We’re not sure if versatile is the best description of Rob Schneider’s body of work, but the dude sure has played a lot of roles. He got his big break on Saturday Night Live, starring as The Sensitive Naked Man and impersonating Billy Crystal. Then he had a series of…
Few bands can retain a dedicated following after throwing fans for stylistic loops the way Cursive has. Yet the long running Omaha-via-Los Angeles quartet pulls it off. The genre-defying group first turned heads with its post-hardcore-meets-cello masterpiece, The Ugly Organ, before jettisoning said stringed instrument for a horn section on…
It seems like Old Town Scottsdale would be pretty busy on a holiday weekend, but against all odds, it wasn’t. For once parking was easy to find and Shoeman was eerily quiet, but once you turned the corner to Saddlebag Trail, it was the same ol’ loud and crowded Old…
Being in a band is tough. Just listen to Cursive’s travails in “Art is Hard.” Over the last decade, the Omaha-based indie rockers have endured their share of personnel changes: subtracting a cellist, adding a horn section, going back to a four piece, and eventually settling on a five piece…
The Darkness Celebrity Theatre Saturday, February 18, 2012 The Darkness is doing pretty well for a band that could be a considered a one-hit wonder. After a five-year hiatus and some rehab visits, the band is back in full force with its original lineup. See the full slideshow of The…
We let you know about the first five bands on the Punk Rock Bowling lineup, and we’re pleased to announce a bunch more. There’s Sham 69 with its 1977 Jimmy Pursey/Dave Parsons/Dave Tregunna lineup. Hot Water Music returns — just not Chuck Ragan and/or The Draft, but Hot Water Music…
Islands Crescent Ballroom Wednesday, February 15, 2012 It felt a lot like a high school dance: On stage, this cool Canadian indie pop band played a good mix of fast and slow tunes, perfectly suited for dancing, yet most of the crowd sat still. Apparently some sort of Footloose-esque “no…
As camera prices drop and YouTube continues making stars, the definition of filmmaker morphs and evolves. Sure, Ninja Cat isn’t held in the same critical esteem as Holly Golightly’s tabby in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, anyone with a camera phone and an eye for entertainment can create the next million-hit meme…
Both Valentine’s Day and Singles Awareness Day are overrated. Regardless of what you’re celebrating, with the exception of Arizona’s Centennial, you were probably setting yourself up for disappointment on the 14th. Obscura smartly hosted its Hearts of Darkness Anti-Valentine’s Bash a few days before the actual holiday. Couples could innocently…
Admit it, you don’t know much about The Jesus and Mary Chain beyond puzzling over what Bill Murray whispered to Scarlett Johansson at the end of Lost in Translation. It’s okay, you’re not alone. Jedidiah Foster, the singer and guitarist of The Bittersweet Way introduced his bandmates to The Jesus…
New Times Soundcheck Friday, February 10, 2012 Club Red It’s been a great week for local music fans. The much-anticipated 100 Years of Music That Defined Arizona article came out a couple days ago, and we’re halfway through a pretty big music festival. Check out the full Phoenix New Times…
Unwritten Law Roxy Lounge Thursday, February 9, 2012 Unwritten Law has had an interesting career. Lineup changes are to be expected with any band that’s been around for over 20 years, but most frontmen don’t have “physical arguments” with (soon-to-be-former) bandmates. That leaves Scott Russo, the only original member of…
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, it seems like everyone is scrambling to find a hook up way to impress a crush or a significant other. A dozen roses and a box of chocolates may seem like a cheesy and overdone gift, but it’s a safer bet than some other ideas…
Though stylistically very different from each other, Stephen Spielberg, Woody Allen, Billy Wilder, and The Coen Brothers are all considered auteurs. But these gents have more in common than mere filmmaking prowess: They share a Jewish heritage. The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival celebrates the life, culture, and humor of…
Hardcore bands are kind of like the Tea Party: Both have strong opinions and are keen on shoving their righteous agendas down as many throats as possible. The genre can be off-putting, but local thrash-hardcore act American Standards proves that the preachy positivism isn’t always a bad thing. The band’s…
The Roosevelt Row district sees some of its heaviest foot traffic during the First Friday artwalk. When the weather is nice, it can be next to impossible to get into some of the more packed galleries. Things slow down a little bit around 10 o’clock as galleries and exhibitors begin…
PJ Harvey’s musical style suits Sweetbleeders well. These local rockers were spot on in reproducing her sound, even though a man was singing her songs. The idea to cover PJ Harvey arose when Stateside Presents’ Charlie Levy asked the band to play Cover the Crescent a few weeks ago. Vocalist…
Any news of an upcoming Boys and Frogs music video is good. This Peoria indie pop group has an outstanding track record of starring in beautifully produced music videos. Boys and Frogs has once again struck gold with the carnival-themed video for its latest single, “Lay Your Wet Hair Down,”…
Social Distortion Marquee Theatre Friday, February 3, 2012 Phoenix loves Social Distortion, and the band loves Phoenix, including not one but two stops on their most recent tour. Last night was business as usual: The band played a packed venue to a sea of drunk burly guys and tiny girls…
Kanye West is currently scouting locations for a short film in the vein of “Runaway” that will be filmed somewhere in the Middle East in March. Government officials based out of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha are in the middle of a bidding war to get Yeezy’s contract, The New…
Unless you closely follow Tiger Woods’ travails in balancing girlfriends, golf isn’t always the sexiest of sports. Movies like Caddyshack and Happy Gilmore make golf look fun, but, let’s face it, pulling a Happy and accusing a golf ball of being too good for its home would be in poor…
The punk-goes-acoustic thing is fun, but let’s be honest: When you listen to a Chuck Regan solo folk LP, you’re secretly crossing your fingers that he’ll make a new Hot Water Music album. Such longing isn’t necessary with Frank Turner. After his post-hardcore band Million Dead called it quits, Turner…
