In 1969, Mike Matthews of Electro-Harmonix debuted what would become one of the best-selling guitar pedals of all time: the Big Muff. Gaining age and popularity through legendary performers like Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, and Dinosaur Jr., the pedal remains an indispensable part of any fuzzhead’s collection, recalling the golden…
As you might have heard recently, Steve Aoki is cutting back on the cake. More specifically, the electronic dance music icon has stated that he’s ceasing his trademark stunt of throwing sheet cake at audience members during shows, at least at big EDM festivals where he’s a support act. “If…
The husband/wife team of Phoenix band the Love Me Nots, Michael Johnny Walker and Nicole Laurenne, has never been afraid to reinvent itself. The garage rockers in 2013 debuted their electro-fuzz outfit Zero Zero, merging 1960s psychedelia, gritty guitar licks, and new wave dance pop. Now there’s Motobunny, a garage-meets-glam-meets-’80s…
Every Wednesday is Heritage Hump Day! That’s because every Wednesday from now to the end of the year or before someone really big stops us, Heritage Hump Records (a temporary subsidiary of Onus Records) and New Times will be bringing you a limited edition collector’s item of a much beloved…
From the time we are thrust into the world and make an attempt to find our place in it, we have to seek ways to be seen and heard by those around us. The things we say, the words we write, and the clothes we wear help to us to…
In the past five years, Sedona-based psychedelic folk outfit decker. has played somewhere near 600 shows, according to frontman Brandon Decker, and the band has played more out-of-town dates than most Arizona-based bands have performed locally in that time. Through four albums, countless shifts in lineup, and the retirement of…
Say what you will about the power of positive thinking, but it has helped some some folks people succeed now and again. e. For proof, look no further than DJ Akshen, the Valley turntablist who won the Red Bull Thre3style regional qualifier this past weekend at Monarch Theatre. Akshen bested…
View image | gettyimages.com “I wonder what your mom is like?” Those were the words I heard waking up next to a girl, whose name I honestly don’t remember, one morning in my bed. They changed my life and made me realize I was going about this all wrong. My…
While I try not to whine about it too much, it’s a true fact that our fair Southwest desert doesn’t get too much “rock festival” action. Sure — we seem to have EDM raves and indie rock fests galore. But when it comes to weekends packed with hard rock, and…
Here at Up on the Sun, we spend a lot of time out in bars and venues watching live music and then lots more time thinking, discussing, and writing about it. We have writers focusing on every aspect of the Phoenix music scene, reacting to it, interacting with it, and…
We knew the nightclub scene in Scottsdale had to be lucrative, but damn! We had no idea just how much. Nightclub & Bar, an online trade magazine for the nightlife industry, released its 2015 Top 100 Revenue Generating Nightclubs, Bars & Lounges in the U.S. list last week, and three…
Mitchell Hillman listens to more local music than just about anyone in the Valley. He presents his picks for best new music in his column, Right Hear, Right Now. There Is Danger – “Youth” There Is Danger’s album Living Dreams was my favorite local album of 2013, and by the…
When John 5 received his first guitar at age 7, it became a lifelong love affair (lucky for us). He had no way of knowing that, within just a few decades, he would be seen as one of music’s most acclaimed and sought-after guitar-slingers. All I gotta say is when…
Not many bands get the privilege of working alongside musicians and producers they love. The Toasters are one such band to have done so (creating record labels Moon Ska Records in the ’80s and Megalith in the 2000s), and they’ve been doing it that way for going on 35 years…
As Marilyn Manson approaches 50 years old, the world no longer is afraid of him. It’s just not sure what to do with him, either. At times, it seems Manson doesn’t know what to do with himself, but one thing he loves to do keep himself entertained. As we speak,…
Every Wednesday is Heritage Hump Day! That’s because every Wednesday from now to the end of the year or before someone really big stops us, Heritage Hump Records (a temporary subsidiary of Onus Records) and New Times will be bringing you a limited edition collector’s item of a much beloved…
When it all comes down to it, DJs wield a certain degree of power — and we ain’t just referring to all the money, fame, and influence that comes with the job. Instead, we’re referencing their talents at controlling the energy and driving the dance floor at whatever gig they…
View image | gettyimages.com You might have heard by now that Kanye West had some things to say about Beck’s Morning Phase winning the award for Album of The Year over Beyonce at last night’s Grammy Awards. If you haven’t heard yet, here’s a recap: As Beck walked up to…
One of the great things about Phoenix bands is that they constantly pump the local scene. Local hardcore/death metal at Ella Kaye reinforced this with their recent EP release Comas Collide on February 8. It’s a collaborative effort; meant to showcase metal variety and musicians having a damn good time,…
Adele, T Pain, John Legend, Wilco, Trey Anastasio, Cat Stevens, Jackson Browne, The B.O.T.S., Trampled By Turtles, Hozier, The Pixies, and Neko Case are just a few of the notable bands and musicians that have participated in National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk Concert Series. The concept is pretty simple and…
Every Wednesday is Heritage Hump Day! That’s because every Wednesday from now to the end of the year or before someone really big stops us, Heritage Hump Records (a temporary subsidiary of Onus Records) and New Times will be bringing you a limited edition collector’s item of a much beloved…
Awe is a powerful word. Upon first listen, 1986’s Age of Quarrel by the Cro-Mags was (and still is) capable of rendering mere mortals to a state of awe. For fans of the band and the genre it helped create, awe is both a fitting and fascinating term, especially for…
