me and my fellow rock experts in the '70s ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 4, 1993 By Steve Newton “The music you listen to becomes the soundtrack of your life.” —Mike Bloomfield Ah, the ’70s—what a great decade for rock. I don’t care what anybody says, because, disco aside, the ’70s ruled, man. Back then I … Continue reading Wherein the Newt pines for the ’70s along with a panel of Vancouver rock experts
Tag: Blue Oyster Cult
New Godzilla trailer brings that old Blue Öyster Cult tune to life
I don't normally watch trailers for movies I know I'm going to review because they often give too much away—especially with the horror flicks I specialize in. But I wasn't worried about viewing this new trailer for the Godzilla movie, which opens May 16. I already know what's gonna happen: the Lizard King is gonna wreck Tokyo. Or some … Continue reading New Godzilla trailer brings that old Blue Öyster Cult tune to life
The volume knob on the Heavy Metal Box goes past 11
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, DEC. 5, 2007 By Steve Newton This is one of the coolest-looking box sets ever. It's designed to resemble the head of a Marshall amp, and even features a volume knob that goes all the way to 11. How appropriate that Spinal Tap's "Big Bottom" is featured among the four-disc package's … Continue reading The volume knob on the Heavy Metal Box goes past 11
“Transmaniacon MC” an apt soundtrack for the mayhem of Altamont
The infamous concert at Altamont Speedway in northern California, which took place December 6, 1969, is often viewed as "the anti-Woodstock", its violence signalling the end of the peace-and-love era. A YouTube video that blends footage of the event from the 1970 Rolling Stones documentary Gimme Shelter with the 1972 Blue Oyster Cult song "Transmaniacon MC" makes … Continue reading “Transmaniacon MC” an apt soundtrack for the mayhem of Altamont
Kradle strives to put Vancouver on the melodic-metal map in 1984
On March 5, 1984, local glam-metal band Kradle played Burnaby's James Cowan Theatre with Black Knight. At the time I was the guy with the Judas Priest cap at the Georgia Straight who was covering the metal scene, and I was mightily impressed by these young lads from the suburbs of Vancouver. Looking back, they … Continue reading Kradle strives to put Vancouver on the melodic-metal map in 1984
Anti-fragile Bachman Turner puts it into overdrive this spring
Less than two weeks ago, Universal Music Canada announced that it would be releasing a remastered 40th-anniversary edition of Bachman-Turner Overdrive's best-selling album, Not Fragile, on March 18. That was great news for anyone who was a teenager back in '74, when BTO was battling it out with the likes of Thin Lizzy, Foghat, and Blue Oyster Cult for time on … Continue reading Anti-fragile Bachman Turner puts it into overdrive this spring
Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1976
The spirit of '76 will never falter because that's the year Thin Lizzy put out two LPs instead of just one.
Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1972
1972 was a year when I got introduced to a number of bands that would become all-time faves, including Blue Oyster Cult, Mott the Hoople, and Steely Dan. And as far as live albums went, the Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, the J. Geils Band, and Rory Gallagher were well represented. I wouldn't say '72 was … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1972
Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1974
Last year I put together a list of my 30 fave albums from 1973, which was a particularly awesome year since it included the release of what I've always felt was the world's greatest rock album, the Who's Quadrophenia. Now that you've all had a good chance to go out and purchase each and every one … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1974
Hilary Swank commits career hara-kiri in The Reaping
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 11, 2007 By Steve Newton What's with the recent spate of Oscar-winning actors starring in shockingly bad supernatural horror flicks? Two weeks ago you had Forest Whitaker embarrassing himself in The Marsh, and now you've got two-time Academy Award champ Hilary Swank committing career hara-kiri in The Reaping. Have their Hollywood … Continue reading Hilary Swank commits career hara-kiri in The Reaping
It’s ’70s-rock heaven as Blue Öyster Cult, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, and Nazareth play Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 12, 1993 By Steve Newton In last week's paper we ran a little panel discussion wherein various local music experts put forth their thoughts on the pros and con of '70s rock. Strong melodies, simplicity, and a positive outlook were pointed to as favourable aspects of that musical era, while the … Continue reading It’s ’70s-rock heaven as Blue Öyster Cult, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, and Nazareth play Vancouver
Blue Öyster Cult cofounder Allen Lanier dead at 67
Lanier (far left) in a B.O.C. promo shot from the '70s, which they ruled. ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 15, 2013 By Steve Newton Sad news for fans of one of the greatest hard-rock bands of all time. Allen Lanier, founding keyboardist-guitarist for Blue Öyster Cult, died yesterday after being hospitalized with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which restricts … Continue reading Blue Öyster Cult cofounder Allen Lanier dead at 67
Montreal hard-rockers Priestess pay respects to Voivod’s Piggy on new album Hello Master
You may have seen the brilliant SNL skit where Christopher Walken portrays a legendary producer in the studio with Blue Öyster Cult.