Like major-league closers, modern-rock musicians tend to specialize in the high hard stuff. Still, that doesn’t mean fans of the genre reject any and all softer sounds — and that’s where Kevin Devine comes in. A generation ago, Devine, who has local boys Miniature Tigers on tour with him, wouldn’t…
When two of the biggest and most influential alt-rock bands of all time tour together, it’s hard to find much to complain about. Indeed, the only negative we can come up with about Nine Inch Nails touring with a newly reunited Jane’s Addiction is the unfortunate “NIN/JA” moniker they’ve slapped…
Over the course of three albums, Kings of Leon have worn their undigested influences on their rangy, sleeveless arms. Sure, this is partly born of a supremely unambitious approach, but the result is a rare, uncomplicated rock pleasure. 2005’s Aha Shake Heartbreak has endured several years into the blog era,…
Certain bands have a vibe that makes you just know they’d be fun guys to grab a beer and a burger with. Then there’s Earth Crisis. A fun day with this Syracuse, New York-based metalcore quintet seems more likely to include pouring blood on unsuspecting fur coat wearers, strapping yourself…
What do Styx and REO Speedwagon have in common besides the obvious cheese factor, being aging rock musicians, and sharing the stage at Dodge Theatre this weekend? The ’70s and ’80s power rockers have seven tracks featured on the Rock Band Music Store catalog for the wildly popular video game…
It’s apparently been en vogue lately to jump from Stray Cat Bar & Grill in Tempe to Jugheads. The first to flee was DJ Johnny Volume, who moved his popular BANNED night to the east Phoenix punk bar in March. And now it looks as though DJ Refkekshin’s made the…
Unfortunately, Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement — the singing Kiwis who constitute Flight of the Conchords — weren’t available for an interview in conjunction with their current tour. Nonetheless, I’ve spent some time imagining how my conversation with them might go. The key is to get on their good side…
THURSDAY 14 Bomberos: DJ Rani “g,” dk.strickler, & guests (house, global soul) Bunkhouse: DJ Doom (dance) Cherry Lounge: Scandalous Thursday with DJ Juan Rocha (house, electronica) Club Red: The Blunt Club with Nosal Thing, Golden Tung, Pickster Uno, DJ Element, Emerg, & more (hip-hop) Coach & Willie’s: The Recession Sessions…
Though I firmly believe “Cheeseburger in Paradise” to be the single biggest piece-of-crap pop song of all time — worse, even, than Bob Seger’s execrable “Katmandu” — this won’t be a rant about Jimmy Buffett’s musical abilities. Or lack thereof. Because that would miss the point. The point is, it’s…
I love discussing music with our new Music Editor, Martin. More often than not we basically agree on most things. But I could not disagree more with his review of the Lucero show last night at the Rhythm Room. The first of my complaints is when talking about how the…
Turntablist impresario (and man-candy extraordinaire) Jared Alan has become an ace at packing in the hipster types to his numerous wingdings over the past couple years. Back when bygone danceteria Glam was still alive, they flocked to FauxShow on Friday nights like well-dressed moths to a flame. The same goes…
Future Valley rockers (Mesa Amphitheater on May 19) Kings of Leon have just been awarded a prestigious performing slot at this year’s MTV Movie Awards. The show takes place May 31 at Universal’s Gibson Amphitheater over in Universal City, California and features SNL standout/boat enthusiast Andy Samberg as host. This…
thedailyshow.com Headed out to the big ASU commencement tonight? Be sure to check this out first. “The Harvard of Date Rape.” Instant classic!…
Electric Mustache: Courtney Marie Andrews Announces New AlbumSo Much Silence: Kings of Leon/The Walkmen on May 19 SOLD OUTRolling Stone: Wilco Streaming Entire New “Wilco (The Album)” On WebsiteIdolator: “Paste” Throws A Hail Mary PassPitchfork: M.I.A. Responds to Sri Lanka Terrorist Accusations Once AgainPitchfork: Ex-Shins Drummer to Open Taco Cart…
So after Allison Iraheta got kicked off American Idol last week, there was only one question that remained: Who would join guy-linered Adam Lambert in the finals? I’ve made no secret about my Gokey hatred. But even I can admit that between him and Kris Allen, The Bespectacled One is…
Last week I sent out a Twitter (twitter.com/martincizmar) asking: “Anyone know a local band that can capture the soul-crushing pain of alcoholism, as documented in J.W. Buffett’s ‘Margaritaville,’ in a cover?””Bargrass Revival” is what we got back, so we lined them up. This Tempe-based bluegrass act is as much a…
Dear ex-hardcore kids,Please stop ruining roots music.Look, I get it, you’re pretty much aged out of hardcore shows, but you’re covered in tattoos and have plugs in your earlobes, and it’s hard to find a scene. Every band you’ve ever liked seems to be starting a folkie side project so…
Meat Puppets, the iconic alternative band who are arguably Arizona’s greatest-ever musical export, release their 12th studio album, Sewn Together, today. How much do we think of the band? Well, let’s just say we didn’t name this blog after a Gin Blossoms or Jimmy Eat World album, now did we?…
For those in need of some fresh, spritely music as summer approaches and the heat starts to slowly creep up, I suggest turning your attention towards UK indie rockers Maxïmo Park. Their third album, Quciken the Heart, hits stores today, and it is a strong offering from the critically acclaimed…
A Few Random DrunksWorld Famous County Wide(Self released)If you ask me, there’s too many alt-country acts doing the Old 97s thing, and not nearly enough doing the Drive-By Truckers thing. Now, granted, I prefer the former to the latter, but unless you’ve got Rhett Miller’s worn-denim vocals — and few…
Electric Mustache: Cinematic TitanicWaved Rumor: Meat Puppets ‘Sewn Together’ out todayNME: Cameras will be banned during Lil’ Wayne drugs trialIdolator: Afroman Is Here To Remind Us That Drug Abuse Can Really Screw Up Your CopyrightsRolling Stone: No Doubt Cameo on ’80s-Themed Episode of “Gossip Girl”NME: Flaming Lips to release double…
I grew up in the Dark Ages of role-playing games. I’m talking the late ’80s, when Christian groups were protesting Dungeons & Dragons as a satanic tool and mixed-up drug addict and heavy D&D player Chris Pritchard — now out on parole — killed his stepfather in order to get his hands on a $2…
