Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Marquee Theatre, Tempe – 8/21/2013

Yeah Yeah YeahsMarquee Theatre, TempeAugust 21, 2013 (View the full slideshow in a new window.) It was a flurry of colored strobes, shimmers, and sparkles as Karen O. and her boys Nick Zinner and Brian Chase — best known as the New York-based Yeah Yeah Yeahs — took over the…

Sebadoh – Crescent Ballroom – 8/9/2013

SebadohCrescent BallroomAugust 9, 2013 There was a lot of love in the air at Crescent Ballroom last night as indie rock legends Sebadoh played their first area show in a while. A lot of the feely-good vibes came as much from the stage as they did from the crowd that…

Peter Murphy – Crescent Ballroom – 7/13/13

Peter MurphyCrescent BallroomSaturday, July 13, 2013 (View the full slideshow.) On Saturday night, goth’s godfather, Peter Murphy, brought his Mr. Moonlight tour to the Crescent Ballroom, celebrating 35 years of Bauhaus, one of the biggest names in early gothic rock. The band formed in ’78 and saw their first breakup…

Melvins – Crescent Ballroom – 7-12-13

MelvinsCrescent BallroomJuly 12, 2013 It might be a good idea to take a drive by the Crescent Ballroom this morning and see if that place is still standing. I am pretty sure that the Melvins’ blistering delivery of their noisy, sludge-y, smart, thick, and furious blend of motherfucking ROCK left…

Why Kenny G’s Hair Is the Most Dependably Great Thing In Music

One of the best things about life is spontaneity. Adventures and experiences, big or small, that happen on a whim can make life pretty fucking fun. Especially because, for most of us, the rest of that time is bogged down by realities like jobs, school, and bills; when we can…

Twin Shadow @ Crescent Ballroom

Can you handle the truth? If stuff like honesty and real-life stories are your kind of thing, and you also happen to be heading to Crescent Ballroom on June 27 to see Twin Shadow, be prepared get your fix via personal storytelling, an added element to the night of music…

Sea Wolf – Crescent Ballroom – 6/19/2013

After what seemed like a hearty chunk of time between the two opening acts and headliner Sea Wolf, the band took the stage last night at Crescent Ballroom. Enforcing the toothy and animal side of their moniker, they kicked it off with “You’re A Wolf” from their first EP and…

Sea Wolf: “Even Good Reviews Can Bum Me Out”

Indie rock band Sea Wolf is getting ready to wrap up a lengthy tour in support of their new release, Old World Romance. The third full-length offering from the group founded and orchestrated by California native Alex Brown Church veers a bit from their previous endeavors. The folk elements that…

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Crescent Ballroom – 6/16/2013

Jon Spencer Blues ExplosionCrescent BallroomJune 16, 2013 It was definitely a crowd of serious fans that filled up the Crescent Ballroom last night to see NYC’s Jon Spencer Blues Explosion lay down their well-oiled rock ‘n’ roll fury. Before the band took the stage, the collective conversation was abuzz with…

Fried: Chow Bella Writers Tell Stories of Food and Heat

DRIVE-THRU by Katie Johnson “Welcome to McDonald’s. May I take your order?” I’m 7 years old and I’m kneeling behind a low wooden chest in my parent’s cookie-cutter home in Ahwatukee. My stepfather, Jim, is on the floor with me. Hunched over in wilted work clothes, he studies a nonexistent…

Amy Young and the Deep-Fried Jerk

If you can’t stand the heat — get in the kitchen. On Thursday, June 13, at 6 p.m. at the Lounge at Crescent Ballroom, Chow Bella writers are warming up for summer with “Fried,” an evening of true stories. Admission is free; food and drink will be available for sale…

Heaven’s Angels

SAT 8/20Runs. That’s what bikers do. They hop on their hogs, crotch rockets or whatever slang they use to describe their favorite hunk of motorized steel and go on runs. Sometimes they even do it in a good cause. That’s the case on Saturday, August 20, when the Salt River…

War of the Cyber Worlds

Matt Ringel, creator of the Nesquik Game Riot, the country’s largest touring expo for video gamers, drops a challenge to the disgruntled loser of last year’s battle against Matt Leto, a.k.a. “Zyos,” the reigning world Halo champ: Bring it! As the event rolls into the Valley for its third visit…

Living Hell

SAT 7/16Dante got it wrong: There are actually 10 circles of hell, and local filmmaker Nicholas Holthaus has been there and back making Dante’s Arizona, which premières Saturday, July 16, at the Alwun House, 1204 East Roosevelt. “Four people have died during the making of this film, including my mother…

The Right Hooks

FRI 7/8Local junior-welterweight boxer Jesus Soto is humble about his skills in the ring. When asked about his strategy in regard to the upcoming match at Fight Night at the Den, Friday, July 8, at Glendale Arena, Soto says, “I just try to be prepared, go for the best, get…

Hot Wheels

MON 7/4If you have a hot jalopy that you’re dying to show off to a group of ogling, salivating spectators, gas it up and drive to Chandler, where the Arizona Veteran Rodders Club hosts a classic car show at Tumbleweed Park on Monday, July 4, as part of the Lions…

Fireworks Fiesta

MON 7/4 This year, you can choose to fire up the grill and celebrate America’s independence by inviting over your near-and-dears, replete with the usual band of screaming kids and unruly pets, or you can go to the City of Phoenix’s 20th annual “Fabulous Fourth” celebration at Steele Indian School…

Bible Beats

6/23-6/26The Bible rocks, dude. (Surely all that thumping has got to create a wicked beat . . .) And if you’re watching a performance of the long-running musical Godspell, then you know that the Bible really can rawk, man. Moon Valley Productions raises the roof on Thursday, June 23, at…

Kama Suture

SAT 6/18Valley metal band Eroticide believes the fastest way to a woman’s heart is through her ribcage. The band swears that “God made love to kill all of us” in the lyrics to their song “Cyanide Orgasm.” Now Eroticide comes to spew its views while mutilating female mannequins and bludgeoning…