The news waits for no one -- at least that's what we read somewhere -- so it's perfectly understandable that you, the reader, might have missed out on a musical tidbit, breaking news about your favorite venue, or one of our rants.
So enjoy this digest-style sampling of some of our biggest stories from the week of October 8-12.
Jimmy Eat World and Bill Clinton Rock the Mic for Senate Candidate Rich Carmona
Ah, politics; that time-honored tradition of finger-pointing, polls, debates, rallies and rock 'n' roll. Now in the home stretch of campaigning, politicians everywhere are making their final push towards election night. For Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Rich Carmona, having one rockstar on his bill wasn't enough, so he called in hometown heroes Jimmy Eat World to join him and former President Bill Clinton for Wednesday night's Get Out the Vote Rally in Tempe.
The Mesa-natives lent their talents and extensive fan base to Carmona as he squares off against Republican Jeff Flake.
Check out the full story here.
--Jason P. Woodbury
What is Puscifer? (Besides being the International Multi-Media Project I've been developing since 1995?) Good question. We usually respond with the very dismissive and obviously evasive answer: "What is Puscifer is what Puscifer is." A less evasive version of the answer is that it is an "uncertain creative space where almost anything goes." In keeping with that moving target sensibility, I will attempt to go the long way around with yet another one of many possible elusive answers.
Stow away all your baggage and get cozy. Your in flight cocktail for this Air Bus cruise will include ingredients such as sarcasm, grossly unsubstantiated conclusions, assumed facts not in evidence, smoke, mirrors, and a dash of improvisational hogwash. Seat belts on. Electronics off.
Read Maynard's full column here.
--Maynard James Keenan
Father John Misty, Rhythm Room, 10/10/12
"I want to do what a stripper does, and in another way do what a carnival barker does, or a shaman, some kind of Pentecostal preacher," Josh Tillman, the singer/songwriter known by his alter ego Father John Misty, said when we spoke in advance of his show at Rhythm Room Wednesday night. "Those are all more interesting archetypes than a guitarist to me."
You could add a couple other vocations to that list: comedian, lunatic, "hobo rambler." Tillman's a swaggering, forceful live performer, and the asides, between song banter, and ad-libbing within the songs all point to the same blackened wit that makes Fear Fun, which was nearly performed in its entirety, one of the best records of the year.
Check out the full review and slideshow here.
--Jason P. Woodbury
The Black Keys, US Airways Center, 10/9/12
The Black Keys have come a long way since their last performance in Phoenix a year and a half ago. They released a new album, El Camino, played prime time slots at Coachella two years in a row, and performed at a much larger venue last night.
The decision for both Black Keys and Tegan and Sara to expand from a two-person act to a full band seems to be a good one, as both musicians had their share of enthused fans.
The show wasn't quite sold out, which was surprising compared to the huge draws at Radiohead and Arcade Fire, but it was pretty packed regardless. The main sections were pretty full, so only a few poor saps were stuck in the nosebleed section. Check out the full Black Keys review and slideshow here.
--Melissa Fossum
Shelby Lynne Doesn't Get Off On Her Own Voice
Country artist Shelby Lynne became something of a household name in 1999 when her album I Am Shelby Lynne dropped to immediate critical acclaim. That she had already released five albums seemed not matter to Grammy Award voters who gave her the Best New Artist award.
At this stage in her career, Lynne can laugh it off, though she's happy to wear the Grammy-winner badge, and has used that claim to grasp more control over her music, and forming her own label.
Revelation Road, her most recent album, now available as a just-released deluxe edition featuring a live CD and DVD, is her most personal and intimate set of songs to date. She takes that intimacy a step further on the live disc, which features songs from that album and throughout her career, stripped naked as Lynne performs solo. Her concert at the Musical Instrument Museum follows this same pattern.
Up on the Sun caught up with Lynne at her home in Rancho Mirage, California.
--Glenn BurnSilver
Bonus time:
8 Best DJs in Phoenix: Best of Phoenix 2012
Phoenix has its fair share of DJs; some better than others. Here are our picks for the best DJs around town straight from Best of Phoenix 2012. If you're looking for dubstep, goth, house, or just about anything else, these eight DJs have you covered.
--Phoenix New Times Staff
