Jay Bennett

This Weekend: Adam Yauch, Backyard Wrestling and Asses of Evil

Podcast: Harry and the Potters

This Weekend: Manzanita Speedway, Dave Matthews Band and Across the Universe

Night Train: Sycamore/Main Street (Stop #28)

I'm on the nightrain, Bottoms up,I'm on the nightrain, Fill my cup,I'm on the nightrain, Ready to crash and burn, I never learn.-- W. Axl Rose, 1987 "Nightrain," the Guns N' Roses song, is actually about a brand of bum wine that'll get you pissy, punch-your-best-friend d ... More >>

Other People's Blogs: Radiohead Split, Beatles Rock Band Guitar, New Look for Electric Mustache

Rolling Stone: Radiohead Advised to "Split Up" Prior to "In Rainbows"Rolling Stone: "The Beatles: Rock Band" Reveals Vintage Guitars, Opens Pre-OrderPitchfork: Jay Bennett Sues Jeff Tweedy Over Wilco Royalties, DocumentaryElectric Mustache:  New Site...What Do You Think?

Other People's Blogs: Scarlett Johansson/Pete Yorn Album Due, RIP Jay Bennett, Grizzly Bear Video

NME: Scarlett Johansson, Pete Yorn album on the wayElectric Mustache: Video: Grizzly Bear Black Cab SessionSo Much Silence: Jay Bennett (1963-2009)Pitchfork: R.I.P. Jay BennettIdolator: The Jonas Brothers Are Looking Over Their Collective Shoulder

Lil Wayne's Lawyers Making Moves in Arizona Courts, Deftones Wiping Bassist Off Record, Casey Kasem Goes For Good

Rolling Stone: Lil Wayne's Lawyer Questions Role of Drug-Sniffing Dog in Bust NME: Deftones re-record new album without bassist Pitchfork: Jay Bennett's Death: Overdose Idolator: Casey Kasem To Reach For The Stars For The Last Time Next Week Electric Mustache: Video: Know Your Enemy NME: Florence An ... More >>

My Name Is Jay Bennett, and I’m a Guitarist From Chicago

Rolling Stone: Lil Wayne's Lawyer Questions Role of Drug-Sniffing Dog in Bust NME: Deftones re-record new album without bassist Pitchfork: Jay Bennett's Death: Overdose Idolator: Casey Kasem To Reach For The Stars For The Last Time Next Week Electric Mustache: Video: Know Your Enemy NME: Florence An ... More >>

Top 10 of 2009: Jay Bennett

Up on the Sun is counting down the days until the unveiling of music editor Martin Cizmar's personal Best of 2009 list with some other lists from New Times' stable of excellent freelancers. Today, we bring you a list from Jay Bennett, New Times' editorial operations manager and a contributor to Up o ... More >>

Nothing Not New: Texas Tornados

Welcome to the "Nothing Not New," a yearlong project in which New Times editorial operations manager Jay Bennett, a 40-year-old music fan and musician, will listen only to music released in 2010. Why? Because in the words of his editor, Martin Cizmar, he suffers from "aesthetic atrophy," a ... More >>

Spoon: Transference in "Nothing Not New"

Welcome to "Nothing Not New," a yearlong project in which New Times editorial operations manager Jay Bennett, a 40-year-old music fan and musician, will listen only to music released in 2010. Each Monday through Friday, he will listen to one new record (no best ofs, reissues, or concert re ... More >>

Eels: End Times in "Nothing Not New"

Welcome to "Nothing Not New," a yearlong project in which New Times editorial operations manager Jay Bennett, a 40-year-old music fan and musician, will listen only to music released in 2010. Each Monday through Friday, he will listen to one new record (no best ofs, reissues, or concert re ... More >>

Beach House: Teen Dream, in "Nothing Not New"

Welcome to "Nothing Not New," a yearlong project in which New Times editorial operations manager Jay Bennett, a 40-year-old music fan and musician, will listen only to music released in 2010. Each Monday through Friday, he will listen to one new record (no best ofs, reissues, or concert re ... More >>

Wednesday Album Stream: Beach House's Teen Dream

You want this album in your life -- you need this album in your life.​If you listen to just one dream pop album this year, I implore you to make that album Beach House's Teen Dream. The Baltimore duo's second full-length comes out next Tuesday, but that didn't stop those in the know over at NPR fr ... More >>

Non-Critics, Bon Jovi Gang Bangs, and More in This Week's New Times

​Jay Bennett's Nothing Not New column has given us all cause to think about, and listen to, brand new music, even if we're more inclined toward cassette aged vinyl.But when do we, (and when should we) cross the lines between "fan," "listener," and "critic?" Jay answers... "They say everyone's a c ... More >>

Five Old Songs That Still Sound Brand New

Tom Verlaine. The archetypal ultra cool indie rock frontman?​The goal of Jay Bennett's ambitious Nothing Not New project is to avoid slipping into a state of "aesthetic atrophy." That's why Jay is listening only to brand-new music for one year. I, for one, believe some people have t ... More >>

