It’s no secret that Quebecois indie rockers Stars were one of, if not the, first bands to boycott Arizona over SB1070. They issued their boycott through Twitter on April 27, a few days after the law was okayed by Gov. Brewer. Their move was bold, timely and rather unexpected –…
The fine people at San Francisco non-profit Noisebridge — described as “an infrastructure provider for technical-creative projects, collaboratively run by its members” — are dedicating their Saturday evening to tackle some of the more stymying concepts described in the greatest song ever recorded, Insane Clown Posse’s “Miracles.” Their science fair…
Title: Deceleration TraumaBasics: Billing themselves as “your new favorite band!” the Phoenix-based quartet, entirely comprising transplants, plays a pretty straight-forward brand of punk rock. This would usually be a humdrum or bad thing, but given the hordes of simply awful bands I have had to recently listen to for You…
I could go on an on about this album, and the fine people at Pop & Hiss, the Los Angeles Times’ music blog, perhaps also recognized that Before Today is something intriguingly difficult to pin down, making the album available for stream…
But I digress. MC Hammer may have been too legit to quit in 1991, but the man is not too legit to play Fort McDowell Casino this July. He, along with KISS, Ted Nugent, Lil’ Kim, The Game and Ricky Skaggs round out a colorful week of show announcements.Oh, and…
What the critics are saying:…
Title: Late Night InnuendoBasics: I’ve given up trying to imagine some local Arizona bands sending in something remotely different from country-twinged rock music. It seems all local, smaller bands record this same type of music. There’s no point in trying to fight it. I don’t get it — but I…
Some big name bands are boycotting Arizona over SB 1070? Who needs ’em when you’ve got such big name acts as Toby Keith, Southern Culture on the Skids and, um, Wang Chung coming to town! Dammit, Arizona is screwed.While it’s nice that some bands still decide to play Arizona in spite…
What happens when you take noted DJs Switch and Diplo and add British electronic singing sensation Elly Jackson? A free mixtape named Lazerproof, natch. Switch and Diplo, when working together, are better known as dancehall/reggaeton masterminds Major Lazer and Jackson does vocal duties for La Roux, perhaps best known for…
On paper, Brooklyn indie rockers Beach Fossils sound pretty tame and, frankly, played-out.Luckily, the band’s self-titled debut is very impressive, raising the band’s profile above the masses of like-minded lo-fi bands struggling to do their thing. With jingle-jangle guitars and surf-tinged rhythms, Beach Fossils don’t have a revolutionary sound –…
God forbid you offer a 40 second preview of a track off an album that has already leaked — do so and you subject yourself to the wrath of some self-righteous British dude named “WEBSHERIFF.”Such is the fate of yours truly and the newest album from Ratatat, LP4, which leaked…
Band: Ringo Jones Gang/Band, whichever one floats your boat.Title: The Vulture City Bank RobberyBasics: It appears I need to do a better job ascertaining the all important fact of You Asked For It — if a band is actually from Phoenix/Arizona. This week’s subjects, Ringo Jones Gang, is actually based…
If Spike Jones would have never brought the element of parody to music, then Dr. Demento would have never had a radio show. If Dr. Demento never had a radio show, then Al Yankovic would have become an insurance salesman with a penchant for hawaiian shirts. However, Dr. Demento introduced…
James Murphy & co. have crafted another gem of 7-minute plus opuses — songs that are not just long for being long’s sake and don’t just fill those extra minutes with boring white noise or offbeat, experimental saxophones. Murphy has crafted LCD Soundsystem’s name as one of electronic rock dominance,…
Metal legend Ronnie James Dio — the original metal pioneer and former Black Sabbath frontman — passed away at the age of 67 Sunday morning in Los Angeles. Dio’s death was announced by his wife and manager, Wendy, on his website. It’s a somber time for fans of the metal…
Zomg, you guys! This week’s show announcements include the Jonas Brothers with Demi Lovato. If that news doesn’t make your day, then I don’t know what to tell you. What’s that you say? Jonas Brothers not quite your bag? Well then let Limp Bizkit, Ice Cube, American Idol Live, Lilith…
Title: Vacation LocationBasics: Did you know there was an Arizona Parrothead Club? Well, now you do. I am sure every state has one, and Arizona’s is led by Sam L. Rainwater. At first glance at this album screams Parrothead, and the music sure as hell didn’t disappoint. There’s not much…
[jump] There has been a massive amount of hype placed on Sleigh Bells — a duo comprising Derek Miller (of Poison the Well fame) and Alexis Krauss — and Treats damn-near solidifies all of it. The band’s early demos had many (myself included) foaming at the mouth for new material…
As May starts to heat up here in the Valley, the new releases are following suit. Brooklyn rockers The National release their fifth album today, High Violet, to very lofty acclaim.Anything the band lays down these days seems to turn to gold. The National has indie rock by the balls,…
I did not wake up this morning feeling like P. Diddy. No sir — but then I saw this video of Ke$ha (pronounced “Kay dollar sign ha”) claiming that she doesn’t use autotune, and I totally felt like P. Diddy. I am convinced that this Ke$ha person is now just…
The details of this year’s Arizona Fall Frenzy were revealed last week, showcasing an impressive lineup for the event’s second year. Devo, Stone Temple Pilots, The Cult, Primus and Weezer round out a variegated lineup that shows much more promise than 2009’s version. Fall Frenzy helps lead the way for…
Band: Pride of the GarageTitle: Young Man’s GameBasics: Pride of the Garage is 46-year-old Dan Miles, a self-labeled procrastinator. What’s better than procrastination when it comes to releasing an album? I don’t know. Perhaps self-mutilation? That’s what it feels like to listen to the 10-song Young Man’s Game — a…
