The Schizophonics play the Biltmore By Steve Newton Australasian pop band Crowded House, led by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Neil Finn, plays the Orpheum Theatre on May 2. If they forget to play "Don't Dream It's Over", ask for your money back. Australian prog-rock guitar wizard Plini plays the Rickshaw Theatre on May 2, with guests Sungazer and Jakub … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in May
Tag: Commodore
The Outlaws’ triple-guitar attack outshines Foghat’s boogie-blues in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 4, 1987 By Steve Newton The raunchy guitar sounds of the '70s were all the rage at the Commodore last weekend (November 27 and 28), with British boogiemeisters Foghat headlining over Florida-based southern rockers the Outlaws. But it was the triple-guitar attack of the openers that was the real highlight both nights. I'd … Continue reading The Outlaws’ triple-guitar attack outshines Foghat’s boogie-blues in Vancouver
Album review: Black Sabbath, Past Lives (2002)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 10, 2002 By Steve Newton I like collecting guitar picks. Whenever I’m near the stage and some six-string legend tosses out one of those wee plastic nubs, I’ll do what it takes to nab it. My most highly prized catch is a plain orange Ronnie Montrose pick … Continue reading Album review: Black Sabbath, Past Lives (2002)
Album review: Brother Cane, Seeds (1995)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 24, 1995 By Steve Newton The first sign that Brother Cane’s long-awaited second release would be a doozy came when the Alabama quartet used material from Seeds to seriously blow Slash’s Snakepit off the stage at the Commodore a while back. Like fellow southerners Collective Soul, Brother … Continue reading Album review: Brother Cane, Seeds (1995)
Nazareth survives its hangover to blast “Razamanaz” and rowdy-up Vancouver on a Sunday night
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 25, 1987 By Steve Newton No-frills rock 'n' roll is something that's always been close to this scribbler's heart. From the basic guitar/bass/drums sound to the jeans/-t-shirt/runners wardrobe, it's the type of music that makes the ordinary person on the street think: "Yeah, I can relate to that." AC/DC is a prime … Continue reading Nazareth survives its hangover to blast “Razamanaz” and rowdy-up Vancouver on a Sunday night
Nazareth’s Dan McCafferty says Manny Charlton was writing good tunes for Cinema, so they used ’em
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 18, 1987 By Steve Newton Not too many bands make it to the 20-year mark. But Scottish rockers Nazareth will reach that milestone next year. Singer Dan McCafferty, guitarist Manny Charlton, bassist Pete Agnew, and drummer Darrell Sweet have been kicking royal butt for nigh-on two decades now, and with the … Continue reading Nazareth’s Dan McCafferty says Manny Charlton was writing good tunes for Cinema, so they used ’em
The rootsy gut-bucket boogie of the Paladins gets a boost from Dave Alvin in Vancouver
@shotbykevin ORIGINAL PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUGUST 15, 1991 By Steve Newton Men Without Hats immortalized the idea “You can dance if you want to.” I dunno—sometimes I just can’t dance. But I was a regular dancin’ fool at the Commodore last Friday (August 9), and the decision to get up there and make … Continue reading The rootsy gut-bucket boogie of the Paladins gets a boost from Dave Alvin in Vancouver
Albert King’s “adopted grandson” Little Jimmy King salvages Vancouver gig with Hendrix-style string-chomping
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 6, 1995 By Steve Newton Sometimes greatness takes a while to reveal itself, and that was certainly the case at the Commodore on June 30. After a set of gospel-laced blues and spiritual tunes by the Holmes Brothers that included some soulful harmonizing on dusty standards such as … Continue reading Albert King’s “adopted grandson” Little Jimmy King salvages Vancouver gig with Hendrix-style string-chomping
The Musical Box brings Genesis’ Selling England By the Pound to Vancouver
By Steve Newton The Year of Our Lord, 1973, was a big year for prog-rock. Besides the grandaddy of them all--Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon--'73 also saw such prime prog releases as Hawkwind's Space Ritual, Jethro Tull's A Passion Play, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Brain Salad Surgery. I also recall spending many hours spellbound by the melodic beauty … Continue reading The Musical Box brings Genesis’ Selling England By the Pound to Vancouver
B’z guitarist Tak Matsumoto speaks little English, lets his signature Les Paul to the talkin’
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 16, 2003 By Steve Newton Up until a few weeks ago, my knowledge of popular music in Japan was pretty slim. About all I knew for sure was that Cheap Trick used to cause a big stir over there in the ’70s when they played a place called … Continue reading B’z guitarist Tak Matsumoto speaks little English, lets his signature Les Paul to the talkin’
The Hangmen’s Bryan Small is done pawning guitars for drugs
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 4, 2003 Here’s a happy little comeback story for ya. Back in 1989, singer-guitarist Bryan Small led a rowdy, punk-inspired L.A. rock act called the Hangmen that was hoping to establish itself beyond all the hair bands of the day. The group scored a deal with Capitol Records … Continue reading The Hangmen’s Bryan Small is done pawning guitars for drugs
Joe Jackson thinks about 10 percent of music is really good stuff
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 21, 2003 By Steve Newton If you liked catchy, hook-infested pop-rock back in 1979, there’s a good chance you tapped a toe or two to Joe Jackson’s debut album, Look Sharp!. From the cynical hit single “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” to the postpunk rave-up “Got the Time”, the … Continue reading Joe Jackson thinks about 10 percent of music is really good stuff
George Thorogood, no longer a dick, says you gotta have songs about the women
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 14, 2003 The last time I interviewed George Thorogood over the phone, back in 1993, he acted like a real dick. I realize the guy’s “Bad to the Bone”, but I wasn’t expecting him to be quite so surly and defensive. In retrospect, I suppose I shouldn’t have … Continue reading George Thorogood, no longer a dick, says you gotta have songs about the women