It’s a well-established fact that the mark of a truly brilliant pop song is its ability to stand the test of time, captivating new generations or, at the very least, remaining meaningful to it’s intended audience over a lifetime. As an admitted Gen X/Y cusper with a 90s obsession, I…
Photos by E. Groves Nothing was sacred in splatter metal band GWAR’s theater of costumed insanity at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe on Saturday. Michael Jackson’s face got ripped off. Babies were disemboweled. President Obama’s noggin got partially severed and was rolling around on his shoulders, but he kept smiling.The…
It must be nice for a band like Switchfoot to play an intimate venue like Martini Ranch. The pop rock band sold out tonight’s show, and the audience, which was made up of mostly 20- and 30-something’s, actually sung along, danced and clapped to the music. Switchfoot released their seventh studio album,…
It’s still a little warm here in Phoenix, but you can catch a show in a cool place tonight in Flagstaff as folk/Americana band Dave McGraw and Crow Wing takes the stage at the Green Room (15 N. Agassiz St.) The band released their current full-length album, Coyotes Came Around, this…
Bishop Allen bolstered Modified’s mid-week lineup leading up to the annual, and, very sadly, final Modifest. The Brooklyn-via-Cambridge crew took to the drooping stage, and set up to the barking of exuberant fans, like eager puppies begging for a treat. And the band delivered, but not in the sweet, twee…
The crowd was thin at the Rhythm Room last night. There was virtually a show at every venue and gallery; all pulling the Phoenix music scene in various directions. However, the concertgoers who were fortunate enough to catch Brooklyn-based trio Growing and the UK’s critically acclaimed duo Fuck Buttons (Pitchfork Media…
The guys in Every Avenue cite hometown heroes Jimmy Eat World and Gin Blossoms as influences, and it’s evident judging by the band’s sophomore album, Picture Perfect.
It was a rollercoaster of emotions at the Rhythm Room last night for the Atlas Sound/ Broadcast show, which was fitting considering the State Fair is on its way out this weekend. While this show, priced at $15, was probably cheaper than the sketchy-ride, deep-fried gorge fest, I couldn’t help but head home…
Here at Up on the Sun, we’re constantly shaking our fists in frustration watching band after band head to Tucson and pass us by. Last night, we rebelled. If Tucson’s going to take our bands, we’re going to take Tucson! At least that was the sentiment running through my head…
Rasslin’ fans from around the Valley and across the nation are gonna descend on the Westgate City Center en masse tomorrow afternoon, as the Glendale shopping/nightlife Mecca is throwing an Andre the Giant-sized outdoor party that’s gonna be attended by a few superstars from World Wrestling Entertainment. The M.O. for…
I’ve said it before: With very few exceptions (well, really one exception, The Aggrolites) white reggae is a pox upon America. So, believe me, it’s not that I wanted to go see The Dirty Heads play last night’s Red Bull Soundclash at Marquee Theatre. But, since the other half of…
ASU’s student radio station The Blaze 1330 AM is currently in the midst of their annual Campus Crawl, the station’s fall concert series. The first featured local act, Kirkwood Dellinger, took to the stage north of ASU’s Memorial Union around lunch time Monday. Despite midday temperatures creeping to 90, a…
[jump] Here is yours truly’s own take on Melt-Banana/Melt-Banana Lite/Whatever the hell they need to call themselves: Japanese noise-rockers Melt-Banana made their name by shucking convention to the curb and recording loud, abrasive music employing heavy, screeching guitar riffs with experimental electronic music. That formula, while adored by their fans,…
BY SARAH VENTRE I have to admit, in a quiet, whispered voice, that I actually don’t like Halloween. Trust me, I’ve tried. I’ve had no traumatic experiences around the event, or anything that should conceivably prevent me from enjoying the holiday that everyone else so loves. Sure, there are qualities…
The Final Shake! at the Rogue After five long years of indie/rock/electro/etc. dance tunes, celebrity guest DJs and stylish drunks gyrating on the dance floor, Shake! finally let out its death rattle. Fortunately the old dame went out with a bang and not a whimper Saturday night, yielding an army…
After five long years of indie/rock/electro/etc. dance tunes, celebrity guest DJs and stylish drunks gyrating on the dance floor, Shake! finally let out its death rattle. Fortunately the old dame went out with a bang and not a whimper Saturday night, yielding an army of creatively-costumed partygoers intent on drinking,…
Phish + Halloween + Indio, California = Pumpkin carving contest. Phish takes the stage playing “Party Time” in Indio, California for their Festival 8. The reunited Vermont jam band is combining two of their biggest traditions, a massive festival and a Halloween concert that features the band playing another artist’s…
Notes on the show by photographer Victor J. Palagano III. I haven’t seen Rob Zombie live since I witnessed White Zombie back in the day (circa 1990) but that doesn’t mean I’m not familiar or that I’m not a fan. I have several Rob Zombie albums and “The Great America…
In my nearly five years here in Arizona, I have probably seen Tucson’s Golden Boots about 10-15 times. I’ve had the pleasure and fortune of playing with and booking shows for them; getting to know them a little bit in the process. However, at the Rhythm Room last night, Golden…
BY LINDSEY HOLDER Last night at the Rhythm Room, Dirty Projectors held our hands and led us on an auditory cross-country journey. Each song performed was like a different piece of scenery along the trip, with sometimes unpredictable tempo changes and vocals that varied from airy to jarring. The experimental…
BY CRAIG OUTHIERThe definitive Phoenix-area Steely Dan show is, and always will be, the duo’s windswept performance at Cricket Pavilion in 2006. Not only did that show reunite the Dan with Michael McDonald, the blow-dried soul daddy whose paean to coke and Cuervo on “Hey Nineteen” remains the pimpest bit…
BY MIKE ESCOTO In preparation for Tuesday night’s concert at Modified Arts I spent a good chunk of my day listening to the latest album from Philadelphia singer/songwriter Kurt Vile. Although Vile (yes that is his real name) has released three solo albums in the past two years it wasn’t…
