X103.9 To Become MY 103.9 Classic Rock — UPDATED

Update: Station DJ defines new format as “built for Gen-X , by Gen-X. Looks like big changes are headed to the Valley’s long-running X103.9 (those of us who have been around awhile still slip up and call it “The Edge” regularly). According to Kassi Jayde, the co-host of Dave Pratt…

Record Heat By Brad Dywer

We like to keep you updated on what’s moving off the shelves at Valley record stores with our weekly What’s Selling blog, but we’re also aware that after awhile, big stacks of records and CDs get to be a cumbersome haul. Seriously, moving with records is a special kind of…

Incoming: Lenny Kravitz, Creed, The Ting Tings

Uber-American rock and sex icon ​Lenny Kravitz is going to rock Comerica Theatre patrons to their knees. Watching Lenny jam would sure beat seeing Scott Stapp any day of the week.Lenny Kravitz, Creed, The Ting Tings and other artists will be bringing their A-game to the Valley over the next few…

NOFX at The Marquee Theatre on Twitter

It was somewhat of a surprise that NOFX sold out last night’s Marquee Theatre show at the very last minute. In spite of Fat Mike’s poo problems and outspoken attitude toward our city, we welcomed the band with open arms and screamed along to the songs as if our lives…

Van Halen (With David Lee Roth) Headed to Phoenix in June

So, the Radiohead thing felt pretty big, and Gun N’ Roses was positively surreal. So try this one on for size: Van Halen, featuring David Lee Roth and the Van Halens: Eddie, Alex, and Wolfgang, are headed to US Airways Center on Saturday, June 16. That’s right. Saturday night. With…

Vinnie Iñiguez, What Are You Listening To?

Vinnie Iñiguez Iñiguez is a professional golfer. For more info on him, visit his website here. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? Straight out the gate, it’s usually BackSpin on Sirius. Its got a solid mix of classics. What’s…

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our January 5 Issue

This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts. Want to rewind? We take a look at three local cassette tape labels. What famous album…

The Maine, What Laura Says, NOFX, and More in This Week’s Issue

What happens when a promising young pop band’s album gets rejected by the major label they’ve signed a seven-album contract with? In the case of The Maine’s Pioneer, the band says “screw it,” and releases it anyway. Of course, the story is more complicated than that, which singer John O’Callaghan…

NOFX’s “Fat” Mike Burkett Talks Performance Art and Capitalism

NOFX frontman “Fat” Mike Burkett has quite the reputation.  In 2010, while performing at Austin’s South by Southwest Festival, Mike took the stage as “Cokie the Clown”: sad-face paint, oversize Chuck Taylors, and a flower that squirts out “cocaine.” He discussed his mother’s assisted suicide and a troubled relationship with…

What Laura Says Looks to Sly and The Family Stone for Inspiration

Calling “Fire Ring b/w Weekend Habit,” the forthcoming release from Tempe psychedelic soul combo What Laura Says, a “single” is a little misleading. “Neither song is slated to appear on the next album,” says bassist Mitch Freedom, laughing. Nonetheless, the band plans on releasing the tunes “in the first quarter”…

Foreigner Cancels Comerica Theatre Show

If you were waiting to hear the members of Foreigner play “Waiting For A Girl Like You” unplugged, get ready for some disappointing news. The ’80s rock legends have canceled their upcoming “Acoustique” gig at Comerica Theatre.Live Nation sent out an e-mail blast yesterday afternoon stating that Foreigner was pulling…

Listen: What Laura Says’ New Song “Weekend Habit”

When What Laura Says released Talk last May, I tried to categorize the band as “neo-boogie rock,” stating after their excellent gig at the Icehouse: “At its core, and perhaps at its best, the band gets down like something your weird-but-cool uncle might jam in his Astro Van.” My tag…

Want to Write a Song for Bears of Manitou?

Not content to earn a few comparisons to Hall & Oates, a few listens, and a few laughs, Tempe-based folkies Bears of Manitou have wasted no time in following up their 1-866-25-BEARS hotline with another promotional stunt. That’s right, according to the band’s Fiverr page, for just $5, you can…

Incoming: Willie Nelson, Jenny Owen Youngs, Tommy Trash

Shotgun Willie will be “on the road again” before we know it.You know what that means: it’s time to start shopping for a new cowboy hat.Willie Nelson, Jenny Owen Youngs, Tommy Trash and other artists will be bringing their shows to the Valley very soon.The rest of this week’s shows…

Bears of Manitou Launch Call-In Hotline

As a rule, I think band’s should rip off as much as they can from Hall and Oates. I’m not talking some goofy, ironic appreciation of the fashion or mustache, I’m talking musically — Hall and Oates are badass, and their string of hit singles is an enduring example of…

Wheels Within Wheels Rhythm Seminar at ASU

It would seem Jacob Adler likes “difficult” music. A member of experimental outfits Zeelab, Integers Are For Counting, and Taraf Degrief, as well as avant-garde instigator behind St. Augustine’s Otoacoustic Emissions Halloween droning church service, Adler also teaches Advanced Rhythm at ASU. This Saturday, January 7, Adler will be hosting…

Boys and Frogs Sorry For the Weight Mixtape

Peoria-based indie popsters Boys and Frogs have a flair for the dramatic: witness the bands excellent and creepy videos. But the cover for the trio’s new mixtape, Sorry For the Weight (a pun regarding the wait for the band’s follow-up to their last LP, Rain Dance Snowed In) takes the…

Record Heat by Brad Dwyer

First, a scene from NBC’s 30 Rock: Tracy Jordan: Do you mind if I google myself in your office? Liz Lemon: Sure, Tracy. Tracy: Can I use your computer? Liz: How else are you gonna do it? Today’s installment of Record Heat (Up on the Sun’s very first post of…