Album review: Lynyrd Skynyrd, God & Guns (2009)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, By Steve Newton In the very first Payback column the Straight ever published I was called a “Skynyrd-loving moron” by a ticked-off Lou Reed fan, and—thanks to incessant reminders from caring colleagues Mike Usinger and John Lucas—have never been allowed to forget it. In a way I was proud of the label, though, … Continue reading Album review: Lynyrd Skynyrd, God & Guns (2009)

Album review: John Fogerty, Revival (2007)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 1, 2007 By Steve Newton There's nothing sweeter in the world of rock 'n' roll than the sound of John Fogerty railing against warmongers, as he's been doing so successfully ever since Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" blasted onto the radio back in '69. On Revival, his best … Continue reading Album review: John Fogerty, Revival (2007)

Horror review: The X-Files–I Want to Believe

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 25, 2008 There was a lot of secrecy surrounding the new X-Files movie. The story line was kept under heavy wraps, and when stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson made the promotional rounds of the TV talk-show circuit, they’d be all coy about the plot, then look embarrassed after showing a lame clip of their respective … Continue reading Horror review: The X-Files–I Want to Believe

Warren Haynes says Dickey Betts and Derek Trucks are “two distinctly different personalities”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 10, 2004 By Steve Newton When original Gov't Mule bassist Allen Woody died of a heart attack in August of 2000, he left a sizable pair of shoes that have taken bandmates Warren Haynes and Matt Abst more than three years to fill. At first, the two remaining members didn't even … Continue reading Warren Haynes says Dickey Betts and Derek Trucks are “two distinctly different personalities”

Warren Haynes is proud that Gov’t Mule’s new CD draws comparisons to Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 12, 2006 By Steve Newton Warren Haynes spends a large part of his time with a guitar in his hands; for more than a decade he's been doing double duty with southern-rock legends the Allman Brothers and blues-rock kings Gov't Mule. So it's no surprise that the musician is pictured playing … Continue reading Warren Haynes is proud that Gov’t Mule’s new CD draws comparisons to Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy

Sheryl Crow keeps it classy in Vancouver

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 5, 2008 Sheryl Crow doesn’t suffer fools—or dickheads like Karl Rove— gladly. That’s why, after getting involved in a heated exchange on global warming with George W. Bush’s former deputy chief of staff at a White House dinner last year, she became hell-bent on using her art to strike back … Continue reading Sheryl Crow keeps it classy in Vancouver

Steve Earle dedicates a song “to Dubya and his fucking horse” in Coquitlam

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 9, 2012 By Steve Newton American songwriting legend Steve Earle played Coquitlam's Red Robinson Show Theatre last night, and--as always--took no prisoners as far as his political beliefs are concerned. One of the many highlights of the solo acoustic show was the performance of "Little Emperor", a song off Earle's latest … Continue reading Steve Earle dedicates a song “to Dubya and his fucking horse” in Coquitlam