Incoming: Jónsi, Best Coast, Surfer Blood, k-os, Caribou, The Tubes

Here’s a fun fact about seminal 80’s band The Tubes — their origins are in Phoenix. Tubes’ founders Bill “Sputnick” Spooner and late keyboardist Vince Welnick were born and raised in Phoenix, playing in early high school bands before packing up shop, moving to San Francisco in the late 60’s…

Adam Lambert Brings the Glam to Marquee Theatre Stage

Marquee Theatre had one of the most interesting crowds it has probably seen in awhile when Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta came to town last night. The sold-out audience was a mix of glitter-covered cougars, teenage girls and gay men, and the eyeliner was out in full force. After the…

Turn Back, O Man! “French Wife”

Song: Turn Back, O Man! “French Wife”Context: Is this band breaking up or not? “New project in the works” + hype = ??? Either way, this is a fun story song. French Wife by turnbackoman…

Michael Jackson Record Due Out in November

How could someone who’s been dead for over a year release a new record? The simple answer would likely be that the people who have control over any remaining recorded material are hungry for the money that accompanies anything involving Michael Jackson’s name.Rolling Stone reports that the King of Pop…

Lady Gaga, “Starstruck”

Song: Lady Gaga, “Starstruck”Context: When Lady Gaga updated her Facebook status to say she was hanging out in the Arizona desert. 37,291people (and counting!) “liked” it. The fame, indeed. Lady Gaga – Starstruck…

Lady Gaga, Metalcore, Bar Bands, and More in This Week’s Issue

This week’s music feature is on Lady Gaga’s seemingly overnight rise to super-stardom. Ever wonder exactly how or why this happened? Nearly everyone agrees she’s awesome. But is she really? We get to the nitty gritty.We also take a took at the subtle differences in the metalcore genre through the…

What Happens When New Times Reviews Bar Bands?

Fact: Phoenix has a lot more gigging local bands than anyone realizes. Even you, Mr. Hipster Who Really Cares About the Local Scene. I don’t care who you think you are — you’ve never heard of half the local bands playing out in a given week. Thing is, a lot…

Lady Gaga Isn’t So Much a Phenomenon as a Prophecy Fulfilled

America responded with a collective “Well, of course!” when Lady Gaga formally announced herself in 2008. Overnight success is a myth, but then again, Gaga’s first two singles, “Just Dance” and “Poker Face,” both hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Since then, she’s worn red latex to meet…

The Goodnight Loving: Supper Club

​Artist: The Goodnight LovingTitle: Supper ClubRelease date: July 20Label: DirtnapSo, this Milwaukee band was supposed to play in Tempe on Saturday night. I’d seen on the Goner Records message board earlier this summer that they were touring the West and needed a Phoenix gig, so I set them up at…

Soundstrike Remains In Effect Though the Courts Blocked SB 1070

Phoenix music fans hoping for a little relief from The Soundstrike in the wake of Judge Susan Bolton’s decision to issue a temporary injunction blocking parts of the law are going to be disappointed.The boycott is still on, says group representative Javier Gonzalez.From a statement released by the group within…

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 7/29 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. Are Tokio Hotel fans more crazy than the band is lame, or vice-versa? How did last…

Wyclef Jean to Run for President of Haiti?

When Arnold Schwarzenegger became the governator in California, and Jesse Ventura was elected to the same post in Minnesota, it became publicly apparent that the lines would be forever blurred between entertainers and should-be serious politicians. No longer is a famous person tied to their single field for their lifetime…

Gorillaz Book Dodge Theater Show; The Sound Strike Can Still Suck It

​As we inch closer towards the inevitable shit-show that will be Wednesday, July 29, Phoenix music fans can take solace in the fact that cartoon supergroup Gorillaz have booked an October date at the Dodge Theatre.The “Escape to Plastic Beach” world tour will hit 17 U.S. destinations — starting in…