ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 8, 2009 It was quite a surprise to step into GM Place last for John Fogerty last night (June 7) and find that it was set up in “Pontiac Theatre” mode, where only a portion of the capacity is used. You’d think that a rocker of Fogerty’s stature would draw … Continue reading John Fogerty stays true to his rock roots in Vancouver
Tag: 2009
The Jonas Brothers leave the kids caterwauling in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 30, 2009 By Steve Newton At 4 p.m., three hours before yesterday's (June 29) Jonas Brothers concert was supposed to start, a black luxury SUV slowed to a crawl in front of GM Place’s Gate 9. A window rolled down, and the face of lead singer Joe Jonas—“the cute one”—appeared as … Continue reading The Jonas Brothers leave the kids caterwauling in Vancouver
Cracker’s David Lowery finds fresh inspiration
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 30, 2009 By Steve Newton Inspiration isn't always an easy thing to come by, especially if you're a 48-year-old rocker who's been leading the same band for 17 years. So what is it that fuels the fire of Cracker singer-guitarist David Lowery on the songwriting front? Is it all the … Continue reading Cracker’s David Lowery finds fresh inspiration
The Answer is proud to hoist the riff-rock torch
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 26, 2009 By Steve Newton Bluesy Irish rockers the Answer have been opening for AC/DC for nine months now, living a dream most bands would kill for. As vocalist Cormac Neeson explains during a day off from touring in Grand Rapids, Michigan, it’s all been good—and some of it has … Continue reading The Answer is proud to hoist the riff-rock torch
The Trailer Park Boys are back in Countdown to Liquor Day
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 23, 2009 By Steve Newton It's hard to know which character from Trailer Park Boys is most favoured by fans. Some folks are particularly fond of Bubbles (Mike Smith), the kitty-loving, kindhearted weirdo with the outrageous eyeglasses. Others prefer Julian (John Paul Tremblay), the musclebound dreamer whose lips only leave his rum-and-Coke long … Continue reading The Trailer Park Boys are back in Countdown to Liquor Day
Who’s Roger Daltrey brings surprises to Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 11, 2009 Before heading off to see Roger Daltrey at the Commodore last night (October 10) I made up a list of the five Who songs I figured he’d be most likely to perform—along with the solo material nobody much cared about. These weren’t my fave Who tunes—most of those … Continue reading Who’s Roger Daltrey brings surprises to Vancouver
Subpar KISS all about the special effects in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 2009 By Steve Newton Boy, Vancouver’s costume and makeup shops must have done a booming business in the days leading up to November 14’s KISS show at GM Place. From the cutest little tyke to the brawniest middle-aged hooligan, there were scads of concertgoers wearing greasepaint in honour of their … Continue reading Subpar KISS all about the special effects in Vancouver
Interviewing J.J. Cale in 2009: “I’m ridin’ on the bus, so talk real loud.”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 29, 2013 By Steve Newton If you're a music fan you've probably already heard that legendary songwriter J.J. Cale died of a heart attack last Friday (July 26) at the age of 74. He's the guy whose deathless blues-roots songs have been interpreted by countless artists over the years. He's been … Continue reading Interviewing J.J. Cale in 2009: “I’m ridin’ on the bus, so talk real loud.”