Tag: UFO

Newt’s top 10 rock albums of 1974

By Steve Newton I reckon it’s time for me to head back five decades and reminisce about what was truly rockin’ in the Year of Our Lord, 1974. I’ve listed my top ten studio albums alphabetically by title, and included three choice tracks from each disc to help you remember how wicked they really were. … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 rock albums of 1974

Coast to Coast rocks Surrey like a hurricane while paying tribute to guitar great Michael Schenker

By Steve Newton I don't get out to too many tribute concerts. I've been reviewing nothing but the real thing for over 40 years now, so why settle for imitations? But I made the quick trip across the Scott Road border from North Delta to the Surrey Arts Centre last night because I believe Coast … Continue reading Coast to Coast rocks Surrey like a hurricane while paying tribute to guitar great Michael Schenker

Ear of Newt has two free tickets to Coast to Coast’s February 24 gig in Surrey: who wants ’em?

Coast to Coast By Steve Newton If you're a big fan of classic hard-rock bands like UFO, Scorpions, and the Michael Schenker Group, here's a contest for ya. Local tribute band Coast to Coast--known for cranking out fab versions of UFO's "Lights Out", the Scorps' "No One Like You", and MSG's "Armed and Ready"--is playing … Continue reading Ear of Newt has two free tickets to Coast to Coast’s February 24 gig in Surrey: who wants ’em?

Hey Michael Schenker freaks: Coast to Coast blasts the best of UFO, MSG, and Scorps at a Surrey Food Bank benefit

By Steve Newton One of my favourite hobbies back in the '70s and early '80s was collecting LPs by bands like UFO, Scorpions, and MSG. The one thing that all three bands had in common--at one point or another--was lead guitarist Michael Schenker, whose speedy and intense yet beautifully melodic playing kept me transfixed for … Continue reading Hey Michael Schenker freaks: Coast to Coast blasts the best of UFO, MSG, and Scorps at a Surrey Food Bank benefit

That time I asked Michael Schenker which UFO album he was most impressed with himself

By Steve Newton In March of 1992 I did an interview with Michael Schenker, one of my favourite hard-rock guitarists of all time, whose work with Scorpions, UFO, and MSG totally blew me away. Especially the UFO stuff. When the Phenomenon album came out in 1974 I had just turned 17, and tunes like "Doctor … Continue reading That time I asked Michael Schenker which UFO album he was most impressed with himself

Iron Maiden was the world’s best metal band in Vancouver last night

all photos by Jeff Sutherland By Steve Newton Your first concert is a big deal--or that's what my nephew Jeff says, anyway. Thirty-five years ago I took him to his very first rock show, at the Pacific Coliseum. It was Iron Maiden on the Powerslave tour. He was 14. It ruled. Last night (Sept. 3) … Continue reading Iron Maiden was the world’s best metal band in Vancouver last night

The 70 greatest opening tracks of the ’70s

By Steve Newton Remember how you'd set the needle down on the opening track of a new rock album and the first tune would just blow you the funk away? Me too. "(Ain't Nothin' But a) House Party" (Bloodshot, J. Geils Band, 1973) "All the Way From Memphis" (Mott, Mott the Hoople, 1973) "Already Gone" … Continue reading The 70 greatest opening tracks of the ’70s

Album review: UFO, Making Contact (1983)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 15, 1983 By Steve Newton While we're on the subject of riff-riddled hard rock, take into consideration the latest UFO release, Making Contact. The man who now holds Michael Schenker's old position on lead guitar, Paul Chapman, is no lightweight when it comes to intense blues bastardization. UFO … Continue reading Album review: UFO, Making Contact (1983)

That time Circus Magazine’s editorial department sent me a rejection letter :(

By Steve Newton Back on July 10, 1981, somebody at Circus Magazine sent me a rejection letter. They could have at least signed it. Back in the seventies I devoured Circus. It was a total fanzine, but it really covered the bands I was interested in. On any given issue you'd see capitalized band names like … Continue reading That time Circus Magazine’s editorial department sent me a rejection letter 🙁