MarchFourth Marching Band @ Crescent Ballroom
I think I'm going to run away with the circus. If they can get out of Phoenix, that is.
Last night marked the second time I'd seen MarchFourth Marching Band (and, admittedly, the first time I've seen them sober). It's an act that's difficult to describe without raising a few eyebrows, and, hey, that's understandable. After all, they have a roster of over 30 horns players, percussionists, dancers, guitarists, and more who travel the country in military, circus-inspired costumes and wacky sunglasses playing a combination of polka, gypsy and rock. Read more.
Ross Wincek, the co-owner of Hollywood Alley is responsible for bringing countless great bands to Phoenix over the past 25 years, as well as giving local bands a place to grow. Wincek had a stroke in March, so local bands and fans of the Alley are doing everything they can to help out.
Tom Reardon of The Father Figures organized Saturday night's Ross Rocks benefit to help raise money for Wincek, who has about $10,000 in medical bills. For $10, fans could enjoy 19 bands spanning across 15 hours. The venue also had an auction with all sorts of goodies -- a spa package, a vintage Slayer T-shirt, a skateboard deck, a bag of pubes.
Check out the full Ross Rocks Benefit at Hollywood Alley slideshow.
The Real Coachella @ Trunk Space
Having attended the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the blistering Calfornia desert last weekend, I can state with certainty that The Real Coachella held last night at the Trunk Space is absolutely nothing like event it riffs on.
And that's not a bad thing.
While it didn't feature six separate stages, a ginormous Ferris wheel, and more than a hundred performances by rock and pop tastemakers stretched across three days, the Real Coachella was far funkier experience that was major fun and featured a true indie spirit. Read more.
