Long Wong

Field Tripp @ Long Wong's at the Firehouse

Dr. Demento-Approved Page the Village Idiot Brings Parody Rock to The Valley

Walk into Long Wong's at the Firehouse on any given Wednesday night and you'll most likely hear Page Davis singing about Jan Brewer and teenage plastic surgery. Davis performs under the Page the Village Idiot moniker and is easy to spot thanks to his handlebar mustache and fanny pack. He looks like ... More >>

Snow Songs Explain "Ultima Vez"

It's hard for me to find things that I don't like about Phoenix rockers Snow Songs. Starting with singer Yolanda Bejarano's lovely vox to the band's bright arrangements and pop consciousness, there's so much to fall in love with here. One of my favorite things about them is that they even have song ... More >>

Help Bad Lucy Choose Their Album's Cover Art

Making a record is an involved, laboring process. There's writing, recording, mixing and mastering. Sometimes it can be the little things that vex an independent band. Currently, alt pop-rockers Bad Lucy find themselves mulling over the artwork for their upcoming EP. The guys held a cover shoot wi ... More >>

Quick Henry's Musical Recipe: Equal Parts Passion, Soul, Jameson and Ginger Ale

Line-up changes and schedule conflicts over the last year and a half have slowed down Tempe blues rockers Quick Henry, but haven't stopped them from rocking out at local watering holes on a near daily basis. At the helm of it all is vocalist/guitarist Kevin Redlich. Whether he's pulling double du ... More >>

Darkness Dear Boy

Line-up changes and schedule conflicts over the last year and a half have slowed down Tempe blues rockers Quick Henry, but haven't stopped them from rocking out at local watering holes on a near daily basis. At the helm of it all is vocalist/guitarist Kevin Redlich. Whether he's pulling double du ... More >>

100 Arizona Songs, Moe'Z Art, One Be Lo, Raphael Saadiq, and More in This Week's Issue

We knew the daunting (impossible, really) task of picking 100 songs that define the sound of Arizona was going to be tough, but lucky for us, we had a lot of help, from you, our readers. We opened up a Gmail account and took submissions from you, reading through liner notes and consulting unoffici ... More >>

Flier of the Week: F. Bom Smackdown

St Ranger​Are you ready for a live musical smackdown, brotherrrrr? Let's get ready to rumble!We're a music blog, sure, but damn, if we don't love our pro wrasslin'. The four-band F. Bom Smack Down lineup includes Japhy's Descent, St Ranger, Tugboat and Instructions. Prepare for a rock 'em sock 'em ... More >>

What Are Arizona's 100 Greatest Songs? (A Reminder)

​Can you believe we're nearly finished with December? That means were inching ever closer to the Arizona Centennial, and ever closer to our 100 Greatest Songs of Arizona list. We need your help -- we've got some good suggestions in our 100greatestazsongs@gmail.com inbox, but we need more. ... More >>

Six Local Establishments From Which to Buy Gifts for the Musician on Your List

​The holidays are all about getting crap, right? Well, it's also about giving crap and giving back. By shopping local, you can do a bit of both. But when chains like Guitar Center and online retailers like iTunes remain on top for musicians around the globe, you can choose to shop local and k ... More >>

Our Favorite Spots for Nightly Local Music Around Town

With the impending arrival of Filter Magazine's Phoenix newsletter, it feels like a lot of eyes are on our music scene. Here's hoping Filter digs in and really investigates. I did so in April 2010, attempting the goal of going out to a different show every night for the entire month. The idea was ... More >>

Former Friends of Young Americans Stream New Album, Estas Diluculo

Creative noisemakers Former Friends Of Young Americans are sprinting to the end of the year. They've been gigging extensively, with shows lined up this week and next month in the midst of their latest album, estas diluculo. You can stream the full album from the band's website or download it absolu ... More >>

CLOSED: Two Hippies Magic Mushroom Burgers

​Did the recession finally get to Two Hippies Magic Mushroom Burgers and their $5 burger deals? Part of the Phoenix-based Two Hippies chain, the psychedelic burger shack, on Indian School Road in Central Phoenix, opened in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Andy and Jan Goldstein (Andy's brother R ... More >>

Flier of the Week: Future Loves Past

Future Loves Past​Some people think insects are gross, but no matter what, they seem to get your attention every time you see one.Future Loves Past are attention grabbers too, which is why you should check out their upcoming show.Joining Future Loves Past on stage will be The Insects and TKLB ... More >>

Mergence and Quick Henry Unite at Teakwoods Tavern Friday

Mergence Jones and James Williams​According to the Facebook event page the bands created, this show is a few months behind, comparing it to, "a baseball rain delay game." In that case, game on! Mergence and Quick Henry will be rockin' Teakwoods at Phoenix this Friday, September 23. Lauded for ... More >>

