Six Absolutely Timeless Duran Duran Songs

Duran Duran is a band that is stubbornly timeless. They are a musical conundrum: Are they admired for once being ahead of their time or because they are a band forever stuck in an era? The new wave band is what David Bowie’s and Roxy Music’s work in the ’70s…

How Vic Mensa Dropped Acid and Almost Killed Himself

Vic Mensa doesn’t hesitate about taking risks, but for too long, those risks were with his personal health. As the Chicago rapper and Savemoney founder rose in popularity and began collaborating with the likes of Kanye West and Skrillex, his drug use began to damage his personal life and mental…

DRAWL!: The Frights Become Knights

DRAWL! is a video series created by New Times and all-around renaissance man Robbie Pfeffer that focuses on the oddball experiences that make life in a band interesting. By mixing first-person storytelling with animation, DRAWL! hopes to show that these artists’ lives can be just as engaging as their music…

The 30 Best Concerts in Phoenix in August 2016

Think no one in their right mind wants to come to Arizona this time of year? You’d be wrong, bub. Despite the fact that we’re hip deep in the most tortuous portion of the summer (and all the frightfully hot temperatures and frightening monsoon storms that go with it), we’re…

The 11 Best Metal Shows in Metro Phoenix in August

August. The hottest month of the year, bar none. At Back East Bagels in Tempe, there’s even a super-spicy sandwich called the August 22. But we’re almost through it: School is starting back up, football is around the corner, fall festivals and holidays are the light at the end of…

Weird Al Versus YouTube: Who Does Better Song Parodies?

When “Weird Al” Yankovic put out his first official single 35 years ago, he wasn’t the only person making parody songs — but he was one of very few who were actually attempting to make money off of it. Fast-forward to Yankovic’s upcoming show at Comerica Theatre on Wednesday, and…

Here Are All the Musicians Who Died in July 2016

We went into 2016 with a bunch of whopper deaths  in the rock pantheon and for a while it looked like they would continue unabated. As far as legends go, few of this month’s casualties would qualify as that. But what we do have are a lot of journeyman players…

The 10 Best Rock Music Documentaries

This Friday the summer movie blockbuster season kicks into full swing with the release of Iron Man 2. Yes, there will be plenty of explosions, CGI special effects, sequels and remakes to last eager movie goers for the next few months.But just in case you want to skip the long…

The Seven Best Concerts in Phoenix This Weekend

Looking for a great concert to check out this weekend? Look no further. We’ve got the lowdown on seven “can’t miss” shows happening over the next few nights at venues across the Valley that are worthy of your time and money. For even more live music options, hit up our…

Marissa Nadler Sees “All The Colors Of The Dark” On New Record

It’s hard to find Marissa Nadler’s style of folk music described without the word gothic also attached. Dark, brooding, delicate and lush, Nadler’s music can sound otherworldly, even as her piercingly beautiful vocals convey an emotional directness. On Strangers, Nadler’s seventh album and second for the more typically heavy and…

New Music from Injury Reserve, PRO TEENS, El West, and More

Injury Reserve — “Oh, Shit!!!” My only regret when compiling last year’s list of best local albums was that I accidentally overlooked Injury Reserve’s magnificent album Live From The Dentist Office, and it should have been toward the top. Injury Reserve has hinted to fans that the release for its second album, Floss, is…

The Claypool Lennon Delirium is a Wonderful Meeting of Two Minds

Les Claypool has always done things, well, his way. Whether with Primus, his main band, or any number of side projects including the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, Oysterhead (featuring Phish’s Trey Anastasio, though perhaps Claypool’s most accessible project), or Sausage, Claypool has always looked outside rock conventions for something a…

For The Maine, The Warped Tour Is a Band Milestone

In Phoenix, the phrase “Warped Tour” brings to mind sweltering crowds, sweaty, dehydrated teenagers, and innumerable pop-punk bands. But for the Arizona-raised band The Maine, the Vans Warped Tour 2016 is a milestone. Guitarist Jared Monaco has seen the band through a number of Warped Tours. This one, he explained,…