Tag: Alex Lifeson

That time Guess Who guitarist Randy Bachman told me about creating the riff for “American Woman”

By Steve Newton Canada doesn't seem to have an overabundance of rock-guitar heroes. Sure, you've got your Lenny Breau when it comes to jazz, and your Jeff Healey if you're talkin' blues. But when it comes to Canadian rock-guitar heroes, I can't think of tons. Alex Lifeson, Kim Mitchell... Obviously Neil Young, but isn't he … Continue reading That time Guess Who guitarist Randy Bachman told me about creating the riff for “American Woman”

Album review: Tom Cochrane, Ragged Ass Road (1995)

  ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 12, 1995 By Steve Newton While Tom Cochrane’s last album, Mad Mad World, spawned his biggest hit ever in the undisputably catchy “Life Is a Highway”, it was far from one of his best recordings overall. It included some pretty weak tunes—the worst being the ponderous title track—and was a … Continue reading Album review: Tom Cochrane, Ragged Ass Road (1995)

Yes guitarist Steve Howe on playing at 70 and the tragedy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 31, 2017 By Steve Newton The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is notorious for taking forever to induct bands that almost everyone but the institution’s voting members thinks are overdue for entry. There was much frustration among rock fans—especially of the Canuck persuasion—when the mighty Rush kept getting shunned, … Continue reading Yes guitarist Steve Howe on playing at 70 and the tragedy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Lawrence Gowan admired Alex Lifeson’s six-string generosity on Lost Brotherhood

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 22, 1990 By Steve Newton Lawrence Gowan has one heck of an ear when it comes to creating melodies. His forte is coming up with infectious, hummable little lines like the ones that snake through his 1985 hit “Criminal Mind” and his recent single, “All the Lovers in the World”. From … Continue reading Lawrence Gowan admired Alex Lifeson’s six-string generosity on Lost Brotherhood

Rush | Time Stand Still is all about devotion

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 26, 2016 By Steve Newton I was a rock-crazed 17-year-old when the first Rush album came out in 1974, so of course I became an instant fan. And that was even before they latched on to the wildest drummer this side of Keith Moon. Paul Rudd was only four years old … Continue reading Rush | Time Stand Still is all about devotion

Rush powns health issues to kick royal ass in Vancouver on R40 Tour

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 18, 2015 By Steve Newton For 40 years now the trio of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart has been traversing the world, taking their patented brand of challenging prog-rock to the masses, proving to all and sundry that Canada is more than just hockey, beer, and maple syrup. And … Continue reading Rush powns health issues to kick royal ass in Vancouver on R40 Tour

The Trailer Park Boys’ Mike Smith says he’s quite a bit like Bubbles

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 23, 2003 By Steve Newton In Trailer Park Boys—Showcase TV’s low-budget mockumentary series about dope-smoking, foul-mouthed lowlifes inhabiting a rundown (is there any other kind?) trailer park—it’s the little things that make you laugh. Like Julian’s (John Paul Tremblay’s) ever-present glass of rum ’n’ Coke. Whether he’s hanging around the trailer … Continue reading The Trailer Park Boys’ Mike Smith says he’s quite a bit like Bubbles

I Mother Earth guitarist Jagori Tanna pays tribute to Santana on new Scenery and Fish CD

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 23, 1996 By Steve Newton If you happened to walk into a house party while the last song on the new I Mother Earth CD was playing, you could be excused for taking a big swig of your beer, raising it in a toast, and proclaiming: “Man, that Carlos Santana can … Continue reading I Mother Earth guitarist Jagori Tanna pays tribute to Santana on new Scenery and Fish CD

Alex Lifeson says Rush’s no-compromise approach is key to its staying power

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 30, 1992 By Steve Newton When I interviewed Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate last month, the singer had some intriguing things to say about an alleged “backlash” against progressive rock, which he felt had been initiated by the music industry in the ’70s. Tate uncovered a plot to undermine the growing popularity … Continue reading Alex Lifeson says Rush’s no-compromise approach is key to its staying power

Trailer Park Boys director Mike Clattenburg revels in Canuck rock

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 4, 2006 By Steve Newton Helix isn't normally a band that comes to mind as one of Canada’s finest musical exports. But as director Mike Clattenburg proved in Trailer Park Boys: The Movie, its song “Heavy Metal Love” is the ideal backdrop for slow-mo footage of a skanky trailer-park chick descending … Continue reading Trailer Park Boys director Mike Clattenburg revels in Canuck rock

The Trailer Park Boys: The Movie is freakin’ hilarious

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 4, 2006 By Steve Newton When the Trailer Park Boys debuted on the Showcase channel in 2001, I couldn’t get enough of it. A mockumentary-style series about the day-to-day exploits of three pot-loving trailer-trash buddies and their assorted idiot friends and rivals, it was a raucous, taboo-blasting gas. The sight of … Continue reading The Trailer Park Boys: The Movie is freakin’ hilarious