GiversTrunk SpaceSaturday, June 4, 2011It’s not hard to tell when you’ve just watched a young, buzzworthy band perform. They usually thank the crowd for coming out — regardless of how big it is — while perhaps mentioning that it is the band’s first time in a particular town. Such was…
The Bled The Underground in Mesa Friday, June 3There’s something to be said for metal bands who can make the most of being buried underneath a booming rave. That’s what happened on Friday, as the three local bands who tore up the stage at The Underground — The Author, The Fair and…
Today is First Friday, which means a few blocks of central Phoenix will be transformed into an art walk/street fair tonight. But in addition to the art, antics, and people, First Friday offers a variety of live, local music.Here are some highlights of what’s going on where with local music…
Crystal AntlersThe Rhythm RoomThursday, June 2Last night, outside of The Rhythm Room, Damien Edwards of Crystal Antlers explained to me some of the band’s punk cred. “Keith Morris (Circle Jerks, Black Flag, OFF!) is like our godfather,” the lanky percussionist said, smoking an American Spirit. “He saw us play in…
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.The Rhythm RoomWednesday, June 1, 2011Spoiler alert: If you’re at all up to date on any recent NASCAR happenings, there will be a totally corny comparison later in this review. For now, however, I will focus my energies on what took place last night at the Rhythm…
Here in the land of lizards and dust devils, you’d be hard-pressed to find many local bands willing to play outside in the cold. Tucson goth-surf-punk group The Mission Creeps are an exception — they played a New Year’s Eve party outdoors in Bisbee, where bassist Frankie Stein says they…
Phoenix Comicon 2011 In Photos If you attended Comicon this weekend, the chances are good that you’re currently nursing a pocky hangover (possibly a real one as well) and using Memorial Day to nap. While you recover from the sheer awesomeness, take a look back with these photos including costumed…
Randy NewmanThe Arizona BiltmoreSunday, May 29Randy Newman doesn’t need to tour. Grab a singer/songwriter record from the early ’70s, why don’t you. Look on the back, where the songwriting credits are. Chances are you see Newman’s name next to at least one of the songs. Maybe you saw Toy Story,…
REVIEW BY DANIEL RAVEN Danzig Marquee Theatre in Tempe Saturday, May 28, 2011For a guy with a reputation for taking himself too seriously, Glenn Danzig seemed unusually genuine and appreciative of his fans last night, as his band killed it at the Marquee Theatre.With no hint of the unholier-than-thou attitude he’s been rumored…
Twilight Singers Clubhouse Music VenueSaturday, May 28Earlier this year, Sub Pop released Dynamite Steps, the latest album from Greg Dulli and The Twilight Singers. The record is typically Dulli: dark, funky, and with soul inflections wedged between big rock guitars, electronic ambiance, and thumping rhythms. The record is tied only…
Mega Ran, and Minibosses Hyatt Regency Ballroom at Phoenix Comicon Saturday, May 28If you’ve ever wanted to run into somebody famous while they’re wearing their pajamas, the lobby of the downtown Hyatt during Phoenix Comicon is apparently the place to do it. Friday, in-between music sets by local bands Halocene, Dead Man’s…
HoovesBikini Lounge Friday, May 27 For all the focus on the band’s antics on stage and off, it’s easy to miss how understated Hooves can be. The band announced recently that they are packing up and moving to Bellingham, Washington, and while plenty of bands would take the opportunity to…
Halocene, Dead Man’s Curse, and Toybox Phoenix Comicon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Friday, May 26, 2011There was blood on the sidewalks at Phoenix Comicon last night. Thankfully, it wasn’t real — the sticky red puddles were left by hundreds of pasty-faced, costumed”zombies” screeching and shuffling down Second Street for the con’s…
Who would have thought Spock could croon seductively about making love to you? Oh yes he did — and this week’s music feature, Finding Nimoy, is all about his crossover foray from sci-fi television to ’60s folk and ’70s space rock singer. Speaking of crossover, Leonard Nimoy’s a featured guest…
The Dirty Dozen Brass BandThe Rhythm RoomWednesday, May 25, 2011Maybe I don’t get out that much, but I can count on my hand the number of times I’ve seen a sousaphone played live in concert — especially at the Rhythm Room. Such was the case with last night’s The Dirty…
White Denim Sail Inn Monday, May 23, 2011In the world of current indie rock, there seem to be two places which produce a fairly high number of quality bands: Canada and Texas — specifically, Austin, Texas. One band in particular, White Denim, stands out amongst the crowded scene, thanks in part to…
REVIEW BY DANIEL RAVEN Combichrist Nile Theater Sunday, May 22 Industrial is a tough genre for newer artists to emerge from and become truly successful in, but the potty-mouthed misogynists in Combichrist found the secret for doing just that: Go metal.The towering brick walls of Nile Theater provided both excellent acoustics and a…
What Laura SaysThe IcehouseMay 20, 2011I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of the folks who packed into The Icehouse last night to watch and listen to Tempe-based What Laura Says don’t own any Canned Heat or Allman Brothers Band LPs. “Boogie Rock” just isn’t a genre name that…
Kronos QuartetMusical Instrument Museum May 20, 2011San Francisco-based Kronos Quartet occupies an interesting niche in classical music. All four are adept players, and make their instruments (some of which are more than 300 years old) sing. But they don’t play classical music from the canon. Instead of Bach, Mozart, and Rachmaninoff, Kronos…
A lot has happened to funk-metal pioneers Living Colour in the 23 years since their breakthrough album, Vivid, was released. After having hits with their songs “Cult of Personality” and “Open Letter (To a Landlord),” the band broke up while the members devoted themselves to various solo and side projects…
For almost three years, locals have flocked to Ignite Phoenix to check out what their peers are passionate about, by watching 5-minute, 20-slide presentations that expose audience members to a wide variety of unique interests. While music has made its way into the actual presentations, for the past two Ignite…
Polkadot Cadaver The Rogue Wednesday, May 17, 2011I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I — a devout metal head — had never heard of Polkadot Cadaver before this show. I went to see them because I had about a dozen friends who were going, and for weeks, they’ve been going on and…
