Phoenix-based stoner-metal band Twingiant doesn’t screw around when it comes to material. “Songs about being accidentally shot out into space on a giant garbage barge because y’all was sleeping in a pile of garbage when the tractor beam picked y’all up by mistake,” reads the bio on the group’s (hilarious)…
It’s not unusual to be an 18-year-old kid in a rock ‘n’ roll band, playing all-ages shows and house parties while still learning exactly what to do with that stringed thing in your hands. It’s less common to be an 18-year-old in a band that’s huge in Europe, and get…
He may be known best as a “wild and crazy guy,” but Steve Martin is the master of more than one craft. In addition to his work as a comedian and actor, Martin is a writer, playwright, and as Rare Bird Alert, his new album with The Steep Canyon Rangers…
Downtown platter-master DJentrification is plenty busy with his regular nights, 602’uesdays at Bikini Lounge and The Palace at FilmBar, but this Friday night will find him exploring a little passion project: Funky Oddway at The Lost Leaf.The evening will find DJentrification will spend the entire evening focusing exclusively on music…
Despite being a cavernous hole for Justin Timberlake to toss his money in while he should be busy putting out another record, MySpace isn’t good for much. But the rickety old site still serves some use — when I read the lineup for the River Jones Songwriter Showcase on Saturday,…
They say it ain’t bragging if it’s true — but last time we wrote about someone’s Kickstarter project, big things happened. Now I know that we aren’t the sole reason Shawn Demumbrum’s Smiths comic met and exceeded its goal. It’s a great idea on its own, and the fact that…
You’ve got to wonder when Alice Cooper even finds time to play celebrity golf tournaments. Not only is he busy inspiring attractions at Universal Studios, feeding Adam Richman Big Units at Cooperstown, and hosting a popular radio show on KSLX 100.7 FM, but Cooper’s prepping release of a new record,…
Stephen Malkmus’ new Beck-produced album, Mirror Traffic, doesn’t hit stores till August 23, but if you are on the fence about whether or not you will be picking it up at any of the Valley record stores who will be likely be stocking it, “Tiger” and “Senator,” the two songs…
Deadbolt are a band with a reputation. I remember being introduced to them years ago, when I was working at Zia Records in Tempe. “You’ve got to see these guys live,” said my friend Ryan. “They flick lit cigarettes on each other, they have two bassists, and they use power…
The heat. Yeah, that’s the first thing you expect when you start reading about the Vans Warped Tour. Yes, it was hot. Yes, most of the stages, merch booths, and product tents are set up on a parking lot, and of course, this is not helpful in regards to staying…
BY LAUREN WISE The Vans Warped Tour blew through Phoenix this past Sunday, and one of the bands that concert-goers were itching to see was metalcore’s rising star The Devil Wears Prada. These Warped Tour veterans have three released albums and have a fourth due next month, Dead Throne. Known…
Kid Rock and Sheryl CrowAshley Furniture HomeStore PavilionFriday, August 5On paper, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow come off like a study in contrasts, some sort of “beauty and the beast” proposition. Crow has always been easy to like — or at least hard to actively dislike. Her ’90s hits “If…
Growing up, my grandma had a room in her house dedicated to Elvis Presley. We called it “the Elvis Room,” and I remember not being allowed to touch anything on display, and boy, there was plenty I wasn’t allowed to touch: posters, dolls, records, and commemorative plates. Coinciding with both…
Okay, so I know that it’s John Prine headlining the show, and I really like John Prine, but holy crap, I never expected to get to see Loudon Wainwright III here in Phoenix. The two are scheduled to perform Saturday, November 19, at Orpheum Theatre. Tickets go on sale Monday…
Do you remember a couple months back, when I wrote about the Central Christian Church screening of Absent, the documentary by Justin Hunt about absent fathers featuring James Hetfield of Metallica? Yeah, me too. This year has flown by. I feel like I wrote that yesterday, but that was freaking…
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’s the scoop on Stateside Present’s new venue, Crescent Ballroom? * What can Phoenicians expect…
Yesterday, Pitchfork did an interview with experimental musician John Maus as part of their Guest List series. Most of the interview was typical stuff from the column, with Maus riffing on his love of South Park, Odd Future, Panda Bear, and Ariel Pink. Things took a weird turn, however, when…
Hailing from Perth, Australia, founding members of Pendulum — Rob Swire Gareth McGrillen, and Paul “El Hornet” Harding — come from musically diverse backgrounds in electronic, punk, hardcore, and metal scenes. The trio’s varied experiences in heavy music can be heard in their DJ sets, in which drum ‘n’ bass,…
Do you remember when Dave Grohl issued the Probot album? The Southern Lord Records release found the Foo Fighter teaming with Lemmy, King Diamond, and members of Soulfly, Saint Vitus, Voivod, Corrosion of Conformity, and more. It was good fun, and it allowed Grohl to shake loose the pop format…
The Ice House Tavern is a unique place. The bar, attached to the Arcadia Ice Arena, offers cheap beers and views of practicing skaters and hockey teams to patrons (plus totally sweet glimpses of that Zamboni).For the past two years, co-owner Daryl Chester has been offering music, too. On Saturday,…
You know, I’ve always been into Uriah Heep album covers a lot more than Uriah Heep albums. Don’t get me wrong — there are some killer jams in the discography, like “Lady in Black” and “Gypsy,” which skirts the line between prog and boogie, kind of an early example of…
Ryan Rousseau doesn’t sleep. At least that’s the only explanation I can come up with to describe his constant flurry of activity. The guitarist/vocalist has an extensive resume, having spent time in The Reatards, The Wongs, played solo as Yuma Territorial Prison Guard, and fronted Earthmen & Strangers and the…
