Veggie Boy: Vegetarian House

By Benjamin Leatherman The Vegetarian House in east Phoenix: part restaurant, part temple. (Courtesy of VegGuide). Everybody deserves a second chance. Case in point: In 1999, my sister — who was at the time a hardcore vegetarian — treated me to dinner at the Vegetarian House (3239 East Indian School…

DJ Johnny Knuckles

Back in the day (read: a few years ago), it would’ve been unwise to give Pete Didonato any lip when he was working the mixers. Chances are the fierce-looking former bouncer might’ve answered back with his fists. “My temper got the best of me back then and people usually got…

Veggie Boy: Cheba Hut

By Benjamin Leatherman The four-inch version of the “Majik Mushroom.” I’m not a pothead. In fact, I’ve never tried grass in my life. Ever. Not even once. Now don’t go thinking I’m sort of stodgy, anti-drug fundamentalist. Some of my best friends in the world smoke the reefer (including one…

The 5 Most Offensive Band Names in Phoenix

By Benjamin Leatherman Saturday night is your last chance ever to get assaulted by E.T.T.S. I deal with a crapload of local bands as Clubs Editor for the Phoenix New Times. Each and every week I sift through hundreds of web pages, flyers, and e-mails in the process of assembling…

Race War

We aren’t allowed to tell you about Dagger Deathrace II. In fact, organizers would probably prefer it if you weren’t reading this, particularly if you’re a po-po. Why? Because DDR is a crazy-ass underground urban bicycle race (a.k.a. an “alleycat”) that will take to the streets on Friday, October 31…

Waiting to Exhale

Oppressed smokers of the Valley, cheer up: Dave Attell feels your pain. Whether surviving a smoking ban or forking over a fiver to satisfy a nic fit, the 43-year-old comedian, who lights up the Tempe Improv this weekend, is familiar with the trials and tribulations of tobacco use. “In New…

The Final Countdown

We were watching The Daily Show the other night when the comedy/news program’s corespondents screamed into the camera “Just End It!” And frankly, we’re inclined to agree. Witnessing this year’s race for the White House unfold is kind of like watching your favorite team in the seventh game of the…

Who’s Your Papa?

Stephen Strange should teach a class in time management. Not only does the local freakazoid co-produce the hilariously whacked Television Noir, but he also performs with the Strange Family Circus, raises his two daughters, and organizes the Phoenix Annual Parade of the Arts (a.k.a. PAPA). And he does it well,…

After Hours at Johnny’s Uptown

As any 18- to 21-year-old will probably tell you, our fair city is in serious need of places where underage types can party. The folks behind The Spot at Johnny’s Uptown, 40 East Camelback Road, must’ve thought so, too, as they’ve launched a weekly after-hours shindig that’s sure to pack…

Hip-Hop Hooray

We’re mere days away from one of the most important elections of our lifetime and it seems like peeps on either side of the race for the White House (be they supporters of McCain or Obama) are pulling out all the stops. For instance, the PHX’s hip-hop scene is putting…

Rap Session

When it comes to hip-hop, it doesn’t get any more old-school than KRS-One. The 43-year-old MC is an icon and living legend who’s spent the past two decades educating many rhyme-spitting rappers on coming correct. He’s had particular influence on PHX artists, including a recent collaboration with Cut Throat Logic…

Rap Session

When it comes to hip-hop, it doesn’t get any more old-school than KRS-One. The 43-year-old MC is an icon and living legend who’s spent the past two decades educating many rhyme-spitting rappers on coming correct. He’s had particular influence on PHX artists, including a recent collaboration with Cut Throat Logic…

Fright Nights

Life’s been pretty damn scary lately. Between the double-fisted drama of the über-contentious race for the White House and the roller coaster stock market, we’ve been hoping this is all just some titanically bad nightmare everyone’s gonna wake up from. Needless to say, some letting loose is most definitely in…

Veggie Boy: That’s A Wrap

By Benjamin Leatherman The oh-so-spicy “Buffalo ’66” wrap. I’ve got a somewhat scandalous confession to make. While I’m 100 percent heterosexual, I freely admit to having something of a man-crush on Damon Brasch. You can’t blame me, since the thirtysomething chef/restaurateur is the pimpest cat in the Valley’s vegetarian/vegan scene…