Until last night, that is. Probably right around the moment he uttered the following during his spoken word appearance at the Marquee Theatre: “What am I doing? I’m getting turned on by a guy? I’m not being a good judge! I’m not gay! I’m not gay!” Are you sure about…
Strong Beer Festival at Margaret T. Hance Park The only evidence that we have of even attending the Strong Beer Festival on Saturday, February 13 at Margaret T. Hance park are these photos. Based on them, we can assume that there were many varieties of deliciously decadent brews all very,…
It was ironically named The Losers’ Ball, but if you know anything about how people market stuff nowadays, you’d correctly guess that Sail Inn’s show had incredibly cool musicians playing for a bunch of incredibly cool people. That started right at the top of the bill, with North Carolina’s Dex…
It was clear who the star of the show was Saturday night at the Jack’s Mannequin concert at Marquee Theatre — Nate Ruess, formerly of local band The Format, currently with New York City-based fun. (possibly the worst band name ever.) Fun. lived up to its name, entertaining the sold-out young…
Reviewers are supposed to be objective. By that standard, perhaps I’m not the best person to write about Thursday night’s St. Vincent show at the Rhythm Room. So, before you read on, in the interest of full disclosure, I’ll be honest with you: I’ve been a huge fan of Austin-based…
George Strait at Phoenix’s US Airways Center For a guy who hasn’t filled out a W2 in 30-plus years, George Strait sure can sing the working man’s music. Opening with “Twang,” the title track off his latest studio album — his twenty-sixth, if you can believe it — the “King…
When I get off of work on Friday after working like a dog all week, I go to meet the boys for a cold one at a little joint up the street. They got a jukebox in the corner full of old country tunes, feed it five dollars worth of quarters…
I’m loathe to admit it, but I went into last night’s Scott H. Biram show at The Rhythm Room a bit skeptical, or worse, even a bit cynical. Don’t get me wrong. I like the whole punk-blues-country-bluegrass thing as much as the next guy, but I tend to find the…
Polysics bassist Fumi sits on the curb outside Rhythm Room chatting with the band’s photographer Tsukasa as drummer Yano stretches out. The show’s over, but she’s still wearing her orange flight suit with iconic “P” tacked onto the front and says she’s tired. After witnessing the explosive set Polysics laid…
Okay, I admit it: I have no idea why people go gaga for Phoenix, which sold out the Tempe theater. After watching the veteran act (which has been plugging away in one form or another since 1999 without getting much attention before last year) play for an hour and a…
2010 Miss Gay Arizona USofA and Reina Del Sol USofA Classic at the Wyndham You can keep your preacher’s daughter conservative country sweetheart Miss America pageant; we’ll take Miss Gay USofA any day. The lovely ladies in this competition may be male underneath the sequins, rhinestones and makeup; but their…
Since Patti Smith doesn’t make her way out west very often, when she does, it’s a notable occasion. Added to that, last night she gave an intimate talk at LA’s Hammer Museum on the artist Harry Smith — a close friend of hers and highly influential figure in American culture,…
The economy sucks… Let’s party!Yes, these are the sentiments of Pittsburgh punkers Anti-Flag. If you know anything about the band, these sentiments shouldn’t surprise you. The band has made a mark with their strong political views and activism. In fact, The Economy Sucks, Let’s Party! tour has teamed up with non-profits…
Love Me Nots Music Video Premiere at Martini Ranch Friday night at Martini Ranch, Love Me Nots, along with their pals Mod Zombies, brought the house down in honor of “Do What You Do,” the new music video from Love Me Nots…see photos Car Porn at Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction 2010…
In fact, it was a pair of local gimmick bands who helped me segue to the Valley’s vibrant local music scene. Back in 2004, I became a fan of both the Minibosses and Flagstaff’s I Hate You When You’re Pregnant after attending gigs by both bands at such venues as…
Last night’s performance from New York hardcore punk rockers Agnostic Front was anything but forgettable. Hundreds of people crowded into the Yucca Tap Room in the true spirit of punk rock.To move across the jam-packed floor, you had to pass through a large, rowdy, and intense mosh pit that was…
(Gil Scott-Heron performed sets at 6:30 and 9 p.m. last night. This is a review of the earlier offering presented by Ed Mabrey and Black Pearl Poetry.) He appeared jittery as he walked onstage, but once Gil Scott-Heron sat down and started playing keys and singing the blues about life…
Marathon Pub Crawl in Downtown Tempe Clad in corny and kitschy fitness wear, more than 50 Valley bar-hoppers engaged in a humorous running-themed pub crawl along Mill Avenue on Saturday, January 16, hitting up such downtown Tempe bars as Zuma Grill, Rula Bula, and Suite 301…see photos Kathy Griffin Talks…
“I’m a 12-year-old gay boy at heart” comedian Kathy Griffin confessed during her performance at the Dodge Theatre Saturday. The statement summed up the sassy petite redhead in a nutshell. And that’s what makes her so appealing. Like most kids, Griffin says what’s on her mind without any editing. During her nearly…
You know, the very same squad who yesterday battered about our beloved Arizona Cardinals and crushed the Valley’s dreams of returning to the Super Bowl mere hours before Cowboy Mouth’s show in Scottsdale. So does that mean their performance was marred by distressed Red Bird fans who were demanding the…
No Pants Ride Invades the Light Rail and Downtown Phoenix In conjunction with Improv Everywhere’s No Pants Subway Ride in New York, half naked people in cities around the world enjoyed freedom from pants on public transit on Saturday, January 10, 2010. In Phoenix, Improv AZ organized two teams of…
“Thanks,” Thurston Moore of legendary noise-rockers Sonic Youth laughs, hoisting up a Bethel Wildcats letterman jacket, an unusual gift from a crowd member at the group’s packed performance at Tempe’s Marquee Theatre. Moore, a 1976 graduate of the Connecticut high school, seems bemused by the offering. “You know, in high…
