After releasing their first album in 1996, power pop purists Fountains of Wayne finally deliver their debut DVD, No Better Place – Live in Chicago, 13 years later. While that may seem a little late in the game, it’s about right on schedule for FoW time. After all, this is…
So, a friend of mine and I have a geeky debate raging over the entertainment at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Personally, I think it’s annoying to see the same performers doing the same shticks every year. I mean, how many times can you see Ded Bob “bobmotize” some hot chick…
VW TrainwreckDramaturgy(self-released)”Punk rock, comedy, and politics” can be a great combination — look at NOFX. But when a local band declares they’re playing with these elements in their self-penned biography, I get a little nervous. VW Trainwreck’s new album, Dramaturgy, is exactly why. With a band theme song, a track…
“When Clarity entered my life, I had been a part-time fan of Jimmy Eat World, ever since my brother (a member of a local band), took me to see them at The Nile. But Clarity is what changed my life. Along with a group of friends, we all fell in…
“I’m not going to lie, I really wasn’t all that into Jimmy Eat World when Clarity first came out. I was only interested in listening to ska and punk rock and wanted nothing to do with so-called “emo” music.I don’t remember what eventually got me to listen to Clarity but…
Since it seems pretty popular to show up to work hungover on Fridays, we figured Thursday night would be a sure fire way to put together a stellar slideshow. We headed to one of our favorite drinking holes, The Yucca Tap Room, to snap some shots and get the weekend…
McDowell Mountain Music Festival has added a few local acts, who will play on the Creamy Radio Acoustic Stage. According to Creamy, a Tempe-based Internet radio service, local indie acts Black Carl and What Laura Says will play, along with Tucson’s funky The Tryst, Phoenix guitarist Michael Garfield and Tempe…
Taking a mere 18 minutes to start after opening act Project Penny & Project Jan finished, Brighton’s Fujiya & Miyagi graced the stage Monday night at the Rhythm Room to an expectant crowd that most likely wasn’t expecting the show they witnessed. The band jumped right into “Sore Thumb,” off its…
We should probably just declare this Jimmy Eat World Week at New Times. We’ve got an essay about Clarity running in Thursday’s paper, along with my column on the 10 best emo songs of all time. On Up on the Sun, we’ve got a series of posts about Clarity’s impact running…
“Clarity is arguably one of the most important albums of the nineties. Released at a time when grunge had seemingly faded into oblivion, rave was king and rock was getting boring, Jimmy Eat World released an album that had it all — soul, genuine emotion, pop rock sensibility and punk…
Though she sometimes strives for demure in promo shots, Michelle Branch ain’t no Tori Amos — at least I’ve never seen Tori look like this — making her an interesting choice for an all-woman music festival. But it’s Branch who’s slated to headline the Chicks with Picks Music Festival in…
As you probably know, Jimmy Eat World’s masterpiece Clarity came out 10 years ago last month. To celebrate that anniversary, the band has been out on the CLARITY x 10 TOUR, where they have been playing that record in its entirety from start to finish, even a full version of…
Normally I wouldn’t put up a post announcing Styx and REO Speedwagon’s “CAN’T STOP ROCKIN’ 2009 TOUR” (coming to Dodge Theatre on May 15) but I can’t help myself after this press release. These guys are really hustling to make it in a tough economy!First, the 80s acts are recording…
Zack de la Rocha Leads an Army Against Joe Arpaio’s Racist Rule: My conservative estimate is that today 3,000 to 4,000 people braved 90 degree weather to march from Steele Indian School Park to the Sandra Day O’Connor Federal Courthouse in downtown Phoenix to protest Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s immigration abuses…full…
Why isn’t Taylor Swift bigger than she is? Being the best selling artist of last year and having her own line of clothing at Wal-Mart, you might expect Taylor swift to be a little more exposed than she is. With a Rolling Stone cover this month and a Saturday Night…
As was widely reported at the end of last week, Jamie Foxx released his new video for the song “Blame It,” and the response in the blogosphere has been one of elation. He’s Jamie Foxx, for one thing — and that alone opens him up to an endless roster of…
This Saturday night is Cheap Thrills IV billed as “An Evening of Dancing and Debauchery,” the new monthly Dance Party by DJs and promoters Jared Alan and Sean Watson. The party happens the last Saturday of every month at The Black Forest Mill (4900 E Indian School Rd in Phoenix)…
To add to the list of hip parties we have told you about happening at SxSW next month in Austin is the most random one yet. Rachel Ray will be hosting the party “Rose’s Mojito & Rachael Ray’s Feedback: The B-Side.” The party with have Acts such as The Hold…
LA Weekly has announced the bill for our Village Voice South by Southwest showcase. M. Ward, Crystal Antlers, Cursive, Gomez and Bear Hands. Crystal Antlers and Cursive are the highlights for me. The new Cursive record, Mama, I’m Swollen — which I popped in today, and happened to be listening…
Like a lot of people, I really, really need to be in the mood to listen to third wave ska. And by “in the mood” I mean I need to be in high school again. Still, I kinda dig Tempe’s 2 Tone Lizard Kings. Sure, the time I saw them,…
Considering Frank Zappa’s vast catalog of music, I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only person at Dodge Theatre Thursday night who was surprised when Zappa Plays Zappa’s set kicked off with a Van Halen cover. After a half-hour delay reportedly due to an exhaustive sound check, Dweezil Zappa took the…
Before we get to the nittty-gritty of last night’s American Idol Group 2 results show, I just want to take a moment to brag and say that I called it. Yes, I know it wasn’t that hard to predict who, out of Tuesday night’s group, would get through to the…
