ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 15, 1988 By Steve Newton Music and money. The two don't always go hand in hand. Just ask your typical Vancouver musician. But when they do mix in this city, chances are there's a guy named Bruce Allen bringing them together. Raymond May, the latest upstart to come out of the … Continue reading Vancouver’s Raymond May shoots for the big time with Bruce Allen-backed debut LP
Tag: Bruce Allen
Bob Rock resurrects the Payola$ with Paul Hyde and sets up a helluva three-night benefit for B.C.’s Children’s Hospital
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 8, 1994 By Steve Newton When the time comes to interview Bob Rock about the recent resurrection of the Payola$, the prospect is particularly appealing. Rumour has it that the big-time Vancouver producer (the Cult, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe) is to work with Metallica again soon, and I’m … Continue reading Bob Rock resurrects the Payola$ with Paul Hyde and sets up a helluva three-night benefit for B.C.’s Children’s Hospital
Bachman-Turner Overdrive gig draws comparisons to the horror of BTO freak Stephen King
photo by narking/Wikipedia ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 3, 1989 By Steve Newton In the book Kingdom of Fear, a collection of essays on the fiction of Stephen King, the top-selling horror author explained how he came up with the the pseudonym he used on novels like The Running Man and Thinner. Once … Continue reading Bachman-Turner Overdrive gig draws comparisons to the horror of BTO freak Stephen King
Rock and Hyde gets a boost from ex-Kick Axe picker “Hitman” Harvey
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 25, 1987 By Steve Newton Since the U.S. release of Rock and Hyde's Under the Volcano nine months ago, the album has sold more copies stateside than all of the duo's previous work put together. That's a fair accomplishment given that Bob Rock and Paul Hyde released four albums as the Payola$, … Continue reading Rock and Hyde gets a boost from ex-Kick Axe picker “Hitman” Harvey
Moist releases Creature, opens for Neil Young, and waits for reality to set in
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 17, 1996 By Steve Newton Whenever I feel like getting a rise out of my 16-year-old niece, all it takes is a quick mention of her former fondness for New Kids on the Block. So what if she was only in Grade 3 at the time of the … Continue reading Moist releases Creature, opens for Neil Young, and waits for reality to set in
15 of the best quotes I ever got from Gord Downie
By Steve Newton The big Tragically Hip show in their hometown of Kingston, Ontario, is happening tomorrow, broadcast live on the CBC starting at 5:30 pm Vancouver time. I might not be back from opening day at the PNE in time to watch the gig unfold live, but I sure as shit plan to record … Continue reading 15 of the best quotes I ever got from Gord Downie
Jim Foster gets his “Steely Dan opportunity” at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, 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 … Continue reading Jim Foster gets his “Steely Dan opportunity” at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver
Jimmy Barnes goes solo with Canadian connection after Cold Chisel hits its peak
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 6, 1986 By Steve Newton What do you get when you combine the guitarist from Streetheart, the bassist from Headpins, the keyboardist from Sharp Edges, the drummer from the Bryan Adams band, and the lead singer from Cold Chisel? Well, with a little time, you get a pretty … Continue reading Jimmy Barnes goes solo with Canadian connection after Cold Chisel hits its peak
Sorry Canada, but Bob Geldof’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas” beats Bryan Adams’ “Tears Are Not Enough”
By Steve Newton Way back on October 4, 1985, the Tears Are Not Enough music documentary was released in Canadian theatres. You might have seen it. More likely you only heard the song, which was Canada's response to USA for Africa's "We Are the World", which in turn was the United States' response to Band Aid's "Do … Continue reading Sorry Canada, but Bob Geldof’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas” beats Bryan Adams’ “Tears Are Not Enough”
Art Bergmann plays Sexual Roulette on behalf of downtrodden rockers everywhere
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 20, 1990 By Steve Newton It's a sunny Friday afternoon on Granville Island. Art Bergmann and I are negotiating our way through armies of cars—parked and mobile—in search of a suitable spot to have a chat. "I don't have any money," confides Bergmann as we head over to the Island from … Continue reading Art Bergmann plays Sexual Roulette on behalf of downtrodden rockers everywhere
If Barbra Streisand gets a heavy-metal T-shirt, why not Michael Bublé?
By Steve Newton A few months ago I was watching the Comedy Network and one of those heavily rotated ads for the network's awful @midnight show came on. What caught my eye was the T-shirt that one of the program's guests was wearing. It was black with the type of scary, devil-skull design you often … Continue reading If Barbra Streisand gets a heavy-metal T-shirt, why not Michael Bublé?
Bob Rock says Metallica “never have and never will sell out”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, 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 … Continue reading Bob Rock says Metallica “never have and never will sell out”
The Falcons’ Mike Beddoes never thought it would be radical to play instro-rock
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 4, 2001 The little room on the top floor of Falcons guitarist Mike Beddoes’s Kitsilano townhouse contains some of the musical goodies you would expect from a picker who’s been actively plying his trade for more than 30 years. Crammed away in one closet is a cache of … Continue reading The Falcons’ Mike Beddoes never thought it would be radical to play instro-rock