While the GOP presidential candidates debated in Mesa last night, folks at Zia Records in Chandler gathered for a different kind of spectacle: NYC-based pop band Fun. (featuring Nate Ruess formerly of Tempe rockers The Format) played an acoustic set and signed autographs for about 400 fans. The band isn’t…
Here’s a familiar story: Conservative candidate plays a rock song at a rally, liberal artist complains. Ronny Reagan and Bruce Springsteen. Mike Huckabee and Boston. Michele Bachmann and Tom Petty. Ron Paul, on the other hand, has a handful of diehard musician fans that are willing to travel and perform…
Being in a band is tough. Just listen to Cursive’s travails in “Art is Hard.” Over the last decade, the Omaha-based indie rockers have endured their share of personnel changes: subtracting a cellist, adding a horn section, going back to a four piece, and eventually settling on a five piece…
Glen Campbell at Comerica Theatre Going in, there was a fear that Glen Campbell’s Goodbye Tour concert would devolve into little more than a nostalgia act. That Campbell, struggling with the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease, would duly try his best to work through carefully guarded and pre-arranged songs with…
You gotta hand it to American thrash metalheads Megadeth. For as rocky as their successful road has been, the band has done great job at keeping things surprising. Just last week, guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine made headlines by announcing his endorsement of far-right presidential candidate Rick “Please Don’t Google My Last…
Glen Campbell Comerica Theatre Saturday, February 18 Going in, there was a fear that Glen Campbell’s Goodbye Tour concert would devolve into little more than a nostalgia act. That Campbell, struggling with the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease, would duly try his best to work through carefully guarded and pre-arranged…
The Darkness Celebrity Theatre Saturday, February 18, 2012 The Darkness is doing pretty well for a band that could be a considered a one-hit wonder. After a five-year hiatus and some rehab visits, the band is back in full force with its original lineup. See the full slideshow of The…
Digital Leather, Acid Dawgz, Weird Ladies, and Scorpion vs. Tarantula Rhythm Room Thursday, February 16, 2012 Last night’s show at the Rhythm Room was in desperate need of clarity. For the record, Digital Leather, Acid Dawgz, Weird Ladies, and Scorpion vs. Tarantula all played punk rocking sets. Figuring out who…
Have you locked your weekend plans down yet? There’s plenty going on — on Source Victoria plays the Yucca on Friday, and Saturday night features three shows that couldn’t be more different: Glam-rockers The Darkness, legendary singer Glen Campbell, and Michelle Blades CD release show. But there’s more than all…
Islands Crescent Ballroom Wednesday, February 15, 2012 It felt a lot like a high school dance: On stage, this cool Canadian indie pop band played a good mix of fast and slow tunes, perfectly suited for dancing, yet most of the crowd sat still. Apparently some sort of Footloose-esque “no…
The road to Austin’s SxSW music and arts festival is a long and arduous one. A total of 1,006 miles to be exact. (Well, according to Google Maps anyhow.) One of the many Valley acts making the trek in March include local Latin reggae rockers, Fayuca. Last week the trio…
I wasn’t being hyperbolic when I called St Ranger the most promising young band in Phoenix in my list of personal favorite records from last year. The indie pop band’s newest five-track LP, Life Coach, proves my point, brimming with harmonious group vocals, jangly guitar interplay, and chill atmospherics. The…
New Times Soundcheck 2012 Night 1 New Times Soundcheck kicked off with 14 diverse and talented bands. Regardless of personal tastes, every performer was entertaining to watch. Like most music festivals, the artists played at overlapping times and made for some difficult decisions. Fortunately, the festival is arranged so that…
Lenny Kravitz Comerica Theatre Sunday, February 12, 2012 Lenni and Lenny, together at last. Until last night, I had been waiting years to say that. The baby-making music was full-speed ahead at Lenny Kravitz’s show Sunday night. Clearly, the crowd was disgustingly excited, everyone on their feet before Kravitz even…
New Times Soundcheck Saturday, February 11, 2012 Club Red Two stages: check. Fourteen bands: check. Sound: check. The New Times Soundcheck Festival concluded last night at Club Red with 14 kickass local acts. Day two emulated Friday’s kickoff with a varied musical palate that included an injection of Valley hip-hop…
Casey Donahew Band Denim & Diamonds Friday, February 10, 2012 “Up all night sippin’ on whiskey n’ drinkin’ beer.” Well that definitively described the concert by the Casey Donahew Band last night. The energy level was so high, you almost didn’t notice that drummer TAZ was missing. He was in…
New Times Soundcheck Friday, February 10, 2012 Club Red It’s been a great week for local music fans. The much-anticipated 100 Years of Music That Defined Arizona article came out a couple days ago, and we’re halfway through a pretty big music festival. Check out the full Phoenix New Times…
This weekend is going to be busy in the Valley of the Sun. Not only is New Times invading Club Red/Red Owl for Soundcheck Festival 2012, featuring Glass Heroes, Sugar Thieves, The Love Me Nots, Father Figures, Jason Devore, Crusher Sound System, The Insects, and many many more, but there…
Unwritten Law Roxy Lounge Thursday, February 9, 2012 Unwritten Law has had an interesting career. Lineup changes are to be expected with any band that’s been around for over 20 years, but most frontmen don’t have “physical arguments” with (soon-to-be-former) bandmates. That leaves Scott Russo, the only original member of…
Arizona is pretty much as Southwest as it gets. What other state can claim Southwestern staples like the OK Corral, Grand Canyon and SB 1070. (We said claim, not be proud of.) It’s only natural that our local bands get some serious stage presence at SxSW, Austin’ yearly arts and music…
Without music education, it’s safe to say there would be no Bears of Manitou. To help foster the local talent of the future, the band is pairing with Ear Candy Charity, a local nonprofit that seeks monetary and musical instrument donations to help with Arizona’s dismal arts education funding, for…
When we last touched base with Hooves, they were splitting town, cramming into the Bikini Lounge for a goodbye celebration before heading to Washington. I noted “…we can take comfort in knowing they’ll be back to visit. It’ll be “Party Time” then, but it’s hard to imagine it all feeling…
