Deftones Discuss Why They’re Not Boycotting Arizona

Alt-metal, experimental rock, nu-metal, post-grunge — whatever you call the Deftones, it won’t be right. They set the bar for intertwining different styles more than two decades before the trend blew up: the name alone derives from the hip-hop term “def,” and the popular “tones” suffix used by 1950s and…

Somehow, Jethro Tull Toppled Metallica for a Grammy Upset

One of the best moments on The Simpsons was in a 1993 episode in which we learned that Homer, Principal Skinner, Barney, and Apu were in a barbershop quartet called The Be Sharps. The group was so good that they won a Grammy award for best “Barbershop Quartet Album.” At…

Local Metal Band Hellen’s Song, “Pony”

Valley metal band Hellen has always been an anomaly. In a genre dominated by men, Hellen founders (and sisters) Mindy and Desiree DuPonte raged as gutturally and viciously as any testosterone-filled metal band. With Desiree on guitar and Mindy on drums, the pair shared vocal duties (brutal grunts and operatic…

Spider-Man Star James Franco to Release an EP

, according to Consequence of Sound.James Franco and Kalup Linzy have become the new musical duo that they’ve appropriately named Kalup and Franco. Their three-track EP, Turn It Up, will be released July 12. They’ve got plans to shoot music videos that will feature multiple “surprise guest cameos” for all…

The Zombies are Coming!

Do you fear the upcoming zombie apocalypse? Do you have a dog-eared copy of The Zombie Survival Guide stashed on your night stand next to a loaded revolver? Well, prepare for big news: The Zombies are indeed coming to town.But don’t climb into your shelter just yet; It’s the lovelorn…

Battles: Gloss Drop

Well, fuck all that nonsense — it’s finally June 7th and Gloss Drop is finally out. It’s a good thing, too, since I believe Gloss Drop is one of 2011’s finest albums to date — a proper 1-B to the 1-A ranking of Fleet Foxes’ brilliant Helplessness Blues. Gloss Drop…

Red Hot Chili Peppers to Drop New Album I’m With You August 30

, according to Spin.The band’s upcoming album, titled I’m With You, is officially scheduled to drop on August 30, per an announcement on the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ website.This time around, they’ve got a new guitarist, too. Josh Klinghoffer has replaced John Frusciante after Frusciante left the band on good…

T-Pain Parts Ways With Auto-Tune, Does the World a Favor

, according to Prefix.He better keep his promise! If he doesn’t, Jay-Z will have something to say about it. Along with his new vow to do away with auto-tune came the unfortunate introduction of the pathetic-sounding “T-Pain Effect.”The title “The T-Pain Effect” makes it sound like he’s just renaming auto-tune,…

Local Hard Rock Band Digital Summer Hits the Road with Saliva

Local hard melodic rock band Digital Summer, whom we profiled in 2008, continues making strides outside Arizona.After having a local hit with their song “Just Run” (which made the rotation at 98 KUPD for seven weeks) and touring with national acts like Sevendust and Drowning Pool, Digital Summer will be…

Devin Berko, What Are You Listening To?

​Devin BerkoThe director is the co-founder of Ber Co. Productions, specializing in music videos, commercials, and creative content.  When you put your key in the ignition and turn on the radio, what station would play right now? 103.9-FM. What’s the last song played on your music player? “Jack Sparrow” by…

Great White Sharks Love AC/DC, Research Shows

, according to NME.Australian scientists have concluded that the behavior of great whites was affected in different ways when different kinds of music was played in the water around them.When a diver played the music of AC/DC, the sharks’ behavior became “more investigative, more inquisitive, and a lot less aggressive,” said…