Years and years of rock ‘n’ roll writers repeating it doesn’t make it untrue: Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 song “Born in the U.S.A.” might be one of the most misunderstood tunes in pop history. Though lyrically elegiac, the song’s pumping synths and typically ’80s snare hits (how they reverberate on forever)…
Since its opening in September, The Roxy Lounge in Scottsdale has lived up to the lofty expectations associated with the infamous rock parlor in Hollywood. The venue has so far held up its end of the bargain by providing a solid line up of local and national acts. Keeping up…
In this week’s issue of Phoenix New Times, Melissa Fossum asks an important (well, important to us at least) question: What keeps old punks going? Who better to ask than The Adolescents and Youth Brigade, bands easing into middle age despite youthful names? The bands are hitting The Clubhouse on…
“Punk’s not dead, but it deserves to die,” snarled Dead Kennedys’ Jello Biafra in the opening lines of “Chickenshit Conformist,” a commentary on the 1980s California punk scene. That decade marked the prime years for most of punk’s leading names: 7 Seconds, Minor Threat, Black Flag, Bad Religion, The Adolescents,…
How do you define a good “bummer jam?” It’s a tough call. Break down the term, and you’ve got two distinct goals: The song has to convey some serious sadness (the bummer) but it also has to jam (the, uh, jam). Many songs are bummers (see much of the Red…
“2011 was the best year of my life,” says Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, mere weeks before the second leg of Anthrax’s latest tour kicks off. “It feels like 30 years of hard work has finally culminated.” The New York-born-and-bred metal masters were one of the first thrash-metal bands to sign…
The Valley’s music scene is grieving the sudden and unexpected death of local DJ and promoter Richie Gimbel, who lost his life over the weekend.According to friends, the 32-year-old (who performed as Craigslist Killa and was also known as Ressless Legz) passed away in his sleep sometime Saturday night or…
We’ve covered the disappearance of 5-year-old Jhessye Shockley over at Valley Fever, our news blog, for the past few months, and it is a story that has shifted from a missing person investigation to a homicide investigation, with Shockley’s mother, Jerice Hunter, as the number one suspect. The story has…
After the hubbub surrounding X1039’s alternative demise and the subsequent ’80s takeover of what is now dubbed MY103.9, it left one alternative rock station on the dial: KWSS 106.7 FM. Indie and local music fanatics — New Times included — speculated that the departure of X103.9 could lead to big…
Korn has been full of announcements during the past year. The veteran rockers added a fresh new chapter to their catalog with a 10th album, The Path of Totality, which found the band shifting its style onto a path a lot of people didn’t see coming. Another “single rockstar” bit…
http://kimjongildroppingthebass.tumblr.com/There’s nothing like a good Photoshop job when it’s done right (for example, our Shawn Anderson’s Photoshopped work on this very blog). Tumblr is a great showcase for creative ‘Shop work, and occasionally, when we’re not reblogging photo of kittens or vintage black-and-white band photos, we check out the funny…
Last week, Valley alternative station X103.9 became My103.9, shifting its focus from alternative and punk to a “Gen X” format, with a playlist heavy on ’80s hits and an open call for listeners to request songs. Dave Pratt Live, the divisive morning show that launched in August of 2011 was…
Jason Devore of Authority Zero is going to be a busy dude for the next couple months. Not only is Authority Zero on tour with the Voodoo Glow Skulls, but the band is prepping the release of a new live album, Less Rhythm More Booze. The band is playing a…
Ward’s sound varies from reverb-drenched acoustic blues to shinning pop. Plus, if a performance from Ward doesn’t inspire enough excitement, the recently reformed fIREHOUSE opens the gig.M. Ward, Snow Patrol, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks and other artists will be showing Phoenix what they’ve got over the next few months.The…
We love the internet here at Up on the Sun — clearly. But there are moments when you need a break, when you’ve read too many disparaging anonymous comments, too many angry rants, or just stared at the screen too long. This comic is about those moments. Enjoy…
Hunter Riley Riley is director of programs for the Pat Tillman Foundation. He encourages you to run, walk and honor at the 8th Annual Pat’s Run on Saturday, April 21. Sign up at www.patsrun.com. Cost is $35 and benefits Tillman Military Scholars. When you put your key in the ignition and turn…
Wisdom suggests that ASU students love pizza, and a little time spent on this blog proves that they love making videos. Local rapper Parker King is looking to take advantage of both. He’s shooting the video for his first single, “Pass the Parm” this weekend. The song was inspired by…
If you’ve ever seen the Red Hot Chili Peppers live and in concert, no doubt you’ve witnessed lead singer Anthony Kiedis bouncing around the stage like a silly little freak. Thanks to a recent foot surgery (which involved removing a crushed sesamoid bone and repairing a detached flexor tendon), the…
The brand new issue of Phoenix New Times is on stands and online now. Here’s what we’ve got for your this week: Serene Dominic sits down at Harvey’s Wineburger with Snow Songs, one of Phoenix’s “most evocative and engaging bands” to discuss how bands will get their music out in…
When the news broke that X103.9 would be “shifting formats from alternative rock to a “by Gen-X, for Gen-X playlist,” the natural question was, “Will any of the X103.9 DJs be staying on in the transition?” My103.9 launched today, and the site’s website, My Phoenix Radio, has an answer, in…
Last year buying Coachella passes got a little hellish, particularly for those who thought they’d be fine if they waited a while to buy them. This year looks to be…well…not that different. The ticket purchasing process has changed yet again. Despite two weekends to choose from, there are now…
This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts. What albums sold the most copies at Hoodlums Music in 2011? What songs are easing our…
