While other New York bands write historical fiction based in the smoky barrooms of the New Wave era, French Kicks are engaged in a romantic fantasy that takes place in the studio. Indie music, much less rock in general, is rarely so produced and resolutely hi-fi as The Trial of…
Fifty years from now, when some young rapper’s delivering Eminem’s introduction speech at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, he or she will no doubt celebrate Marshall Mathers’ nearly unparalleled knack for conflating the comedic and the tragic. Maybe the Hall will even screen 8 Mile with a…
Two years ago, Ms. Holland sat in her bedroom with a couple of friends to demo up a couple of sophisticated folk tunes and make a CD she could sell from the edge of the stage at gigs. She called it Catalpa, and her fans quickly began burning copies and…
CLUBS ACME Roadhouse: In its original Scottsdale location, ACME catered to Harley-Davidson weekend warriors. In its new Tempe incarnation, it entertains the college set with dancing and, on Saturdays, local rock bands. Dance space is at a minimum, but there’s plenty of room for other social rites. Sun: Live music…
Displaying more Southern hospitality than in his other gig with south-of-the-border escapists Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, former Dead Hot Workshop and Ghetto Cowgirl guitarist Steve Larson has plenty of answers for those of you pondering “what’s so good about being a good ol’ boy?” Striking a vocal resemblance to…
Phoenix trip-hop gurus Lulu in Hollywood lay down a tempting vibe when they’re not subconsciously attempting to turn their music into math equations on Bedlams, their second album. Dark lyrics grace jazz veteran Syl’s loungey saxophone lines and Michael Wheeler’s space-age hip-hop keys, which are sifted through the break beat…
Singer Jamie Monistat VII takes his name from a vaginal cream. The drummer goes by the equally crass moniker Hugh Jass. The band’s name, of course, is a take on the Waco cult tragedy of a decade ago, and its album art takes a not-so-subtle dig at former Attorney General…
Music, like everything else, came to an uneasy standstill this week in light of the East Coast terrorist attacks. Among the major changes to the local concert calendar were the postponement of Blink 182’s September 13 Mesa Amphitheater show (the concert has been rescheduled for the 20th), while tickets sales…
In July, Bash & Pop reported that a release was imminent for Sonoran Hope and Madness, the second studio effort from Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. Now comes word that the disc — originally slated for an early October street date — will be shelved until after the new year.”It’ll…
How do you write a eulogy for a building? It’s a question that’s been asked fairly often in recent months, as we’ve been forced to mourn the loss of myriad local landmarks and nightspots here in the Valley. One of my long-held suspicions is that most journalists relish the opportunity…
After a two-week trip out of state — that’s right, Bash & Pop has ho’s in different area codes — we returned to New Times’ offices greeted by an avalanche of packages and e-mails. While sorting through the mess of corrugated envelopes and eye-glazing correspondence, we happened upon a couple…
Local AC/DC cover band TNT is getting some (big-ball-size) love from the object of its worship. Last fall, members of AC/DC’s road crew — in town for the band’s show at America West Arena — managed to catch TNT’s pre-concert set at Jackson’s downtown. They were sufficiently impressed to invite…
When bluegrass combo Busted Heart takes the stage for the first time, the numbers will be staggering: Nine decades of musical experience, dozens of storied bands, tons of tattoos and more old junkie stories than you can shake a needle at.Fronting the new group is local legend, ex-hellraiser and current…
New California singer-songwriter Andrew Block loves Moon Valley. The sentiment won’t be found in any of his lyrics, or even in anything he says. Rather, it’s emblazoned on the garish — and frankly silly-looking — baseball cap perched on his head. “I’m not trying to make a statement,” he jokes,…
With a mane of long hair held back by a red bandanna and a full growth of beard covering his face, Roger Clyne looks very much like a hippie. And, as he’s quick to point out, on the forthcoming Peacemakers album, he’s finally not afraid to sound like one, either…
It seems good fortune has been smiling on several members of the Valley’s indie rock class of ’94. With the much-hyped release of Jimmy Eat World’s Bleed American just a few weeks away, now comes word that longtime mates Reuben’s Accomplice are also set to drop a highly anticipated collection…
While last week’s Bash & Pop took great pains to mention the impending concert arrivals of music legends Lee Hazlewood (July 9 at the Rhythm Room) and Joe Strummer (October 18 at the Cajun House) we neglected to note perhaps the most anticipated upcoming Valley gig, that of an August…
There are ominous rumblings emerging from singer Robin Wilson’s much-maligned Gas Giants camp. The latest bit of info more or less confirms long-circulating rumors that the group has all but called it quits. According to Wilson, the band is on an “indefinite hiatus,” but it appears that may be an…
Much of the discussion surrounding the growth of DJ culture had focused on the myriad subgenres and styles that have exploded in recent years. From drum ‘n’ bass, house and jungle to techno, trance and acid jazz, it seems that each season brings with it a new prevailing trend. But…
While Valley stalwarts Les Payne Product will be saying farewell this week (see Payne-Less) with a show at Nita’s Hideaway, some familiar names will be using the concert bill — which features a handful of top local indie acts including Reuben’s Accomplice and the Slowdown, among others — to debut…
Like everyone else, we here have heard the ominous rumblings, frightening whispers, foreboding rumors and the like. But in what is surely one of the seven signs of the impending apocalypse (for the others, see the Tool review in this week’s Recordings), we have confirmed that it has finally happened:…
About an hour into the conversation, Jimmy Eat World frontman Jim Adkins finally slumps back into his seat and lets out a long, deep sigh. “You can’t take this shit seriously, man — especially if you’re in the middle of it. You can’t take any of it seriously. I mean…..
