ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 28, 1983 By Steve Newton "We kind of call this the 'breakin the rules' project," says Rod Black, aka Elvin Screamer, after his band's performance at a local club last Saturday night. The power trio--comprised of guitarist-lead vocalist Black, bassist Dave Keown, and drummer Kim Masse--had already shattered the first Cabaret … Continue reading Vancouver power trio Elvin Screamer is breaking the rules in its quest for success
Tag: Little Mountain Sound
That time I asked Jon Bon Jovi if he was worried about following up his latest album, Slippery When Wet
By Steve Newton I did the third of my three interviews with Jon Bon Jovi in June of 1987, when his band was touring behind its third LP, Slippery When Wet. That album was recorded at Vancouver’s Little Mountain Sound with producer Bruce Fairbairn and was a huge hit, spawning such #1 singles as "You Give Love a … Continue reading That time I asked Jon Bon Jovi if he was worried about following up his latest album, Slippery When Wet
That time I asked Jon Bon Jovi if recording at Little Mountain Sound had much to do with the success of the new Slippery When Wet LP
By Steve Newton I did the third of my three interviews with Jon Bon Jovi in June of 1987, when his band was touring behind its third LP, Slippery When Wet. That album was recorded at Vancouver's Little Mountain Sound and produced by Bruce Fairbairn, as was its followup, 1988's New Jersey. At one point … Continue reading That time I asked Jon Bon Jovi if recording at Little Mountain Sound had much to do with the success of the new Slippery When Wet LP
Krokus guitarist Fernando von Arb says that The Blitz producer Bruce Fairbairn is a very normal human being
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 1, 1985 By Steve Newton Swiss heavy-metalists Krokus were scheduled to play the Commodore Ballroom late last year, but touring commitments with Sammy Hagar forced cancellation of the gig. And it's too bad, because--since the band is touring behind their strongest LP yet--the show promised to be an exciting one for … Continue reading Krokus guitarist Fernando von Arb says that The Blitz producer Bruce Fairbairn is a very normal human being
10 minutes on the phone with Aerosmith’s Joe Perry in 1988
By Steve Newton Aerosmith released their first five albums while I was teenager, so I freakin' loved Aerosmith. I played a lotta air guitar to Joe Perry's licks back in the day, so it was a kick to interview him for the first time in January of 1988, after the Permanent Vacation LP came out. … Continue reading 10 minutes on the phone with Aerosmith’s Joe Perry in 1988
Joe Perry credits Bruce Fairbairn and Little Mountain Sound with aiding Aerosmith’s rebirth
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 13, 1993 By Steve Newton Vancouverites may wonder what it is about this town that makes a big-time Yankee rock band like Aerosmith want to come all the way from Boston to make records here. It is the scenery? The night-life? The days when it doesn't rain? When Joe Perry calls … Continue reading Joe Perry credits Bruce Fairbairn and Little Mountain Sound with aiding Aerosmith’s rebirth
Aerosmith snubs Vancouver with farewell tour announcement
By Steve Newton Yesterday Aerosmith announced its farewell tour, a five-month jaunt beginning September 2 in Philadelphia and winding up January 26 in Montreal. Unfortunately, they didn't bother to pencil in a date for Vancouver--the city that was instrumental to their huge comeback success in the late '80s and early '90s. The band recorded three … Continue reading Aerosmith snubs Vancouver with farewell tour announcement
Body Electric’s Frank Ludwig connects with street kids through rock ‘n’ roll
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 6, 1984 By Steve Newton "A lot of people figure, 'Gee, you were in Trooper, you were in Iron Horse. I guess it's a real snap'. But we're struggling, I'll be honest with you--have been for a long time. So it's really encouraging that people are coming out and saying they … Continue reading Body Electric’s Frank Ludwig connects with street kids through rock ‘n’ roll
That time 24-year-old Jon Bon Jovi raved to me about recording in Vancouver just before Slippery When Wet exploded on the charts
By Steve Newton I did my second interview with Jon Bon Jovi in July of 1986, when his band was heading to Vancouver for a date opening for Judas Priest. Little did anybody know that one month later, when Bon Jovi released its made-in-Vancouver album Slippery When Wet, it would rocket to worldwide fame and … Continue reading That time 24-year-old Jon Bon Jovi raved to me about recording in Vancouver just before Slippery When Wet exploded on the charts
Album review: Aerosmith, Pump (1989)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 6, 1989 By Steve Newton Some bands grow old gracefully, mellowing with age, but not Aerosmith. On Pump, the follow-up to the band's 1987 comeback album Permanent Vacation, the bad boys from Boston are as rude 'n' rowdy as ever. And nobody does it better. Pump kicks off … Continue reading Album review: Aerosmith, Pump (1989)
That time I asked famed producer Bruce Fairbairn what he thought of famed producer Bob Rock
By Steve Newton Back in December of 1991 I wrote a lengthy article on Vancouver producer Bob Rock, best known for his work with Metallica, and one of the Big Three of Vancouver hard-rock producers (along with fellow Little Mountain Sound-men Bruce Fairbairn and Mike Fraser). While putting the story together I gave Fairbairn a … Continue reading That time I asked famed producer Bruce Fairbairn what he thought of famed producer Bob Rock
Album review: Aerosmith, Permanent Vacation (1987)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 18, 1987 By Steve Newton "If you grew up in the '70s you liked Aerosmith." That's what Peter Buck of R.E.M. wrote in the liner notes to his band's version of Aerosmith's "Toys in the Attic," and Buck knows of which he speaks. With albums like Get Your … Continue reading Album review: Aerosmith, Permanent Vacation (1987)
Album review: Bon Jovi, New Jersey (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 21, 1988 By Steve Newton There are hundreds of hard rock bands out there that are just as good as Bon Jovi. Unfortunately for them, they don't have Bon Jovi's talent for coming up with tunes that are both radio-friendly and capable of hooking into the mass consciousness … Continue reading Album review: Bon Jovi, New Jersey (1988)