If Kinch doesn’t become the next Phoenix band to earn national acclaim, it won’t be for lack of effort. The guys have been spending plenty of time on the road recently, and drummer Jake Malone confirms that the band members have essentially committed themselves to music full time. “I quit…
How do you know when a band crosses over into pop-rock mega-stardom? How about when it plays its second big show in 14 months in any given town. Sure, indie bands will play the Valley two or three times, flogging the same disc because they desperately need the money. But…
Why does the lady in the tan cargo shorts have a sad look on her face? Probably because this was the weekend that Lilith Fair was supposed to come to Cricket Wireless Pavilion but didn’t. Why? Anemic ticket sales. Unless you harbor some kind of SB 1070-backlash conspiracy theory —…
Artist: Pierce the VeilTitle: Selfish MachinesRelease date: June 22Label: Equal VisionThe second half of 2010 starts on off a rather sour note — or about 45 minutes’ worth of sour notes, courtesy of Pierce the Veil.Here’s pretty much all you need to know about this San Diego band, which bills…
There was a huge slate of show announcements from Stateside Presents today, including a Halloween night show by of Montreal (pictured above) at The Rialto in Tucson.The Walkmen drop by The Clubhouse on September 17, while Ratatat comes to The Venue of Scottsdale on September 25 and Dungen drops by…
An electrical fire gutted the Blooze Bar burned last week, leaving the NoPho venue out of commission for some time.As we told you yesterday, some of the joint’s regulars are pitching in to raise funds for the folks left jobless by the inferno. First, Whiskey Six is hosting a benefit…
There was once a time when Menomena was fresh on the Portland indie rock scene. It was 2003 and the band had just self-released their debut album I Am The Fun Blame Monster! to a rather impressive critical acclaim (P4K gave it a 8.7). In true Portland/DIY fashion, the band…
Things are looking pretty good for The Maine and This Century, who embark on two-month national tour today. Their first show tonight, at Slim’s in San Francisco, is officially sold out, and that’s quite a feat, considering the venue holds 400 people. Both pop rock bands have been busy in…
Song: Of Montreal, “Coquet Coquette”Context: The new Of Montreal single is aggressive but symphonic — should be interesting to hear what the rest of False Priest (September 14) sounds like. Of Montreal – Coquet Coquette by modernmysteryblog…
Let it be known that the latest album/clusterfuck of music from M.I.A., ///Y/ (easier known as “Maya”) leaked onto the internet Tuesday afternoon. In response to this, the spiteful M.I.A. has made the album available for a full album stream via her MySpace page. The lead single and subsequent video/ginger massacre for…
Today marks the halfway point of Nothing Not New. That means I’ve listen to nearly 140 records in their entirety in the first six months of 2010. Just another 140 or so to go before I can retreat to the familiarity of my record collection.To recognize the occasion, the Up…
‘ve been meaning to compile a list of the PHX’s “Top 10 best DJs” for a while now; especially with all the record-spinning talent that are currently populating this ‘berg.Not to tip my hand too much, but when said ranking finally sees the light of day, Pickster One will likely…
Bolstering Part II is lead single/Sirius XMU stalwart “In Ruins,” a jingly little ditty featuring irresistible vocals from Karin Tatoyin that is multifarious as it is mystifyingly catchy. Pegging down Fol Chen isn’t the easiest thing to do, but what they do is something refreshingly unique and, thus, critically acclaimed in today’s…
Patti Smith has worked in nearly every medium. She is truly an artist in every sense of the word. Not only is she famous for her proto-punk music and poetry, but she’s had exhibitions of photgraphs as well as drawings and paintings, she’s modeled, been in film, and even chronicled…
Song: The Dan Band, “Total Eclipse of the Heart”Context: Conor Oberst SB 1070 boycott letter —> Bright Eyes —> Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” —–> Hilarious scene from Old School where The Dan Band plays the song. The Dan Band – Total Eclipse of the Heart…
Not ones to outdo themselves, P4K, as the kids call it, just listed Phoenix’s own What Laura Says in their newest edition of upcoming releases for summer 2010 (be sure to click “Continue Reading” at the bottom of the post). The indie/blues/folk quintet are readying their second full-length, Bloom Cheek,…
Welcome to Proof, a regular feature where PHXmusic.com grabs a drink with a local musician. This week we sat down with Dakota Jeane DiSanto at Time Out Lounge. Name: Dakota JeaneDrink: AmberBockBar: Time Out LoungeUltimate Drinking Song: Motley Crue’s “Kickstart My Heart”Live: Dakota performs at the Desert Botanical Garden on September 24…
Welcome to 21 Questions, a regular feature where PHXmusic.com goes to the favorite hangout of a notable Phoenician and ask the “big” questions. This week we met up with local concert promoter Psyko Steve at Carly’s Bistro.Name: Stephen “Psyko Steve” ChiltonAge: 27Occupation: Concert PromoterNew Times: In one sentence, what do…
Tracey Thorn Love And Its Opposite (Merge) Facing middle age is a daunting enough task, but making sense of it as a musical artist is trickier still. To even attempt as much is rare, especially when it’s so much easier to hit the nostalgia circuit to earn a living on…
Remember local promoter Charlie Levy’s open letter urging bands not to participate in the Sound Strike boycott of Arizona because of SB 1070?It was, as Chris Farley might say, awesome.Levy has received a response from Conor Oberst (a.k.a. That Guy Who Should Re-Assemble Bright Eyes).Link here.Oberst’s letter is actually very,…
Artist: KatzenjammerTitle: Le PopRelease date: June 29Label: NettwerkAny of you other old-timers following Nothing Not New read this yet? I know . . . interesting perspective, isn’t it: Cheap Trick posited as a band that almost-kinda-sorta hit the big time, that “phoned in it” and were “half-assed.” If you lived…
This week’s music feature is on The Summer Set, and their unapologetically unoriginal music that’s still worth a listen.The oft overlooked Leon Russell is working on a new collaboration with the likes of T-Bone Burnett, Elton John, and Bernie Taupin. Oh yeah — and he’s coming to town, too. Did…
