Lou Reed gets high on his Ecstasy in Vancouver, keeps the rock ‘n’ roll animal muzzled

A couple of weeks ago I picked up a newly remastered copy of Rock 'n' Roll Animal, because it's one of the best live albums ever released.

That time some chick called me “a Skynyrd-loving moron” so I hummed a few bars of “Free Bird”

By Steve Newton Back in June of 2000 the Vancouver newspaper I'm still working at (god willing), the Georgia Straight, introduced a new column called Payback Time, where ticked-off readers could write in and vociferously complain about the music critics' opinions, before the scribe under attack was allowed to defend himself with a potentially witty … Continue reading That time some chick called me “a Skynyrd-loving moron” so I hummed a few bars of “Free Bird”

Album review: R.E.M., Dead Letter Office (1987)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 26, 1987 By Steve Newton For R.E.M. fans who can't wait for the follow-up to last year's Life's Rich Pageant LP, there is now a unique compilation of b-sides and studio out-takes to keep them going. And what's most surprising is that, on a whole, Dead Letter Office is … Continue reading Album review: R.E.M., Dead Letter Office (1987)

Newt’s Top 10 albums of 1986

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 19, 1986 By Steve Newton Steve Earle Guitar Town Catchy country-rock with a down home feel that sounds fresh even after repeated listenings. Eurythmics Revenge Irresistible little rock gems that make you hum whether you want to or not. Brian Setzer The Knife Feels Like Justice Stray Cat … Continue reading Newt’s Top 10 albums of 1986

Frankie Goes to Hollywood shatters windows and preconceptions on the Welcome to the Pleasuredome Tour

Frankie said BANG! three times last Saturday, and with a trio of heart-stopping explosions blew out 61 windows of the War Memorial Gym.