Hot off the heels of the oh-so-classy John Mayer promising Cleveland, Ohio fans he’ll be wearing a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey to his Miami show, Mayer played Cricket Wireless Pavilion last night. While even some of his own fans couldn’t help admitting he’s kind of a douchebag, other highlights from the…
This week’s music feature is on Meat Loaf. The chatty singer just released his 11th studio album, but had lots to say on other subject matters as well. Like for instance, what he would do differently if he were president. (Something rockstars consider often, I’m sure.) He dishes with us…
I only had to ask Meat Loaf one question: “How are you?” That pleasantry functioned as a conversational “open sesame,” unbolting the floodgates to Meat’s mind. A candid discussion of politics, music criticism, SB 1070, and identifying suspicious people on airplanes followed. And, oh, yeah, a few words about Meat…
In 1995, Steve Bays, a British Columbian with a curly mop of hair and a dream, started a rock ‘n’ roll act with dance influences. Bays somehow ended up playing synthesizer with the new group and a friend of the band sang the vocals. Eventually, they dumped the friend, added…
Artist: Isobel Campbell & Mark LaneganTitle: HawkRelease date: August 24Label: VanguardIsobel Campbell, who left Belle & Sebastian nearly a decade, is from Scotland but has made, perhaps, my favorite Americana record of the year. On Hawk, she has teamed with former Screaming Trees/Queens of the Stone Age singer Mark Lanegan…
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 19-year-old Wolfgang Van Halen demonstrate everything wrong with his generation? What does JRC, owner…
After more than a year of occasional one-offs and special events, one of the PHX’s best hip-hop nights is making its return as a weekly. Groove Candy, the ultra-fly affair starring Power 98.3’s DJ M2 makes its comeback on August 26, offering the same swanked-up selection of neo-soul, reggae, and…
[jump] All four !!! albums have their own standout moments (“Feel Good Hit of the Fall,” “Hello? Is This Thing On?” and “Must Be The Moon,” respectively) and Strange Weather is no exception. The heavy-handed-yet-insanely-funky “Even Judas Gave Jesus a Kiss” is one of the strongest tracks amid a strong…
Insane Clown Posse’s annual Gathering of the Juggalos went badly for MySpace temptress Tila Tequila and Wu Tang hanger-on Method Man, who were greeted by angry Juggalos hurling stuff at the stage.Method Man says he plans to sue. Tequila, who was apparently injured, seems to be milking the incident to…
Song: Jessica Simpson, “Nothing but a T-Shirt On”Context: Say what you want about Ms. Simpson, she’s still a more talented performer — and a much better human being — than her former beau John Mayer, who plays Cricket Wireless Pavilion tonight. Maybe it’s just me, but I think this song…
Artist: Street Sweepers Social ClubTitle: The Ghetto Blaster EPRelease date: August 10Label: Street Sweepers Social ClubWhile the singer for Rage Against the Machine clings to relevancy by lending what little celebrity weight he still has to the civil rights cause in Arizona, the guitarist is still bashing out those Rage-y…
Longtime goth/industrial night Tranzylvania will banished from xotic-looking downtown danceteria Palazzo as of next month. The aptly named Rob Poe, the night’s resident DJ who spins under the nom de guerre noiz.fkr, sent out an e-mail yesterday announcing Tranzylvania’s impending departure.”I’ve just been informed that Tranzylvania will be closing on…
It’s no secret that musicians often jump in bed with a brand name to help bump up their paychecks. Hell, I’ve seen country music top hat-aficionados Big & Rich in concert — a concert in which they thanked Chevrolet multiple times for being a sponsor. It seems country music and…
Maybe you’ve seen this little gem floating around the interwebs: When Justin Bieber’s “U Smile” is slowed down by 800% it sounds just like Icelandic post rockers Sigur Rós. And you thought that kid was a bratty little douchenozzle because of this stupid haircut!(Or the way he fucked over a…
Song: Belle and Sebastian, “We Are The Sleepyheads” Context: Pondering the new Belle and Sebastian record which, according to Pitchfork, will be called Write About Love. I’m 99% sure this reality show this is a complete put-on though. Belle and Sebastian – We Are The Sleepyheads by MyCB ♫♪ Music…
Hell, a lot has changed with indie rock/pop since 2005. Where Broom captured the innocence of a slowly building scene, Let It Sway finds itself mired in a chronological crisis — struggling to find its footing with these modern times. Fans of the band will mostly appreciate the band’s tweaking…
Artist: LissieTitle: Catching a TigerRelease date: August 17Label: Fat PossumI’m declaring a moratorium on the word “douchebag.” It’s now the most overused word of the year, and it’s time to give it a rest. Thank you for your consideration.What’s better than the word douchebag is the California-via-Illinois singer Lissie, who…
A stabbing outside a Mesa concert featuring bands affiliated with an anti-meth group sent a local drummer to the hospital over the weekend.John Landato, who plays drums in Beyond Our Recognitions of God, a band tied to Dads Against Meth Use, was stabbed in the neck outside Goathead Saloon and…
There are way too many reasons to count why John Mayer is sort of a douchebag — a gorgeous douchebag, but a douchebag, nonetheless. Whether he’s making racist remarks, sharing way too much of himself on Twitter or going through Hollywood starlets like they’re yesterday’s trash, Mayer always manages to…
Song: Band Of Horses, “Older”Context: Infinite Arms continues to be my favorite record of the year. Older by bandofhorses…
Lots of CDs piling up. Let’s have a listen at a few, shall we?Norman — Hay, Hay, Make a Wish and Turn Away: These boys play Neil Young-meets-Uncle Tupelo country-folk-rock through a cloudy, green filter befitting their Oregon provenance. Mostly, it works, especially when they veer away from the freak-folk…
Welcome to 21 Questions, a regular feature where PHXmusic.com goes to the favorite hangout of a notable Phoenician and asks the “big” questions. This week we met up with The Trunk Space’s JRC at Baiz Market in Phoenix. Walking into Baiz Market, I’m blown away by the bustling indoor oasis of…
