audio excerpts from my four interviews with Dickey Betts. As I've been saying all along, he's one of my fave guitarists, but I like hearing his down-home southern drawl almost as … Continue reading That time Dickey Betts told me that he liked the Allman Brothers’ opening act, Blues Traveler, “a whole lot”
Album review: Andy Taylor, Thunder (1987)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 3, 1987 By Steve Newton Former Duran Duran and Power Station guitarist Andy Taylor shows himself to be a significant solo artist on Thunder--although he had a lot of help from Steve Jones, whose Les Paul used to propel the Sex Pistols. Jones plays guitar on the album, co-wrote … Continue reading Album review: Andy Taylor, Thunder (1987)