The wind howled, the rain began to slice through the air like wet daggers, and every terrifying bolt threatened instantaneous incineration. Wide-eyed and screaming, fans ran for their lives as though aliens were attacking, but Peter Bjorn and John and a few brave souls held fast against the brutal maelstrom,…
Alas, Long Wong’s is long gone, but forgotten? Naw. You can still feel the place, every time “Hey Jealousy” resurfaces on throwback ’90s alternative radio, every time Roger Clyne leads a hot ‘n’ sweaty sing-along in his size-30 black Wranglers. This weekend, local music fans will get a double dose…
THURSDAY 20 Bobby Q’s: All-Star Thursdays (hip-hop) Bunkhouse: DJ Doom (dance) Club Red: The Blunt Club with Monsoon Sound System, DJ J-Cut, Pickster One, Big Serg, DJ Element, & more (hip-hop) Copper State Tavern: Copper Club with DJ Kavi, & guests (hip-hop) Drinx: Roc Thursdays with DJ Louder, & DJ…
Take psychedelic rock — composed by just one person — then slap on some Swedish vocals, and you’ll end up with a recipe for what would seem like some has-been niche band from the 1970s. For multi-instrumentalist Gustav Ejstes, the creative force behind Swedish rockers Dungen, it works well. The…
In 2004, when the Pixies got back together, thereby launching the alt-rock reunion industry, Frank Black told the Boston Globe, “We’ve had this chip in our back pocket for a long time — we’re cashing it in this year.” So how much worth is left in the chip when a…
It’ll take more than a sprained knee and a “low-grade malignant tumor” to keep Depeche Mode from spreading their time-tested brand of brooding synthpop across America this summer. Consider the band’s many personal tribulations: lead singer Dave Gahan’s heroin addiction, lead songwriter Martin Gore’s seizures, and lead wallflower Andy Fletcher’s…
One thing is certain about Mesa’s only known ska-rock septet: They picked a hell of a fun name. Go on. Say “Captain Squeegee” to yourself a couple of times and try not to crack a smile. Try to deny the mental image of a wacky Halloween outfit or the latest…
When you call your band Incubus, you’re asking for all the obvious demon-rapist jokes along with references to the ridiculously cheesy B-movie horror classic. But we’re better than that here, so let’s try to focus on the music. While most of the band’s peers in the somehow still-solvent “alternative” rock…
The first lyric of “Be Calm,” the opening track of Aim and Ignite, finds Nate Ruess narrating “as I walk through the streets of my new city.” The former Format singer has always let his life affect his lyrics in very literal ways, and his move to New York City…
I’m not going to lie to you — I am still reeling from the absolutely awful news that Micachu & The Shapes canceled their recent North American tour, including their September 14 stop at The Rhythm Room. My comfort, however, comes in the form of Texas indie pop band Eisley…
Hope Modified Arts’ soundguy is ready: Bad Veins play the downtown venue Monday, August 31. The Cincinnati duo does an intricately-layered brand of indie rock you’d expect a band to par down significantly live. They use a third member to avoid that, instead aiming for precision, which should make for…
Usually we confine our Crowdsourced posts to shows that actually happened. However, last night’s Daughtry show, canceled because Chris (of almost Idol fame) came down with laryngitis, prompted some interesting tweets:@CHRIS_Daughtry 1/2 Ok. Here goes: Just came back from the Doctors & I have viral laryngitis. Doctor has ordered me…
Electric Mustache: Kurt Vile To Play Modified Arts This OctoberIdolator: Britney Spears’ Secret Classic-Rock Past Revealed?Idolator: Ten Bands That Should (And Ten Bands That Shouldn’t) Grace Us With A Cover Of “Yakety Sax”NME: Jay-Z’s ‘The Blueprint 3’ tracklisting unveiledSo Much Silence: Throw Me the Statue: Hi-Fi GoonSpin: Pearl Jam Pay…
Delightfully Swedish new wave rockers The Sounds are planning a world tour in support of their latest album, Crossing the Rubicon, and they just so happened to include Tempe on their massive list. The Sounds built their reputation with their infectious 2002 debut Living in America, putting them on the…
[jump] The circumstances behind the cancellation are somewhat murky. We spoke with the folks at Venue of Scottsdale, who told us they had contract negotiation issues with Coe’s people and were unable to come to an agreement. The show was supposedly moving to Last Exit Bar & Grill in Tempe, but…
Tonight’s Daughtry show at The Marquee has been postponed as Chris has come down with viral laryngitis. We were all set to review the show for you, but will instead be playing Wii. We’ll have the reschededuled date for you soon…
If it sounds too good to be true it probably is: Micachu & The Shapes have canceled their U.S. fall tour, including a September 14 show at The Rhythm Room, which Michael Lopez previewed in fawning terms a few weeks back. “Scheduling conflicts,” were cited as the reason…
We’re guessing there’s a specific breed of people who would enjoy rare, quality disco with a cosmic, space-aged feel to it. And, if you happen to have this strange bloodline, NOVA at the Yucca Tap Room is the night for you.We visited the every-other-Sunday night event this past weekend. Now,…
NME: Smashing Pumpkins confirm new drummerElectric Mustache: mp3: Headlights “Get Going”Idolator: Tommy Lee Plays With Fire, Gets BurnedIdolator: R. Kelly And Keri Hilson Make Love On The RadioPitchfork: Weezer Reveal Ridiculous Album TitleRolling Stone: Flaming Lips Road Test Dark New Tunes From “Embryonic” in L.ASo Much Silence: Felt (Murs +…
Tempe native Roger Clyne will perform at Chase Field following the Arizona Diamondbacks’ September 19 game against the division rival Colorado Rockies. Clyne and his band The Peacemakers wrote the team’s theme song, “The D-Backs Swing.” Clyne previously sang that national anthem before a 2006 game.Tickets to the show are…
Jamie Stewart, mastermind behind prolific indie riockers Xiu Xiu, has decided to not only form a new trio, but to have that band kick off their first tour at Phoenix’s Trunk Space. Stewart’s new collaboration is named Former Ghosts (a pretty sweet name if you ask me) and it consists…
