Kids today, y’know? Thinking that all they need to figure out transcendental psychedelia is a tube of face paint, some Jodorowsky DVDs and a handful of funky -looking mushrooms. Pshaw! They should take a cue from their peers in Prince Rama, a Brooklyn-based act specializing in profoundly psychedelic tuneage. Sisters…
As a musician, film maker and performer, renaissance man Voltaire has a flare for the theatrical. His live performances, which are best described as a kind of campy gothic carnival, have been known to resemble a vintage cabaret show that revels in the macabre. On Thursday, October 6, he’ll be…
Fall Frenzy: blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, Matt & Kim, and Halocene Arizona got a special show last night, a combination of the yearly Fall Frenzy event and The Honda Civic Tour. Jimmy Eat World took My Chemical Romance’s spot and locals Halocene shared the stage with Matt & Kim and…
BRAIDS The Sail Inn Friday, September 30, 2011 The thing most interesting about BRAIDS is the band’s ability to create elegant, intricate post-rock without coming off as overtly eccentric. There’s a reason why they engage in a side-stage group-hug before hoping on stage. Crafting music as delicate as theirs requires…
Arizona got a special show last night, a combination of the yearly Fall Frenzy event and The Honda Civic Tour. Jimmy Eat World took My Chemical Romance’s spot and locals Halocene shared the stage with Matt & Kim and blink-182 for an evening of fun and nostalgia…
The Zombies Celebrity Theatre Friday, September 30, 2011 50 years is a long time. There’s no getting around it — The Zombies, lead by original members Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone, have been at it for a five decades; much longer than the original run of The Zombies, from 1961…
This weekend is full of things to do in the Valley of the Sun. Tonight, the massive AZ Fall Frenzy concert, featuring Halocene, Matt & Kim, Jimmy Eat World, and blink-182 hits Tempe Beach Park; MegaRan and MC Chris bring the nerd-rap “Race Wars” tour to Martini Ranch; and British…
With the exception of a few heartbreaks, New Found Glory has continued to write music for the past 14 years with minimal obstacles. And since the band’s songs largely deal with matters of the heart, you could consider all those bum relationships song fodder. The band is gearing up for…
Every now and then, the Yucca Tap Room hosts 18 + shows. On Sunday, October 2, as something of a courtesy to Love Me Nots bassist Sophie O. — who’s shy of the 21 mark herself — Valley Fever at Yucca Tap Room will be an 18-and-over affair. Valley Fever…
Rock Allegiance Tour at Mesa Amphitheatre, 9/23/11 Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Puddle of Mudd, and P.O.D. all sharing the bill…what year is this, 2002? In spite of all four artists releasing their biggest hits about ten years ago, all continue to tour and record new music. I for one had no…
Within These Walls Nile Theater Saturday, September 24 Hardcore may have a niche audience, but H2O’s two main messages are universal: 1. “Treat yourself and other people with respect and try to make the world a better place by the fact that you’re in it,” bassist Adam Blake said in…
Rock Allegiance Tour Mesa Amphitheatre Friday, September 23 Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Puddle of Mudd, and P.O.D. all sharing the bill…what year is this, 2002? In spite of all four artists releasing their biggest hits about ten years ago, all continue to tour and record new music. I for one had…
Making your weekend plans? We’ve already highlighted some of the best music going down this weekend, from the rock ‘n’ rolling Quarter Inch Crown, hardcore stalwarts H20, and the Music of the Old West performances at the MIM. But there’s plenty more music going on this weekend. Here are our…
Manu Chao The Lot Across From El Portal Restaurant Wednesday, September 21, 2011 Last night’s Manu Chao appearance ended up being more than just a free concert on an empty parking lot across the street from a Mexican restaurant. I mean, those were definitely the basic logistics, but this wasn’t…
According to the Facebook event page the bands created, this show is a few months behind, comparing it to, “a baseball rain delay game.” In that case, game on! Mergence and Quick Henry will be rockin’ Teakwoods at Phoenix this Friday, September 23. Lauded for their live performances and groovy…
Within These Walls has a pretty impressive line-up of hardcore acts. H2O is headlining and making their first Arizona appearance since playing with Bane three years ago. We spoke to bassist Adam Blake, who insists that Arizona has not intentionally been skipped. The band likes to play in as many…
KeshaSeptember 20, 2011Comerica TheatreAfter Kesha’s strong show last summer at Marquee Theatre, it was exciting to see what the young singer would bring to a bigger venue and how she would change up the set. Her past performance had been so impressive, surely the larger space would give her even more to work with. For…
“Wait…you know it’s The Weekend, right? Not The Weeknd.” I had a couple people let me know, just to be sure. See, The Weeknd — the project name of Canadian soul singer Abel Tesfaye — has a plenty of hype, and the potential to bring elements of dubstep and chillwave…
The Bizarre Bazaar Freak Show at The Firehouse The traveling circus troupe known as The Hellzapoppin Sideshow Revue spent Saturday night swallowing swords, eating fire and in general defying death in as many ways as possible. The fine circus folk did so as part of the Bizarre Bazaar at Downtown…
Phoenix-based pop band French Quarter has a new record out, Desert Wasn’t Welcome, and the band is heading out on tour to support it. Recorded at Dub Narcotic Sound System in Olympia, Washington, home base for K Records, and finds the trio incorporating elements of dance, dub, and jazz into…
SantanaAshley Furniture HomeStore PavilionSunday, September 18Carlos Santana makes a great argument for vintage rockers. At the ripe age of 64, Santana doesn’t just continue to tour: it’s as though he gets better every year. Going to a Santana concert isn’t about getting crazy; it’s all about a strong appreciation for…
On the drive over to Sail Inn tonight, my roommate asked if he was going to understand Peelander Z. It was a fair question. Though the band formed in New York, it’s made up of four Japanese transplants. “Yes,” I said, they mostly sing in English. “Albeit, English with a…
