Arizona, which can be somewhat of a mystery to the outside world, impacts musicians in ways that only the West can. For Brian Weitz, better known as Geologist and as one-fourth of Animal Collective, his academic stint at southern Arizona’s Biosphere, while a Columbia University undergrad, caused him to revisit…
With more than 30 years of making groundbreaking albums — including the latest, Shockwave Supernova — teaching a legion of future rock superstars (Steve Vai, Metallica’s Kurt Hammett), and supporting the upper echelon rock elite (Mick Jagger, Deep Purple), Joe Satriani should be a household name. Still, the strictly instrumental…
The Phoenix. A symbol of revival, of taking something that once was an all-powerful force and giving it new life. Phoenix, like the name of legendary guitarist/songwriter Peter Frampton’s favorite guitar (lost, reunited with Frampton 30 years later, and actually spelled “Phenix”). Also the name of one of the cities…
Sumerian Records, Ash Avildsen’s D.C./LA-based label, is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a home for metal and prog bands with a showcase tour featuring Born of Osiris, Veil of Maya, After the Burial, ERRA, and Bad Omens. Sure, it’s been a while since finding a record label became something a…
For my money McDowell Mountain Music Festival – taking place Friday, March 11, through Sunday, March 13 – is the best festival in the Valley by far. The first festival I ever went to was Bonnaroo 2011, and those four days on the farm changed my entire life, and while 3MF…
It is clear that hip-hop star Fetty Wap likes to have fun whenever and however he can, a face that was apparent prior to his concert at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe this past Friday. When I first drove up to the venue, a small crowd of a people was…
Looking for a great show to see this week? Here are our picks for the best concerts to see this week in Metro Phoenix. For more options, visit our extensive online concert calendar. Mutemath – Tuesday, March 1 – Crescent Ballroom The emotional documentary-style short film for Mutemath’s latest single,…
Rick Estrin and the Nightcats – Friday, February 26 – Rhythm Room For more than 30 years, the synergy between guitarist “Little” Charlie Baty and singer/harmonica player Rick Estrin has made Little Charlie and the Nightcats one of the best (and most entertaining) jump-blues bands around. With Baty’s “soft retirement”…
The summertime concert lineup in the Valley just got a little weirder. That’s because legendary parody musician “Weird Al” Yankovic will be headed to Phoenix during the sweltering season for a performance at Comerica Theatre on Wednesday, August 3. Tickets for the show will be $39.50 and go on sale…
Robyn Hitchcock, who will turn 63 on March 3, the day he performs in Phoenix, formed the Soft Boys in 1976 and went on to front the Egyptians in the ’80s. He has been performing a vast amount of solo material in various incarnations ever since. Whether he is fronting…
Paul Meany, the lead singer of MUTEMATH, seemed almost over-prepared to talk about the video for the band’s latest single “Monument.” The emotional, short documentary-style film, which has gone viral with the help of Ellen DeGeneres, features Charles “LaLa” Evans. He built a shrine to his widow, to whom he…
Looking for a great show to see this week? Here are our picks for the best concerts to see this week in Metro Phoenix. For more options, visit our comprehensive online concert calendar. Metalachi – Monday, February 22 – Rhythm Room What would happen to a young Mexican American musician,…
Here are our concert picks for this weekend. For more options, visit our comprehensive concert calendar. Ringo Deathstarr – Friday, February 19 – The Rebel Lounge Ringo Deathstarr are fucking sick of the word “shoegaze.” Even before they’ve played a single note at gigs, Elliott Frazier — singer, songwriter and…
What’s up with RiRi? TMZ reported Rihanna had an outburst backstage at the Grammy Awards before she canceled her scheduled appearance. Her people say that she had bronchitis and wouldn’t have been able to perform, but the gossip website reported “the singer was loudly expressing displeasure over her rehearsal …
It’s been just over 20 years since D.R.I. released a new record, but that’s about to change. The Texas band launched in 1982 as a hardcore act. Five years later, their short, ferocious songs (most clocked in under a minute-thirty) got longer as the group moved in a more metal…
Touring with Beck, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the Shins, Jessica Dobson played some of the biggest stages a rock guitarist could hope for, but it came at the expense of her own band. So Dobson put herself front and center, walking away from the Shins to focus full time on…
The live music lineup over Valentine’s weekend has something almost everyone will love: profanely funny heavy metal acts, R&B legends, a locally focused rock festival, profound blues artists, geeky rappers, alt-rock heavyweights, an enormous EDM throwdown, and even a show aimed at protecting the naughty bits of men everywhere. Here…
Roaring out of Orange County in the late 2000s, Ty Segall is as known for his prolific output as he is his considerable onstage volume. Since 2008, Segall has released some nine studio albums, dozens of singles, a handful of EPs, and teamed up with like-minded bashers for collaborative albums…
If you’re a Hall & Oates fan, the songwriting duo will be making your dreams come true this September. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will play a concert at Ak-Chin Pavilion on September 14. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 12, at 10 a.m. at www.livenation.com. It’s…
Here are our picks for best concerts in Phoenix this weekend. Check out our comprehensive concert listings for more options. Marty Friedman – Monday, February 8 – The Rebel Lounge After guitarist Marty Friedman left heavy metal titans Megadeth in 2000, ending a decade-long run with the Dave Mustaine–led group,…
Phoenicians would be within their rights to be pissed off at Robin Thicke, who has not performed a show in the state since “Blurred Lines” became the summer song of 2013. He cancelled an October 27, 2013, appearance at the Arizona Jazz Festival claiming illness. Three days later the news…
The Waste Management Phoenix Open is billed as the “People’s Open,” but how do you get the Old Town crowd to the green? You book the w hat many consider the “world’s greatest DJ” to spin on a Saturday night: the Dutch record producer Tiësto. As someone who enjoys and…
