It sure as hell didn’t feel like Christmas to me until Thursday night. Yes, I dealt with the crowds ransacking Target for stocking-stuffers. I even heard myself spout of the obligatory comment about how a small, college-era stint in retail killed most holiday music for me. But it took the…
Holiday cover songs were popular this season, but there’s something else that has been getting just as much attention. It seems to be that the latest and greatest trend among rock bands, particularly indie bands, is forming supergroups.Ben Harper, Dhani Harrison (George Harrison’s son), and Joseph Arthur were the leaders…
Gorillas have just dropped a music video for their new song “Phoner to Arizona,” according to NME.Phoner to Arizona” is the first track on Gorillaz’ new iPad album The Fall, which they wrote while on the road during their North American fall tour this year.The Fall will be released as…
Like the small number of unfortunate souls are required to do every year, DJ Louder will be toiling away at his job on Christmas while the rest of us are engaging in mass amounts of holiday cheer. But don’t you dare pity him, as the 32-year-old will be spending the…
After six endless weeks of endless hype, treacly commercials, and non-stop carols, we’re only 48 hours or so from the arrival of Christmas morning. But you don’t have to wait until then to get your presents, as Up on the Sun is presenting y’all with 10 inexpensive activities to be…
The rumors are true: local record store Eastside Records will be closing up shop at the end of the year. Although they haven’t been hosting wild shows since the mid-90s, they’ve still got an impressive collection of rarities that rivals that of any other local record store. Moreover, their employees…
Christmas in the desert isn’t like it is in other places. There’s no snow, it doesn’t get that cold, and novelties like warm fires and cups of hot cocoa serve no practical purpose the way they do in the east. So even if we’re not huddling for warmth, one of…
It’s an ordinary afternoon at Eastside Records, which usually means the following is happening: an obscure punk song is blasting way too loudly out of the tiny shop’s decrepit stereo (in this case, Television’s 1975 single “Little Johnny Jewel”) and Michael Pawlicki is hard at work behind the glass counter…
Girl Talk’s audio tapestries — constructed entirely of sampled beats, verses, and hooks — are challenging the long-held definition of “musician.” With the recent release of Girl Talk’s latest album, All Day, Pittsburgh-based Gregg Gillis continues to skirt copyright issues, sampling other artists’ music without paying or asking permission, and…
The week leading up to Christmas has been a little light in shows overall, but with plenty of holiday-themed shows around the Valley.Fans of all genres enjoyed some killer awesome shows this past week, including Alice Cooper’s Christmas Pudding, Andrew Jackson Jihad, Infected Mushroom, The Judds, Sweet Pie, and Trapt.Read…
This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts.What happens when a local band begs a music journalist to review their work via Craigslist?How bad…
Two men broke into 50 Cent’s Farmington, Connecticut mansion, according to MTV News.Clearly 50 Cent hasn’t had the best of luck lately. Last week he was sued for copyright infringement, and now this happens. Shit, man.Considering how stupid this story is, it might be one of my favorite stories of…
Without being too hyperbolic, New Year’s Eve is a major night when it comes to revelry. Besides the endless amounts of nightclub events and parties that will take place in an around the PHX, some big name band and music acts will be in town to bid farewell to 2010…
Song: The Whisperlights, “Until Then”Context: This song from The Whisperlights excellent album Wake Up Dead is definitely one of the very best recorded by any Phoenix band this year. The Whisperlights – Until Then by mmcizmar…
Phoenix indie band Kinch has an ambitious plan to promote their new record: residencies in three cities.Starting in January the band will play Monday nights at the Silverlake Lounge in Los Angeles, Tuesday nights at the Soda Bar in San Diego, and Saturday nights at the Rogue Bar in Scottsdale…
Guitarist and drummer Josh and Zac Farro have amicably split from Paramore, according to Rolling Stone.The band posted an official statement on their website in which the remaining members of the band express their understanding and sadness for Josh and Zac’s departure from Paramore.The Farros had given the rest of…
Welcome to Obscuro, a weekly feature where Up on the Sun dives deep into the world of vinyl oddities: private press jobs, major label cast-offs, and general thrift shop clutter that’s thus far escaped anyone’s attention. These LPs have been hiding out, collecting dust, until we come along, investigate, probe…
Song: Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, “Bright Lit Blue Skies”Context: Reading Michael Lopez’s analysis of the Pitchfork top albums list makes me feel like I should like this Ariel Pink record. So I listened again today. Still not doing much for me, though I like this song, “Bright Lit Blue Skies,”…
What could Ghostface do for an encore with his 9th album? One would think the man has tapped out all his resources by now, but Ghostface is no ordinary member of the Wu. Every new album feels like Ghostface has reinvented himself and his enthusiasm is unmatched by most everyone…
Christmas came just a little bit early this year for Phoenix resident and original shock rocker Alice Cooper when it was announced that he would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.But induction into the Rock Hall of Fame isn’t just something anybody can pick up at…
Song: Kanye West, “Lost In The World”Context: I’m pretty sure this is my favorite song of 2010. Yeezy – Lost In The World by R0M30…
We’ve got a big show announcement today: The Black Keys are coming to Mesa Ampitheatre on Thursday, April 14.Since I’m also from Akron, Ohio (or a suburb, anyway) I’ve been following their career since they played to half-filled local clubs. (Funny story from my old college newspaper here.)The Keys were…
