Country music lovers with an affinity for its roots, classic songs, and seminal performers are most likely familiar with Dana Armstrong. Known around town as DJ Dana, Armstrong is behind the Valley Fever event that features live country acts with the spinning of country records in between band sets by…
After playing The Marquee Theatre on New Year’s Eve, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers are headed southbound on Mill Avenue to Yucca Tap Room. The band is taking up residence at the Tempe bar to commemorate the 20th anniversary of The Refreshments’ major label debut Fizzy Fuzzy Big and Buzzy,…
Mitchell Hillman listens to more local music than just about anyone in the Valley. He presents his picks for best local music in his column, Right Hear, Right Now. Bear Ghost — “Funkle Phil” Bear Ghost is celebrating the New Year by releasing another single from its forthcoming debut full-length…
A year ago we began this Heritage Hump celebration each Wednesday with the hope of bringing you the stories and songs of great Arizona bands, sung and unsung. Now that year has come to a close, and so has our series. We’d like to thank all the bands that participated…
At first glance, it may seem trivial, but one of the things every city needs is a good record label. Sure, clean water is nice, a low crime rate is great, and affordable housing is key, but a good record label can make a city into something truly special. Just…
Psyko Steve Chilton’s Rock Lottery (scheduled for Saturday, January 16), now approaching its third year, is one of the more brilliant ideas to take hold in the local music scene. There is nothing quite like the exhausting task of shuffling some two dozen musicians together, forming random, new five-piece bands,…
The story of Jodi Arias involves deviant sex, hyper-violent murder, and domestic violence. Arias was convicted in 2013 of killing her ex-boyfriend and lover Travis Alexander in 2007. On the night of his death, Arias stabbed Alexander almost 30 times and shot him in the head. The trial spun out…
While it’s impossible to pass through a minute of social media quality time this week without being reminded of the sad demise of Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister, it does also remind me that one band was rechristened his namesake because of some club owner’s mistake in New Times. “It was one…
West Phoenix based rapper José “Low Key” Hernandez was in the process of making positive changes in his life. He was less than a year home from a six-month prison sentence for assault, but instead of boasting about it on records he decided to completely change his ways. But unfortunately…
In the realm of popular music, Detroit has always been a cultural powerhouse, churning out some of the most memorable tunes of the 20th century. Detroit can point to everyone from Bob Seger to Big Sean , and artists frequently integrate this identity into their music and brand. The idea…
The Maine – “Steal My Sunshine” The Maine are still riding high on the vibe of their celebrated album American Candy released last March and leaving no time to rest on their laurels have recently released a three-song EP called Covers (Side A), which features their take on tunes by…
Mitchell Hillman listens to more local music than just about anyone in the Valley. He presents his picks for best new music in his column, Right Hear, Right Now. The Love Me Nots – “Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me” I could think of no better way of kicking…
This is part two of Mitchell Hillman’s 25 Best Albums Made by Phoenix Bands in 2015. Find part one here. Hillman listens to more local music than just about anyone in the Valley, and he selects his picks for best new music in his column, Right Hear, Right Now. 10. PRO…
For almost two decades, Zakk Wylde has always been equal parts influence and inspiration in the realm of rock and metal. By the time he was 20, he’d sparked Ozzy Osbourne’s interest and went on to co-write and record several albums with the Prince of Darkness, including the multi-platinum No…
25. Red Tank! – I Want You To Crowdsurf My Body at My Funeral Red Tank! probably could have made this list for the album title alone, but also they put out what was arguably the best punk album of the year with I Want You To Crowdsurf My Body…
We present yet again, the Throwback Thursday edition of Heritage Hump Day. This week we ruminate shoulda coulda with local contenders Big Blue Couch. No less of an authority on rocking hooliganism than onetime New Times music editor and future Replacements biographer Bob Mehr called it back in June 2000…
Mitchell Hillman listens to more local music than just about anyone in the Valley. He presents his picks for best new music in his column, Right Hear, Right Now. Futuristic Ft. Small Leaks Sink Ships – “Love: A Poem” I never thought I would hear Small Leak Sink Ships provide…
Doll Skin offers up striking parallels to The Runaways. Both bands feature a young, all-female lineup. Both bands play a gritty, hard-charging, punk-ish brand of rock ‘n’ roll. Both bands were “discovered” by a rock ‘n’ roll impresario instrumental in guiding their development. The biggest difference is that when The…
This is part two of our best songs written by local artists this year. Find part one here. Huckleberry – “Trouble Is Real” “The Trouble Is Real” has a much more indie pop/rock feel than the heavily American vibe found on their debut. As with the standout song from Fine…
Mitchell Hillman listens to more local music than just about anyone in the Valley. He presents his picks for best new music in his column, Right Hear, Right Now. This list is arranged chronologically based on release of the song or if it belonged to an album, when it was…
They’ve never let a journalist into an Internet Folk Heroes meeting before, and I can tell they’re nervous. It’s noon; a couple of hours ago some reporters figured out that Martin Shkreli, the price-gouging pharmaceutical CEO, bought the Wu-Tang Clan’s $2 million album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. But…
Japhy’s Descent – “Bite Your Lip” Japhy’s Descent just released a five track monster rock ‘n’ roll EP called Senseless last weekend, and “Bite Your Lip” is the first searing single. After two back-to-back albums that were fairly concept-heavy, Japhy’s Descent has gotten back to basics. Everyone I know that…
