Two phrases that Franco Gagliano tends to say a lot nowadays are “I don’t want to offend anyone” and “I’m not gonna lie to you.” When Franco ruled supreme as owner of The Mason Jar, one of Phoenix’s longest-enduring rock clubs from the early ’80s into the early Aughts, you…
The band’s been around for only something like eight months, but already it’s been banned from Last Exit, kicked out of Pub Rock, and even 86’ed from a Laundromat. The bassist recently quit and now the group’s canceled all its upcoming gigs to focus on a new album, new videos,…
On his recent album, Southeastern, singer/songwriter Jason Isbell writes plaintive ballads about dying cancer patients, tender country soul numbers about the process of recovery, and swampy power-pop about Super 8 ass-whuppings. It’s his fourth solo album since leaving Georgian southern rockers Drive-By Truckers in 2007, following a divorce from Truckers…
Thursday 19 AZ/88: Black Out Thursdays with Josh 1 (soulful house, lounge) Barney’s Boathouse: Thirsty Thursdays with DJ Pulse (Top 40, rock) Bar Smith: Thursday Ladies Night with DJ AL3, & DJ NERD (hip-hop, Latin, EDM) Bikini Lounge: DJ Shane Kennedy (juke joint, R&B, French pop) Bobby Q’s: All-Star Thursdays…
Anton Zaslavski isn’t what you’d call an ordinary DJ. Far from it. Yes, the Russian-German beatsmith is a gifted producer and maestro of the mixers who has rocked unforgettable sets inside numerous nightclubs and at many of the world’s top festivals (including Ultra, Nocturnal, and Electric Zoo). But during his…
After making a 12-hour drive in late August from Phoenix to San Francisco to catch the one and only Paul McCartney, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The National and yes, even Zedd himself at Outside Lands Music Festival, I was pretty musically fulfilled for the summer. Summer might be over, but Zedd…
On his Facebook “About” page his education reads Università DI Napoli “Federico II.” Under work it reads “Music Production” and that he is the President at “Salf Enploy,” which is how it would sound phonetically when Franco Gagliano says it. When the “Legends of the Mason Jar” show which reunites…
On his recent album, Southeastern, singer/songwriter Jason Isbell writes plaintive ballads about dying cancer patients, tender country soul numbers about the process of recovery, and swampy power-pop about Super 8 ass-whuppings. It’s his fourth solo album since leaving Georgian southern rockers Drive-By Truckers, a group he departed in 2007, following…
It’s that time of the year again: State Fair time. What’s not to like? It provides three weeks of opportunities for Valley folks of every variety to congregate and yuck it up within the confines of the Arizona State Fairgrounds, get their fill of uncomfortable white-knuckle-inspiring rides, fried food that…
My flight landed in Phoenix late Monday night, and I’m still adjusting. It hasn’t fully sunk in yet that I just saw The Replacements and The Pixies back to back. The Broadways reunion really happened. Debbie Harry is super adorable in person. My feet are still throbbing, and I’m pretty…
I don’t think anyone will be shocked by this admission, but I’ll make it: I don’t like Britney Spears or Miley Cyrus very much. (Aside from that Notorious B.I.G. mashup from a few years ago.) They are not really gyrating in my demographic’s direction. But Britney Spears has a new…
OK, so I don’t know much about The Zombies. Like, at all. For years, I thought their number one sizzling summer hit “Time of the Season” was actually Marvin Gaye. Give me a pass on that one, the English rock band were clearly trying to crimp his style far more…
Kansas City’s Aaron Dontez Yates has dipped his hands into both the worlds of hip-hop and rock ‘n’ roll, sold more than one million albums, founded a record label, and been featured in a ton of video games and films–including the upcoming sequel to the huge underground cult hit Devil’s…
Chicago Riot Fest, Day Three Humboldt Park Sunday, September 15, 2013 (View the full slideshow.) The third and final day of Riot Fest was all about The Replacements, rain, and reunions. The ‘Mats performed their second show after a 22-year break up Sunday, and it was everything a fan could…
It took a while. At first, it’s hard to be enamored with Katy Perry’s dynamic as a male listener: You either get it or you don’t right off the bat. Like any other modern pop icon, however, Perry’s single are as grandiose as they are ubiquitous, especially with the massive…
My version of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a lot different from the final cut. It’s not that I have anything against Jane Austen or George Romero; I just prefer the British invasion to the actual, brain-eating invasion. (View our complete concert calendar here.)…
Sound Wave is on its way. Will the fourth time top last year’s ‘third-time charm’? Could a block party be better than a party at Big Surf Water Park? Only time will tell. Saturday, September 21, headliner Tiësto will be one of a number of stars to hit the streets…
Riot Fest Day Two Humboldt Park, Chicago Saturday, September 14 The Fall Out Boy craziness of the festival’s first day carried over to Blink-182’s set on Day 2. For about 15 minutes before the band took the stage, fans chanted the lyrics to songs like “What’s My Age Again,” “All…
When it comes to Hollywood, metalheads are usually portrayed in a… not so flattering light. We’re the drunks and stoners, braindead from too much head-banging, clad in grimy vintage band t-shirts and greasy hair. Well, that may be so. But who is Hollywood to judge? I’d take our stereotype over…
Chicago Riot Fest Day One Humboldt Park Friday, September 13, 2013 This year’s Riot Fest features a great mix of reunions and some of Chicago’s finest punk bands. Heck, The Replacements and Broadways reunions were enough to get me on a plane from Phoenix. Whether the trip was worth it…
Hawaii-bred reggae rock group Iration take change in stride. Each of their albums explores a different side of their musical influences–ranging from drummer Joseph Pickens’ love for Lamb of God to lead vocalist/guitarist Micah Pueschel’s penchant for the Beatles–while keeping their roots in traditional reggae. Earlier this year in April,…
The countdown to New Times’ 35th Annual Best of Phoenix is on, but it’s not too late to make your voice heard in our annual Best of Phoenix Readers’ Poll. Submit your top picks for the best Valley radio stations, dive bars, DJs and more and get entered to win…
