Download New Strokes Single “Under Cover Of Darkness”

“Under Cover of Darkness” is now available for download via The Strokes’ official website. Offer up your email and birthdate and you’ll get the band’s first new material since 2006’s First Impressions Of Earth — remember that album? Worry not if you’re struggling to name that album’s lead single (“Juicebox”) — Angles,…

Ride’s debut album, Nowhere, gets 20th Anniversary Edition with Bonus Live Disc

One of the touchstones of the short-lived-but-fondly-remembered shoegaze movement, Ride’s debut album, Nowhere, has been given the deluxe 20th anniversary treatment for re-release with a bonus live disc on Rhino Handmade. Along with My Bloody Valentine’s classic, Loveless, Ride’s remarkable bow towers over the rest of shoegaze, including both bands’…

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 2/10 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… What was really behind the White Stripes breakup and where does Meg White go from here?…

Smith Westerns – Smile

Song: Smith Westerns, “Smile”Context: Smith Westerns will be at Rhythm Room tomorrow night with Yuck. Should be an interesting show from a pair of buzzing bands. This song is from the new Smith Westerns’ album Dye It Blonde. Smith Westerns – ‘Smile’ by SpunkRecords…

John Legend Plays Extraordinary Show For Ordinary People at ASU

Arizona State University students couldn’t seem to get enough of John Legend at his Black History Month event at Gammage Auditorium last night.Not only did he give a fabulous 10-song performance, but before that he also delivered a beautiful loosely political speech about education and did a brief Q&A session…

The Strokes – Under Cover Of Darkness

Song: The Strokes, “Under Cover Of Darkness”Context: Today’s pick was actually chosen on account of how annoying it is. Why would The Strokes choose to release a stupid 30-second snippet of a single they’re going to “give away” for two days next week? I guess they really want to up…

Gorillaz Not Breaking Up Just Yet

Rumors were flying around last week that the Gorillaz had broken up. However, they haven’t split just yet, according to Consequence of Sound.During a performance in New Zealand back in December, vocalist Damon Albarn gave a lengthy speech about how the show might end up being the band’s last ever…

Cut Copy: Zonoscope

Zonoscope is quite a departure from 2008’s far-too-brilliant In Ghost Colours. The band pretty much had no choice on the matter. Almost anything similar would pale in comparison — it’s rare to hear a band hit their stride in such a magnificent fashion as Cut Copy did on In Ghost…

Tennis – Take Me Somewhere

Song: Tennis, “Take Me Somewhere”Context: This buzzing Denver band comes to Rhythm Room tomorrow night. Tennis – Take Me Somewhere by forcefieldpr…

Authority Zero – Movement

Song: Authority Zero, “Movement”Context: Authority Zero plays Club Red tomorrow night for New Times Soundcheck — a festival which features a bunch of local bands. Authority Zero – Movement by renanvec…

Lil Wayne Releases Green Bay Packers Anthem

Lil Wayne will be rooting for the Green Bay Packers in this year’s Super Bowl, according to SPIN.Weezy’s all about reppin’ the green and yellow, stating in his newly released Wiz Khalifa rip-off “Green and Yellow,” “I’m a cheesehead/Y’all n****s cheese whiz.” He posted the song on his blog Weezy…

Damon Brasch, What Are You Listening To?

​Welcome to What Are You Listening To?, a new weekly feature on Up on the Sun where notable locals talk about their favorite music. Damon BraschBrasch is the owner and chef of Green restaurant in Tempe with a new location coming soon to Phoenix. He is also the guitar player…

Rihanna Gets Her Material Banned in 11 Countries

Eleven countries, and possibly more to come, have already restricted any airplay on television. Even BBC 1 radio refuses to play Rihanna’s song during most hours of the day since the lyrics aren’t too clean. Meanwhile, YouTube users are required to confirm that they are at least 18 years old.Rihanna’s…