Devin Townsend plays Thunderbird Arena By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Dreamsonic 2023, a prog-metal extravaganza featuring Dream Theater, Devin Townsend, and Animals as Leaders., takes place at Thunderbird Arena. Caution: it might be loud. FRIDAY: American comedian and actor Brad Williams performs two shows of standup at the Rio Theatre. Early show SOLD OUT. FRIDAY: the Vancouver Whitecaps take on … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 13) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, July 21 to 23
Tag: Devin Townsend
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, July 17 to 21
Devin Townsend plays Thunderbird Arena By Steve Newton MONDAY: screening at the VIFF Centre of director George Miller’s post-apocalyptic 1981 action movie The Road Warrior, starring Mel Gibson as “Mad” Max Rockatansky. WEDNESDAY: Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society presents a 20th anniversary screening at the Cinematheque of Vancouver directors Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbot's rabble-rousing social documentary The Corporation, based on … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week, July 17 to 21
Newt’s top 10 Metro Vancouver concerts in July
Nita Strauss plays the Rickshaw By Steve Newton Nita Strauss: heavy-metal guitar virtuoso, formerly of the Alice Cooper band, with guests Lions at the Gate. July 2 at the Rickshaw Theatre. That lady can play! Scott Smith & the Evil Ways: Vancouver guitarist is featured in a celebration of the music of Santana, accompanied by … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Metro Vancouver concerts in July
Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts to see in the second half of 2023
Nita Strauss plays the Rickshaw By Steve Newton There were some darn fine concerts to see in Vancouver during the first half of 2023--including gigs by Jason Isbell, Larkin Poe, John Mellencamp, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Now here's my top 10 picks for the second half of the year. Rock on, people! Nita … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts to see in the second half of 2023
Mudvayne’s Chad Gray says that his fave metal act is Devin Townsend
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 2, 2006 By Steve Newton In the CD booklet for his band's latest release, Lost and Found, Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray relays the usual thank-yous to family and friends, musical colleagues, and business associates. Then he adds: "To those who have tried to hurt us in our past, … Continue reading Mudvayne’s Chad Gray says that his fave metal act is Devin Townsend
AC/DC’s undying influence on Vancouver rockers, record-store owners, and radio personalities
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 19, 2001 By Steve Newton The members of AC/DC aren’t doing any interviews in advance of their two shows at the Pacific Coliseum on Sunday and Monday (April 22 and 23), but that’s okay, because if they were, they’d probably just want to talk about their latest album, Stiff Upper Lip. And quite frankly, … Continue reading AC/DC’s undying influence on Vancouver rockers, record-store owners, and radio personalities
Outraged guitar freak defends Yngwie Malmsteen and rips the s*** out of my Generation Axe review
By Steve Newton Some guy named Fretfire did not totally agree with my review of the Generation Axe show in Vancouver the other night. Here’s his comment: Pathetic, Steve. I thought you were cooler than this, especially since you recently posted the interview: “Uli Jon Roth calls Yngwie Malmsteen “one of the alltime greats”, but says he’s … Continue reading Outraged guitar freak defends Yngwie Malmsteen and rips the s*** out of my Generation Axe review
Generation Axe in Vancouver: 2.5 million notes and no wanking (except for Yngwie)
By Steve Newton Went to see the Generation Axe show in Vancouver last night--featuring Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde, Nuno Bettencourt, and Tosin Abasi--and, as expected, there were a lotta notes. But the term "wanking" didn't come to mind that often, surprisingly--and usually only when flashmaster Malmsteen was practicing his scales at breakneck speed. … Continue reading Generation Axe in Vancouver: 2.5 million notes and no wanking (except for Yngwie)
Steve Vai on cocky G3 tourmate Yngwie Malmsteen and tormented “genius” Devin Townsend
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 9, 2003 By Steve Newton I was a tad taken aback when the press release came in announcing the lineup for Joe Satriani’s 2003 G3 Tour. It wasn’t a surprise to see long-time G3er (and former Satch student) Steve Vai’s name on the bill. But I didn’t expect … Continue reading Steve Vai on cocky G3 tourmate Yngwie Malmsteen and tormented “genius” Devin Townsend
Vancouver metal band Empyria gets raves in Europe and Japan
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 2, 2000 It’s dark and dingy in the downstairs “rock room” of Ken Firomski’s Queensborough home, but he doesn’t mind. Firomski’s a heavy-metal bassist, and those guys aren’t always drawn to the sunny side of life. The walls and ceiling are plastered with posters of HM gods like … Continue reading Vancouver metal band Empyria gets raves in Europe and Japan
Devin Townsend’s early days: Gray Skies, Steve Vai, Commodore highs
Vancouver's Devin Townsend is a master of extreme metal. I'm not saying that from personal experience, because I'm not into extreme metal. Old Iron Maiden's about as extreme as I get these days. But from what I've heard the fortyish singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist is quite the artistic genius when it comes to various … Continue reading Devin Townsend’s early days: Gray Skies, Steve Vai, Commodore highs
Queensryche guitarist Michael Wilton does double duty in Soulbender
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 12, 2004 By Steve Newton Local metal legend Devin Townsend will be the main attraction when his eponymous hardcore group headlines the Showroom Cabaret on Saturday (August 14), but the headbangers in the crowd who get there early enough to see opening act Soulbender might recognize a few other well-respected … Continue reading Queensryche guitarist Michael Wilton does double duty in Soulbender