Van Halen’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

By Steve Newton Guess I'm just more of a Dave guy. 20. "Runaround" (For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, 1991) 19. "Drop Dead Legs" (1984, 1984) 18. "You Really Got Me" (Van Halen, 1978) 17. "Oh, Pretty Woman" (Diver Down, 1982) 16. "Running With the Devil" (Van Halen, 1978) 15. "Dreams" (5150, 1986) 14. "Everybody Wants Some!!" … Continue reading Van Halen’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

David Lee Roth shows off manly biceps, a giant surfboard, and Steve Vai on the Skyscraper Tour

kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 27, 1988 By Steve Newton Whether you like David Lee Roth or not, there's one thing you've got to admit: the guy's a star. It's hard to take your eyes off him, and few did at the Pacific Coliseum last Saturday (May 21). Whether you're ogling his sexy bod, … Continue reading David Lee Roth shows off manly biceps, a giant surfboard, and Steve Vai on the Skyscraper Tour

Album review: The Four Horsemen, Nobody Said It Was Easy (1991)

  ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 26, 1991 By Steve Newton It can be a long wait between AC/DC albums, so easily-pleased fans of gritty, bastardized blues might cotton to the latest release from a new band featuring former D.O.A. drummer Ken “Dimwit” Montgomery. The Four Horsemen’s Nobody Said It Was Easy offers … Continue reading Album review: The Four Horsemen, Nobody Said It Was Easy (1991)

Chainsaws and stage-divers help D.O.A. take care of business at “final” show

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 6, 1990 By Steve Newton Homing in on the Commodore to witness what should have been a historic event in the annals of Vancouver rock—the last ever show by legendary local punkers D.O.A.—what do I see but a sign taped to the Granville venue’s door: “Sold out—second show added Dec. 13”. … Continue reading Chainsaws and stage-divers help D.O.A. take care of business at “final” show

Deafening Danzig puts earplugs to the test in Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 11, 1990 By Steve Newton Over the years, yours truly has seen and heard a lot of things during his many sojourns to that famed Vancouver rock den known as the Commodore. But the recent Thanksgiving Day (October 8) show by L.A. metallists Danzig offered something new: the … Continue reading Deafening Danzig puts earplugs to the test in Vancouver

ZZ Top to play first-ever Vancouver theatre show this March

I've been lucky enough to have seen ZZ Top a number of times over the years, the first being at the Pacific Coliseum back in 1976 or so. I think it was on the Fandango tour, but I can't find any mention of that gig anywhere online. Anybody else see that show, before the big-beard period? Pretty … Continue reading ZZ Top to play first-ever Vancouver theatre show this March

The Black Halos are back in black

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON SEPT. 1, 2005 By Steve Newton There couldn't be a more appropriate local group opening for the New York Dolls at the Commodore tonight (September 1) than the Black Halos. The hard-rocking quintet performed twice--once at the now-defunct Ms. T's, then again at the Pic Pub--as a Dolls tribute band under the … Continue reading The Black Halos are back in black