What's Selling: Zia Records Tempe

​Though spring break may be fast approaching, college kids are still buying up the latest and greatest at Zia Records in Tempe. Though indie rock typically makes up most of the top ten album sales at this location, there are a few unexpected records that made the cut this week.While Joanna Newsom ... More >>

The Blaze 1330's Guest DJ Week: Who's Spinning and When

​Arizona State's student radio station is always a fun throwback to the glory days of college radio, and perhaps the best showcase of that spirit is the annual Guest DJ Week.The long-running tradition -- which I participated in last year -- started yesterday with restaurateur Chris Bianco and loca ... More >>

Attention, Phoenix: We Are About to Take Over Your Radio for 4 Hours

George Strait​Yes, a four-hour block of Phoenix New Times guest DJs is about to hit Arizona State University's student radio station, The Blaze.Tune in to hear clubs editor Benjamin Leatherman at 11 a.m., me (music editor Martin Cizmar) at high noon, Nothing Not New columnist Jay Bennett at 1 p.m. ... More >>

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 4/8 Issue

​This week, New Times ran a box in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts. Why can't Phoenix's NPR station, KJZZ, be more like KCRW, and play some indie rock? What did local band Blessthe ... More >>

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 4/15 Issue

​This week, New Times ran a box in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts. When will Mesa's Nile Theatre re-open? What do Martin Cizmar and Steve Chilton think of the movement to get indie ... More >>

Arctic Monkeys, The Eagles, and Beach Escapes in This Week's Issue

Arctic Monkeys.​This week's music feature is a helpful pocket guide to ignorant Americans about English geography and the bands that come from each region.Also, Jason Woodbury publicly admits that he likes The Eagles, even if it destroys all of his hipster street cred. But he tells you why it shou ... More >>

Vampire Weekend Set to Release Follow Up to Contra Before the Year's End

Vampire Weekend.​So it seems that even though Vampire Weekend's critically acclaimed, (by nearly all music critics except our very own Jay Bennett,) Contra came out just this January, the plan is that they'll have another recording out before the year's end, according to TwentyFourBit.Their frontm ... More >>

AZ Kaos on Aesthetic Atrophy: "It's Bullshit"

​The latest issue of AZ Kaos has an interesting dissection of my theory on Aesthetic Atrophy which is worth sharing.In case you missed it, "Aesthetic atrophy is the diminished capacity to appreciate new or unfamiliar music or other sensory stimuli. It is typically accompanied by the sufferer's ret ... More >>

Top 10 Rock Documentaries: Anvil, Nirvana, Daniel Johnston, Wilco, and More (With Video!)

Anvil​This Friday the summer movie blockbuster season kicks into full swing with the release of Iron Man 2. Yes, there will be plenty of explosions, CGI special effects, sequels and remakes to last eager movie goers for the next few months.But just in case you want to skip the long lines, expensi ... More >>

Digital Summer, The Doors, Betty White, Long John Hunter, PHX Nightclub, and More

Digital Summer is scheduled to perform tonight at Marquee Theatre.Digital Summer has been on a major roll lately. Their latest album (Counting the Hours) is about to drop, the single "Run Away" is seemingly being played hourly on KUPD, and lead singer Kyle Winterstein claims the band is about sign a ... More >>

"Dad Rock," Glee Takeovers, and Caribou in This Week's Issue

Hooves.​This week's music feature is about the local rock 'n' roll band Hooves. They've got a new EP coming out (check out one of our favorite tracks here) and you may be surprised at some of the antics that accompany their "dad rock" sound. We also take an examination of Glee and argue why it, d ... More >>

Male Bonding: Nothing Hurts

​Artist: Male BondingTitle: Nothing HurtsRelease date: May 11Label: Sub PopRemember all the buzz about Wavves last year? I thought they were just okay. Hopefully, their next record (slated for release this year) will be better. In the meantime, I'll be listening to the new record by Male Bonding, ... More >>

Beach Boys Party!, Punk Rock Parody, and More in This Week's Issue

Brian Wilson.​This week's music feature in on the awkwardly-spoken Beach Boy Brian Wilson. While he may not give great interviews, he certainly cranks out epic records that define generations. While you might know about the legendary Pet Sounds, you might not know about the should-be-legendary Bea ... More >>

The Pixies Coming to Mesa Ampitheatre

The Pixies: You just heard they suck live.​The Pixies are coming to town. Punknews is reporting that the band will play Mesa Amptheatre on September 24 as part of a smallish tour. That means you will soon have the chance to be underwhelmed by the band's show in person.I've come to believe that bei ... More >>

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 6/3 Issue

This week, New Times ran a box in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts.​How was Brian Wilson's show in Scottsdale? What does Pearl Jam's protest song about the oil spill sound like? What' ... More >>

Twittenemies and Online Nemeses, New Record Releases, and More in This Week's Issue

Elycia Marie: Martin Cizmar's internet nemesis.​This week's music feature is an explanation of the strange series of events that made Elycia Marie, the girlfriend of Malcolm in the Middle child star Frankie Muniz, who plays drums for a Phoenix band, the Twitter nemesis of music editor Martin Cizma ... More >>

Thoughts on Dave Brookhouser's List of "Non-Suck" Local Bands?

