Cloud Nothings Crescent Ballroom Tuesday, February 28 When I spoke with Dylan Baldi of Cloud Nothings, he said he had never been intimidated by extensive touring, high-profile shows, or recording Attack on Memory, the band’s latest record, with punk purist Steve Albini. The band’s excellent set at Crescent — airtight…
Grimes and Born Gold Rhythm Room Monday, February 27 Montreal-based Claire Boucher, known as Grimes, not only has a stirringly sweet voice that she layers like K-pop frosting but also a penchant for weaving bombastic beats inside ambient textures. Her latest record on 4AD, Visions, manages to embody the label’s…
Bare Wires Yucca Tap Room Monday, February 27 It was hard not to feel just a little bad for the earnest strummers in Yucca’s neighboring craft bar when Manhands, the first of four loud bands took the stage last night. I can imagine that at least a little of the…
Cursive Crescent Ballroom Monday, February 27, 2012 “Whenever I see a band shortly after an album comes out, I hope it’s too soon for them to play new songs live,” a friend yelled to me as Cursive tore into the opening hooks of “This House Alive,” the first track from…
As our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch reported earlier this month, women’s apparel eBay shop Meat Market Vintage is now open for business on Mill Avenue in Tempe. The industrialized storefront boasts: “Meat Market Vintage runs the gamut of unique 20th century apparel for trend-setting (and trend-smashing) women all around the…
DanceMission with 12th Planet and More Not to be too dramatic, but I probably suffered some permanent hearing damage last night while watching 12th Planet. It would take a doctor to confirm (perhaps even Doctor P), but there’s been a constant ringing in my ears after getting blasted with the…
Gigantour Comerica Theatre Saturday, February 25 I’m no metalhead, but I recognize dedication when I see it. I spent last night at the Gigantour, featuring Megadeth, Motorhead, Lacuna Coil, and Volbeat, packed into Comerica theatre with people from all generations, cloaked in the blackest of black, all with a shared…
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks Crescent Ballroom Friday, February 24 Okay, Phoenix. First, the good news: According to no less an authority than Stephen Malkmus, godfather of slacker cool, genuinely tall and good-looking former frontman of Pavement and current leader of The Jicks, Portland now considers Phoenix a rival city…
DanceMission with 12th Planet and more Madison Event Center Friday, February 24 Not to be too dramatic, but I probably suffered some permanent hearing damage last night while watching 12th Planet. It would take a doctor to confirm (perhaps even Doctor P), but there’s been a constant ringing in my…
Reckless Kelly Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill Friday, February 24, 2012 Friday night took the record for the most double-fisting I’ve ever seen. Packing beers, the crowd seemed restless, up on their feet and screaming even before Reckless Kelly took the stage. As soon as the Austin-based…
Alejandra Guzmán Comerica Theatre Friday, February 24 When we think of rock ‘n’ roll superstars, Alejandra Guzmán’s name doesn’t regularly come to mind, but it should. For the past 20 years, the Mexican rock singer has reigned as Latin America’s “Queen of Rock,” and on Friday, Guzmán showed a packed…
Man Overboard, a Garden State pop punk group, is enjoying a whirlwind career. After touring with New Found Glory last year, the band just wrapped up a series of shows in the UK, and is gearing up for its first American headlining tour. The group has released 50 or 60…
Say “Sex Pistols” and the names Sid Vicious and Johnny Rotten might come to mind. Less likely is someone shouting out, “Glen Matlock.” But they should; not only is he the band’s original bassist, but drummer Paul Cook suggests he wrote most of the songs on the infamous Never Mind…
While the GOP presidential candidates debated in Mesa last night, folks at Zia Records in Chandler gathered for a different kind of spectacle: NYC-based pop band Fun. (featuring Nate Ruess formerly of Tempe rockers The Format) played an acoustic set and signed autographs for about 400 fans. The band isn’t…
Here’s a familiar story: Conservative candidate plays a rock song at a rally, liberal artist complains. Ronny Reagan and Bruce Springsteen. Mike Huckabee and Boston. Michele Bachmann and Tom Petty. Ron Paul, on the other hand, has a handful of diehard musician fans that are willing to travel and perform…
Being in a band is tough. Just listen to Cursive’s travails in “Art is Hard.” Over the last decade, the Omaha-based indie rockers have endured their share of personnel changes: subtracting a cellist, adding a horn section, going back to a four piece, and eventually settling on a five piece…
Glen Campbell at Comerica Theatre Going in, there was a fear that Glen Campbell’s Goodbye Tour concert would devolve into little more than a nostalgia act. That Campbell, struggling with the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease, would duly try his best to work through carefully guarded and pre-arranged songs with…
You gotta hand it to American thrash metalheads Megadeth. For as rocky as their successful road has been, the band has done great job at keeping things surprising. Just last week, guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine made headlines by announcing his endorsement of far-right presidential candidate Rick “Please Don’t Google My Last…
Glen Campbell Comerica Theatre Saturday, February 18 Going in, there was a fear that Glen Campbell’s Goodbye Tour concert would devolve into little more than a nostalgia act. That Campbell, struggling with the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease, would duly try his best to work through carefully guarded and pre-arranged…
The Darkness Celebrity Theatre Saturday, February 18, 2012 The Darkness is doing pretty well for a band that could be a considered a one-hit wonder. After a five-year hiatus and some rehab visits, the band is back in full force with its original lineup. See the full slideshow of The…
Digital Leather, Acid Dawgz, Weird Ladies, and Scorpion vs. Tarantula Rhythm Room Thursday, February 16, 2012 Last night’s show at the Rhythm Room was in desperate need of clarity. For the record, Digital Leather, Acid Dawgz, Weird Ladies, and Scorpion vs. Tarantula all played punk rocking sets. Figuring out who…
Have you locked your weekend plans down yet? There’s plenty going on — on Source Victoria plays the Yucca on Friday, and Saturday night features three shows that couldn’t be more different: Glam-rockers The Darkness, legendary singer Glen Campbell, and Michelle Blades CD release show. But there’s more than all…
