ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JAN. 24, 2007 Back in 1986, when many Vancouverites were preoccupied with the pricey pomp of Expo, a nasty little horror flick called The Hitcher slithered into town. It quickly vanished off mainstream radar screens, but fright fanatics who happened to catch its split-second theatrical run knew they’d uncovered a gleaming … Continue reading Horror review: The Hitcher
Tag: 2007
Horror review: Primeval
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JAN. 19, 2007 In 2004, PBS produced a one-hour documentary called Capturing the Killer Croc, about scientists attempting to capture and relocate a nine-metre crocodile dubbed Gustave that had apparently killed more than 200 people near a river in Burundi, Africa. Even though the film didn’t actually live up to its … Continue reading Horror review: Primeval
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
Dave Mustaine recalls how Black Sabbath was too heavy for him as a kid
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 7, 2007 By Steve Newton Heavy metal has seen a lot of changes since Megadeth delivered its thrashy debut album, Killing Is My Business.. And Business Is Good!, back in 1985. Nowadays it includes death metal, black metal, speed metal, thrash metal, power metal, pop metal, alternative metal, nu metal, and … Continue reading Dave Mustaine recalls how Black Sabbath was too heavy for him as a kid
Tony Iommi on Heaven and Hell and how Frank Zappa always loved his “Supernaut” riff
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 7, 2007 By Steve Newton It's somewhat ironic that Black Sabbath's 1978 album was titled Never Say Die, because that disc actually signaled the end of the group's original lineup. After eight albums with Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, the metal pioneers gave him the boot, replacing him with Ronnie James Dio. … Continue reading Tony Iommi on Heaven and Hell and how Frank Zappa always loved his “Supernaut” riff
Lee Rocker goes solo after Stray Cats and Phantom, Rocker and Slick
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 14, 2007 By Steve Newton As a kid growing up in Long Island, New York, standup bassist Lee Rocker would marvel at Earl Slick's razor-edged guitar work on the 1974 David Bowie concert album, David Live. He never expected that 10 years later he'd be playing with Slick in a band … Continue reading Lee Rocker goes solo after Stray Cats and Phantom, Rocker and Slick
Megadeth blows Black Sabbath (“Heaven and Hell”) off the stage with its unbridled energy
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 14, 2007 By Steve Newton When Black Sabbath came to town last Sunday (March 11)—calling itself Heaven and Hell, I guess, to make sure no one expected Ozzy Osbourne to dodder onto the stage—it was the quartet's first public performance in 14 years. More importantly, it was the group's first … Continue reading Megadeth blows Black Sabbath (“Heaven and Hell”) off the stage with its unbridled energy
Kenny Wayne Shepherd gets swamp cred with Days
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 30, 2007 By Steve Newton The last few times I’ve pitched Straight music editor Mike Usinger stories on white blues artists, he’s flippantly responded with the bewildering phrase “Blues Hammer!” I had no clue what the guy was on about until he forwarded me a clip from Terry Zwigoff’s quirky … Continue reading Kenny Wayne Shepherd gets swamp cred with Days
The Police reunite in Vancouver, but is it all about the money?
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 30, 2007 By Steve Newton The Police may be remembered as musical revolutionaries who dragged punk-tinted new wave into the '80s mainstream, but that doesn't mean they didn't commit their share of crimes. Sure, "Message in a Bottle" deserves a spot on the proverbial desert-island jukebox, but hands up everyone … Continue reading The Police reunite in Vancouver, but is it all about the money?
Roger Waters brings the Dark Side to Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 27, 2007 By Steve Newton British rock had a banner year in 1973. The Who released its Mods-versus-rockers masterwork, Quadrophenia, Elton John's career peaked with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and David Bowie took glam to new heights on Aladdin Sane. But the album many feel ruled in '73 … Continue reading Roger Waters brings the Dark Side to Vancouver
Pro-peace Fogerty’s rebel fire still burns on Revival
I have a theory, and the theory that I have, which is mine, is that John Fogerty is the greatest rock ’n’ roller of all time.
Jason Isbell splits from the Truckers and hits the road in a Ford Econoline E-350
When I hook up with former Drive-By Truckers guitarist-vocalist Jason Isbell, he and his band are trying to escape from Manhattan.
ZZ Top, the Pretenders, and Brian Setzer bring ’70s-rock magic to Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 29, 2007 I saw some very cool things at the big Jack FM classic-rock triple bill at GM Place last Thursday (August 23). First off, local punk-rock legend Joey "Shithead" Keithley could be seen strolling along the mezzanine, where he was accosted every 10 paces by a wide-eyed fan who … Continue reading ZZ Top, the Pretenders, and Brian Setzer bring ’70s-rock magic to Vancouver