By Steve Newton I was interviewing Todd Kerns a couple weeks ago in advance of the Age of Electric show at the Commodore tonight (April 30), and had an evil thought. Since Kerns is well known as the bassist for Slash, just how far would he go to steal the coveted bass gig in Guns N' Roses … Continue reading Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan needn’t fear a Tonya Harding from Slash bassist Todd Kerns
Tag: Slash
Todd Kerns feels like the Age of Electric are on a mission from god
By Steve Newton Some rock bands from decades past really push it when it comes to authenticity. Often you’ll see a group that’s touring under its old moniker with only one or two original members. Or maybe there’ll just be one—who also happens to be the drummer. (I’m talkin’ to you, Foghat!) It’s a rarity … Continue reading Todd Kerns feels like the Age of Electric are on a mission from god
Outraged guitar freak defends Yngwie Malmsteen and rips the s*** out of my Generation Axe review
By Steve Newton Some guy named Fretfire did not totally agree with my review of the Generation Axe show in Vancouver the other night. Here’s his comment: Pathetic, Steve. I thought you were cooler than this, especially since you recently posted the interview: “Uli Jon Roth calls Yngwie Malmsteen “one of the alltime greats”, but says he’s … Continue reading Outraged guitar freak defends Yngwie Malmsteen and rips the s*** out of my Generation Axe review
Newt’s hopes of a second shot at Slash’s JD stash fade with Guns N’ Roses tour news
By Steve Newton "Rock and roll's a loser's game," Ian Hunter once sang, and today I get what he was talkin' about in that line from "The Ballad of Mott the Hoople". A few hours ago Guns N' Roses announced 21 cities on its forthcoming summer tour, but my town--Vancouver--wasn't on the list. So I … Continue reading Newt’s hopes of a second shot at Slash’s JD stash fade with Guns N’ Roses tour news
Newt’s Top 10 albums of 2014
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, DEC. 10, 2014 By Steve Newton One of the biggest music stories of 2014 concerned the trials and tribulations of AC/DC, which had one original member retire due to dementia and another facing criminal charges. The return of Pink Floyd after two decades also made a few headlines—or garnered a ton … Continue reading Newt’s Top 10 albums of 2014
Guitar heroes help the Yardbirds fly again with Birdland
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 3, 2003 By Steve Newton When the Yardbirds were recording their new Birdland CD for the guitar-oriented Favored Nations label, they made sure to feature company prez Steve Vai on the remake of their 1966 hit, “Shapes of Things”. The quintet also encouraged such six-string stalwarts as Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Steve … Continue reading Guitar heroes help the Yardbirds fly again with Birdland
The Newt’s top 10 albums of 2014: yep, AC/DC’s on there
AC/DC Rock or Bust With the help of Langley’s Mike Fraser as engineer and mixer, the Australian hard-rock icons create a fitting follow-up to 2008’s hugely successful Black Ice album. Its first-ever album without stalwart rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young shows the band in fine, swaggering form. Pink Floyd The Endless River The prog-rock legends’ first album in … Continue reading The Newt’s top 10 albums of 2014: yep, AC/DC’s on there
Ear of Newt’s top five Vancouver concerts of 2014
DBT photo by the Newt For me, it's always a good year for concerts when the Drive-By Truckers can be included in the year-end wrap-up, and their performance at the Vogue Theatre on April 22 was one of the two best gigs I attended in 2014. It helped that the Alabama/Georgia-based band was touring behind one … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s top five Vancouver concerts of 2014
Todd Kerns, the most rockin’ Canadian bassist of the 21st century, appears on Howard Stern
Todd Kerns, recently declared to be "the Most Rockin’ Canadian Bassist of the 21st Century", performed with his band SMK&C (Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators) on the Howard Stern Show yesterday. That's a long way from his birthplace of Estevan, Saskatchewan. But anybody who's been following the lanky rocker's career with wicked Vancouver … Continue reading Todd Kerns, the most rockin’ Canadian bassist of the 21st century, appears on Howard Stern
Slash, Myles Kennedy, and the Conspirators deliver the concert of a lifetime in Vancouver
photos by Jet Sutherland By Steve Newton As I write this it's been over 12 hours since Slash left the stage at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, and my ears are still ringing loudly. It sounds like rock 'n' roll. Holy crap was that an awesome show! I've been reviewing rock gigs for nearly 35 years, and … Continue reading Slash, Myles Kennedy, and the Conspirators deliver the concert of a lifetime in Vancouver
Slash’s Vancouver gig tonight promises plenty of Guns N’ Roses–and the return of Todd “Dammit” Kerns
If the setlist from Slash's show in San Francisco two nights ago is any indication, his Vancouver fans are in for a whole lotta GN'R action tonight.During his show at the Fillmore the top-hatted guitar hero led his group the Conspirators, featuring vocalist Myles Kennedy, in no less than six Guns N' Roses numbers, including one … Continue reading Slash’s Vancouver gig tonight promises plenty of Guns N’ Roses–and the return of Todd “Dammit” Kerns
A small world helped Brother Cane score tour with Slash’s Snakepit
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 4, 1995 By Steve Newton While more than 40 singers auditioned for the lead-vocalist job in Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash’s solo band, Snakepit, probably just as many bands would have lined up to try out for the prestigious opening spot on that group’s tour. When that bill hits the sold-out … Continue reading A small world helped Brother Cane score tour with Slash’s Snakepit
With the Big 3-0 looming, Slash figures that “it’s happy hour somewhere”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 27, 1995 By Steve Newton When you’re guitar god Slash from Guns N’ Roses and you’re looking for a singer, you get to take your pick. Many hopefuls tried out for the lead-vocalist position in Slash’s Snakepit, including King’s X crooner Doug Pinnick, Spike from the London Quireboys, and former Little … Continue reading With the Big 3-0 looming, Slash figures that “it’s happy hour somewhere”