The Black Cactus Records gang is fed up. They’re annoyed by the brash young hotheads who fancy themselves rock stars. They hate the dudes given to asinine behavior on stage and off. They’re done with excessive drinking and drug use. They’ve had enough of bands flaking out on gigs, showing…
You’ve heard of Justin Bieber. Duh. You know that he’s huge on Twitter (more than 3.3 million followers at last check) and you know that he’s the biggest teen idol since — at least! — the boy bands of the late ’90s. You may have read that he somewhat inexplicably…
1983: Steven Page and Ed Robertson meet at the Peter Puck Memorial School for Creatively Deficient Boys and Chronic Bedwetters, where they bond over their love of “Weird Al” Yankovic and their hatred of getting beaten up by the other children every day after lunch. 1988: At a “Weird Al”…
Artist: Francis and the LightsTitle: It’ll Be BetterRelease date: July 20Label: CantoraIn 2010, a lot of artists have tipped their musical hats to the hitmakers of the 1980s, but none that I’ve heard has paid homage to Peter Gabriel, who was as big a star as nearly anybody from that…
As news of the Tempe Town Lake dam bursting broke last night, many were reminded of the song “When the Levee Breaks,” by Led Zeppelin. How approriate, then, that the band’s front man Robert Plant was across town, playing Phoenix’s Dodge Theatre for a solo show. While some may be…
Tucson’s alt-weekly — which is in no way affiliated with New Times, despite what people seem to think — has a really nice feature about Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta’s Salvador Duran in this week’s issue.Duran is the intense man in black who helps Sergio with singing duties and speaks…
Song: Led Zeppelin, “When The Levee Breaks”Context: In memory of that giant lake Tempe used to have. Turns out holding nearly 1 billion gallons of water back with what basically amounted to a big balloon was a bad idea. When The Levee Breaks – Led Zeppelin…
Artist: Secret CitiesTitle: Pink GraffitiRelease date: July 20Label: Western VinylGood lord, when is it going to rain around here? I’m getting antsy for a cloudy, rainy day. I spent the first 35 years of my life in the Midwest, where it rains plenty during the summer. This is my sixth…
Our Nothing Not New columnist Jay Bennett — who gave up his record collection and has been listening to and writing about only brand new music since January 1 — was a guest on local NPR affiliate KJZZ’s Here and Now. He was interviewed by Nick Blumberg for a great…
As good as the band’s debut album Tell it to the Volcano was, Fortress could not have existed had the band stuck it out in Phoenix. I’m not trying to rag on PHX — it just can’t hold a candle to the multitude of other, like-minded artists and musicians that…
Built To Spill fans rejoice! You don’t have to pay for Kings of Leon tickets to see your favorite band come this October. You do, however, have to go to the Marquee Theatre to watch them play. Well, absolutely anything is better than having to watch Kings of Leon at…
Guns N’ Roses is playing their first show in four years and only U.S. show of the year at the Sturgis motorcycle rally in South Dakota.Never have I wanted to go to a motorcycle rally — or to South Dakota — more.Sadly, Daughtry will also be playing. I guess motorcycle…
Song: Liz Phair, “U Hate It”Context: I’m not sure there’s ever been a more appropriately-titled song. Liz is totally right: I hate it sooooo muuuuuuch. Liz Phair – U Hate It…
As if it wasn’t hot enough outside, Kidz Bop 18 — eight-fucking-teen — is one of the most hotly anticipated releases for today. Is anyone else out there counting down the days in July? What the critics are saying:…
Say what you will about Lady Gaga, but the pop priestess is notorious for more than just her over-the-top outfits and large scale productions. Gaga makes a point to do charity work on a very regular basis. In addition to her team-up with Cyndi Lauper to benefit the MAC AIDS…
Song: Teenage Bottlerocket: “Without You”Context: Local music blogger Dfactor is hyping this show, big time. Teenage Bottlerocket – Without You…
Artist: Sun Kil MoonTitle: Admiral Fell PromisesRelease date: July 13Label: Caldo VerdeA few years back, with the effects of aesthetic atrophy settling into my music-consumption habits, I took a increasingly rare gamble, paying full price for Ghosts of the Great Highway, the first record by Sun Kil Moon. I was aware…
Time to clear the desk of all these CDs. Stuff’s really piling up and I’m not sure I’ll get to write full posts of many of them, so let’s take a quick look at what’s new and notable (or not).Tracy Bonham: Masts of Manhatta — Remember Tracy Bonham? In the…
Song: Bobby Brown, “My Prerogative”Context: Bobby comes to Celebrity Theatre tonight…
Gospel Claws upcoming record, C-L-A-W-S, isn’t due until October but the first single, “Summer Nights Lakeside” was made available for download from Magnet Magazine earlier this week.”The song is great summer sing-a-long about camping, drinking beer, and drowning,” they claim. Another track, “Walk Me Down” is available on Bob Hoag’s…
If you saw rock band Thrice at the Marquee Theatre last night, chances are you were in a great mood. Judging by Tweets fans posted after the show, the band played an extensive, polished set that may have even inspired new show jargon — bangover, anyone? And if you wanted…
Artist: Mystery JetsTitle: SerotoninRelease date: July 13Label: Rough TradeMystery Jets are one of those bands whose backstories threaten to overshadow their actual musical output. Here’s what I’m talking about: 1) The British band’s leader/singer has spina bifida, a condition that forces him to walk with crutches. 2) Said bandleader’s dad, in…
