Reptar on Oblangle Fizz, Y’All

Reptar makes it look easy. Y’know, the whole “band” thing. The whole build a fanbase, tour, release albums… all that. But the way that the fast-rising dance-pop band’s career has evolved seems so by the book that it seems a little off. After all, didn’t the digital revolution mean that…

Das Racist at Crescent Ballroom, 11/1/2011

Das Racist Crescent Ballroom Tuesday, November 1, 2011 From the outside, last night’s Das Racist show seemed like a typical hip-hop show. The trappings were the same: a bunch of MCs on stage, a hypeman/woman, and a DJ — but on closer inspection, there was something unusually eccentric about Das…

Halloween Otoacoustic Emissions at St. Augustine’s Church in Tempe

Otoacoustic Emissions at St. Augustine’s Church in Tempe Monday, October 31, 2011 According to the Billboard Contemporary Christian Music charts, “Courageous,” by the Georgia-based band Casting Crowns, is the most popular Christian song in America. The song is a lot of things: vaguely arena rock, pitched somewhere between Coldplay and…

Skrillex and 12th Planet at Marquee Theatre (VIDEO)

As a rocker and vocalist, Sonny Moore was passable at best. As his alter ego Skrillex, however, the dude’s an electronic music maestro and fifth-degree party instigator. Moore displayed said skills last night at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe with aplomb as he whipped a crowd of more than 1,000…

Rockabilly Reunion: Three Days, A Whole Lot of Hair Grease

Did you know there was a Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee? Did you know that the Hall of Fame has officially endorsed Tempe’s Rockabilly Reunion? Well, according to the Reunion’s site, it is. This weekend sees the first annual three day chop-top fest (Wait, first annual reunion? Ah,…

Last Night: Boobapalooza at Rhythm Room

As much as my inner-feminist resents a show called “Boobapalooza,” last night’s Rhythm Room breast cancer benefit was rather respectful. Uh, in its own way. I guess if you consider vintage footage of pinups dancing with bouncing, healthy breasts on white sand beaches respectful, then that works. Even the flyer shows…

Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta at Crescent Ballroom, 10/21/11

Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta Crescent Ballroom Friday, October 21 The only thing missing from the Crescent Ballroom last night was a haze of cigar smoke as Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta channeled their inner Perez Prado to dazzle an eager crowd with their unique brand of mambo. Packing the…

Judas Priest at Arizona State Fair, 10/21/11

Judas Priest Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fair Friday, October 21, 2010 Let’s get it out of the way straight off the bat: I’ve never been big Judas Priest fan. I don’t dislike the band, mind you, but I’ve never really delved in beyond the hits. (I think…

MOE’Z ART C.D. Release with KONGOS, Milo The Mayor and DJ Treis

Shows at the Yucca Tap Room are nearly always free, but rarely are they this eclectic. Tonight hip-hop, indie rock, world music, and blues are scheduled to be featured on the Tempe hotspot’s stage. Tonight sees the release of MOE’Z ART’s The Beast. This hip-hop artist is Brooklyn-born, Paradise Valley-raised…

Jimmy Buffett at Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion, 10/20/11

Jimmy Buffett Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion October 20, 2011 It was, as Jimmy said, paradise in the desert last night. You can sum up the Buffett’s fans intentions with one simple word: party. Parrot Heads are known for relaxing and enjoying a cold one together, and the audience felt like…

St. Vincent at Crescent Ballroom, 10/20/11

St. Vincent Crescent Ballroom Thursday, October 20 On the lightrail ride home, the words of a friend: “Do you think she was wearing that ring to ward off potential stalkers or is there something she isn’t telling us?” Sounds like a funny question, but it isn’t all that unreasonable. St…

Happy Birthday Snoop! See You at the Fair Tonight.

Today, Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., better known to the world as Snoop Dogg, turns 40. He’s scheduled to share his birthday in Phoenix, performing at the Arizona State Fair tonight. Both of these things say a lot about how rap has changed since Snoop’s debut record, Doggstyle, hit record stores…