Flier(s) of the Week: Tightholes and Quick Henry

Normally here at Up on the Sun HQ, we pick one flier to spotlight as our "Flier of the Week," but this week, we just had to indulge and pick two. ​This gig is part first show, part reunion show, part last show, part just another show, and part awesome show.Friday night will bring crazy amounts of ... More >>

Tom VandenAvond, Frequis, WTFunk Friday, and Other Events This Weekend

Benjamin LeathermanA typical night at TT Roadhouse, which is putting on a major party this weekend.One year ago, many fans of the TT Roadhouse such as myself probably had a major Malox moment going. Rumors were circulating that Brad Henrich, the longtime proprietor of the notorious Scottsdale dive ... More >>

Flier of the Week: Honey Pistol at Long Wong's

​You can't help but feel a little dirty when looking at this flier for Honey Pistol's show at Long Wong's this Saturday, April 10.Ladybugs are supposed to be pretty and sweet--not insects you'd expect to see banging each other. But hey, at least they're doing it on a flower, and that does make it ... More >>

Freak Fests, Filthy Thursdays, Strange Family Circus, White Mice, and More

Stephen Strange will go to the great beyond and back this weekend.​R.I.P. Stephen Strange, 1976-2010. The ribald and renowned local performance artist is apparently going to "die" sometime tomorrow night, probably in some profound and profane fashion that will likely involve one of his wacky stun ... More >>

Mantooth Group Re-Opening Nile Theatre Basement as The Underground

The hardcore punks of Distort perform at the Nile Theatre back in the 2002. Earlier this month, it was Long Wong's. Last week, I wrote about how the old Boston's was being reincarnated into 910 Live. And just today I got news that the property in downtown Mesa that formerly housed the Nile The ... More >>

Mill Avenue Ambassadors To Help Visitors "Form Memories of Fun"

The hardcore punks of Distort perform at the Nile Theatre back in the 2002. Earlier this month, it was Long Wong's. Last week, I wrote about how the old Boston's was being reincarnated into 910 Live. And just today I got news that the property in downtown Mesa that formerly housed the Nile The ... More >>

Dream On

Alive and picking

Summer Clubbin'

Ten nightspots that manage to keep patrons and bands cool

BEST WINGS

Bobby C's Lounge and Grille

BEST JUKEBOX

Ziggy's

Home Grown (Local)

Ziggy's

Ash Canned

Goodbye, Bash on Ash. Hello, Valley live music conundrum.

No Flags Here

Bella may be the Valley's premier all-female band, but they won't march for anyone but themselves

Grit Parade

Denver's Rainville mines rocky new territory

Milling Down the Block

Hotfoughtcold brings its artful hard-core to Tempe's jangle-pop strip -- and say they're learning to cope with it

Hearts and Banjos

Valley rock 'n' roll vets Bruce Connole and Keith Jackson bond -- bluegrass style

Rock 'n' Roll Awakening

Coming to terms with the power of the Über Crooner

Hello/Goodbye

Local twangers Flathead return; psychobilly combo Grave Danger calls it a day

Hanging On to Something

Older, wiser Pistoleros are no longer defined by rock 'n' roll, but they're still committed to it

Seems Like Old Times

Back together after a decade of ups and downs, Dead Hot Workshop tries to restore its legacy

Long Time, No CD

More than two years after the release of its debut, Gloritone sates fans with a stopgap disc of demo material

Danger Zone

Trio of Valley vets proves to be the Wild Bunch of local music

Hot Poppers

There's melody, musicianship beneath the snarl of the Vox Poppers

Rock, Roll and Remember

Young scruffs Marah try to breathe life into a two-day Valley oldies show

Jive Talkin'

Local rap metalers ink a bionic record deal

Bomb's Away

The next chapter(s) for DJ Radar

Country Confidential

The latest chaff on the local pluck and twang set

Stage Dives

Veteran musicians say what's to like, hate about Valley venues

Rave On

Los Guys turn loose-knit side project into something meaningful

Mob Tops

Mob 40's build a large, loyal punk fan base beneath the industry's radar screen

Swill Avenue

The night the Cards were above average enough to make the playoffs

The Jennys Take a Ride

The band formerly known as Spinning Jenny finds itself with a dandy new CD and that deja vu feeling all over again

The Great Zia Robbery

The band formerly known as Spinning Jenny finds itself with a dandy new CD and that deja vu feeling all over again

Wax On

The band formerly known as Spinning Jenny finds itself with a dandy new CD and that deja vu feeling all over again

BAND ON THE RUN

WHAT'S IN A NAME? PLENTY, WHEN IT'S THE GIN BLOSSOMS.