In the “about” section of the Violent Femmes’ official Facebook page, under the “description” header, it currently reads: “Violent Femmes are currently touring in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the release of their first album.” It’s an album worth celebrating; recorded by a trio of Milwaukee folk punks –…
As Halloween creeps closer and closer, it’s not uncommon to find a slew of haunted houses popping up around the Valley. The problem, however, is that most of them promise to leave you trembling in fear but really just make you wonder why you wasted your cash as you exit…
Sure, you know about Record Store Day, but some people don’t have $15 to drop on a 7″ single and maybe some people are just a little bit nostalgic for lo-fi. If that sounds like you, then get ready for Cassette Store Day, coming to you worldwide this Saturday September…
Arizona State University film student Chris Calzada needed a subject for his final project. The 29-year-old Yuma native, who’s been a punk rock fan for years, initially reached out to The Venomous Pinks, who he had seen at Yucca Tap Room a few months ago. Calzada knew an all-female punk…
During the summer of 2013, Bret Bender and Maddie Miller of Bogan Via released their music video for “Kanye.” Directed by Freddie Paull of Electric Legend Pictures, this dark storyline portrays a Bonnie-and-Clyde-type duo who robs Phoenix’s own beloved Revolver Records of their register money and some unreleased Kanye West…
Vermont’s King Tuff might have synesthesia, (the neurological phenomenon which activates multiple senses at once i.e. ‘smelling’ words or ‘hearing’ colors), and not even know it. Speaking to SPIN, the King (real name: Kyle Thomas) described the grungy sounds on his latest album, Black Moon Spell, in vivid colors -…
Influential pop punk legends The Descendents paved the way for bands that hit it big, like Blink-182 and Green Day. Descendents may not be a sold-out-arena sort of band, but that’s the band’s appeal — Descendents are for underdogs who are unlucky in love and like going to Wienerschnitzel. They…
Yup, it’s almost here, and we know y’all have been waiting for it tirelessly, throughout the long, hot, and brutal months. Now, it’s only mere days away. So are we talking about to the end of summer? Well, yeah, that too (since temperatures will start to decrease later this week)…
The Apache Lake Music Festival announced the breakdown of who’s playing where at the two-day event, which happens October 24-25 in Roosevelt. Now that you know who’s playing on what day, it’s time to plan your pre-Halloween weekend. The Friday and Saturday of the festival will take place on an…
Marco Antonio Solís has been rocking his infamous long hair and a full beard since the ’70s. People have always compared his looks to those of Jesus of Nazareth, but in our current era of memes, his image has made the artist one of the most viral and popular faces…
This week kicks off a helluva run for Phoenix concerts. Thursday we have Drake, Lil Wayne, and Katy Perry all performing, and Friday begins the Summer Ends Music Festival. What more could you want? Well, if you really need more options, check out the ones below, and browse our comprehensive…
On Friday, Rob Zombie officially brought the Halloween season to the Valley of the Sun in wicked style. The heavy metal musician’s show celebrated the opening of his very own Great American Nightmare haunted house at Westworld, and his stripped down performance took place in the shadow of his three…
The Butcher Babies have been slaughtering their way through the Valley of the Sun as of late. In fact, the heavy metal band’s upcoming September 27 at PubRock Live will mark their third show in Phoenix during the past year and a half. After getting signed to Century Media, the…
Michael 23 is kind of what you’d call a survivor. Over the past several years, the enigmatic artist provocateur and co-founder of The Firehouse has endured personal tragedies, professional setbacks, financial hardships, stressful legal battles, and other such emotionally draining drama. Like anyone who’s faced such situations, he’s acquired loads…
Back in December, music streaming service Spotify offered students a discount on its premium service, offering college kids a rate ($5/month) half of what us older rubes pay. The company has crunched the numbers of the students who took advantage of that offer, and the results have Arizona State University…
People of the Valley of the Sun, fear not. Yes, you have suffered. Through July, with average high temps of 107 degrees, you have persevered. Through August, much of the same. Then in September, you weathered another type of extreme weather, as rainwater filled up city streets and turned neighborhood…
Nowadays, the revival of bluesy psychedelic rock and soul from the 1960s and ’70s has found a strong following — maybe it’s the fuzzy twang of the guitar, the vocals that just drip with angst and passion. Either way, Rival Sons, founded in 2009, introduced its brand in the right…
As we’re sure you’re well aware by now, it’s been a momentous year for live music and nightlife in Tempe, to say the least. While a lot of beloved bars or venues have exited the scene, there are have been a couple of new joints that are about to spring…
A sense of time and place inhabits Houndmouth. Rippled with various shades of Americana, as much is evident in the song titles–“Houston Train,” “Come On, Illinois,” “On The Road,” “Halfway to Hardinsburg”–along with the telling locales–jail, lonesome highways, dark hovels, trains and buses–frequented by song characters. Given that Houndmouth hails…
Recently, my enemies have been accusing me of having a problem with hats. Maybe it’s because I am (predictably) a bald, pale music critic, and wearing a hat makes me look like a Nosferatu vampire-creature. But personally, I think someone’s choice of headwear can tell a lot about a person…
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but in the world of music no one appreciates a copycat, especially those working for months and years to bring something new and original into the world. Tribute bands — that is, bands whose sole purpose is to cover…
The local nightlife scene can be a mess of wannabe DJs trying to make a name for themselves. There is some great local, innovative talent out there, but it’s hard for most aspiring DJs to stand out among the masses. Unless you have a friend who knows someone, most DJs…
