Paramore’s Guitarist, Drummer Split From Band

Guitarist and drummer Josh and Zac Farro have amicably split from Paramore, according to Rolling Stone.The band posted an official statement on their website in which the remaining members of the band express their understanding and sadness for Josh and Zac’s departure from Paramore.The Farros had given the rest of…

Enchantment: Songs About New Mexico (1976)

Welcome to Obscuro, a weekly feature where Up on the Sun dives deep into the world of vinyl oddities: private press jobs, major label cast-offs, and general thrift shop clutter that’s thus far escaped anyone’s attention. These LPs have been hiding out, collecting dust, until we come along, investigate, probe…

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Bright Lit Blue Skies

Song: Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, “Bright Lit Blue Skies”Context: Reading Michael Lopez’s analysis of the Pitchfork top albums list makes me feel like I should like this Ariel Pink record. So I listened again today. Still not doing much for me, though I like this song, “Bright Lit Blue Skies,”…

Ghostface Killah: Apollo Kids

What could Ghostface do for an encore with his 9th album? One would think the man has tapped out all his resources by now, but Ghostface is no ordinary member of the Wu. Every new album feels like Ghostface has reinvented himself and his enthusiasm is unmatched by most everyone…

Alice Cooper’s Proof Is In the Pudding Compilation

Christmas came just a little bit early this year for Phoenix resident and original shock rocker Alice Cooper when it was announced that he would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.But induction into the Rock Hall of Fame isn’t just something anybody can pick up at…

The Black Keys Coming to Mesa

We’ve got a big show announcement today: The Black Keys are coming to Mesa Ampitheatre on Thursday, April 14.Since I’m also from Akron, Ohio (or a suburb, anyway) I’ve been following their career since they played to half-filled local clubs. (Funny story from my old college newspaper here.)The Keys were…

Mesa Band Makes Ridiculous Offer To “Music Journalist”

Are you an aspiring music critic? If so, Mesa band Trains Eye View has a gig for you! There’s no pay. And, ummm, your work won’t be published anywhere. Oh, also, you’re not really being edited by someone who knows anything about journalism or could serve as a reference in…

Andrew Jackson Jihad – We Didn’t Come Here to Rock

Song: Andrew Jackson Jihad, “We Didn’t Come Here to Rock”Context: Andrew Jackson Jihad plays Trunk Space tonight. This is a great song from a great record, Can’t Maintain. I was hoping for a new record from the folk-punk duo in 2010 but it never materialized. Let’s hope 2011 brings one…

50 Cent Sued by Caliber For Copyright Infringement

Part of G-Unit isn’t feeling so hot right now. Rapper and actor 50 Cent is being sued for copyright infringement, according to Billboard.It turns out that rapping about how you’ve got tons of money isn’t always a good thing. Atlanta rapper Caliber is filing a lawsuit against Fitty and the…

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 12/16 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 Miley Cyrus smoking out of a bong?What does Insane Clown Posse’s official Christmas card look…

The Odd Life of Nude Piano Man Sweet Pie

They don’t come more original than Sweet Pie. The 67-year-old is, as far as anyone can tell, the world’s only nudist boogie-woogie pianist. The eccentric self-taught musician, born Paul Winer, roamed the country from 1965 through 1990, performing at ski resorts, colleges, and tourist spots all along the East Coast…

The Maine Make a Movie

Local pop/rock band The Maine seems to be on a quest for world domination. They’re barely out of high school but already they have an imprint on Warner Brothers, a keepsake book, a box set, and a button pack. Now, the early-20-somethings have set their sights on cinema. The Maine…

The Maine – Growing Up

Song: The Maine, “Growing Up”Context: In going back to listen to prominent releases from local bands to prepare my “Best Local Records of 2010” list I was struck by how mature this song from The Maine is. Ya know, these guys could really grow into something even Phoenix indie snobs…

Henry Rollins Reveals He Produced an Album For Killer Charles Manson

At a benefit event he recently hosted for Los Angeles radio station KCRW, former Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins revealed that he produced an album for serial murderer and cult leader Charles Manson, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Rollins produced a handful of Charles Manson’s acoustic “pop songs” at some…

Afterlife Hosts Tron Legacy Party on Friday

Greetings, programs! Didja know there’s some kind of movie called Tron Legacy hitting theatres this weekend? Yeah, it took us by surprise too, considering there’s been absolutely zero promotion or press about it lately. All jokes aside, the flick that many are expecting to be one of the biggest of…