Kings of Leon to Play Something Called ‘MTV Movie Awards’

Future Valley rockers (Mesa Amphitheater on May 19) Kings of Leon have just been awarded a prestigious performing slot at this year’s MTV Movie Awards. The show takes place May 31 at Universal’s Gibson Amphitheater over in Universal City, California and features SNL standout/boat enthusiast Andy Samberg as host. This…

Other People’s Blogs: New Courtney Marie Andrews, Kings of Leon in Mesa Sold Out, Wilco Record Streaming, M.I.A. Not A Terrorist

Electric Mustache: Courtney Marie Andrews Announces New AlbumSo Much Silence: Kings of Leon/The Walkmen on May 19 SOLD OUTRolling Stone: Wilco Streaming Entire New “Wilco (The Album)” On WebsiteIdolator: “Paste” Throws A Hail Mary PassPitchfork: M.I.A. Responds to Sri Lanka Terrorist Accusations Once AgainPitchfork: Ex-Shins Drummer to Open Taco Cart…

The Sun Sessions: Bargrass Revival Does “Margaritaville”

Last week I sent out a Twitter (twitter.com/martincizmar) asking: “Anyone know a local band that can capture the soul-crushing pain of alcoholism, as documented in J.W. Buffett’s ‘Margaritaville,’ in a cover?””Bargrass Revival” is what we got back, so we lined them up. This Tempe-based bluegrass act is as much a…

Lucero Live: Moshing to Pedal Steel

Dear ex-hardcore kids,Please stop ruining roots music.Look, I get it, you’re pretty much aged out of hardcore shows, but you’re covered in tattoos and have plugs in your earlobes, and it’s hard to find a scene. Every band you’ve ever liked seems to be starting a folkie side project so…

New Release Tuesday: Maxïmo Park

For those in need of some fresh, spritely music as summer approaches and the heat starts to slowly creep up, I suggest turning your attention towards UK indie rockers Maxïmo Park. Their third album, Quciken the Heart, hits stores today, and it is a strong offering from the critically acclaimed…

You Asked For It: A Few Random Drunks

A Few Random DrunksWorld Famous County Wide(Self released)If you ask me, there’s too many alt-country acts doing the Old 97s thing, and not nearly enough doing the Drive-By Truckers thing. Now, granted, I prefer the former to the latter, but unless you’ve got Rhett Miller’s worn-denim vocals — and few…

Geek Beat: Celebrity Geeks and Gaming Freaks at RandomCon

I grew up in the Dark Ages of role-playing games. I’m talking the late ’80s, when Christian groups were protesting Dungeons & Dragons as a satanic tool and mixed-up drug addict and heavy D&D player Chris Pritchard — now out on parole — killed his stepfather in order to get his hands on a $2…

Scotland May Be Small, But It’s Big On Pop Music

What is it about Scotland that makes the country of just more than 5 million people produce far more than its fair share of great pop music artists? Consider the following sample list: Simple Minds, Orange Juice, Aztec Camera, Big Country, Altered Images, The Bluebells, The Jesus and Mary Chain,…

Kristeen Young Coming to Ruby Room

It seems like the Ruby Room is our homebase for anything Smiths/Morrissey-related — like that DJ set by Andy Rourke. In this case, it’s someone unrelated, by decree of The Pompadour himself.Kristeen Young, who plays with Green Lady Killers and The Pübes on May 26, was kicked off Morrissey’s tour…

Other People’s Blogs: Jack White’s New Band, Z-Trip on the Radio, Animal Collective Box Set

Idolator: Jordin Sparks Has No Promises, No DemandsSpin: Terrible Two: Eminem Teams Up with StewiePitchfork: Animal Collective’s Animal Crack Live Vinyl Box Set Finally ReleasedElectric Mustache (Phoenix-based Wilco fansite): Wilco (The Album) Cover ArtSo Much Silence: DJ Z-Trip on KCRW’s Morning Becomes EclecticWaved Rumor: Green Day – ‘King-Sized Stadium Rock’Spin:…

Alice Cooper Joins Obama at ASU Graduation Wednesday

As the press release announcing Alice Cooper’s appearance at Arizona State’s graduation ceremony Wednesday says, the local shock-rocker has played on some pretty big bills: John Lennon, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix. Even Pele.All big, but not Barack Obama big.Cooper will perform “School’s Out” for  63,000 people at…

Club Candids: What Laura Says show at Downtown Civic Space Park

We’ve always been big believers in this town. Even when our friends moved away and all the stragglers constantly proclaimed that “Phoenix sucks, man!”, we’ve always loved it here.And, on Friday, May 8th, as we laid on the grassy hill at the Downtown Civic Space Park, listening to local bands…

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Coming to Marquee Theatre on June 8

Even though music editor Martin Cizmar already laid out the latest show announcements earlier today, we’ve got one last gig to tell y’all about. NYC alt-rock faves the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are gonna be hitting the Valley at next month for a gig at the Marquee Theatre on Monday, June…

Concert Calendar for This Weekend

[jump] FRIDAY, MAY 8: Above & BeyondWith DJ Soloman, Spencer Thomas, DJ Breez, & more[trance/electronica]9 p.m., $10-$20Myst, 7340 E. Shoeman Ln., Scottsdale, 480-970-5000. The Color TurningWith Yellow Red Sparks, Nobility Obliged, & Tugboat[rock/indie/folk]7 p.m., $10Modified Arts, 407 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, 602-462-5516. HemlockWith From Dark, FoulMouth, Hellen, Archaic Cessation, &…

Just Announced: Jenny Lewis, The Cult, Idols Live, Rick Ross

Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis is finally, finally, making an appearance in Phoenix, Stateside Presents announced today. The cute-as-a-button indie songstress is a critical darling (hell, my colleague Albert Ching in Orange County has reviewed her shows two times in his seven months on the job!) for good reason. Read…