No, Maynard James Keenan doesn’t want to talk about the next Tool album. Keenan is a bona fide rock star. He’s as undisputed as Floyd Mayweather. But that’s not to say he’s a diva. He arrives at a photo shoot at Four Eight Wineworks in Clarkdale 10 minutes early, pushing…
Urbane Manner A sinister sideshow spectacle awaits those who attend the Dead Carnival Block Party on Friday, October 30, at this Scottsdale spot, as does an enormous array of DJs, producers, and EDM artists that are scheduled to perform at the event. The lineup will include gigs by co-headliners Ookay,…
We present to you our concert picks for the week. Check out our comprehensive Phoenix concert calendar for more options. William Fitzsimmons – Monday, October 26 – Crescent Ballroom From the time we are thrust into the world and make an attempt to find our place in it, we have…
A good rule of thumb for music writers is to avoid referencing one band to describe the one you are writing about. The Brooklyn trio Sunflower Bean makes it easy to break that rule. They have a song titled “Tame Impala,” which they admit is meant a reference to the…
While we are close now, during my ’80s teenage years, my mom and I were not the mother/daughter to share soul-baring truths, whisper secrets, and confide in each other. We did not talk about boys or sex or much that felt real to me. Beyond her disapproval of my bulging…
Promoter Lucky Man Concerts has canceled the Friday, October 30, date of the upcoming Monster Mash festival, which featured Santana, John Fogerty, and Tedeschi Trucks Band as headliners. Refunds are available at point of purchase. The Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, concert dates will continue as planned. Tool,…
Not all dudes with acoustic guitars are created equal — just ask Frank Turner. Ever since rising from the ashes of post-hardcore outfit Million Dead, Turner has enjoyed a successful solo career spanning six studio albums, including the recent Positive Songs for Negative People. The English singer-songwriter has bounced all…
When the Salt River Project dammed the reservoir that would become Apache Lake, it probably didn’t predict the area would become host to one of the most unique music festivals in Arizona. While the Grand Canyon State is home to many giant rock and EDM fests, like Viva PHX and…
Chaz Budnick, better known in music circles as Toro y Moi, just released the upbeat funk-rock hybrid album What For? in April, but it’s the experimental turns he takes in his self-released mixtape Samantha that is getting all the attention from listeners and critics. “The main reason I [released Samantha]…
The music and vocals of renowned R&B, soul, and jazz artists was supposed to fill the air this weekend at Rawhide in Chandler, courtesy of the annual Arizona Jazz Festival. Unfortunately, all there will be is silence as the three-day concert event was unceremoniously cancelled by its promoter. And a…
Eagles of Death Metal – Tuesday, October 20 – Crescent Ballroom Dave Grohl may seem like the clear choice as the contemporary Rock God, but Josh Homme is the poor man’s candidate. Not only does he rule with a mighty strum in Queens of the Stone Age (as well as…
There was a time when if you told your friends you were going to see a “Janet concert,” they knew without further explanation you were going to see the leader of the Rhythm Nation, or Miss Jackson if you’re nasty. As the years went by, the world seemed to forget…
Garth Brooks did my job for me Friday night when he took a moment toward the end of his set to talk to me about my concert review. Okay, I realize that sounds a little bit egotistical and far-fetched; I’ll clarify: He took a moment to address all of my…
Last month, I found myself, along with the rest of America, gripped by a strong case of papal fever. Pope Francis’ messages of love and mercy are so stunningly different than previous pontiffs that it’s difficult not to like the 78-year-old Argentinian church leader. Yet when he made his trip…
Apache Lake Music Festival is one of the best Phoenix music scene events of the entire year, and it’s coming up really soon! It’s not huge like the festivals Lucky Man production has been putting on and it doesn’t have quite production value of a Viva PHX, but Brannon Kleinlein…
Run the Jewels Marquee Theatre Thursday, October 15, 2015 If you went to last night’s Run the Jewels concert at Marquee Theatre, there’s a good chance you’re reading this while nursing a hangover and a black eye. Run the Jewels has an interesting fandom full of fans who love cats…
There is a scene in the film Almost Famous where the lead singer of the fictional band Stillwater, played by Billy Crudup, talks about how with music you “remember the mistakes.” For those who attended the alt-J performance at Comerica Theatre, the few mistakes that were made by the Leeds…
In Simon Reynolds’ fantastic book Rip It Up and Start Again, the author asks the question, “What made me believe music could matter this much?” The answer is well worth any music fan’s time discovering, but Reynolds’ book, which is almost textbook-like in its approach to music history, explores his…
Rock opera maestro Marvin Michael Lee Aday, better suited by his stage name, Meat Loaf, finds his way to Phoenix as a headlining act for the opening weekend of the 2015 Arizona State Fair. The multi-platinum Bat Out of Hell entertainer will take the stage on Sunday, October 18 at…
I’m not sure I’ve ever been to a sold-out show at Comerica Theatre — or any other name — over the years. It was clear that there had been a line around the building for a good portion of the day as abandoned blankets, beverages, and snacks lined the perimeter…
It’s hard to dance with a devil on your back, as Florence Welch exclaims in her band Florence + The Machine’s anthemic hit song “Shake It Out.” Luckily she brushed off that pesky demon long before she took the stage at Ak-Chin Pavilion on a balmy Tuesday evening. The British…
The songs on Heartless Bastards’ latest record reflect both the band’s relentless touring life and the breadth of styles the group embraces. So in a number of ways, says singer-songwriter Erika Wennerstrom, the Restless Ones title is especially fitting for this collection of 10 songs. “I know what direction I…
