The over-the-top androgynous appearance of J.D. Samson often leads to confusion about what, exactly, is the gender of the cross-dressing performance artist and member of indie rock’s Le Tigre. (Is he a she? Is she a he?) One thing there’s no doubt about is the turntablism talents of “DJ J.D.”…
Unless you’re a well-schooled jazz or R&B fan, Marcus Miller is probably the best bass player you’ve never heard of. The Grammy Award-winning Miller has played bass for Miles Davis, David Sanborn, and Luther Vandross, and also played bass and bass clarinet in a band called Legends, with Eric Clapton. He’s got his own signature bass (the Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass, available in 4- and 5-string versions) and is also one of the most in-demand R&B producers in the world, having co-produced/arranged most of Vandross’ albums from 1981 onward, as well as records by Al Jarreau, and The Crusaders.
By Lilia Menconi San Felipe’s Cantina on Sunday, May 4 Wipe off your drool and click through our San Felipe’s Cantina slideshow. Whatever your opinion on immigration laws, there’s one Mexican import that all Zonies seem to agree on. OK, two: burritos, and the cerveza- and margarita-filled extravaganza that is…
By Jonathan McNamara If the name Finn sounds familiar, be advised that Liam is the eldest son of Neil Finn, the singer/song-writing force behind Crowded House. Taking a few cues from his pops, Liam Finn pulls the song-writing thing off with a little bit of ingenuity and technological know-how. Finn…
By Thomas Bond When Grant McLennan, co-founder of The Go-Betweens, died of a heart attack two years ago today at the age of 48, it brought the curtain down on one of Australia’s finest ever bands. Now, fellow Go-Betweens co-founder Robert Forster pays touching tribute to his late songwriting partner…
Almost seven years after the release of Mesa-based Jimmy Eat World’s Bleed American album, it might be easy for some people to forget the magnitude of that record — especially since JEW’s post-Bleed American albums, Futures (2004) and this year’s Chase the Light, haven’t even come close to matching the commercial success of Bleed American. Some might even wonder if Jimmy Eat World, the Valley’s largest breakout band since the Gin Blossoms, will be resigned to the same sort of national collective remembrance that befell the Blossoms — if it’s not something from the ’90s like “Hey Jealousy,” “Found Out About You,” or “Follow You Down,” they don’t want to hear it. Do people in Virginia even know that the Gin Blossoms released an album (Major Lodge Victory) in 2006? It’s really good. It’s just not on the radio like all their stuff from 1992’s New Miserable Experience still is.
Jonathan McNamara Chances are that if you wanted to see Duran Duran tonight at Dodge Theater, you’ve already got a ticket for that seat closest to the stage so that if you squint hard enough it’ll be almost like hearing “Rio” for the first time back in 1982. Please allow…
The Wiley family’s produced its share of local music talent. Sisters Marta and Cristiana were the cornerstone of estro-art rockers W.O.M.B., and now their brother, Sammy Wiley, has released his first CD as “The Wiley One.”
When I heard there was a KISS tribute band comprised of “little people,” I knew I couldn’t miss this show. I’d never seen anything like it before, and I’ll admit I was curious. Whenever a band has a gimmick that’s as awesome as being “Minikiss,” I immediately question their musical validity. I wanted to see if these little dudes could actually play their parts, as opposed to just looking like them.
This week was a like a rock-revival for concert announcements — acts that haven’t toured in forever are loading up the buses and making their way into the Valley. But as you’ll see, some newer, underground acts will be breaking in the stages here as well.
Avril Lavigne, scheduled to perform at Cricket Wireless Pavilion on Friday, May 2, is suffering from laryngitis and her concert has been canceled.
By Jonathan McNamara Sure the actual holiday is still four days off, but it’s never to soon for some Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Hard Rock Cafe is getting started tonight with performances from Latin hip-hop artists MC Magic and DJ Kane. For more on Cinco De Mayo events check out…
Local indie rock band Source Victoria [http://www.myspace.com.sourcevictoria] is offering its CD, the fast escape for free download on its Web site, www.sourcevictoria.net. The album, hailed as “a beautiful narcotic” by Phoenix New Times music writer Serene Dominic in his recent feature [http://phoenixnewtimes-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/2008-01-17/music/phoenix-band-source-victoria-s-brew-of-distress-and-pleasure-just-may-have-created-a-new-genre-xanaxcore/] on the band, was produced by Chris Testa (Jimmy Eat World, Dixie Chicks) and has garnered accolades from such local superstars as Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World.
THURSDAY 1 Bar Smith: Peppermint Lounge with DJs Brazilia, & Mara (various) Blooze Bar: DJ El Dedo (rockabilly) Bunkhouse: DJ Doom (dance) Club Forbidden: DJ Domenica, DJ Hill, & DJ MJ (various) Club Red: The Blunt Club with Pickster One, DJ Element, Emerg McVay (hip-hop, breaks) Crown Room: Crush Thursdays with…
Given that the Breeders release records less often than February 29 appears on your kitchen calendar (this month’s Mountain Battles makes just four albums in the past 18 years), guitarist Kelley Deal may be better known for playing colleague and caretaker to her twin sister, Pixies bassist and Breeders leader…
On a recent First Friday, I dispensed with the art early to take in some music. But instead of the folk singers, experimental rock acts, and hip-hop I usually catch on Roosevelt Row during one of these chaotic art-walk nights, I was headed to hear the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Bach…
[A fictional transcript of the 27th debate between presidential hopefuls Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton.] George Stephanopoulos, moderator: Before we get to some less pressing issues, such as Iraq, gas prices, and healthcare, I’d like to ask both of you a question that’s on most Americans’ minds these…
Bay Area rapper and Quannum Projects co-founder Lyrics Born, a.k.a. Tom Shimura, has a big, engaging personality, whether on wax — as with his new disc, Everywhere at Once — or on the phone. Noting that he reads most reviews of his albums, the personable LB was eager to give…
A recurring aspect of pop history is the “hit machine,” a moniker bestowed upon creative teams of producers, songwriters, and/or record labels known for a distinctive style and lots of hits. The Motown Sound, Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound, and Bacharach/David are iconic examples — Philly Soul is another. In…
Clinic’s path back to form after a half-hearted detour with Winchester Cathedral finds the Liverpool art rockers leaning constructively toward late ’60s alchemy even more than they did on 2007’s Visitations. Although the spastic riffs that curl ’round Do It!’s stompy garage ditties are as prominent as they were on…
A mix of blues, folk, and acoustic rock with fringes of jazz is what you hear on this new release by the duo of brothers Chris (from Medeski, Martin & Wood) and Oliver Wood, which follows up 2006’s Ways Not to Lose. Again under the production of John Medeski, the…
When Duran Duran made its U.S. splash in 1981, the heady excess and glitter of the era, along with the surging energy of MTV, made it difficult to tell whether or not the band would amount to a flash in the pan. Certainly, the pouffy-haired fivesome looked good and the…
