Cage The Elephant, “Aberdeen”

Song: Cage The Elephant, “Aberdeen”Context: I really like this song from the new Cage The Elephant record. Looking forward to seeing the guys open for The Black Keys in Mesa this week. Aberdeen – Cage the Elephant by mssngpeces…

Shizzfest 2011 Schedule Out: Local Bands AND a Tetris Tournament

The Shizz has announced the lineup for this year’s Shizzfest.   The two-day festival is spread over three venues and features sets by the usual suspects (Minibosses, Father’s Day, Peachcake, etc.) from the Phoenix website as well as a few touring acts, a Nintendo Tetris tournament and an art show. Full set…

Psychobilly Godfathers The Meteors Play AzRockabilly’s Anniversary Show

AzRockabilly, a local web site that promotes Rockabilly shows and general culture will be celebrating its anniversary with a show featuring The Meteors, the British band credited with starting the psychobilly movement in the ’80s.California’s Cold Blue Rebels and Calabrese, open along with S.O.L. The show is scheduled May 6 at…

Michael & Janet Jackson Vs. Gorillaz, “Stylo Scream” (Stanwik Mashup)

Song: Michael & Janet Jackson Vs. Gorillaz, “Stylo Scream” (Stanwik Mashup)Context: Janet Jackson comes to Comerica Theatre tonight. Her 1995 duet with Michael, “Scream,” has always been one of my favorite tracks by either Jackson sibling — very underrated. And remember that video? Super cool. Check out this mashup remix…

Tractor Pull Divas Raising Money for Foster Children

Standout Phoenix alt-country act Tractor Pull Divas is doing a fundraiser for Helen’s Hope Chest, a charity affiliated with the Mesa United Way. The Hope Chest provides clothing and other basic items for foster children in the Valley. Band member Ryan Brown is himself a foster parent and says he’s…

Payton Curry, What Are You Listening To?

​Payton J. CurryThe chef recently launched a pop-up concept at the Welcome Diner. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? Cat Power Radio. It’s been one of those weeks for me. I don’t do radio at all. What’s…

Aaron Lewis, “Country Boy”

Song: Aaron Lewis, “Country Boy”Context: The insufferable fakeness of this terrible song is the focal point of a piece in this week’s issue. The Tea Party bullshit and the sample of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” at the end are only part of the reason why — picturing this…

Listen: Billie Maxwell and the Maxwell Family Orchestra

This week’s feature is on the very first recorded music made by someone from the state of Arizona. The music of Billie Maxwell and her family comes from eastern Arizona’s White Mountains and was put on wax in the late 1920s. Maxwell wasn’t only the first Arizonan to record music, but she…

Grammys Cut Down on Award Categories

The Grammy Awards committee has decided to eliminate 31 award categories. Apparently, 109 categories was finally thought to be a little excessive, according to Prefix.Not only have the categories been narrowed down, but some of them have also been combined. It’s very likely that this will lead to artists being…

Toby Keith, “Stays In Mexico”

Song: Toby Keith, “Stays In Mexico”Context: Hard to believe Country Thunder 2011 is already here. The festivities in Florence kick off tomorrow and continue through Sunday, when Toby Keith comes through. Toby Keith – Stays In Mexico by dawn.dewdrop…

Blogs Teased in Our 4/7 Issue

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… Why did Bright Eyes singer Conor Oberst diss Lady Gaga’s concert in Arizona? What are Phoenix’s…

Stop Telling Me About How Cool Coachella is Going To Be

Are you going to Coachella?Woooooo! Awesome!Now shut up about it — at least if you’re talking to Up On The Sun’s cartoonist Robbie Pfeffer.Robbie is sick of hearing about how awesome the music festival in Indio, California is going to be, as shown with this week’s installment of his comic…