Shizzfest: It’s Coming

It’s that time of year! Shizzfest, our locals-only semi-annual fest, is scheduled for October 10 and is set to span three stages including The Trunk Space and neighboring candy shop slash vinyl store Sweets & Beats. The gigantor lineup boasts Andrew Jackson Jihad, Rumspringer, Snow Songs and So And So,…

The Cave Singers and !!! Converge at Rhythm Room

This show was supposed to be two shows. But, going up against Bon Iver in Mesa, promoters wisely combined the two very different sounds of !!! and The Cave Singers. In the end, !!! took the stage at Rhythm Room around midnight, following a long, long line of acts: Lightning…

Jenny, He’s Still Got Your Number

I’d be willing to bet exorbitant sums that most of you readers weren’t aware that California-based power poppers best known for the eternal torment of anyone cursed with the digits 867-530-NI-EE-I-INE, Tommy Tutone, still gig around. Don’t let their web site tour section, which hasn’t listed a show since late…

PBR and Fishbone Throwdown for Cancer Benefit

In case you thought October would be a snoozer pre-Halloween, PBR’s got ya covered. On October 10, the booze purveyor is hosting a Tiki Throwdown in the Yucca Tap Room parking lot featuring Fishbone, backed by a local lineup including Liar’s Handshake, Matthew Reveles, What Laura Says and Black Carl…

Daytrotter Give Away Meat Puppets-Dead Confederate Digital 7″

  The Meats join a sweet list of Arizona bands that Daytrotter has hyped including What Laura Says, Miniature Tigers and Lymbyc Systym. Although it’s not a formal sesh, the digital split includes a live recording of Meat Puppets performing “Go To Your Head” that Daytrotter captured at this year’s SXSW,…

Job For A Cowboy Announce Ruination Tour

Glendale boys done good Job For A Cowboy are mobilizing for a massively metal tour this fall promoting JFAC’s sophomore album Ruination. The face-melters make two stops in their desert motherland: one in Tucson and the other in Tempe. Metal Blade label mates Gwar and The Red Chord open both…

The Thermals Give Phoenix Their All

The Thermals looked so very clean for a group of touring indie punks from Portland. Hopping up to the stage, it was no nonsense, down to the trio’s minimalist wardrobe. The crowd was thrown into a state of euphoria with opener “No Culture Icons,” the proclaimed favorite of the show’s…

When In AZ: Part Two

Night two of “When In AZ” celebrations continued at Modified on Saturday. Seven local outfits, featured on the locals-covering-locals comp, split the bill. Download cards for the compilation flowed freely, as the charge for admission guaranteed each attendee his own free copy.Highlights included performances from Harcuvar, whose engulfing harmonies were…

When In AZ Series Kicks Off at Modified Arts

Between oddballs hocking light sabers, impenetrable Arizona temperatures and grown men playing accordions shirtless, First Fridays is always a little crazy. Friday was par for the course, with the exception of the release of a massive compilation of local bands covering each other. Modified Arts hosted night one of the…

Courtney Marie Andrews: You Asked For It

Courtney Marie Andrews Painter’s Hands and a Seventh Son (River Jones Music Label) Grade: B+ Legend has it that Courtney Marie Andrews first tried her hand at songwriting when only 13 years old. Now 18, under the tutelage of River Jones and his music label Andrews has released two full-length…

Steve Earle’s Lil Sis Rocks Mama Java’s One Last Time

Stacey Earle, of the Steve progeny, and her hubby Mark Stuart are planning their third and final appearance on at Mama Java’s Coffeehouse. They’ll dole out their brand of Tennessee twang-a-lang in a coffee-buzzed room in the Indian School corridor on September 13th.The pair are set to finish out their…