The Dirty Heads and Sublime at Tempe Beach Park Last Night

There was something about reggae riffs and smoking weed that really appealed to yesterday’s Fall Frenzy crowd. In between the harder rockin’ lineups scheduled for Friday and Sunday was a hippie day. California bands The Dirty Heads, Sublime and Weezer had a lot to offer locals who enjoy good jams…

Weezer at Fall Frenzy Last Night

Luke HolwerdaWeezer on stage at Arizona Fall Frenzy.​New York magazine put it best: “There are few things more terrifying to longtime Weezer fans these days than the prospect of a new Weezer album.”That review of the band’s latest album — sarcastically headlined, “Is Hurley Weezer’s Best Album Since Make Believe?”…

The Walkmen at Clubhouse Last Night

The WalkmenSeptember 17, 2010The Clubhouse​Hamilton Leithauser smiled between songs during The Walkmen’s set last night. Those smiles stood in stark contrast to his intensely focused, on-the-brink of-destruction singing and pointed lyrics.It was a businesslike show. There was minimal exchange between singer and audience, with most of the music being presented…

Benefit Show for BORG Drummer Scheduled for This Weekend

Local anti-meth rockers Beyond Our Recognitions of God are playing a benefit/fundraiser show tonight night at UB’s in Mesa for their drummer, Jon Landato, who was stabbed in the neck during an altercation last month following a gig at Goathead Saloon.Landato has made a full recovery, but spent several harrowing…

Paramore at the Dodge Theatre Last Night

Paramore September 15, 2010 Dodge Theatre Hayley Williams is quite the little firecracker.Physically, the Paramore singer sort of looks like a firework, with her bright red hair and ruler-straight body. Personality-wise, she’s a dynamic burst of energy. At her show at the Dodge Theatre last night, she ran around the…

Hanson at Mesa Arts Center Last Night

HansonSeptember 14, 2010Piper Theater at Mesa Arts CenterRight now, as I write this sentence, I’m listening to Middle of Nowhere, Hanson’s major label debut from 1997. That record of course contains “MMMBop” but it’s the first verse of “Thinking of You” that I’m spinning — it’s undeniable pop goodness.I got…

Mike Posner at Marquee Theatre Last Night

Mike Posner September 11, 2010 Marquee Theatre Hard-partying, fratty Duke musician Mike Posner played to an undersold crowd (probably due to the ASU football game) at the Marquee Theatre last night. The crowd — what there was of one — was pretty evenly split between high school and college kids,…

Sea Wolf at the Rhythm Room Last Night

​When Sea Wolf’s Alex Brown Church called last night’s audience at the Rhythm Room “rambunctious,” I just had to call bullshit.”Rambunctious?” In what world? And don’t give me the sarcasm thing; he’s too earnest. Church was basically singing acoustic lullabies to the crowd all night, so there really wasn’t anything…

Screaming Females at Trunk Space Last Night

Screaming FemalesSeptember 6, 2010Trunk SpaceMarissa Paternoster walked into Trunk Space with the pleasant comfort of returning to a sporadically visited home away from home. She carted in some equipment, cases emblazoned with the name “Screamales” in all caps. She really isn’t very tall at all, I thought to myself, maybe…

!!! at The Clubhouse Last Night

!!!September 5, 2010The ClubhouseNow it is finally complete – the holy quadrilogy has taken form thanks to last night’s raucous !!! show. This is the final chapter in my own little !!! saga — one that started with the band’s latest album Strange Weather, Isn’t It? leaking on the internet, the album…

You Hang Up at Martini Ranch Last Night

When I received a phone call a few days ago from our esteemed music editor, Martin Cizmar, asking me to review the You Hang Up show at Martini Ranch in Scottsdale, I agreed almost immediately. As frequent New Times readers already know, Martin has a little bit of, ahem, history…

Titus Andronicus at Trunk Space Last Night

Titus AndronicusSeptember 3, 2010Trunk SpaceLast night was a perfect storm, of sorts, for an incredible show in downtown PHX. For starters, it was a First Friday, meaning tons of people would be milling around the downtown area for the bevy of displays and accompanying sights. Secondly, blogosphere idols Candy Claws…

Green Day at Cricket Wireless Pavilion Last Night

Green Day August 30, 2010 Cricket Wireless Pavilion It’s a mixed blessing when the band you see at your first real concert goes on to become one of the biggest and best bands of their generation. On one hand, you probably get to relive the moment every couple years if…