Sonny Long Is a Legend in His Own Mind

It’s a mild Friday evening in May, and the patio at Pure Sushi in downtown Scottsdale is packed with patrons in business casual, sipping sake and discussing everything from the economy to fashion. Sonny Long is standing inside the restaurant, looking out at the plush, white leather couches through the…

Sony Ruins eMusic’s Indie Credibility, Raises Rates

These troubling financial times call for belt-tightening across American society. We all know what’s going on with the auto industry, and the record industry is not safe from this recession. As announced Monday, online music retailer eMusic — one of the largest on the web — made a deal with…

Fivespeed to Headline Joe’s Grotto on June 13

One-time red hot Valley rock band Fivespeed may very well be poised to make a comeback. The band, who haven’t released an album since their 2006 Virgin Records debut Morning Over Midnight, have lined up some gigs. They opened for Stereotyperider at Yucca Tap Room back in February for the…

Z-Trip To Star in Upcoming DJ Hero Video Game

We’ve got some stellar news for anyone who’s a fan of local-DJ-made-good Zach Sciacca (a.k.a. Z-Trip): Thanks to the joystick Jedi at Activision and its developer FreeStyleGames, the 38-year-old superstar turntablist (and former Valley resident) will be a playable character in the upcoming DJ Hero video game, which is set…

Just Announced: Tears for Fears, KMFDM, Lyle Lovett, Ratt

Our weekly concert announcements are always a bit of a “Wait, those guys are still alive and playing music” shock, but I’ve never been quite as blindsided as I was seeing Tears For Fears slated to place Tempe Marketplace in July.Yes, Tears for Fears. They’re still around. In fact, the…

Happy Anniversary to Danny Zelisko

Tomorrow is Live Nation Southwest Chairman Danny Zelisko’s 35th anniversary as a show promoter, and we’d like to extend a hearty congratulations. That’s right, Zelisko booked his first show on June 2, 1974, bringing Englishman John McLaughlin’s jazz-rock fusion group Mahavishnu Orchestra to Tucson.Danny also hosts a radio show, Regular Guy Radio Hour…

Roger Miret & The Disasters to Play Jugheads June 6

New York hardcore punk act Roger Miret & The Disasters, who packed ’em in at the Yucca Tap Room last month, will take their show to Jugheads Saturday, June 6. The high-energy group, who is led by Agnostic Front front man Roger Miret, features local musician Roy Valencia on bass…

Local Acts Play All-Petty Show Wednesday

Not too many local shows sound more fun than this: Some of the Valley’s best Americana, country, and rock singers getting together for a full night of Tom Petty songs at Yucca Tap Room. “Petty Thieves” features our old pal Chris Orf, a New Times freelancer, Jim Bachmann, who wowed…

Taking Back Sunday to Release New Album, Play Marquee in June

June is a big month for AZ Taking Back Sunday fans. The New Jersey band will drop their highly-anticipated fourth album, New Again, Tuesday, June. 2. The CD is the follow-up to 2006’s “Louder Now” and features new guitarist Matt Fazzi. The first single off the album,”Sink Into Me,” is…

Paul van Dyk to Spin at Myst

National mix master Paul van Dyk, who is one of the most recognized DJs in the industry, will take the helm of the wheels of steel at downtown Scottsdale dance club Myst Thursday, June 11. The DJ will be in town as part of his Volume World Tour 2009 and…

Other People’s Blogs: Toby Keith in Town, Jay-Z’s Plans, Handsome Furs

The Dish with Jess Harter: Toby Keith to attend restaurant grand opening WednesdayIdolator: So What Is Jay-Z Up To, Anyway?So Much Silence: Handsome Furs: Radio KaliningradNME: Beyonce to offer $20 tickets on North American tourElectric Mustache: Kid Cudi Playing Marquee Theatre July 27thPitchfork: Fucked Up’s Pink Eyes Becomes Fox News…

The Offspring Switched From Mesa Amp to Marquee Theatre

The Offspring’s June 1 show, which was scheduled for Mesa Amphitheatre, has been switched to The Marquee. There was scheduling conflict, we’ve been told. Tickets are still available here.While I wasn’t super excited about this show at Mesa Amp, seeing a band this big at a mid-sized venue like Marquee…

For A Life Of Science, Music Is Only Part of the Equation

To call A Life of Science “ambitious” would be an understatement. The Phoenix band’s debut concept album, The Apneist, has grown into a multimedia project that spans both coasts and makes the cross-promotional efforts of bands like Coheed & Cambria seem almost underwhelming by comparison. A Life of Science released…

Mayhem’s History Is Painted Black

If it’s true, as Billy Joel once famously said, that dying is the best career move a musician can make, then the same apparently rings doubly true for musicians who play black metal. Case in point: Norway’s infamous Mayhem, which still attracts just as much (if not more) attention for…

Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and All Points West — Pick Your Festival

If you attend only one talent-swollen, multi-stage music festival this summer, make it . . . Well, that’s the perennial question, isn’t it? We live in a veritable golden age of Lollapaloozas, Bonnaroos, and otherwise funny-sounding alt-music orgies. How to pick the one that’s right for you? First, you may…

Teen Guitar God-In-Training Yayo Comes To The Blooze Bar

Guitar phenom Yayo Sanchez, 16, will play The Blooze Bar Saturday. The Austin, Texas native has been playing clubs since he was 14, and has opened for Quiet Riot, L.A. Guns and Dirty Penny. He tends to sound like a mix of all of them, with a little Slash thrown…