Justin Bieber: In His Own Words

Cue the tweenage screaming: Justin Bieber is coming to town, and the prepubescent estrogen is going to be out of control. In anticipation of his groundbreaking tour that’s set to hit Jobing.com Arena this Saturday, September 29, here are some of his most meaningful lyrics off his current album, Believe,…

Take Cover: Rough Tough Dynamite Covers Rod Stewart

There are plenty of ways to show someone that you think they’re sexy. Some methods are subtler than others, but Rod Stewart wants ladies to be direct and just reach out and touch him. Tempe rockers Rough Tough Dynamite take a culinary approach with their synthed out surf cover of…

Alex Navarrete, What Are You Listening To?

Alex Navarrete Navarrete is the Executive Chef of Saddle Ranch Chop House at Westgate City Center. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? I listen to my TuneIn radio app on my phone. I skim through The Vibe…

Ask a Failed Musician: Success is Influence

Black Flag: Very influential, not always critically praisedWelcome to Ask a Failed Musician, in which I will help struggling musicians make sense of their careers and even offer some advice. Whether or not it will work, who knows? It obviously didn’t work for me. But then again, I was on Kimmel…

Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson Stage a Desert Uprising

Earlier this year, two of heavy rock’s biggest performers, Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson, took to performing on the same stage. It’s a combination that makes perfect sense. Throughout the ’90s and into the 2000s, the two have dominated pop culture with their theatrical blend of heavy metal and pop,…

Rise Against Ends Its Boycott of Arizona

The Sound Strike, the boycott of Arizona by popular musicians opposed to Arizona’s controversial anti-immigration law SB 1070, has been a divisive topic among Arizona music fans. While its intended effects, which include raising awareness of the law and targeting a national spotlight on the topic, are clear, many music…

Z-Trip Highlights Sound Wave Music Fest

In 2006, a study by National Geographic revealed that a shocking 50 percent of teenagers were uninformed when it came to geography, many of them even failing to identify New York on a map. Six years hence, we’re willing to bet that members of the 18 to 25 demographic are…

Record Heat: Hates Music

Once a week Up on the Sun features a new comic strip from punk rocker, cartoonist, and full-time dad Brad Dwyer. See the New Times print edition to check out the strip in glorious, inky newsprint each Thursday…

Maynard James Keenan: Rochambeau Myself

I love a good comedy. Browsing through mental notes of quotable material, apropos for tedious moments brought on by the petty, the narrow minded, and the desperate, keeps me questionably sane. See also: Maynard James Keenan: These Are The “End of Days” See also: Maynard James Keenan: Up on the…

Top Five Phoenix Music Stories of the Week

The news waits for no one — at least that’s what we read somewhere — so it’s perfectly understandable that you, the reader, might have missed out on a musical tidbit, breaking news about your favorite venue, or one of our rants. So enjoy this digest-style sampling of some of…

Suzanne Gwyn, What Are You Listening To?

Suzanne Gwyn Gwyn is the owner of Bake Goods by Suzanne and sous chef of Culinary Mischief. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? Either 101.5-FM or 108.0 KMLE-FM. What’s the first album you bought? Shaun Cassidy, Born…

H2O’s Poppy Major Label Debut, Go, Has Aged Very Well

I have a theory: The first album you listen to by one of your favorite musicians ends up being one of your favorite releases by said band, regardless of how it was received by critics or fans. Of course, this isn’t always the case, but who hasn’t ever had to…

Advice to Every New Band: Stop Putting Out Albums

Take it from these non-failed musicians: Don’t put out that album. By Daniel Hopkins Ask a Failed Musician is a new column from our sister music blog at Dallas Observer, in which Daniel Hopkins helps struggling musicians make sense of their careers and offers advice. Whether or not it will…

Within These Walls Festival Celebrates Hardcore

That last Bon Iver record was all right, you know? I mean, it’s not going to blow the mind of anyone familiar with their mom’s record collection, as it simply recycles the best stuff from Phil Collins and Bruce Hornsby records and kind of makes it sound Radiohead-y. But there…

Red Hot Chili Peppers Teach It’s Okay For Tastes to Change

I cannot stand the Red Hot Chili Peppers. And that’s why I love ’em. I should explain: These days, I think the band’s tepid blend of funk, punk, and alternative rock conveys none of the highlights of those forms. I think it’s pretty much bland porridge. I didn’t always think…