Somewhere along the line, Apple Computer Inc. started hiring staffers with a knack for searching out perfect pop songs. These employees have an acute sense for picking catchy, pop-driven songs to pimp their lines of iPods. More often than not, Apple catches lightning in a bottle with the songs and…
If you’re a rock band that hails from pretty much anywhere in New Jersey, perhaps the greatest honor that could be bestowed upon you — more than a Grammy or induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — is for Bruce Springsteen to play with you onstage. It…
They were among the first punks to go Americana. Like The Blasters dipped in acid and sun-baked by the Arizona heat, The Meat Puppets play cosmic country and blues, ranging from ambling, psych-singed instrumentals to effervescing folk jangle, led by Curt Kirkwood’s warbling baritone. While their first album primarily favored…
When Bill Murray made glorious lounge-mockery of the Star Wars theme on Saturday Night Live all those years ago, little did he know that the bit would inspire, if not one of the great all-time music acts, then one of the great all-time music shticks. Led by Sinatra-soundalike Richard Cheese…
One of our favorite local music bloggers, Waved Rumor’s Dfactor, has two new songs from his soon-to-be-available record Slashing the Sunlight. It’s exactly the sort of upbeat pop-punk you’d expect from D and it’s very good. I’m particularly fond of “Shake It,” which has a nice bittersweet quality to it…
Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo has fractured his left wrist in that most punk rock of ways — playing tennis — requiring the band to reschedule their upcoming west coast tour. The new dates include a stop at the Marquee Theatre on January 5. Other dates on the jump. Teen…
Electric Mustache: Video: The Thermals “Now We Can See” at The Rhythm Room 9/8/2009Sky Bison: This Local Arizona Band’s Near Death Experience!Idolator: Can The Former Lead Guitarist Of Korn Bring 50 Cent To Jesus?NME: Lady Gaga: ‘I used to lick the booklet of Green Day’s ‘Dookie”Rolling Stone: Perez Hilton Talks…
If yesterday’s blog comments about the mayhem on Roosevelt Row are any indication, folks are looking for a quieter place to view art on First Friday.Of course, there’s always Grand Avenue. But this past Friday, we checked out a brand spankin’ new art walk at Heritage Square Park. We rolled…
The Thermals looked so very clean for a group of touring indie punks from Portland. Hopping up to the stage, it was no nonsense, down to the trio’s minimalist wardrobe. The crowd was thrown into a state of euphoria with opener “No Culture Icons,” the proclaimed favorite of the show’s…
Tattoos have come a long way, baby! Once reserved for sailors and burly bikers with Grizzly Adams beards and leather chaps, tats have slowly slithered their way onto college students, cubicle workers and yes, even geeks. While some of our geeky brethren were busy roleplaying or getting first editions signed at the Discworld convention this past weekend, a…
We’re not sure when or where, but we got this teaser for the second annual Phoenix Independents Bowl by e-mail yesterday. Last year’s event was a great one, with bands like What Laura Says, Kinch and The Stiletto Formal rolling against teams representing pretty much every music-related business in town…
Phoenix(ish) band Miniature Tigers have added more dates to their fall tour. The Charlie Brand-fronted outfit rumored to be moving to New York will be touring with fun., fronted by Phoenix expat Nate Ruess, as well as Say Anything, New Zealand’s Ruby Suns and the Dodos.Full list of tour dates,…
The Mars Volta Erase Last Year’s Mistakes Let’s start with some context: The Mars Volta came to Phoenix’s Dodge Theater last October and played a show that was, for lack of a better term, lacking. They played for less than an hour and left many people underwhelmed. It’s unfortunate to…
Kinch’s The Economic Chastisement EP release party back in February was one of the best little concerts I’ve seen this year, so I was pretty stoked about this weekend’s twin parties on behalf of the new EP Collars and Sleeves. I was not disappointed.Starting with a Friday night show on…
Idolator: Jay-Z Takes Control Of The Board (Room)Idolator: Golf-Playing Rocker Laments Preppy Indie Dudes’ Lack Of BallsNME: Ex-Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman slams ‘Guitar Hero’ And ‘Rock Star’ gamesPitchfork: Want to Sound Just Like T-Pain? There’s an App for ThatRolling Stone: What Made “Braid” a Punk-Rock Video Game? A Look Back…
Up until the middle of last week, it was hard to say exactly where Brooklyn’s Woods would be performing September 6th. Fliers circulating around town indicated the freak-folkers would be playing venerable Tempe establishment, The Manor. Folks won over by the band’s recent opening spot for Dungen at the Rhythm…
I, like many Americans, enjoy my fair share of international music. My tendencies keep me pointed towards countries like England, Sweden, and France that have a long history of bands making it big Stateside. So when a band from South Africa comes along, releases an EP that generates tons of…
various rock shows, the Rockabilly Showdown, fun theme nights, etc) – putting themselves on our radar. On Friday, Oct. 2, the Tempe dive bar, which is located conveniently off a lightrail stop on Apache and Dorsey and sits next to Club Tattoo, will host a White Trash Keg Bash in honor…
Let’s start with some context: The Mars Volta came to Phoenix’s Dodge Theater last October and played a show that was, for lack of a better term, lacking. They played for less than an hour and left many people underwhelmed. It’s unfortunate to judge the band to that precedent, but…
Night two of “When In AZ” celebrations continued at Modified on Saturday. Seven local outfits, featured on the locals-covering-locals comp, split the bill. Download cards for the compilation flowed freely, as the charge for admission guaranteed each attendee his own free copy.Highlights included performances from Harcuvar, whose engulfing harmonies were…
Between oddballs hocking light sabers, impenetrable Arizona temperatures and grown men playing accordions shirtless, First Fridays is always a little crazy. Friday was par for the course, with the exception of the release of a massive compilation of local bands covering each other. Modified Arts hosted night one of the…
