ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 15, 2001 By Steve Newton Midnight Oil is one of the most politically motivated and socially conscious guitar-rock bands in the world. Although best known for embracing Aboriginal land-rights issues in its native Australia via the 1988 hit “Beds Are Burning”, the quintet has always kept an eye … Continue reading Midnight Oil won’t forgo antinationalist songs in wake of 9/11
Tag: New York
Michael Stipe can’t stop calling Being John Malkovich audacious
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 28, 1999 By Steve Newton NEW YORK—Michael Stipe is best-known as the singer for Athens, Georgia, guitar-rock greats R.E.M., the band he’s fronted since 1980. But he’s got another life as a film producer that only industry insiders and dedicated movie buffs are aware of. His mostly overlooked … Continue reading Michael Stipe can’t stop calling Being John Malkovich audacious
Sinister director goes from horrifying to horrible with Deliver Us From Evil
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 3, 2014 Director Scott Derrickson's Sinister was one of the better Hollywood fright flicks of 2012. It was a grim descent into domestic horror, with Ethan Hawke convincingly portraying a true-crime writer uncovering genuinely creepy supernatural goings-on at his new home. Derrickson's latest, Deliver Us From Evil, is pretty much the opposite. … Continue reading Sinister director goes from horrifying to horrible with Deliver Us From Evil
That time the Newt interviewed Seinfeld’s Newman in New York
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 14, 1996 By Steve Newton NEW YORK—Most people may not know actor Wayne Knight by name, but they know the portly Newman character from TV’s Seinfeld. Knight’s increasingly regular appearances as Jerry’s neurotic nemesis have helped develop a cult following for the pathetic mailman he portrays—a following that … Continue reading That time the Newt interviewed Seinfeld’s Newman in New York
Ruth Ruth’s free tapes and gratis gigs led to American Recordings debut
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 4, 1996 If you’re a musician, working a day job at a record shop certainly has its perks. First off, you get to listen to music all day. Then maybe you get a discount on CDs. For New York City pop-punks Ruth Ruth, guitarist Mike Lustig’s record-store employment … Continue reading Ruth Ruth’s free tapes and gratis gigs led to American Recordings debut
Bob Dylan Blu-ray smokes with Johnny Winter, Neil Young & Tom Petty
By Steve Newton Back in October of '92 a mindblowing array of the world's top recording artists performed at New York's Madison Square Garden for Bob Dylan's 30th anniversary concert celebration, and this Tuesday (March 4) a deluxe edition of the concert is being released on CD, DVD and Blu-ray. I watched the Blu-ray this … Continue reading Bob Dylan Blu-ray smokes with Johnny Winter, Neil Young & Tom Petty
John Butler ponders fierce addiction and peaceful death on Flesh & Blood
When John Butler answers his phone in New York City he’s got four words to describe the weather in the Big Frozen Apple: “Snowy, snowy, snowy, sno-weee.” It’s a far cry from the toasty beaches and rolling surf of his native Australia, and the vibe has only gotten frostier of late. It’s less than 24 … Continue reading John Butler ponders fierce addiction and peaceful death on Flesh & Blood
John Butler’s deep-groove bassist brings the Snoop Dogg beats
Australian roots-jam singer-songwriter John Butler is quite the groove monster on his new album, Flesh & Blood, but he got a lot of help on one of the funkier numbers from his bassist Byron Luiters. As Butler explained on the line from New York the other day--on a tour that brings him to Vancouver's Commodore … Continue reading John Butler’s deep-groove bassist brings the Snoop Dogg beats
Wildly entertaining P2 is an old-school nail-biter
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 7, 2007 By Steve Newton As if underground parking wasn't scary enough already. Ever try finding an empty spot in the Metrotown parkade on the weekend? The stress involved with that alone can kill ya. I just say, 'Screw it,' park out on the street somewhere, and deal with the pouring rain. … Continue reading Wildly entertaining P2 is an old-school nail-biter