Galactic Cowboys create melodic prog-metal with a Beatlesque vibe

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 26, 1993 By Steve Newton I heard someone say once that they do things differently down in Texas, and after chatting with Galactic Cowboys vocalist Ben Huggins, I believe it. Take, for example, the photos that accompany the Houston-based band’s latest release, Space in Your Face. While more hoity-toity (pronounced “L.A.”) … Continue reading Galactic Cowboys create melodic prog-metal with a Beatlesque vibe

Steve Vai takes Devin Townsend on in a fierce guitar duel but doesn’t let the home team win

kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 7, 1993 By Steve Newton Vancouver vocalist Devin Townsend caused a minor uproar (and prompted a few letters to the editor) when I interviewed him a few weeks back. Some folks didn’t appreciate the 21-year-old’s caustic view of the music industry or his offhand remarks regarding the guitar … Continue reading Steve Vai takes Devin Townsend on in a fierce guitar duel but doesn’t let the home team win

Bon Jovi brings New Jersey to Vancouver, Aerosmith and Mötley Crüe crash the party

kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 19, 1989 By Steve Newton The first time Bon Jovi played B.C. Place, in the summer of ’87, the band drew 22,000 fans. Last Thursday (May 11) the New Jersey rockers could only pull in 18,000. Does that mean the masters of mainstream metal are on the way … Continue reading Bon Jovi brings New Jersey to Vancouver, Aerosmith and Mötley Crüe crash the party

Taj Mahal and Robert Cray deliver soulfully smokin’ blues to a sold-out Commodore crowd

If there’s one thing that’s a sure cure for the sad-eyed, rain-soaked January blahs, it’s a blues show at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom.

Nena of “99 Luftballoons” fame says she tries her best

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 1, 1984 By Steve Newton “When the Rolling Stones were in Berlin for their concert they let balloons flow at the end of the show. And Carlo thought, ‘What might happen if the balloons go over the border to East Berlin?’ There could be a misunderstanding.” Over the phone from her … Continue reading Nena of “99 Luftballoons” fame says she tries her best

Kim Mitchell and Pye Dubois have come a long way from the Sarnia high-school smoking section

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 29, 1994 By Steve Newton When the time comes to sit down with Kim Mitchell and his lyricist, Pye Dubois, at the Bulldog Cafe, I have a bone to pick with them—and it isn’t one of the Nelson Street eatery’s tasty chicken wings. I want to know why one of Canadian … Continue reading Kim Mitchell and Pye Dubois have come a long way from the Sarnia high-school smoking section

Aerosmith shows love for cancer kid and Tojo’s sushi in Vancouver

kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 27, 1994 By Steve Newton The most memorable moment of Aerosmith’s latest Vancouver concert didn’t occur when Steven Tyler came tearing out in multicoloured rags to kick-start the show with a screech at the beginning of “Eat the Rich”. Nor was it when bare-chested guitar god Joe Perry … Continue reading Aerosmith shows love for cancer kid and Tojo’s sushi in Vancouver

Rivers run deep on slide wizard Sonny Landreth’s South of I-10

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 13, 1995 By Steve Newton Unless you’re a devoted follower of critically acclaimed slide guitarists—or the type of music fan that analyzes the musician credits on CD liner notes—you might not have heard of Louisiana singer-songwriter-guitarist Sonny Landreth. He’s been around for a long time, though, and he’s even been up … Continue reading Rivers run deep on slide wizard Sonny Landreth’s South of I-10

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers leave Vancouver reeling with a two-hour barrage of cannonball rock

kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 11, 1995 By Steve Newton Some rock bands have a magical way of winning over a crowd straightaway, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are a prime example. I saw them do it back in ’78 at the Commodore on the You’re Gonna Get It tour, and they … Continue reading Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers leave Vancouver reeling with a two-hour barrage of cannonball rock

Lars Ulrich denies that Grammy “loser” Metallica is mellowing out with …And Justice For All

By Steve Newton On May 31, 1989, Metallica played Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum on a bill with the Cult. This was just three months after the band had its expected Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance stolen away by Jethro Tull–whose Crest of a Knave album somehow beat out Metallica’s mighty …And Justice for All–and metal … Continue reading Lars Ulrich denies that Grammy “loser” Metallica is mellowing out with …And Justice For All

John Fogerty reveals the full meaning of the mystical phrase yee-haw! in Vancouver

me ‘n ferg backstage with john ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 28, 1997 By Steve Newton Most of the folks attending John Fogerty’s first Vancouver concert in 12 years last Friday (August 22) must have been aware that he had returned to playing some of his old Creedence Clearwater Revival hits, but nobody knew for sure … Continue reading John Fogerty reveals the full meaning of the mystical phrase yee-haw! in Vancouver

NRBQ’s Terry Adams says music is always best when it’s surprising

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 4, 1997 By Steve Newton In decades past, strict-minded parents would try to keep impressionable youngsters away from rock ’n’ roll, believing it to lead to all manner of delinquency, not to mention swinging of the hips. But times have changed. Nowadays, beat-driven music is directed right at the kids, and … Continue reading NRBQ’s Terry Adams says music is always best when it’s surprising

Steve Vai on his long fingers, long feet, long arms, and…“you know”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 25, 1996 By Steve Newton On the cover of his Grammy-nominated Alien Love Secrets CD, Steve Vai strikes a pose while covered in metallic-blue body paint. He’s got his hands over his face and is peering out from between fingers that are so long, you’d think one of those multilimbed creatures … Continue reading Steve Vai on his long fingers, long feet, long arms, and…“you know”