ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 14, 1984 By Steve Newton Metal maniacs could do a lot worse than pick up the latest vinyl from Swiss headbangers Krokus. Recorded at Vancouver' s Little Mountain Sound and engineered by Payola$ guitarist Bob Rock, The Blitz captures better than any of their previous LPs the raw fire … Continue reading Album review: Krokus, The Blitz (1984)
Tag: Bob Rock
Joe Perry says that Aerosmith is playing “wicked tight” after its Permanent Vacation
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 15, 1988 By Steve Newton "If you grew up in the '70s you liked Aerosmith." That's what R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck wrote in the liner notes to his group's version of Aerosmith's "Toys in the Attic" on the Dead Letter Office album. And he knew what he was talking about. Along with … Continue reading Joe Perry says that Aerosmith is playing “wicked tight” after its Permanent Vacation
Album review: Metallica, Load (1996)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 27, 1996 By Steve Newton Load is probably the most highly anticipated heavy-metal album ever. Not only is it Metallica’s first studio recording in five years, but it’s the follow-up to the breakthrough self-titled disc that brought metal to the mainstream via the resounding radio hit “Enter … Continue reading Album review: Metallica, Load (1996)
From Bon Jovi in a stadium to Killer Dwarfs in a club: it’s just another night in Vancouver circa 1987
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 10, 1987 By Steve Newton Jon Bon Jovi had a novel way to describe the horrendous sound in B.C. Place last Thursday (July 2). "I've fallen in love in Vancouver more times than there's echo comin' out of these speakers," said the 25-year-old sex symbol, sounding more than pleased with the … Continue reading From Bon Jovi in a stadium to Killer Dwarfs in a club: it’s just another night in Vancouver circa 1987
Jon Bon Jovi talks strippers, scenery, and hype as Slippery When Wet tops the charts
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 26, 1987 By Steve Newton Talk about moving up in the world! It was a little more than a year ago that New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi played the now-defunct Embassy on Davie. They were in town recording their Slippery When Wet album, and they wanted to see how the new … Continue reading Jon Bon Jovi talks strippers, scenery, and hype as Slippery When Wet tops the charts
Disgruntled Cult fans pelt Commodore door with donations at surprise Food Bank benefit
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 27, 1994 By Steve Newton For a while it looked like a minor riot might break out on the Granville Mall last Sunday night, even with our cup-fumbling Canuckleheads out of action. But only a few disgruntled Cult fans among the estimated 2,000 to 3,000 turned away from … Continue reading Disgruntled Cult fans pelt Commodore door with donations at surprise Food Bank benefit
Jon Bon Jovi in 1986: “As long as there’s a plug, we’ll plug it in.”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 11, 1986 By Steve Newton When New York rockers Bon Jovi flew into Vancouver to record their third album, it didn't take long for them to become attached to the place. "The first night we got there we were into the Embassy and the Metro," says singer Jon Bon Jovi. "And … Continue reading Jon Bon Jovi in 1986: “As long as there’s a plug, we’ll plug it in.”
Jim Foster gets his “Steely Dan opportunity” at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 4, 1986 By Steve Newton Until the release of the album Power Lines, Jim Foster had not been heard from for many years. It makes one wonder whether the Alberta-raised singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist is on somewhat of a comeback. "Well gosh," says Foster. "How can you make a comeback when you were never … Continue reading Jim Foster gets his “Steely Dan opportunity” at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver
Mötley Crüe spring up like leather-clad trap-door spiders to wow Vancouver on the Dr. Feelgood tour
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 14, 1990 By Steve Newton As far as musical integrity and depth go, Mötley Crüe is not in the same hard-rock league as bands like Aerosmith, Van Halen, or Scorpions. But when it comes to putting on a rowdy, consistently exciting show, these four L.A. dudes do have what it takes. … Continue reading Mötley Crüe spring up like leather-clad trap-door spiders to wow Vancouver on the Dr. Feelgood tour
Bob Rock says Metallica “never have and never will sell out”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 25, 2002 By Steve Newton What could possibly cause any sane person to willingly abandon the balmy paradise of Hawaii for the frigid climes of Vancouver in January? Well, if you’re record producer Bob Rock, your last name is reason enough. Good old riff-riddled rock is what draws the tanned music … Continue reading Bob Rock says Metallica “never have and never will sell out”
Static in Stereo sets the controls for the heart of the seventies
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 5, 2001 By Steve Newton A silver Keith Richards–style skull ring catches the glare of the dressing-room lights as Todd Kerns wraps his fist around a can of Coke. The blue and red dragon etched on his right bicep, a ringer for Ozzy Osbourne’s chest tattoo, quivers slightly as he lifts the … Continue reading Static in Stereo sets the controls for the heart of the seventies
Bob Rock brings his golden ears and great guitars to Paul Hyde’s Living Off the Radar
Famed producer Bob Rock isn’t above lending a hand to an old buddy, which is why he produced Paul Hyde’s latest CD, Living Off the Radar.
Ian Lloyd, the “Brother Louie” guy, says he’s proud of his claim to fame
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 26, 1984 By Steve Newton Ten years ago a New York band called Stories hit it big on North American singles charts with "Brother Louie". The song—a cover of Hot Chocolate's UK hit—made it to No. 1 on Billboard, but despite some fine pop-oriented music on albums like About Us and Travelling Underground, the band … Continue reading Ian Lloyd, the “Brother Louie” guy, says he’s proud of his claim to fame