Bursting out of a musically diverse scene in Miami in the early ’90s, The Mavericks found crossover success with a roadworthy blend of Latin rhythms, classic country, and a liberal dose of rockabilly attitude. Led by songwriter and vocalist Raul Malo, the band’s currently enjoying a creative renaissance. The band’s…
View image | gettyimages.com One of the most influential heavy metal songs has a pretty heavy metal backstory. And the album it belongs to is the most controversial in the band’s history. Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett came up with the main riff on “Enter Sandman” while suffering from insomnia. It…
Editor’s note: Ever since the 50th anniversary of the release of the Beatles’ debut single “Love Me Do”) we’ve been on a half-century celebration cycle in which we are scheduled to relive every Beatles innovation, every release of the Beatles’ landmark career in real time, right until the inevitable 50th…
For a band that hasn’t been in working order for the better part of the past two decades, Bob Noxious and Barton Applewhite are certainly still well-versed in the rules of How to Run a Band, which they created many years ago. “We had rules like: If we get mad…
There may not be a more affirming happening for a hip-hop group than to get press from The Source magazine, and following the release of their newest video, “Washed Up,” Tempe-based three-piece Injury Reserve attained that milestone. Like all of Injury Reserve’s previous music videos, “Washed Up” is intelligent and…
Every Wednesday is Heritage Hump Day! That’s because every Wednesday from now to the end of the year or before someone really big stops us, Heritage Hump Records (a temporary subsidiary of Onus Records) and New Times will be bringing you a limited edition collector’s item of a much beloved…
There are quite a few musical acts in town that would make just about any casual music fan stop and ask themselves, “What in the world is going on here?” But none of them dive as deep into the waters of “high weirdness” as proto-industrial Americana five-piece RPM Orchestra. “‘High…
We don’t get too many May flowers in the Valley of the Sun — but we do get a truckload of May metal shows. There are a ton of great shows around town, which is why we compiled a monthly list of the best metal and hard rock concerts happening…
To many people, open mics are nothing but the last-ditch effort of a bar, coffee shop, art space, or music venue to draw customers. Some might say they’re bottom-scrapers, providing the least-talented and least-experienced musicians a stage they wouldn’t get otherwise. We asked those in the music scene about open…
Clutch has always been a prime example of “slow and steady win the race.” After meeting in high school and forming the band in Maryland in 1991, the members — vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Neil Fallon, lead guitarist Tim Sult, bassist Dan Maines, and drummer Jean-Paul Gaster — have never faltered. It’s probably…
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. Gospel Claws – “‘Til My Baby Calls” It’s always a treat to get new music from Gospel Claws, especially since it’s…
Every Wednesday is Heritage Hump Day! That’s because every Wednesday from now to the end of the year or before someone really big stops us, Heritage Hump Records (a temporary subsidiary of Onus Records) and New Times will be bringing you a limited edition collector’s item of a much beloved…
What else can be said about Roger Clyne of Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers? The guy is basically the Bruce Springsteen of Arizona. Legions of fans, packed in shows at every venue around, roots in the local scene that go deeper than the Grand Canyon — Clyne really has all…
View image | gettyimages.com Oh, 4/20. Back in the day I would skip classes, take work off, plan a baking extravaganza — all in celebration of weed culture. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized you don’t need an excuse to take pleasure in the little things. Which is why…
Built to Spill is a perplexing band. They can lull an audience into a happy trance as well as any band I’ve ever seen. They are great. Yes. There is no denying their talent and their fingers are definitely nimble, but watching them two days in a row sort of…
Immediately after the debut album (Dead) from Scotland’s Young Fathers won the prestigious Mercury Prize, the group took off for Berlin to record a vastly different sophomore album. Blending hip-hop with a varied soundscape that brings in everything from drum ‘n’ bass to punk and psychedelic rock, Young Fathers began…
Vinyl nerds rejoice, Record Store Day is upon us! This Saturday marks what is arguably the best day of the year for record collectors — short of a yard sale with an awesome collection at a criminally low price — giving us the opportunity to line up outside of the…
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. Tigerface – “Slip Away” After nine years of releases, the dance rock outfit known as Tigerface is finally set to release…
It’s no easy feat to maintain a popular free weekly residency in downtown Phoenix and still be one of the biggest-drawing bands in metro Phoenix. But desert reggae band Black Bottom Lighters manages to find a way. Even though the group cranks out acoustic tunes every Wednesday at Copper Blues…
Every Wednesday is Heritage Hump Day! That’s because every Wednesday from now to the end of the year or before someone really big stops us, Heritage Hump Records (a temporary subsidiary of Onus Records) and New Times will be bringing you a limited edition collector’s item of a much beloved…
It’s not uncommon to see 10 bands on a line-up on any given Friday night, and when it comes to local festivals, that number averages around 20. But the AZ Brutal Fest is taking it to an entirely new level at Rogue Bar in Scottsdale on Friday, April 17, and…
“Festival” is a strong word for what transpired at Hayden Lawn on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus Saturday. But that is certainly not to say that The Underground Foundation’s fourth annual Clusterfest was not a rousing success for the ASU student club concert promoters. There were multiple (two) stages, grass,…
