How about some Italian DJs who wear Spider Man masks onstage at every performance and call themselves Bloody Beetroots? October 29 marks their performance at the Marquee Theatre, just in time for those not in the know to figure, “Oh, they must be wearing those things since Halloween is two…
By now you’ve probably heard the news that Haitian presidential hopeful Wyclef Jean was disqualified from the race, as determined by the Haitian board of elections. The latest word on the blogosphere though is that Wyclef ain’t quite ready to give up yet. According to E! Online Jean plans to…
Amazing was the word of the night at the Something Corporate concert at Marquee Theatre last night. The band, who was on a reunion tour after being on hiatus since 2005, had no opening act, allowing the guys to play an extensive, 2-hour-plus set. Singer/pianist Andrew McMahon gave the crowd…
Heard of GreenStock™? Me either, but the expo, scheduled for September 17-19 — the exact same dates as Arizona Fall Frenzy, as it happens — has a pretty decent selection of acts.They’ve got big local names (Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Gin Blossoms, The Wiley One) and two veteran national…
To say that Pete Salaz wears a lot of hats would be a major understatement. The dude’s not only trained in both Tai Chi Chuan and kung fu, but he’s also a full-time parent, prize-winning salsa maker, and one of several managing partners of Bar Smith. (In the spirit of…
It’s pretty clear Katy Perry is all woman–the pop star was even named 2010’s “Sexiest Woman Alive” by Maxim magazine. But even the singer herself has admitted there have been many times where she’s felt like a drag queen. Just how can a woman as beautiful as Perry turn into…
Song: The Ataris, “San Dimas High School Football Rules” (Live Acoustic)Context: The Ataris play Mesa’s Underground tonight. The Ataris – San Dimas High School Football Rules Live Acoustic by goodtunes…
The Maine are playing a much-hyped show at The Nile Theatre in Mesa next Friday.Actually, though, that’s just the mid-point in a massive tour to promote their Billboard-charting second album Black & White. They team up with Never Shout Never for a tour of small theaters and large clubs starting…
Song: Jens Lekman, “The End of the World Is Bigger Than Love”Context: Jens is back, hopefully a full-length album is hot on the heels of this single. Jens Lekman – The End Of The World Is Bigger Than Love by stripeyjumper…
Hot off the heels of the oh-so-classy John Mayer promising Cleveland, Ohio fans he’ll be wearing a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey to his Miami show, Mayer played Cricket Wireless Pavilion last night. While even some of his own fans couldn’t help admitting he’s kind of a douchebag, other highlights from the…
This week’s music feature is on Meat Loaf. The chatty singer just released his 11th studio album, but had lots to say on other subject matters as well. Like for instance, what he would do differently if he were president. (Something rockstars consider often, I’m sure.) He dishes with us…
I only had to ask Meat Loaf one question: “How are you?” That pleasantry functioned as a conversational “open sesame,” unbolting the floodgates to Meat’s mind. A candid discussion of politics, music criticism, SB 1070, and identifying suspicious people on airplanes followed. And, oh, yeah, a few words about Meat…
In 1995, Steve Bays, a British Columbian with a curly mop of hair and a dream, started a rock ‘n’ roll act with dance influences. Bays somehow ended up playing synthesizer with the new group and a friend of the band sang the vocals. Eventually, they dumped the friend, added…
Artist: Isobel Campbell & Mark LaneganTitle: HawkRelease date: August 24Label: VanguardIsobel Campbell, who left Belle & Sebastian nearly a decade, is from Scotland but has made, perhaps, my favorite Americana record of the year. On Hawk, she has teamed with former Screaming Trees/Queens of the Stone Age singer Mark Lanegan…
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 does 19-year-old Wolfgang Van Halen demonstrate everything wrong with his generation? What does JRC, owner…
After more than a year of occasional one-offs and special events, one of the PHX’s best hip-hop nights is making its return as a weekly. Groove Candy, the ultra-fly affair starring Power 98.3’s DJ M2 makes its comeback on August 26, offering the same swanked-up selection of neo-soul, reggae, and…
[jump] All four !!! albums have their own standout moments (“Feel Good Hit of the Fall,” “Hello? Is This Thing On?” and “Must Be The Moon,” respectively) and Strange Weather is no exception. The heavy-handed-yet-insanely-funky “Even Judas Gave Jesus a Kiss” is one of the strongest tracks amid a strong…
Insane Clown Posse’s annual Gathering of the Juggalos went badly for MySpace temptress Tila Tequila and Wu Tang hanger-on Method Man, who were greeted by angry Juggalos hurling stuff at the stage.Method Man says he plans to sue. Tequila, who was apparently injured, seems to be milking the incident to…
Song: Jessica Simpson, “Nothing but a T-Shirt On”Context: Say what you want about Ms. Simpson, she’s still a more talented performer — and a much better human being — than her former beau John Mayer, who plays Cricket Wireless Pavilion tonight. Maybe it’s just me, but I think this song…
Artist: Street Sweepers Social ClubTitle: The Ghetto Blaster EPRelease date: August 10Label: Street Sweepers Social ClubWhile the singer for Rage Against the Machine clings to relevancy by lending what little celebrity weight he still has to the civil rights cause in Arizona, the guitarist is still bashing out those Rage-y…
Longtime goth/industrial night Tranzylvania will banished from xotic-looking downtown danceteria Palazzo as of next month. The aptly named Rob Poe, the night’s resident DJ who spins under the nom de guerre noiz.fkr, sent out an e-mail yesterday announcing Tranzylvania’s impending departure.”I’ve just been informed that Tranzylvania will be closing on…
It’s no secret that musicians often jump in bed with a brand name to help bump up their paychecks. Hell, I’ve seen country music top hat-aficionados Big & Rich in concert — a concert in which they thanked Chevrolet multiple times for being a sponsor. It seems country music and…