The CenPho.TV team is very popular with New Times, not only because of all the fun, positive stuff they say and do, but because they're one of the few local blogger-type outlets that'll let someone have it.So we have Dave Brookhouser's list of local bands that don't suck. Thus, it is implied that i ... More >>

Anarbor at Warped Tour, Virginia's Secret Treasure, and Blitzen Trapper on Not Boycotting AZ in This Week's Issue

Anarbor.​This week's music feature is on the local band Anarbor. Though their recent tour to Japan may have been a bit of a flop, involving lost teeth and a select band members lying in a pool of his own blood, they're poised to rock the Warped Tour, and are hoping that they'll come out of it with ... More >>

Scissor Sisters, "Night Work"

​ Song: Scissor Sisters, "Night Work"Context: Jay Bennett of Nothing Not New has called this "the best song of 2010." 01. Night Work by gorgeouz

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 7/8 Issue

​This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts. What does Andrew W.K. think makes a great party? Why did Music Editor Martin Cizmar let a band crash on his flo ... More >>

Jay Bennett Talks Nothing Not New on KJZZ

​Our Nothing Not New columnist Jay Bennett -- who gave up his record collection and has been listening to and writing about only brand new music since January 1 -- was a guest on local NPR affiliate KJZZ's Here and Now. He was interviewed by Nick Blumberg for a great five-minute segment. Check it ... More >>

Black Cactus Records Co-Op, Justin Bieber, Barenaked Ladies, and More in This Week's Issue

The boys of Black Cactus Records.​This week's music feature is on the new, local, DIY, cooperative record label called Black Cactus Records.They're borderline socialists, and they take their business seriously. Oh yeah, and they're releasing a comp album featuring their catalog of local artists on ... More >>

Lady Gaga, Metalcore, Bar Bands, and More in This Week's Issue

Lady Gaga: She doesn't want to be friends.​This week's music feature is on Lady Gaga's seemingly overnight rise to super-stardom. Ever wonder exactly how or why this happened? Nearly everyone agrees she's awesome. But is she really? We get to the nitty gritty.We also take a took at the subtle diff ... More >>

Lady Gaga After-Parties, Turntables & Tamales, Beach Fossils, and Wet and Wild Foam Fun

The artist formerly known as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.Maybe it's the weather (or something in the water), but it seems like the most of the dang Valley has gone goo-goo for Lady Gaga. By our count, there are three different after-parties following tomorrow night's sold out concert a ... More >>

Meat Loaf, Hot Hot Heat, Interpol, and More in This Week's Issue

Meat Loaf for President in 2012?​This week's music feature is on Meat Loaf. The chatty singer just released his 11th studio album, but had lots to say on other subject matters as well. Like for instance, what he would do differently if he were president. (Something rockstars consider often, I'm su ... More >>

No Age - Depletion

​ Song: No Age, "Depletion"Context: Jay Bennett's long-awaited return to Nothing Not New blogging came with a great record. Depletion by subpop

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 11/18 Issue

​This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts.Has My Chemical Romance also abandoned the Sound Strike boycott of Arizona?Which song by local band Gospel Claws h ... More >>

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 12/9 Issue

​This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts.What are the keys to deciphering any music critic's list of the top 10 albums of the year?How the hell did Katy Pe ... More >>

Best of 2010 Lists from Other Phoenix Music Writers

​This week's issue of New Times has Best of 2010 lists from a slew of contributors to our music section as well as Nothing Not New columnist Jay Bennett and a few other staffers. We compiled 13 writers' lists of the top 25 albums of the year into our own little Pazz & Jop-style top 25 list wh ... More >>

A New Times Writer Fights "Aesthetic Atrophy" by Listening Only to New Music in 2010

​This week's issue of New Times has Best of 2010 lists from a slew of contributors to our music section as well as Nothing Not New columnist Jay Bennett and a few other staffers. We compiled 13 writers' lists of the top 25 albums of the year into our own little Pazz & Jop-style top 25 list wh ... More >>

Booze Bombs, No Age, Strange Young Things, Handsome Family, and Other Weekend Events

The Booze Bombs​Whether you like it or not, winter visitors are on their way to the Valley en masse, if they haven't touched down already. Some we can tolerate, others we despise. A good example of the former is German rockabilly foursome The Booze Bombs. Consisting of a quartet of bombastic Berl ... More >>

How Cover Nights Can Create Local Music Fans

​Some people get stuck in ruts. My dad, for example, has been listening to the same 300 songs for the past four decades (let us take a moment to remind you of Nothing Not New, where our own Jay Bennett gave up all his favorites and listened to nothing but new releases for a whole year). But back t ... More >>

Pazz and Jop Poll 2012

​The Village Voice's 39th annual Pazz and Jop critic's poll is live. Drawing from some 700 ballots, tUnE-yArDs' w h o k i l l topped the favorite albums list, and Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" topped the singles list. Those looking for familiar New Times faces in the individual ballots wil ... More >>