Q & A: Every Avenue

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.

Concert Review: Atlas Sound and Broadcast at Rhythm Room

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…

Shonen Knife at Plush in Tucson

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…

Kirkwood Dellinger Heat Up ASU

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…

Melt-Banana Lite: A Second Opinion

[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,…

Concert Review: Frock ‘N Roll

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 Rogue Bar

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 Festival 8: Photos From Day 1

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…

Rob Zombie at Dodge Theatre

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…

Concert Review: Golden Boots at Rhythm Room

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…

Concert Review: Dirty Projectors at Rhythm Room

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…

Concert Review: Steely Dan at Dodge Theatre

​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…

Concert Review: Kurt Vile and the Violators at Modified Arts

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…

Concert Review: Wait, Peaches is a Gay Icon?

Stop me when this sounds like a Seinfeld episode: Our leading character, a music critic, decides to indulge an old vice on a Tuesday night, going out to see a foul-mouthed female electronica artist/rapper who amused him back in his college years. Upon arriving, he’s surprised by how many people…

Concert Review: Those Darlins, The Grates and Chandails

Although the Vivian Girls and Wavves don’t come from the same coasts, their melodic surf pop music and close ties to Brooklyn-based label Woodsist/ Fuck-it Tapes can easily clump them together. For Those Darlins however, it’s their nitty-gritty southern fried swing that makes them stand out in such a densely…

Islands at Rhythm Room Sunday

It’s probably too early to compile my top 10 albums of the year list for 2009, but I’ll go ahead and tip my hand on one that will almost definitely make it: Islands’ Vapors. I’ve had the Montreal indie band’s new record in and out of my car’s CD player…