Isis at Clubhouse Music Venue

They stood speechless and unmoving, breaking their silence only in those brief moments when the performers had finished one song and moved on to another. There were few claps. There were few shouts. There were a few hundred people enthralled by the melodic incantations of L.A. art metal band Isis.Plenty…

Jimmy Buffett Pleases Parrotheads in Parodise

Jimmy Buffet is a bizarre cultural force. His had-to-be-damn-close to sold out show at Cricket Wireless Pavilion was quite a spectacle to be seen. While it is hard not to be aware of the phenomenon that is Buffett and his Parrothead followers, it is another thing to see it. I…

Examining Why We Go Absolutely Nuts for Certain Musicians

For those of you living under a rock or just emerging from a coma, Jimmy Buffett will be playing tonight at Cricket Wireless Pavilion, much to the delight of seemingly tens of thousands of Valley Parrotheads. I must admit — the number of my friends attending tonight’s show is shockingly…

Lucero Live: Why Country Music Needs Some Punk Blood

I love discussing music with our new Music Editor, Martin. More often than not we basically agree on most things. But I could not disagree more with his review of the Lucero show last night at the Rhythm Room. The first of my complaints is when talking about how the…

Lucero Live: Moshing to Pedal Steel

Dear ex-hardcore kids,Please stop ruining roots music.Look, I get it, you’re pretty much aged out of hardcore shows, but you’re covered in tattoos and have plugs in your earlobes, and it’s hard to find a scene. Every band you’ve ever liked seems to be starting a folkie side project so…

Concert Calendar for This Weekend

[jump] FRIDAY, MAY 8: Above & BeyondWith DJ Soloman, Spencer Thomas, DJ Breez, & more[trance/electronica]9 p.m., $10-$20Myst, 7340 E. Shoeman Ln., Scottsdale, 480-970-5000. The Color TurningWith Yellow Red Sparks, Nobility Obliged, & Tugboat[rock/indie/folk]7 p.m., $10Modified Arts, 407 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, 602-462-5516. HemlockWith From Dark, FoulMouth, Hellen, Archaic Cessation, &…

Dave Matthews at Cricket Wireless Pavilion: Observed

A collection of observations from the Dave Matthews Bands’ performance at Cricket Wireless Pavilion, time-stamped by solo:Time: First violin solo (presumed)As DMB hit stage promptly at 8 p.m., the ticket line is not moving. The reason? A graying gentleman with a backwards Callaway ballcap, sunglasses perched on it even though…

Back Ted Bring New Material To First Friday Show

In the disorganized menagerie of music and art that you’ll find at a typical Phoenix First Friday, I’ve found that it’s usually best to show up without plans and let the muse lead you. Friday night I showed up with a mission, though: See Back Ted N-Ted at Lost Leaf…

Concert Calendar for This Weekend: Richard Cheese, KUPD’s Ufest, Napalm Death, and More

[jump] FRIDAY, MAY 1: Tomcat Courtney[blues]8 p.m., $7Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-265-4842. DJ Matt DareyWith Sean Essex, & Brook B[trance/house]9 p.m., $5-$20Myst, 7340 E. Shoeman Ln., Scottsdale, 480-970-5000. Bruce Fine[comedy]8 & 10 p.m., $10-$12The Comedy Spot, 7117 E. Third Ave., Scottsdale, 480-945-4422. Jim Florentine[comedy]8 p.m.., $20Club…

The Flaming Lips Dazzle at McDowell Mountain Music Festival

Major labels get a lot of flack. Whether it’s because they supposedly put out nothing but overly-commercialized crap, or because they’re suing computer-using kids in a vain effort to salvage their busted business model, it’s rare to hear anyone say anything nice about the Big Four. That’s why Flaming Lips…

First Class All the Way to McDowell Mountain

So between New Times and my “day job” I get to go to more shows and festivals than anyone ever should. After a while you notice that most share a lot more in common than you might think after you look past line-ups. Sitting in the VIP area at MMMF…

The Sun Has Set At MMMF

The sun has set at McDowell Mountain Music Festival and the crazies have run to the parking lot to retrieve their pink robot costumes for the big Flaming Lips closer. As for the rest of us, we’ve run out to get our jackets as it’s about as cold a night…

McDowell Mountain Music Festival: Drum Circles and Tequila Tents

This weekend marks a big occasion for fans of outdoor music festivals and jam-ish bands: the McDowell Mountain Music Festival. The lineup boasts The Flaming Lips, Matisyahu and Michael Franti — a pretty solid lineup for such a festival (and I didn’t even include Hot Tuna). Those artists all lend…

The Aggrolites: White Reggae That Won’t Let You Down

Since my day at Coachella I’ve been asked by a lot of people if I discovered any cool new bands. Actually, I did: The Aggrolites. I have to admit, I was pretty skeptical about the band, who took the stage after local boys Dear and the Headlights, when I first…