Kronos QuartetMusical Instrument Museum May 20, 2011San Francisco-based Kronos Quartet occupies an interesting niche in classical music. All four are adept players, and make their instruments (some of which are more than 300 years old) sing. But they don’t play classical music from the canon. Instead of Bach, Mozart, and Rachmaninoff, Kronos…
A lot has happened to funk-metal pioneers Living Colour in the 23 years since their breakthrough album, Vivid, was released. After having hits with their songs “Cult of Personality” and “Open Letter (To a Landlord),” the band broke up while the members devoted themselves to various solo and side projects…
For almost three years, locals have flocked to Ignite Phoenix to check out what their peers are passionate about, by watching 5-minute, 20-slide presentations that expose audience members to a wide variety of unique interests. While music has made its way into the actual presentations, for the past two Ignite…
Polkadot Cadaver The Rogue Wednesday, May 17, 2011I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I — a devout metal head — had never heard of Polkadot Cadaver before this show. I went to see them because I had about a dozen friends who were going, and for weeks, they’ve been going on and…
Everybody always hears about Phoenix or Tempe bands moving to California, but occasionally, a Cali band moves here – especially if they can thrive around the Valley’s always-strong metal scene. That’s exactly what Lustmord, a five-piece black metal band, did in 2008. The year before, they released a full-length album,…
Joan of Arc Rhythm Room Tuesday, May 17, 2011 Joan of Arc has constantly been evolving over the past 16 years. Exploring the wilderness between math rock, emo, and experimental indie, each album is different from its predecessor. Life Like, which was released a week ago, is no different. Tim…
Indie rockers Joan of Arc will be playing at the Rhythm Room tonight, but fans who can’t get enough should be happy to know that Joan of Arc’s Tim Kinsella will also be performing in-store at Revolver Records before the big show at the Rhythm Room. Kinsella’s scheduled to perform…
My Friend Jason’s Beach House at Madison Event Center It was Friday the 13th this past weekend, which means it was the perfect time for the annual Jason Vorhees-themed dance party put on by local rave promoter Clix Bag of Trix. This year’s edition had a bit of a beach…
of Montreal Marquee Theatre May 15, 2011 There’s a certain outrageousness associated with of Montreal. Frontman Kevin Barnes performs in skirts and makeup in the middle of a vaudevillian spectacular that includes giant fish people, disappearing acts, and Barnes riding a live white horse. With the exception of the horse,…
It’s been a wild year for The Love Me Nots. Not only did the band take time off for lead singer/organist Nicole Laurenne to beat breast cancer — which she has, we’re happy to report –but the band has reunited with original drummer Jay Lien, and recorded a new record,…
Bret MichaelsThe Scottsdale WaterfrontMay 13, 2011There’s an old adage out there that goes something like “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” In this particular instance, it is being applied towards former Poison lead singer Bret Michaels and his setlist. The last time Michaels was in town — at the Arizona State…
It’s hard enough holding down regular gigs at country bars, blues clubs, and rock joints around Phoenix, as acoustic troubadour Joe Bethancourt has done since the ’60s. But it’s beyond tough when your house burns down and you lose everything, as Bethancourt’s did on April 30. That’s why several local musicians…
What do you call a night of absolutely FUBAR noise, improv musical comedy, a cult recruitment/job seminar, the death of the dunkwave genre, and an experimental Pentecostal church service complete with demented exorcism and cross-dressing?A normal Tuesday night at Trunk Space, of course. …
Bob Marley was such an integral part of bringing reggae to the U.S. that when he died in 1981, the commercial life of reggae almost died with him. But the genre has lived on through reggae acts like Burning Spear, Sly and Robbie, and Steel Pulse. The latter is scheduled…
Coheed & Cambria Marquee Theatre, Tempe Monday, May 9, 2011 My two previous attempts at seeing Coheed & Cambria perform live were marred by bad luck. The first time I went to a Coheed show, about three years ago, I brought a girl I was sweet on. Much to my dismay, she decided…
Next month marks the 18-year anniversary of punk pariah G.G. Allin’s death. Yes, G.G. Allin is dead, but that hasn’t stopped his older brother Merle from using his name to try and make a living. You may have noticed a band called “G.G. Allin’s Murder Junkies” are playing this Thursday…
Queensryche wasn’t in town last night, but for their fans, what went down at Club Red had to be the very definition of “next best thing.” Following an introduction by Queensryche singer Geoff Tate, in town to pimp his Insania Wine, the Ryche took the stage.Arguably the premier Queensryche tribute…
Black Carl and Gospel Claws The Duce Friday, May 6Who would have thought a boxing ring would make such a great stage? And that an old warehouse turned retro mini-mall and bar would have good acoustics? But both were so Friday night at The Duce in downtown Phoenix, where two well-known local…
The term “progressive rock” conjures all sorts of sound bites, good and bad, from the jam meanderings of King Crimson to Geddy Lee’s nasally wail in Rush. The music of Coheed and Cambria, playing the Marquee Theatre on Monday, is often labeled progressive rock, but it’s really more just rock…
This weekend, you can have your local funk and experimental art rock, too. Not only are Black Carl and Gospel Claws playing a free show at hip hot spot The Duce on Friday, but there’s another killer music show of local acts lined up at The Fixx in Tempe for Saturday…
Crusher Sound System and Mr. Meeble Last Night at The Sail Inn You know, the old substance over style debate can get a little old. Isn’t it possible to have both? It sure seemed like it watching Mr. Meeble on the outdoor stage at Next Fest at Sail Inn last…
Day 3, McDowell Mountain Music Fest Compound GrillSunday, May 1, 2011Last night, I stood at The Compound Grill bar watching the president deliver a speech about the death of Osama Bin Laden, as the sounds of Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros wafted in from the open doors. The band…
