“We are Motörhead, we play rock ’n’ roll,” declares Lemmy Kilmister in Vancouver

The metal legend just proclaimed “We are Motorhead, we play rock ’n’ roll,” and launched right into the first of 20 rapid-fire blasts…

Zakk Wylde says that Dimebag Darrell is keeping the beer on ice up in God’s tavern

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 28, 2005 By Steve Newton My earliest memory of drinkin’ beer goes back to when I was about seven or eight. Don’t panic, I wasn’t wasted. I just recall sampling the warm dregs of my dad’s Black Label stubby while watching an Original Six NHL game on the tube. It was … Continue reading Zakk Wylde says that Dimebag Darrell is keeping the beer on ice up in God’s tavern

interviews

Some of my interviews, arranged alphabetically, from AC/DC to ZZ Top AC/DC Malcolm Young & Brian Johnson, 1983 AEROSMITH Joe Perry, Sept. 2010 AEROSMITH Steven Tyler, 1997 AEROSMITH Joe Perry, 1997 AEROSMITH Tom Hamilton, 1994 AEROSMITH Joe Perry, 1993 AEROSMITH Joe Perry, 1988 AEROSMITH Tom Hamilton, 1983 THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT Lenny Zakatek, 1983 THE ALARM … Continue reading interviews

The Payola$’ Paul Hyde talks coproducer Mick Ronson and rock idols Ian Hunter and Alex Harvey

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 17, 1984 By Steve Newton On the strength of their third album, Hammer on a Drum, Vancouver’s Payola$ have been nominated in nine categories of 1984’s CARAS -sponsored Tribute to West Coast Music. As well as Group of the Year and Album of the Year, the group has two tunes in … Continue reading The Payola$’ Paul Hyde talks coproducer Mick Ronson and rock idols Ian Hunter and Alex Harvey

Jim Cuddy goes solo and gathers some extraordinary players to show off to people

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 9, 2006 By Steve Newton When you think of Blue Rodeo frontmen Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, it’s easy to picture Cuddy as the Paul McCartney to Keelor’s John Lennon. Cuddy is best known as the sentimental crooner of the pretty hit ballad “Try”, whereas Keelor is most recognized as the … Continue reading Jim Cuddy goes solo and gathers some extraordinary players to show off to people

Tom Cochrane and Red Rider dangle a plastic shark over the Northern Pikes in Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 10, 1989 By Steve Newton It used to seem that nearly all the best rock ‘n’ roll bands came from either Britain or the U.S. Then came the Aussie invasion. Now, it’s Canada’s turn. WIth killer acts like Jeff Healey, Blue Rodeo, Colin James, Art Bergmann, the Pursuit of Happiness, the … Continue reading Tom Cochrane and Red Rider dangle a plastic shark over the Northern Pikes in Vancouver

Steve Earle on cops, bikers, jail, Ted Bundy, and The Hard Way

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 11, 1990 By Steve Newton Steve Earle’s got a headache—a real doozie. The whirlwind promotional tour that brought him to Vancouver’s Georgian Court Hotel has taken its toll, and while this scribbler waits in the lobby, Earle’s up in his room, downing aspirins to ease the pain brought on by countless … Continue reading Steve Earle on cops, bikers, jail, Ted Bundy, and The Hard Way

Annihilator’s Jeff Waters is getting into the “old hard-rock stuff” again

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 1990 By Steve Newton Despite the fact that this city is home to Annihilator—one of the most promising young bands in metal—Vancouver has yet to prove itself as a world-class heavy metal town. Aside from Annihilator, there hasn’t been a successful metal recording act out of this city since Kick … Continue reading Annihilator’s Jeff Waters is getting into the “old hard-rock stuff” again

The London Quireboys pride themselves on “proper” rock ‘n’ roll

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 19, 1990 By Steve Newton There are some bands out there that are just made to play in bars—they have that certain something that demands you sip a frosty cold one while wallowing in their raucous boogie noise. The Beat Farmers are one of those, the Georgia Satellites another. And a … Continue reading The London Quireboys pride themselves on “proper” rock ‘n’ roll

Dave Brock says Hawkwind’s space-rock wasn’t influenced by anyone

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 13, 1990 By Steve Newton Hawkwind may just well be the ultimate cult band. The British progressive/space metal act has released more than 20 albums since its inception in 1969—and sold millions. Yet ask the person next to you if they’ve ever actually heard the band—least of all bought one of … Continue reading Dave Brock says Hawkwind’s space-rock wasn’t influenced by anyone

Edgar Winter strives to break down senseless musical barriers

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 28, 2005 By Steve Newton Most rock bands from the ’70s aren’t making waves on the sales charts these days, but not every musician who thrived 30 years ago has been barred from Billboard in recent years. Edgar Winter had the chorus from his 1971 song “Dying to Live” used in … Continue reading Edgar Winter strives to break down senseless musical barriers

B-52s guitarist Keith Strickland recalls the Cramps’ Lux Interior loving “Rock Lobster”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 26, 2008 By Steve Newton That Lux Interior sure knows a hit when he hears one. Back in the late ’70s, when the B-52s first journeyed from their native Athens, Georgia, to make the scene at underground Manhattan clubs like Max’s Kansas City and CBGB, the outrageous Cramps frontman heard them … Continue reading B-52s guitarist Keith Strickland recalls the Cramps’ Lux Interior loving “Rock Lobster”

Pete Yorn gets into Warren Zevon and enjoys his time as a Chicks magnet

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 31, 2007 By Steve Newton When the Dixie Chicks asked Pete Yorn if he wanted to collaborate with them, they didn’t have to ask twice. After he met the ultratalented Texas trio at an after-Grammy party in New York City, they invited him out to Austin to write songs for what … Continue reading Pete Yorn gets into Warren Zevon and enjoys his time as a Chicks magnet