Tristan Jemsek, one of the primary representatives of Phoenix’s thriving downtown DIY music community, took off for Seattle early this year, leaving behind his bandmates. Settling in Washington, he took a break from playing music for the first time in more than a decade. “I spent the first four months…
This past Sunday was a busy day for the Gallopin’ Goose in Coolidge. Hundreds of people were crowded into the legendary country bar and music venue and a lot of people were in the mood to celebrate, as well as drink, eat, and socialize. It’s understandable, considering it was a…
Vic Mensa doesn’t hesitate about taking risks, but for too long, those risks were with his personal health. As the Chicago rapper and Savemoney founder rose in popularity and began collaborating with the likes of Kanye West and Skrillex, his drug use began to damage his personal life and mental…
We went into 2016 with a bunch of whopper deaths in the rock pantheon and for a while it looked like they would continue unabated. As far as legends go, few of this month’s casualties would qualify as that. But what we do have are a lot of journeyman players…
Coolidge’s famed Gallopin’ Goose has had plenty of famous visitors over the year. The late Waylon Jennings, for instance, famously made his bones at the now-historic country joint back in the early 1960s before eventually rocketing to stardom. His fellow Coolidge residents Duane Eddy and Lee Hazelwood, who later became…
Stereotypically speaking, being a rapper from Chicago can carry a certain stigma. Gangsta rap is the assumption, supported by the fact that Chicago is one of the most violent cities in America. However, collectives like the Save Money Crew, formed by Joey Purp, Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa, aren’t…
Injury Reserve — “Oh, Shit!!!” My only regret when compiling last year’s list of best local albums was that I accidentally overlooked Injury Reserve’s magnificent album Live From The Dentist Office, and it should have been toward the top. Injury Reserve has hinted to fans that the release for its second album, Floss, is…
BOO! Not trying to scare you. That’s just the name of Relentless Beats’ freshly announced party, which will bring the likes of Knife Party, Excision, Snails, NGHTMRE, Ghastly, G Jones, Wuki, and others to Rawhide in Chandler on Saturday, October 15. The festival is put on by Relentless Beats and Insomniac…
“There’s no doubt that Jeff Hardy is extreme; he is very extreme.” – Jim Ross, Former WWE Commentator on Monday Night Raw It’s July 1, 2002, and Jeff Nero Hardy, 24, is standing atop a 15-foot steel ladder. The WWE title belt is dangling near his fingertips, just above the…
Juggalos are hilarious. All weekend long, if you could hear them over the boom of fireworks and horrorcore rap, Gathering attendees were dropping one-liners faster than a classic Simpsons episode. Not always intentionally, but still. So thanks for the laughs and the memories, ninjas. And here, without further ado, are…
I’ve been reading Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal, which was ghostwritten by Tony Schwartz, who channels Trump’s daily deal-making in what is basically a window into the life of a more charmingly juvenile version of Gordon Gekko. I like this book a lot, if only because it reads…
Juggalos know how to hustle. At their annual Gathering, just about anything you could ever possibly need to have a good time, from drugs and booze to more, uh, creative fare, is available for purchase from wicked clowns advertising their wares via hand-lettered cardboard signs. Here’s a small sampling of…
Mitchell Hillman listens to more local music than just about anyone in the Valley. He presents his picks for best new local music in his column, Right Hear, Right Now. Dogbreth – “Steeping” The release of Dogbreth’s new album Second Home is getting close. The newest preview track off the…
Of all the ways I thought I would be describing my first Gathering of the Juggalos, “like my first rave” was not on the short list. But after less than 24 hours among the fans of Insane Clown Posse, that’s how I’m feeling. It’s like I’ve traveled back in time…
Reinvention is the mother of necessity for Puro Instinct. Centered around sisters Piper and Skylar Kaplan, Puro Instinct was once one of the buzz bands of the moment — 2011 saw the release of their heralded Headbangers In Ecstasy, a woozy, of-the-times record that brought the likes of Pitchfork knocking…
After a much-needed two-year hiatus from the madness that is Insane Clown Posse’s annual Gathering of the Juggalos festival, we’re happy to report that this year, we’re going back. We’re is off to Thornville, Ohio for the Gathering, which runs July 20-23, and will be reporting throughout the week on all…
Well, it seems like 50 Cent has been spending more time in Phoenix grocery stores than in clubs these days. Curtis James Jackson III, a.k.a. Fiddy, is back in the Valley to sign bottles of his Effen Vodka. He’ll be at the Fry’s on 1311 East Bell Road in Phoenix…
Mitchell Hillman listens to more local music than just about anyone in the Valley. He presents his picks for best new local music in his column, Right Hear, Right Now. AJJ — “Goodbye, Oh Goodbye” It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than two years since AJJ (formerly known as Andrew…
The wait is over for music lovers in the East Valley. Zia Records will open its brand-new Mesa superstore on Friday, July 15, at 9 a.m. The company first announced the store opening back in April. The Mesa location will be Zia’s fifth location in the Valley, and the second…
We’ve learned a few important lessons about Phoenix’s music scene in 2016 – and its only halfway done. A lot has happened locally during the first six months of the year, ranging from old venues saying farewell to new bands making a splash, and we’ve tried to take something from…
Here we are at the midway point of what has been the worst year for music having nothing to do with what was issued and everything to do with who was discontinued. “Sure,” you say. “We lost a lot of giants early in the year like Bowie and Prince, but…
Mitchell Hillman listens to more local music than just about anyone in the Valley. He presents his picks for best new local music in his column, Right Hear, Right Now. Emby Alexander – “Phoenix Sons” On the 4th of July Emby Alexander released their third full-length album with Sound of…
