That time John Cougar told me that the high he gets from writing good songs is better than sex–and heroin

By Steve Newton I interviewed John Mellencamp for the first time back in May of 1983, when he was still called John Cougar. He was touring behind his latest album, American Fool, but for some reason the Vancouver show got cancelled and the interview I did with him in advance never ran. At one point … Continue reading That time John Cougar told me that the high he gets from writing good songs is better than sex–and heroin

Alannah Currie says that the Thompson Twins want to make music for the whole world

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 25, 1984 By Steve Newton The last time the Thompson Twins played Vancouver they were a support act for the Police. But since that visit the British trio have hit it big with their Into the Gap album–which debuted on the U.K. charts at #1–and are now full-fledged headliners in their … Continue reading Alannah Currie says that the Thompson Twins want to make music for the whole world

Holy ’80s flashback Batman! 16 minutes on the phone with new-wave hitmaker Nik Kershaw in 1985

By Steve Newton Yesterday I went searching around in my cherished stash of interview cassettes for something really ancient to digitize before the tape itself got so old it turned to dust. I came across an interview dated April 10, 1985, with an artist named Nik Kershaw. It was recorded on a cheapo, no-name-brand cassette, … Continue reading Holy ’80s flashback Batman! 16 minutes on the phone with new-wave hitmaker Nik Kershaw in 1985

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

Ivan Doroschuk says that Men Without Hats are trying to prove that a synth band can kick ass

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 24, 1984 By Steve Newton In support of their new LP, Folk of the ’80s (Part III), Men Without Hats will be performing at the UBC War Memorial Gym tonight (Friday, August 24). Best known for encouraging people to dance (“The Safety Dance”), the group–composed of brothers Ivan, Colin, and Stefan … Continue reading Ivan Doroschuk says that Men Without Hats are trying to prove that a synth band can kick ass

The Georgia Satellites’ Rick Richards on opening for Bowie, playing with Zevon, and lamenting Atlanta’s music scene

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 14, 1987 By Steve Newton The last time the Georgia Satellites were in Vancouver they opened for Bob Seger at BC Place. That was an understandable pairing, since both acts are known to boogie till the cows come home. This time around the Satellites will be on the same bill as … Continue reading The Georgia Satellites’ Rick Richards on opening for Bowie, playing with Zevon, and lamenting Atlanta’s music scene

Midnight Oil’s inspiration helps Seattle’s Candlebox to ignite with chart-topping debut

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 15, 1994 By Steve Newton In 1983, Midnight Oil released an album called 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, which included a song called “Tin Legs and Tin Mines”. Within that tune was the lyric “boxed in like candles”, which struck a chord with a young Seattle rocker by the name of Kevin Martin. He decided … Continue reading Midnight Oil’s inspiration helps Seattle’s Candlebox to ignite with chart-topping debut

Kingdom Come hopes to avoid Zeppelin comparisons with new In Your Face LP

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 30, 1989 By Steve Newton Diehard Led Zeppelin fans were either impressed or outraged when Kingdom Come’s debut album came out two years ago. The LP–made here in Vancouver at Little Mountain Sound and produced by Bob Rock–sounded an awful lot like a tribute to (or cloning of) Messrs. Page and … Continue reading Kingdom Come hopes to avoid Zeppelin comparisons with new In Your Face LP

John Oates plugs new Hall & Oates book, says things could be worse for pop music’s most successful duo

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 7, 1984 By Steve Newton With some 40 million records sold worldwide, Daryl Hall and John Oates are probably the most popular duo in contemporary music. In 13 years the two have garnered nine gold and five platinum albums, with their songs topping not only pop, but adult contemporary, R&B, and … Continue reading John Oates plugs new Hall & Oates book, says things could be worse for pop music’s most successful duo

Roger Glover plugs new solo album Mask, keeps mum about Deep Purple reunion

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 7, 1984 By Steve Newton After leaving his band of four years, Rainbow, Roger Glover is back again with the original lineup of seventies supergroup Deep Purple. Glover supplied the bottom end for Purple on such powerful tunes as “Smoke On the Water” and “Highway Star”, but often had to stand … Continue reading Roger Glover plugs new solo album Mask, keeps mum about Deep Purple reunion

Dan McCafferty explains the story behind Nazareth’s controversial “Vancouver Shakedown”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 23, 1984 By Steve Newton Back about ten years ago, one of the coolest things for a Chilliwack high school student to do was cruise up and down the town’s main drag–preferably in a Dodge Dart–and play eight-track tapes as close to the distortion level as possible. And as I recall, … Continue reading Dan McCafferty explains the story behind Nazareth’s controversial “Vancouver Shakedown”

That time the Cult’s Ian Astbury told me that he thought session drummer Mickey Curry was “totally wasted” with Bryan Adams

By Steve Newton Back in January of 1992 I interviewed the Cult vocalist Ian Astbury while his band was touring behind its fifth studio album, Ceremony. That LP–and the one before it, the Bob Rock-produced Sonic Temple–had featured American session drummer Mickey Curry, who is best known for his work recording and touring with Bryan … Continue reading That time the Cult’s Ian Astbury told me that he thought session drummer Mickey Curry was “totally wasted” with Bryan Adams

Hammond B3 organ ace Delvon Lamarr doesn’t worry about mistakes

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 15, 2022 By Steve Newton Here’s a tip for young entertainment journalists just starting out: before you interview musicians who might be headed to your city for a gig, check out their tour itinerary. That’s what I did before calling up Delvon Lamarr of Washington State’s Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, and … Continue reading Hammond B3 organ ace Delvon Lamarr doesn’t worry about mistakes