Phoenix New Times is following the footsteps of some of our sister papers with our first ever Big Brain Awards.What does that mean? Well, we’re seeking emerging creative types, giving them a cash award and throwing a party in their honor. It’s sort of a localized MacArthur Genius Grant designed…
Just in case you hadn’t glanced at a calendar lately, April 20 (a.k.a. 420) is this coming Tuesday, man, which means plenty of marijuana-related parties, music fests, and celebrations going on around Phoenix. As your pothead friends are likely to tell you (in-between mouthfuls of skunky smoke, that is), however,…
Voodoo Swing, an old-timey Phoenix rockabilly band, got a little help from Meat Puppet Cris Kirkwood on their record, Voodoo Beans. Some of the new tracks are already up on the band’s MySpace page.The record, set for release early next month, is very traditional roots music, and marks the start…
This week’s music feature is a helpful pocket guide to ignorant Americans about English geography and the bands that come from each region.Also, Jason Woodbury publicly admits that he likes The Eagles, even if it destroys all of his hipster street cred. But he tells you why it shouldn’t. And…
Artist: Coheed and CambriaTitle: Year of the Black RainbowRelease date: April 13Label: ColumbiaYesterday, I wrote about the over-the-top self-titled record by Queen acolytes Foxy Shazam. I gave it a D. But I may have to go back and adjust the grade to something better because, in the end, despite its…
For geography-impaired Americans, being able to differentiate between this British city and that British borough is always a dicey proposition — especially if one of them isn’t London. I mean, there’s just so much de-industrialization everywhere. And curry shops. Makes it hard to know your Leeds from your Leicester. The…
Spread out the blanket, hoist the umbrella, slather on the SPF 50, sip a beer pulled from the cooler, and gaze at the pelicans dive-bombing the breaking surf. Oh, and try not to get any sand in your suit as you doze off under the sun. Sorry, you’re a ‘Zonie…
It’s not a bad time to be a hipster who loves “yacht rock,” or album-oriented rock, or whatever term you want to use to describe the kind of breezy soft rock that rules the airwaves of classic-rock stations and mellow VH1 Classic programming aimed at adults (read: old folks). Everyone…
This week, New Times ran a box 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. When will Mesa’s Nile Theatre re-open? What do Martin Cizmar and Steve Chilton think of the…
Artist: Foxy ShazamTitle: Foxy ShazamRelease date: April 13Label: SireAttention, fans of Glee and American Idol and Fame and Broadway and Queen. Your prayers have been answered by Sire Records, who has delivered unto you a band from Cincinnati that will blow you away. The band is called Foxy Shazam, and…
Sounds like things got pretty crazy at the Vampire Weekend concert last night at Marquee Theatre. Someone threw up, and girls and guys alike lusted after the band–although it seems like the crowd was filled with underaged peeps. Here’s what was happening on the interwebs after the show. @yourreddress vampire…
A few weeks ago I went on The Blaze 1330, the student radio station operated by Arizona’s Third Most Prestigious State University and played an hour of George Strait.Now, I’m sure there are a few people who will find fault with how I spent my hour-long Guest DJ Week slot,…
Artist: MGMTTitle: CongratulationsRelease date: April 13Label: ColumbiaI guess the kids are kinda disappointed in the new record by MGMT. Apparently, they expected another dose of harmless and forgettable electro-pop, like they got a couple of years ago with the band’s debut, Oracular Spectacular, and the singles “Kids” and “Electric Feels.”I…
What the critics are saying:…
[jump] Dobi created a meticulous list of the various music scenes amongst today’s younger generations. Your Scene Sucks currently has 30 scenesters — a list that includes the likes of “Generic Emo Boy,” “Hipster Jesus,” ‘Post Rocker” and “#1 Pete Wentz Fan.” The illustrations — done by recent RISD grad Dobi…
If you’ve been following the debate about the movement to get Phoenix’s NPR station, KJZZ, to play some indie rock, you may have seen the name Jonathan L tossed around a bit.The 30-year DJ, who has had an alternative show since 1986, does a twice-weekly shift on the normally metal-centric…
You wanted the best, you got the best with another Nothing Not New podcast. This time, New Times web editor/Japanese music aficionado Jonathan McNamara and photography intern/Coachella attendee Ryan “The Wolf” Wolf joined me in our studios to compile 10 more songs from some of the better music I’ve listened…
The new releases are coming in fast and furious at the Nothing Not New global headquarters in downtown Phoenix. I’ve got so many CDs sitting here that I could never write full blog posts about all of them — not that I won’t try my damnedest to do just…
Phoenix rock band Vayden has a busy summer ahead of them. The group’s lined up a monthly gig at Los Angeles’ famous Whiskey a Go Go, every fourth Friday from May through July, then they’re heading to Germany for the Dithmarscher Festival. You can check out the globetrotting band when…
Pigeon Religion has a new “single” up on their MySpace. “Why Do You Hate” is probably the best work the band has ever done, because it’s just a snippet of me talking about how terrible they are during my appearance on The Blaze’s Guest DJ Week. Actually, I quite prefer…
It seems like, after Selena Gomez, the Owl City concert may have brought some of the youngest fans Marquee Theatre has ever seen to the venue. The tween-friendly artist’s non-offensive lyrics and sugary sweet melodies sold out the spot, bringing both kids and their parents to the show–which, judging from…
Common folk weren’t the only peeps to check out Muse and Silversun Pickups last night at US Airways Center. Apparently a famous face, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, was also in the audience checking out the show. To offset the fact the band doesn’t alter their set list, they tried…
