It’s ironic that Be the Void, the new album by Dr. Dog, begins with a song lamenting being “Lonesome.” Ironic considering the band’s steady rise: A couple of well-received albums on indie label Park the Van attracted fans and wooed critics throughout the 2000s, leading the band to a contract…
Twin Cities hip-hop crew Doomtree has come a long way in the nearly four years since the collective’s 2008 self-titled debut, let alone the decade since it came together. The members have grown more comfortable not only in their own skins and talents, but with each other propelling them to…
We were sitting at the bar, my friend and I, talking about shows we’ve seen. Great shows. Tom Waits! M.I.A.! Prince! And, then, the less than great. And then, the most troubling of all, that weird and wobbly middle ground of the “inconsistent.” Notorious acts like Cat Power could sometimes…
Don Cornelius, creator and first host of Soul Train, the iconic television dance show was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound early this morning in his Encino, California home. The short, but obviously shocked response from ?uestlove, drummer of The Roots, is a good indicator of the weight of…
On any given evening, you’re likely to find Dario Varela inside of a Valley nightclub. If it’s during the weekend, he’ll be working the mixers at joints like Oceans Seven. On other nights, however, he’s usually on the other side of the DJ booth, observing other selectas order to help…
Denying the cuteness of the cats isn’t an option when those little critters are standing in on some major artists’ album covers. This week we’re bringing you The Kitten Covers, a modified collection of classics.Alfra Martini, the creator of The Kitten Covers, offers something for everyone, from Nat King Cole to The…
You know, if Coachella didn’t sell out in record time, I’d argue that a lot of Phoenicians wouldn’t really need to head out to Indio to catch some big-time shows. M.Ward and fIREHOSE? Coming to Phoenix. Florence and the Machine? Coming to Phoenix. At the Drive In, Refused, Godspeed You…
The term “punk festival” conjures up images of bratty tweens with asymmetrical haircuts crowd surfing at Warped Tour. Remember when Warped Tour actually had punk bands and was, you know, good? It may seem like a bygone era, but the annual Punk Rock Bowling Music Festival in Las Vegas caters…
Wasn’t it cool to see Andrew Jackson Jihad play as a full band last month? Oh, you didn’t make it, and like Brad Dwyer you’re bummed you missed it? Lucky for you, you get another chance because AJJ is hitting the road with ROAR and Laura Stevenson and the Cans,…
Most people try their damnedest to keep their love of porno under wraps, probably outta fear of looking like a major perv. Renowned hip-hop Kool Keith, however, isn’t one of ’em. The Dirty South artist has been anything but shy about his love of pornography. Kool Keith’s rapped about it…
When she’s not spending her time being a gossip girl, Taylor Momsen is content with leaving her fans still wanting more. At least that’s what the lead singer of The Pretty Reckless did last time the band performed here, when they limited their set to just half an hour. Talk…
Here’s to “intentionally flowery-bullshit.” In this week’s installment of Record Heat, Brad Dwyer remembers the urge to push to the front of the crowd and dance at a show. In light of our “Don’t Be an Asshole or: A Few Words On The Subject of Concert Etiquette,” it’s important to…
It’s only January, but Tucson acoustic popsters Roll Acosta are having a good year so far. The group is set to play its second residency show at The Rogue Bar on Friday, February 3 as part of the Occupy Rogue Bar series. The Foleys and Field Tripp will join Roll…
Lisa KasanickyKasanicky is the founder of Arizona Spa Girls and author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Girlfriend Getaways. When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? Uh, sadly, NPR but I’ll switch it to 103.9 FM if the topic…
Glendale metal band Cold Blooded Theory was fresh off of a show at the Nile Theater Saturday night when they announced that they would be joining Devil Driver and fellow Arizonans Job for a Cowboy at the second annual Metal Alliance Tour. This year’s lineup includes The Faceless, Dying Fetus,…
Hey, I know we already did an Incoming Concerts post this week, but I’m getting drowned in show announcements here at UOTS HQ. So let’s dive in: The rap collective Odd Future head back to Marquee Theatre on Friday, March 9. Will the crew sell the joint out again? Will…
In this week’s issue, we take a look at the rise of Phoenix rapper Mouse Powell. He’s new on the scene, only releasing his debut full-length Where It’s Cloudy late last November, but he’s quickly made a mark on the scene. This weekend he brings his laidback, jazzy sound to…
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. What happens when a good show is ruined by asshole audiences? Who is playing New Times’…
Before digital music players were ubiquitous pieces of art capable of housing thousands of songs, pictures, and videos, they were bulky, expensive, and limited pieces of plastic. Then 2001 happened. That year, Apple introduced the first iPod and the digital jukebox iTunes, and everything changed. Since then, MP3 players have…
What with airfare prices the way they are, and wages for musicians the way they are, it’s not often folks in bands get to hop on planes, for work or otherwise. International touring’s always a high point of being in a band, but it’s also something that seems inaccessible. Despite…
Dismiss them as twee or cute if you want, but nearly 30 years into their career, the duo of John Fansburg and John Linnell — better known as They Might Be Giants — can’t be accused of being lazy. The pair have never stopped challenging themselves, trying to top oddball…
How’s this for cred: Michael Cornelius, of JFA fame and current guitarist of The Father Figures, shouting out a cover of “Avon Lady” by famed PHX hardcore band The Feederz? That’s pretty much punk-on-punk-punk action, but the results certainly don’t sound like a history lesson. No, just like the songs…
