The Northern Pikes’ reunion sabotaged by awful sound at the Commodore

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 3, 2000 I’ve always been a sucker for rock ’n’ roll reunions. If a band I used to like gets back together—especially with all its former members intact—I say “Right on!” When I heard the Northern Pikes, one of my fave Canuck-pop groups from the ’80s, were touring … Continue reading The Northern Pikes’ reunion sabotaged by awful sound at the Commodore

Gordon Downie thanks Bruce Allen for making the Tragically Hip famous in Vancouver

mike chernoff photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 18, 1999 By Steve Newton I’ve always been mightily impressed by the Tragically Hip’s live presentation. It didn’t matter which venue I’d see them in—whether it was the wee Railway Club or sprawling T-Bird Stadium, the classic Commodore or scenic Seabird Island—I always went away … Continue reading Gordon Downie thanks Bruce Allen for making the Tragically Hip famous in Vancouver

Soundgarden brings killer riffs and a sound mix from hell to Vancouver

photo by rebecca blissett ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, FEB. 10, 2013 By Steve Newton Vancouver's Soundgarden fans had real reason to rejoice in 2010 when the classic lineup of singer Chris Cornell, guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd, and drummer Matt Cameron reunited after 12 years apart, and then announced a summer arena tour that … Continue reading Soundgarden brings killer riffs and a sound mix from hell to Vancouver