At the risk of sounding like a real nerd, when I got knockout drunk on this day last year, it had nothing to do with green beer or a quick embrace of my Celtic heritage. Big Star leader, Box Tops singer, and solo provocateur Alex Chilton died one year ago…
Last week we told you about how local indie-shoegaze act Lisa Savidge is about to head out on tour, and planned to kick things off with a gig at Mesa’s Goathead Saloon. Unfortunately, that gig got axed. Today is St. Patrick’s Day, of course, and it would seem the band’s brand…
There are lots of three and four-word band names among this week’s just announced shows — Cage The Elephant, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Panic! at the Disco, to name a few. However, as someone who is utterly fascinated with hair metal and early 1980’s Sunset Strip, how can I resist,…
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and for Celtic punk bands like L.A.’s Flogging Molly and local boyos Keltic Cowboys, today is the biggest day of the year. Each March 17, mobs of frat boys, sorority girls, punkers, and 9- to 5-ers get the Irish itch, tossing on as much emerald as…
If it seems as though it was only a week ago that Stateside Presents held the first day of their South by Stateside showcase, that’s because it was. Here we are a week later, and eight new bands take The Sail Inn’s stage for yet another top-notch showcase. Two separate…
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… How does the newly named Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion stack up against the worst venue names in…
Song: Broken Bells, “The High Road” Context: This song from the duo of Danger Mouse and Shins singer James Mercer goes with this week’s cover story about local low-power station KWSS 106.7 FM. Broken Bells – The High Road by pcagx…
Each week on their blog, the folks over at Light in the Attic pick one brick and mortar record store to honor as their pick of the week. Downtown Phoenix store Revolver Records is featured this week. The label, known for reissues by The Monks, Serge Gainbourg, Karen Dalton, The…
Song: Delta Spirit, “911”Context: What a great song from this Long Beach band. TOMS :: Delta Spirit :: 911…
We’ve written a lot about local metal band Hemoptysis. Mostly because they’re really, really good. But their backstory makes for interesting copy, too. The band is fronted by a guy named Masaki Murashita, a Japanese immigrant who once told us, candidly: “I would move back. That’s my honest opinion,” he…
Would you correctly identify Blessthefall as a Christian band? To me, it seems sorta obvious that the local post-hardcore band on Fearless Records with “bless” in the name is pro-religion.Yet this is the band that gave Noise Complaint cartoonist Robbie Pfeffer his “Freddie Mercury Moment.” Read on for the (hilarious and) sorted…
Bad news for people with working ears: Limp Bizkit, the rap-rock outfit that stained an entire generation by instigating a meathead riot at Woodstock 1999, is reassembling.Or so says singer/rapper/douchenozzle Fred Durst, who NME reports says his band is working on two new albums. Apparently he has some free time…
There has been a palpable lead up to release of The Big Roar — the band’s 2009 A Balloon Called Moaning EP set the blogoshpere ablaze with the band’s unique brand of rock music, lead by Bryan’s soaring vocals. The Joy Formidable have dates set for this year’s Coachella and SXSW music…
Local rock outfit Kinch got a lot attention from their three January residencies in LA, San Diego and Scottsdale. Now the newish Long Wong’s at the Firehouse in Tempe is running with the idea.Technically, the promo is called by the more modest-sounding title, “Featured Band of the Month,” but it’s…
Song: Joey Cape, “B Side” Context: Lagwagon singer Joey Cape will bring his acoustic solo act to Yucca Tap Room tomorrow. Should be a cool show — and we hear they have the last keg of Bell’s Hopslam on Tap, too, so look for that. B Side by joeycape…
First there was word about Mumford & Sons playing at the upcoming Canned Beer Festival, and now there are rumors spreading about the Foo Fighters. This week seems to be full of false local rumors about awesome musical performances in Chandler, which is both disappointing and quite a shame.Toward the…
Song: Lisa Savidge, “90 Pills”Context: This is my favorite old song from Lisa Savidge, the band featured in this week’s New Times. Listening to this new, much noisier version and the one from 2008 I’m struck by how drastically the band has evolved. Most local bands break up long before…
Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark director Julie Taymor has finally had enough of the Broadway show’s complications and has chosen to step down from her position, according to Rolling Stone.For the time being, Taymor will still be the director and co-writer of the show, but she will no longer be…
Numerous local bands and artists are headed to South By Southwest over the next week to represent our fair city, including Random, Kinch, and the boys of Gospel Claws.Turns out you can also add DJ Melo to that esteemed list, as the 36-year-old Karamba resident will be travel to Austin…
March and April are certainly busy months for Pains, as the kids call them. Their time at SXSW in March is followed by a slot at Coachella in April, all with the release of Belong sandwiched rather nicely between. Unfortunately, the band is playing Tucson the same night Phoenix gets…
Pavle Milic You can find the co-owner of restaurant FnB at the Old Town Farmers’ Market in Scottsdale every Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? If my wife drove, it’s highly likely…
The outdoor amphitheater previously known as Desert Sky Pavilion, Cricket Pavilion, and Desert Sky Pavilion again now has a new name. It’s a doozie, too. How much are you going to love seeing shows at the Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion?Live Nation Entertainment announced a five-year name deal with Ashley Furniture HomeStore…
