Two members of the famous Russian activist band Pussy Riot will appear in Phoenix in February. Maria Alyokhina and Ksenia Zhivago will appear at Beth Hebrew Synagogue (333 E. Portland St.) on Saturday, February 16. Alyokhina received worldwide attention in February 2012, when she and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were arrested for…
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. Emby Alexander — “In Your Doorstep Bleeding” For the third year in a row, Emby Alexander will kick off June with…
Cris Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets begins talking almost immediately, standing in his driveway, dressed casually in sweats, his hair and beard gray save for a few stray dark strands radiating in all directions from his head. A fuzzy halo. His neighbor, he says, was the victim of a recent…
From styles that range from sweet, sad pop to in-your-face blistering punk rock, there are plenty of talented female musicians showing off their skills in bands all around the metro Phoenix area. We made you a list of ten local bands to check out that are fronted by women. Here…
Phoenix band Harper and the Moths’ throwback funk/soul blend not only matches their clean-cropped look perfectly. It makes their sound accessible to a wide variety of people, an attribute that has landed them some solid successes, including getting some radio play on KWSS. “We see people as young as 16…
Like any good pirate, Lindsey Stirling has a reputation that precedes her. Most of America knows her story. It’s one that underdog-loving households can get behind. A young artist is told on national TV that there’s no way she can sell out a Vegas venue with her electric violin dance…
Rum Drinker may write songs about tropical paradises and “SNES Heaven,” but the band’s Shangri-La just happens to be Sunnyslope, the Phoenix neighborhood wrapped around Nouth Mountain. The lo-fi surf punk quartet is fronted by singer/guitarist Josué Rodríguez and keyboardist Paris Tejas, a couple who met in Portland but now…
f One could argue that 2015 was one of the greatest years in Arizona hip-hop history. With a wide range of talent across the state, the beautiful culture simmering underground for years now bubbled up to the surface. The artists of this community are beginning to see fruits of the…
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…
