Wasn’t it cool to see Andrew Jackson Jihad play as a full band last month? Oh, you didn’t make it, and like Brad Dwyer you’re bummed you missed it? Lucky for you, you get another chance because AJJ is hitting the road with ROAR and Laura Stevenson and the Cans,…
When she was young, Nika Danilova trained to sing opera but often lost her voice due to performance anxiety. When Danilova began performing as Zola Jesus in Madison, Wisconsin, her harrowing voice slowly grew confident among thickets of tape hiss and ambient synths. On her latest full-length, Conatus, Danilova’s voice…
Heard the news? Jack White is coming out with a solo album. If first single “Love Interruption,” is any indication, Blunderbuss will be loaded with fluttering woodwinds, electric piano, and White in full-tilt gospel mode. It’s pretty good — I mean, not quite as daring as that ICP collab –…
Most people try their damnedest to keep their love of porno under wraps, probably outta fear of looking like a major perv. Renowned hip-hop Kool Keith, however, isn’t one of ’em. The Dirty South artist has been anything but shy about his love of pornography. Kool Keith’s rapped about it…
One of our favorite Kickstarter success stories was last year’s Unite and Take Over, a graphic collection of songs inspired by the lyrics of The Smiths. Editor and writer Shawn Demumbrum took to the crowd-funding site to raise the $3,000 needed to press the comic. It worked. The book debuted…
When she’s not spending her time being a gossip girl, Taylor Momsen is content with leaving her fans still wanting more. At least that’s what the lead singer of The Pretty Reckless did last time the band performed here, when they limited their set to just half an hour. Talk…
Citizen Cope at Marquee Theatre I’ve been to more exciting Citizen Cope shows over the past few years, but last night’s solo acoustic gig was still a tight show for different reasons than I’m used to. Clarence Greenwood sounds fabulous when he plays with his band, but he held his…
Here’s to “intentionally flowery-bullshit.” In this week’s installment of Record Heat, Brad Dwyer remembers the urge to push to the front of the crowd and dance at a show. In light of our “Don’t Be an Asshole or: A Few Words On The Subject of Concert Etiquette,” it’s important to…
They Might Be Giants Marquee Theatre Sunday, January 29, 2012 How many F-bombs can you drop in a PG-13 movie? Is it one? Two? However many, last night’s They Might Be Giants show certainly earned its 14-and-over “rating,” with the “Johns,” Flansburgh and Linnell, peppering their set with colorful language…
It’s only January, but Tucson acoustic popsters Roll Acosta are having a good year so far. The group is set to play its second residency show at The Rogue Bar on Friday, February 3 as part of the Occupy Rogue Bar series. The Foleys and Field Tripp will join Roll…
Want to know what new release discs and platters are moving across the Valley at local record stores? We’ve got you covered with another installment of What’s Selling. North Phoenix music shoppers are satisfying their diverse palette by picking up a range of music genres last week at Zia Records…
Strung Out Clubhouse Music Venue Saturday, January 28, 2012 Strung Out plays in Vegas tonight, but that didn’t stop the band from having a good time in Phoenix last night. Frontman Jason Cruz showed off Chris Aiken’s brand new Fender signature bass and the band took shots to celebrate as…
Citizen CopeMarquee Theatre Friday, January 27, 2012 I’ve been to more exciting Citizen Cope shows over the past few years, but last night’s solo acoustic gig was still a tight show for different reasons than I’m used to. Clarence Greenwood sounds fabulous when he plays with his band, but he…
Sundown Showdown IV (Night Two): TOAD, Sleep Money, Destruction Unit, Radio Moscow, Graveyard Yucca Tap Room Friday, January 27 See the full Sundown Showdown slideshow here. Let’s contrast, for a minute: During opening band TOAD’s (it’s an acronym: Take Over and Destroy) second song, “Midnight Hunger,” a few straggling Yucca…
Welcome to the latest installment of our weekly feature, Sound Off, in which Jason P. Woodbury is joined by a different guest each week to listen to and discuss three tracks from local Phoenix artists. If you would like your songs to be considered for future Sound Off columns, please…
Okay folks, start ‘yer engines: It’s looking to be a pretty good weekend for music in the Valley of the Sun. You’ve got a lot of choices to make. Do you want to take in the hippie-dippy good vibes of Citizen Cope? The anything goes, doom metal-to-psych punk Sundown Showdown…
Strange Young Things Don’t miss out on one of Strange Young Things’ biggest shows of the year. It’s Glodie’s birthday bash! Rook, Flamingo and AT7 will all be spreading the birthday love as well. “We’re currently recording an album that we’ll be releasing in early/mid summer, with the hope of also…
Dengue Fever Crescent Ballroom Thursday, January 26 The setting was the Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix, but given the atmosphere and exotic sounds emanating from the stage, it may as well have been Cambodia circa mid-1970s. Eyes closed, it hardly mattered, Dengue Fever was in its element, and that element joined…
Ludachrist UK Thursday at School of Rock Thursday, January 26 The scene: Two dudes in plaid vests, decorative cross necklaces dangling from their necks. The song: “Jump,” by Kriss Kross, colliding with “Ass” by Big Sean, then samples of Nicki Minaj fading into AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” Boom. Their name recalls Dirty…
By now Fingergate has the web blowing up with commentary abound about the gull and audacity of Governor Jan Brewer for sticking her finger in the face of President Barack Obama. As James King brought up yesterday, we can’t help but wonder if Jan’s actions were those of an impassioned…
Lisa KasanickyKasanicky is the founder of Arizona Spa Girls and author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Girlfriend Getaways. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? Uh, sadly, NPR but I’ll switch it to 103.9 FM if the topic…
Say what you will about our sustainability, the heat, or our wretched politicos, but Phoenix is a haven for nerds. We have The Minibosses, who play heavy covers from video games like Super Mario Bros. and Double Dragon; and Mega Ran, who raps over Final Fantasy and Mega Man soundtracks…
