Fallout Shelter @ Underground Venue TBA

Something especially malevolent will lurk just beneath downtown Phoenix after nightfall this weekend. But before you ask, it’s certainly not a C.H.U.D., Balrog, or hellspawn. It’s slew of sinister subterranean creatures of a more fetishistic and rivethead bent. Specifically, we’re referring to the mass of pleather-clad freaks and geeks who…

KONGOS Get Ready to Conquer the East Coast

If there’s an answer to that eternal local-music question — who’s the next Phoenix band to break? — it might well be KONGOS. The familial four-piece announced Tuesday that they’ll be appearing at the Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware, along with headliners OutKast, Foo Fighters, and Jack Johnson. “When…

Chuck Hall Looks Back and Forward as He Joins Fervor Records

Phoenix blues guitarist Chuck Hall has signed on with local label Fervor Records, who specializes in licensing music, and the move has already paid off — the label has landed his songs in an episode of Justified. The record deal calls for his band to produce a CD, and for…

Phil Anselmo Actually Doesn’t Know How to Wind Down

Nowadays, Phil Anselmo is mostly an open book. On one hand, he’s creating a “brand,” even though much of his time is dedicated to representing everything that doesn’t want to be branded. On the other, it’s an underground brand of being fucking hostile, and he finds a way to somehow…

Phil Anselmo’s Desert Island Discs (at the Moment)

Everyone knows that Zia Records hooks up all the Valley music junkies. Big-time. The lure of that sharp red and yellow “Zia” sign brings in people from all walks of life seeking novelty toys, every possible music genre, and movies. Personally, it’s the smell of vinyl that calls my name…

Yellowcard Survives Turnover and Label Trouble to Keep Fighting

For those who came of age after Y2K, we remember the heady days of heart-on-sleeve pop punk, defined by bands like Fall Out Boy, Cartel and Panic! at the Disco, radio-ready acts that were as relatable as they were kitschy. However, few records encapsulated this timeframe with the honesty of…

Holy Ship!!! 2014 in Animated GIF!!!

Photo by Ian WitlenHave you ever seen a gingerbread man with no arms do the shimmy? What about two sharks going at it in shallow water? Seriously, who doesn’t want to see a drunk dude having the time of his life, only to fall flat on his ass? It’s the…

Planet of the Drums @ Monarch Theatre

The owners of the Monarch Theatre would be wise to make sure their much-heralded PK sound system is finely tuned, since that baby’s about to get a major workout this weekend. It’s likely to be put through its paces on Saturday, January 18, when 30,000 watts of warped bass blasts…

Holy Ship!!! 2014’s Ten Most Epic Moments

Photo by Ian WitlenAfter three years of raging at sea, Hard Events’ Holy Ship cruise has proven itself to be the best nautical EDM adventure that money can buy. (Of course, we here at Crossfade enjoyed press accommodations, so we didn’t actually pay.) It might still be a new-ish phenomenon,…

The 10 Most Epic Moments of Holy Ship!!! 2014

Photo by Ian Witlen After three years of raging at sea, Hard Events’ Holy Ship cruise has proven itself to be the best nautical EDM adventure that money can buy. (Of course, we here at Crossfade enjoyed press accommodations, so we didn’t actually pay.) It might still be a new-ish…

EyeHateGod’s Jimmy Bower Talks About Staying in the Van

“I think there’s a big misconception of EyeHateGod,” says Jimmy Bower. “People see the name, think, maybe these guys are Satanists, maybe they’re just stupid.” I first heard EyeHateGod back in 1992 when In the Name of Suffering came out. Admittedly, I was as enthused by their name as much…

Nevermore @ Club 24

Once upon a midnight dreary, while other folks are asleep and weary, Club 24 will welcome many a freak through its door. It’s all for a big party, with music both dark and arty, that’s simply titled Nevermore. Edgar Allan Poe is the inspiration behind this insidious dance party gestation,…

Pitbull’s “Timber,” featuring Ke$ha: Why This Video Sucks

SheaEditor’s Note: Shea Serrano is an award-winning music writer and goofball whose recent exploits include Bun B’s Rapper Coloring and Activity Book. Right now, Pitbull’s “Timber,” featuring Ke$ha, is number two on Billboard and number one on my GTFOH chart. I don’t remember the first time I heard — it seems…

6 Things You Learn From Being Addicted to Metal

Robert Bejil, FlickrMost people regard metal music as an anti-intellectual, chest-beating, noisy fit for cavemen. Despite this being 100 percent true, there are a few positive things that result from having an intense dedication toward one of the most juvenile forms of music out there. While listening to metal may…

9 Obscure Heavy Metal Movie Cameos

Last night, metal god Rob Halford from Judas Priest made a guest voice appearance on an episode of The Simpsons called “Steal This Episode.” In a nutshell, Homer became annoyed with movie theaters, so Bart taught him how to download movies illegally. Of course, Homer thinks this revelation kicks ass…