Tag: Plaza of Nations

54•40 walks the walk with first indie release since the ’80s

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 31, 2003 By Steve Newton Although they started out in the early ’80s as indie artists on MoDaMu Records, local guitar-rockers 54•40 have been signed to major labels since 1986, first with Warner Bros. and then with Columbia/Sony. But with its 10th studio album, Goodbye Flatland, the band … Continue reading 54•40 walks the walk with first indie release since the ’80s

Colin Linden says that Rockpile and the Clash influenced Blackie’s BARK

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 31, 2003 By Steve Newton There’s a handful of CDs that have pretty well guaranteed placement in my personal top 10 of 2003. By the Grace of God, the stunning riff-fest from Swedish hard rockers the Hellacopters, has already copped a spot; likewise Trouble No More, the bare-bones, … Continue reading Colin Linden says that Rockpile and the Clash influenced Blackie’s BARK

Even Ted Nugent wants to get backstage to meet Nickelback as Silver Side Up storms the charts

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE CALGARY STRAIGHT, DEC. 6, 2001 By Steve Newton If you want to know how well Nickelback lead vocalist, guitarist, and lyricist Chad Kroeger’s musical career is going, you only need look as far as the 27-year-old rocker’s Langley home. He just put in a hot tub. And had the pool enlarged. … Continue reading Even Ted Nugent wants to get backstage to meet Nickelback as Silver Side Up storms the charts

Tantric rises from the ashes of Days of the New, tours with 3 Doors Down and Lifehouse

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 5, 2001 In November of 1998, an acoustic guitar–based rock band out of Kentucky called Days of the New had the world by the short ’n’ curlies. Its self-titled debut album had gone platinum, it had garnered heavy airplay on MTV, and it had even landed a tour … Continue reading Tantric rises from the ashes of Days of the New, tours with 3 Doors Down and Lifehouse

Steve Vai on his long fingers, long feet, long arms, and…“you know”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 25, 1997 By Steve Newton On the cover of his Grammy-nominated Alien Love Secrets CD, Steve Vai strikes a pose while covered in metallic-blue body paint. He’s got his hands over his face and is peering out from between fingers that are so long, you’d think one of those multilimbed creatures … Continue reading Steve Vai on his long fingers, long feet, long arms, and…“you know”

Joe Satriani reveals that he’s invited Clapton, Beck, and Page on G3 tours

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 25, 1997 By Steve Newton A concert by Bay Area guitar wizard Joe Satriani is usually all it takes to transport his followers to instrumental-rock heaven, but come Friday (September 26) at the Plaza of Nations, they’ll be getting way more twang for their buck. That’s when Satriani brings his G3 … Continue reading Joe Satriani reveals that he’s invited Clapton, Beck, and Page on G3 tours

Even Limblifter has trouble topping the Odds’ power-pop at Foxfest ’96

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 25, 1996 The folks at CFOX radio have been jubilantly claiming that “the Fox rocks!” for quite some time now, but as any Vancouverite with cable hooked up to their tuner can tell you, it’s really the stations out of Seattle that can rock you like a hurricane. … Continue reading Even Limblifter has trouble topping the Odds’ power-pop at Foxfest ’96

One band ain’t enough for Limblifter and Age of Electric’s Ryan Dahle

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 4, 1996 Most rockers would be happy being in one major-label recording band, touring around the country and heading into the studio when the time is right to make another album. But after spending seven years in Age of Electric, and getting signed to MCA Records in Canada … Continue reading One band ain’t enough for Limblifter and Age of Electric’s Ryan Dahle

Bad Religion frontman more impressed by D.O.A. than the Sex Pistols

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 2, 1996 By Steve Newton Who would have guessed that the same punk-rock music that was big in the late ’70s would be all the rage in the middle of the ’90s? Just five years ago, the announcement of a Sex Pistols reunion tour would have been scoffed … Continue reading Bad Religion frontman more impressed by D.O.A. than the Sex Pistols

Dickey Betts figures the Allman Brothers transcend generations

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 23, 1992 By Steve Newton Every long-time Allman Brothers fan has a favourite tune by the influential Southern rock band. Some folks tend towards the bluesy slide-guitar riff of “One Way Out”, some go hog-wild when they hear the cascading guitar intro to the band’s biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man”, and still … Continue reading Dickey Betts figures the Allman Brothers transcend generations

The Trews do not believe that Vancouver music scribe Adrian Mack is an idiot

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 8, 2004 By Steve Newton Niagara Falls based guitar-rockers the Trews have a memorable bio making the rounds in the music press. Sure, the quartet's Sony Music promo sheet is typical in that it comes off as a rave about the band, but the way it's done is unique. For example, … Continue reading The Trews do not believe that Vancouver music scribe Adrian Mack is an idiot