See also: Sun Araw covers Teenage Fanclub’s Bandwagonesque at the Hard Rock Cafe in LA L.A.’s Sun Araw, the slow-rolling psych project of Cameron Stallones, is an ideal gateway into long-form music for those suspicious of epic jam territory. There is nary a Sun Araw tune shorter than six minutes,…
Gossip Girl fans looking to see Little J in action when Taylor Momsen and her band The Pretty Reckless come through town may not recognize the 18-year-old when she takes the stage at Martini Ranch this Saturday, March 10. The vibe will be more Courtney Love than CW fare, as Momsen is known to…
See also: Odd Future’s Most NSFW Videos See also: Odd Future Live at the Marquee Last year the hype machine was in full effect for the Los Angeles hip-hop collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, or just Odd Future for short. It seemed as if just about everywhere…
Toro Y Moi Crescent Ballroom Monday, March 5, 2012 Chillwave/glo-fi/funk/[insert blogger-generated genre here] pioneers Toro Y Moi knows how to get people moving. At last year’s South by Stateside Festival, the band played a short, delayed set thanks to Foster the People’s lengthy set-up time. I wasn’t there, so I…
Miniature Tigers’ brand new record, Dieyan Keytan, err, Mia Pharaoh, hits stores today, and in conjunction with the band’s complete takeover of Phoenix this week (see our sister blog Jackalope Ranch’s post about Joe Pagac’s advert-mural on Roosevelt Row, the band is performing a special acoustic gig at Stinkweeds this…
The second night of the two-day Arizona Porn Star Ball on Sunday evening had all the makings of a pimp hip-hop show: Strippers, half-naked freaks, adult film starlets, loads of talent, and a performance by one of the best rappers in the country in Kool Keith. All it needed was…
“Laidback” might fit the tone of Amsterdam-based Laidback Luke (born Lucas Cornelis van Scheppingen), but the tag might be doing a disservice to his work ethic: He’s worked with David Guetta, Diplo, Junior Sanchez, and more, and remixed pop acts like Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry, Chris Brown, and the…
Recent Dark Lord Records (with distribution by Sony) signees Chemicals of Democracy are heading to Europe for Hammerfest, where they’ll be performing alongside Anthrax, Exodus, Skindred, and more. But the dudes aren’t leaving town without a bash. Tomorrow night they’ll be showing off songs from their new record, American Scream,…
Atlanta’s O’Brother may seem like a real life version of The Soggy Bottom Boys from O Brother, Where Art Thou? (just Google the band’s name), but name and hometown are the only things the band and film have in common. O’Brother uses three intricate guitars to play a combination of…
Korn and Sluggo Comerica Theatre Thursday, March 1 James Blake would’ve been in absolute hell watching Korn last night. The waifish English electronica producer, who’s loudly decried the overflowing machismo and thuggish aura of Americanized dubstep, would’ve seen his worst nightmare writ large and lit with high-tech spotlights. More than…
Albert Manjarrez, manger of The Roxy Lounge is hosting a benefit for his sister on Thursday, March 1.This event features live performances from local acoustic musicians Adam Shero, Angela Ferrari, and Javier Garcia. Amanda Manjarrez was an asymptomatic 26-year-old single mother, unaware she was ill until she tried to write…
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…
