The calendar says it’s September, but it must feel like Christmas for Valley hip-hop fans thanks to a pair of free, downloadable releases from PHX hip-hop mainstays Random (aka Megaran) and DJ John Blaze. Random recently released a free 10-track album, Heroes, Volume One, as a gesture of thanks to…
Artist: JP, Chrissie, & the Fairground BoysTitle: FidelityRelease date: August 24Label: La MinaSure, Chrissie Hynde hasn’t been a vital artist since the late 1980s, but she’s never been — I don’t know, what’s the word? — unwelcome. Is that too harsh? Maybe not, especially after hearing this record, a project…
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.How was watching Green Day like a nostalgia trip for one reviewer?What happens to teenagers when they’re…
It’s a pretty slow week for just announced shows, but be that as it may, this week truly is a case study in quality over quantity. D.C. punk revivalists Ted Leo & The Pharmacists lead this savvy pack of announcements, and they are a band who knows how to have fun…
This week’s music feature is on X Japan’s breakthrough into the American music scene. They recently performed in the U.S. for the very first time and made their debut at Lollapalooza. The Japanese metal super group has grown to have an impressive cult-like following, and seems to be the first…
Song: T.I., “Outro”Context: Really loving Fuck A Mixtape. As always plenty of real talk from T.I.P. — love the barcode bit. T.I. – “Outro” by cizmar…
[jump] What seems like a rather simple concept is beautifully accomplished by the heretofore anonymous music critic behind the mini-discogs. Take, for example, The Replacements: How could you possibly sum up Weezer’s entire career better than that in a shorter amount of time? You simply cannot — hence the brilliance…
Former Britney Spears bodyguard Fernando Flores, 28, is filing a lawsuit against the pop star, according to Billboard.Flores claims that Spears would be nude in his presence, dressed up in provocative clothing for him, made sexual advances, and would even have sex in front of him. Have some class, Britney…..
“Who are these guys, anyway?” a photographer standing next to me asks, firing his camera like a machine gun. In front of us, assembled on a small platform, is a five-piece band, glammed-out with feathered hair, studded collars, ornate crosses and skulls, and cloaks of faux fur. I could tell…
Hayley Williams says she’s not leaving Paramore. Even though she sang the hook on B.o.B’s “Airplanes,” one of the biggest songs of the summer, and seems perfectly set up to stop splitting Paramore’s paychecks five ways, you have to take her at her word. Why? Because Paramore is possibly the…
When I was 13 years old, my family and I moved to Arizona from Tennessee, passing through Oklahoma on the drive. Crossing the border from Arkansas into the Sooner State, we broke into a jovial, off-key sing-along. You know that Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma!? The musical’s signature song memorably…
Name: InterpolTitle: InterpolRelease date: September 7Label: Matador The good news is that in the battle of 2010 Joy Division acolytes, Interpol’s new record is miles ahead of the one released earlier this year by Editors. The bad news is, that ain’t sayin’ much. Editors seem to copying Joy Division’s sound…
Grab that box of crayons, sharpen your colored pencils, and dampen your water colors: Tempe rockers Gospel Claws announced a poster coloring contest. Contestants can download the poster, drawn by Jennifer Campbell, here and read up on the official rules here. The quintet will pick their favorite entry on October 10 and use…
When Phoenix metalcore band The Word Alive told a New Times reporter it was “about time” the year-old band got signed it was clear the guys were either really smart or really cocky.It’s apparently the former: The band’s new full-length, Deceiver, landed at #96 on the Billboard Top 100. They’re…
It seems like just yesterday our old pal Psyko Steve was pushing some sort of indie rock bowling event thingy he was trying to put together. Turns out the event was a smashing success — as was its successor — so now we’re looking forward to the The 3rd Annual…
The highly-anticipated new music video for Kings of Leon’s new single “Radioactive” was released this morning. It’s a playful video in which the band and a joyous children’s choir have a picnic next to a barn. As for the song itself, it’s got gospel soul, and it’s catchy as hell…
Song: Devo, “Mongoloid”Context: Editing a feature that tangentially concerns the band for next week. Devo – Mongoloid…
Did anyone see the sign when it comes to the possibility of ever hearing a new Ace of Base album? Not I.Consequence of Sound reports that the Swedish pop group — fondly remembered by all as a 90s ABBA — will be releasing their latest studio album on September 24…
Artist: Ryan Bingham & the Dead HorsesTitle: Junky StarRelease date: August 31Label: Lost HighwayRyan Bingham is one country artist that I’m pulling for. I’d heard his first LP (later repackaged and expanded as Mescalito in 2007) and suitably impressed. On that record, Bingham’s youth was apparent yet he still sounded…
September 14 is a black Friday of sorts for the music world. There is an embarrassment of riches, new release-wise, set for that Meg Tuesday. NPR realizes this, so they’re giving you a head start by offering album streams of 14 albums to be released next Tuesday. Which just so…
Where Bright Lights — as well as Antics and Our Love to Admire — were full of peppy, upbeat indie rock classics, Interpol decidedly slows things down and goes for the artsy effect here, much to the chagrin of some long-time fans. (Myself included). While there are some bright spots…
Paul McGuinness, U2’s manager, is blaming Internet service providers for not working harder to put an end to illegal music downloading, NME reports.However, McGuinness has faith in Spotify, a paid online music subscription service that actually distributes royalties properly.While McGuinness’s argument is completely legitimate, I feel like he’s not taking…
