That time the Cult’s Ian Astbury told me that he thought session drummer Mickey Curry was “totally wasted” with Bryan Adams

By Steve Newton Back in January of 1992 I interviewed the Cult vocalist Ian Astbury while his band was touring behind its fifth studio album, Ceremony. That LP--and the one before it, the Bob Rock-produced Sonic Temple--had featured American session drummer Mickey Curry, who is best known for his work recording and touring with Bryan … Continue reading That time the Cult’s Ian Astbury told me that he thought session drummer Mickey Curry was “totally wasted” with Bryan Adams

Billy Idol humps the stage and Steve Stevens’ guitars rage as the Whiplash Smile tour hits Vancouver

chris cameron photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 22, 1987 By Steve Newton When Billy Idol kept stalling and stalling the release of his latest LP, Whiplash Smile, there was some real danger that the man's popularity--which had reached great heights after the release of 1983's Rebel Yell--was beginning to run its course. When a star with so … Continue reading Billy Idol humps the stage and Steve Stevens’ guitars rage as the Whiplash Smile tour hits Vancouver

Mott the Hoople drummer Dale “Buffin” Griffin dies from Alzheimers at 67

By Steve Newton The drummer from one of my fave bands of the '70s has passed away. Dale "Buffin" Griffin, a founding member of Mott the Hoople, died peacefully in his sleep last night. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2009. Griffin played on all the Mott the Hoople albums, including 1972's breakthrough All the … Continue reading Mott the Hoople drummer Dale “Buffin” Griffin dies from Alzheimers at 67

Bonham tours behind The Disregard of Timekeeping and Jason reflects on his dear old dad

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 22, 1989 By Steve Newton In September of 1980, Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham died of a heart attack attributed to massive quantities of alcohol. A year before that tragedy--which stopped the much-loved band in its tracks--Led Zeppelin performed a major outdoor concert at Knebworth, England, and Bonham's 13-year-old son Jason … Continue reading Bonham tours behind The Disregard of Timekeeping and Jason reflects on his dear old dad

Ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist John Sykes on Blue Murder, Bob Rock, and the Little Mountain sound

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 16, 1989 By Steve Newton By now, most every rock fan in Vancouver must be aware that many of North America's best-selling bands--Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and the Cult to name a few--have been making their latest chart-topping records right here in town. Little Mountain Sound on West 7th has been the … Continue reading Ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist John Sykes on Blue Murder, Bob Rock, and the Little Mountain sound

Cult guitarist Billy Duffy says it all boils down to the Les Paul

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 25, 1989 By Steve Newton In the last few years, little old Vancouver has become a real attraction for top-name recording acts, rivaling some of the more established music centres in the world. Bon Jovi started the ball rolling by recording the zillion-selling Slippery When Wet album here in 1986, followed … Continue reading Cult guitarist Billy Duffy says it all boils down to the Les Paul

Lars Ulrich denies that Grammy “loser” Metallica is mellowing out with …And Justice For All

By Steve Newton On May 31, 1989, Metallica played Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum on a bill with the Cult. This was just three months after the band had its expected Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance stolen away by Jethro Tull--whose Crest of a Knave album somehow beat out Metallica's mighty ...And Justice for All--and metal … Continue reading Lars Ulrich denies that Grammy “loser” Metallica is mellowing out with …And Justice For All

An electrifying Lenny Kravitz blows the Cult off the stage in Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 16, 1992 By Steve Newton When I saw local singing sensation Sarah McLachlan pick up her coat and leave the press box after Lenny Kravitz’s opening slot for the Cult, I thought: “Geez, she could have stuck around for a couple of rockin’ Cult tunes.” But, as it turned out, the … Continue reading An electrifying Lenny Kravitz blows the Cult off the stage in Vancouver

The Cult’s Ian Astbury claims that touring with Lenny Kravitz is “a spiritual event”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 9, 1992 By Steve Newton Some folks might have been surprised to hear that the Cult is touring with Lenny Kravitz. After all, the straightforward, bluesy hard-rock of the former is quite distinct from the Beatlesque, ’60s pop styles of the latter. Or is it? According to Cult singer Ian Astbury, … Continue reading The Cult’s Ian Astbury claims that touring with Lenny Kravitz is “a spiritual event”