Bolstered by lead single “Hangin’ On To Black Metal,” Circuital finds Jim James and company yet again refining their Americana rock roots. The titular track “Circuital” is a delightful give and take between an all-out rock offering and its meandering, folk-twinged prelude. “The Day Is Coming” harkens back to MMJ’s…
When the people behind the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival — Paul Tollett and Goldenvoice — announced they had a big announcement set for 10 a.m. today, my curiosity was piqued. I have been attending the festival for six years now, and no two years were under as much scrutiny in…
Good news for fans who are still miffed at Bob Dylan for canceling his appearance here in 2009: he’s scheduled to play Comerica Theatre on July 18, and the stage is indoors and air-conditioned. Back in 2009, Mr. Dylan and co. canceled a stop at Camelback Park in Glendale due…
, according to the Fab Life.Winehouse is still up to her old tricks. After her father confronted her about drinking too much, she agreed to check herself back into rehab Wednesday night to get clean before her upcoming European tour, which starts in June. She plans to be out of…
Legendary spoken word, soul, jazz and hip-hop pioneer Gil Scott-Heron has passed away at 62, according to a report by NPR Music.As of yet, no cause of death has been released. Scott-Heron is most widely known for his song “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” After spending time in jail…
Earlier this week, we wrote about five comics by or about rock stars, in anticipation of Phoenix Comicon, taking place now through Sunday, May 29 at Phoenix Convention Center. While attending opening night festivities last night, I ran across yet another comic book about a rock band — but this…
It’s been less than a month since local pop band Peachcake released their current EP, This Wasn’t Our Plan, and if you haven’t gotten a copy yet, now you can download the disc for free at www.peachcake.bandcamp.com. According to singer Stefan Pruett, the band had always wanted to give away…
For those keeping track, I am choosing to write about a band named after the son of a late NASCAR legend that has recorded a downtempo, electronic cover of a Beach Boys classic. Dale Jr., as goofy and kitschy as they may seem, are as solid a new band that…
Stephen “Psyko Steve” Chilton The Valley-based music promoter has more than 20 events he’s producing, which may be found at www.psykosteve.com When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? When I am in the car, I mostly listen to NPR…
Zach Sciacca (a.k.a. Z-Trip) is arguably the biggest DJ ever to come outta Phoenix.Enjoying a level of superstardom that many local turntablists and mix masters can only dream about, the 38-year-old Valley native has spent the past decade and a half using his stellar scratching skills to propel himself to international…
Fans of Irish rockers U2 who are eagerly anticipating the band’s next album, tentatively titled Songs of Ascent, will have to wait a while longer. The record was first expected in 2010, and in January of this year, the German branch of Amazon.com listed the release date as May 27,…
I really wanted to drop some Randy Newman jams on KWSS this morning, but alas, time didn’t permit. Newman will be in town this weekend, doing a two-night stand at the Biltmore. If you are only familiar with his soundtrack work — or know him as simply as the butt…
Troubled hip-hop star DMX, whom we profiled just after he was sentenced to a year in the clink last December, will be released on July 1, according to the website hiphopwired.com. DMX (real name: Earl Simmons) was on the comeback trail last year when he was sentenced to a year…
If you’re like us, you’re probably already sick of hearing about the Rapture that didn’t happen last Saturday. But we reserve the right to kick dead horses, even in the midst of our apocalypse fatigue. This week, Up on the Sun comic artist Robbie Pfeffer explores a world without Christians…
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.Which national music blog featured local band St. Ranger’s new single? What was late pro wrestler “Macho…
A million name changes weren’t enough for Sean Combs. Apparently, it was time for another one, according to Paste.Rapper and producer Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs, can’t seem to ever settle on a name. Even this time he feels that his new alter ego will only be suitable…
Noisy and melodic Australian guitar-and-drums duo An Horse — which channels the scrappy spirit of such “college rock” icons as Throwing Muses, The Spinanes, and Blake Babies — comes back to town behind its excellent new sophomore album, Walls. We caught up with super-friendly singer/guitarist Kate Cooper to get her…
In 1967, with his role as science officer and lieutenant commander Spock on Star Trek beaming him into living room television sets all across America, Leonard Nimoy boldly went one place he’d never gone before: the recording studio. A year earlier, Dot Records, a small label known for country, rockabilly,…
Jonathan Sakas may not look like the new face of electro-pop, but you’ve probably seen his mug plastered on the walls of your favorite bar or on your friend’s refrigerator. The 26-year-old Arizona native takes his full-time job as a musician seriously, relentlessly self-promoting around the Valley with stickers and…
This week’s issue of Phoenix New Times, on news stands now, features a profile on local electro pop artist Jonathan Sakas. Sakas has a show tomorrow, May 26, at Clubhouse Music Venue, and you can get a sneak peek of what to expect from his performance by checking out his…
Wanna hear some hot new local music? Check out the “Morning Infidelity” program on KWSS 106.7 FM tomorrow (Thursday, May 26), when Jason Woodbury, the new Phoenix New Times Music Editor, plans to spin songs by artists highlighted in this week’s print issue.As we reported in a cover story this spring,…
Phoenix rockabilly band Voodoo Swing is like the rock ‘n’ roll train that never stops coming. Since 1993 (when they were based in Salt Lake City), they’ve been releasing records, and their latest and sixth album, Keep On Rollin’, is out now on Electric Lotus Music. They’ve already shared the stage…
