Wednesday, November 11, 2009

I love Tucson


supposedly Zach, the Guitarist of Fear Before The March of Flames (on tour doing lights for Fall of Troy) got his jaw broken last night in tucson, because he's Zach, the Guitarist of Fear Before The March of Flames on tour doing lights for Fall of Troy.

If it wasn't bad enough that no one gives a shit about those bands. That's what I call a bad fucking day if you ask me. Hang in there bro.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

sold out.....

2 words that shouldnt surprise anyone on the Youth Attack website, when it comes the inventory they carry.

But this time around its concerning Phoenix, AZ's The OSS and their (3 song) demo tape (limited to 100 hand numbered)



bear witness here
keep up to date with The OSS here

aahhhh.

music to listen to while getting ready for work in the morning....



HEALTH - November 10 - Rhythm Room


Once again to clarify. I've seen people post the information for the Health show at modified and trunkspace.

please update yourself with the flyer above.

thank you.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Manny Mares pix on Maximum Rock n Roll

A picture taken by Manny Mares at the most recent Mika Miko show I did at trunkspace is on MAXIMUMROCKNROLL's Monday Photo of The Day. be proud.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Something to do tonight.



Digital Leather once from Tucson will be celebrating their album release with none other than AZ's best Earthmen and Strangers and Becky Lee and Drunkfoot.

It's free (but make sure to give donations)
more into @ http://www.myspace.com/therapemanor

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Grace Perry is not the name of a Classic Rock vocalist


Phoenix's Landmine Marathon have been busting their ass for the past five years. Who knew the rewards would be having your singer on the cover of Revolver magazine? You get what you put into it, it's a novel concept yet some seem to feel entitled to these types of things (though we forget those people were born with the ability to write gold records in their sleep).

Grace is an incredibly attractive female, but she seems to be attractive in another sense in this picture. nothing wrong with that of course. Kudos.


Get Rad.

I decided to skip the Black Heart Procession show and attend the Get Rad show with a friend. A wise choice.

...thats it, no links. I'm too lazy so you now have to make the extra effort. It's 2.40AM

and on that note, this song goes out to everyone.....

Monday, October 19, 2009

Dickie Peterson of BLUE CHEER dies (63)



60/70's - rhythm punching-aggressive-blues influenced psych rock ensemble, BLUE CHEER's singer Dickie Peterson has passed on.


A couple of years ago I got offered to do a show for Blue Cheer. Nearly crapped my pants, unfortunately the show did not confirm and they did visit phoenix a year or so later. Weren't many people there but very worth the attendance.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Thursday, September 10, 2009

THE BEETS - Mon. Sept. 14 - The Manor



After doing some tour dates with Vivian Girls, The Beets will be making the trek back to their homes in New York. They're not the biggest buzz band in the world nor are they the talk of the hipster/blogfest town but that doesn't mean they're not good. Stellaluna and Hooves will be playing with them on their first visit to Arizona.

The Beets - Happy But On My Way

fuck homework for an hour or 2, check out the song

Monday, September 14 2009
The Beats
Hooves
Stellaluna

Monday, September 7, 2009

Former Ghosts / One AM Radio - October 2nd - Trunkspace

Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu, Freddy Ruppert of This Song Is A Mess But So Am I, and Nika Rosa of Zola Jesus will be filling the walls of the Trunkspace on October 2nd with the graceful sounds now known as Former Ghosts. LA's The One AM Radio will also be there to help make this night a memorable one, and if anyone was there to see them play the last time they were here at Rampage Fest then you can already figure how awesome it's going to be.


Show Starts at 9pm, because its first friday.
more info @ Trunkspace

HEALTH - November 10 - Rhythm Room

HEALTH
w/ Chinese Stars, Lovvers
November 10
The Rhythm Room


Aside from visiting the ever so beautiful state of Arizona on November 10, HEALTH will be putting their new full length this week on Lovepump Untd. (Genghis Tron's Mookie Singerman's co-owned label). The Album is called Get Color. I'm not sure if there's going to be a consistent theme with album artwork but it always reminds me of reptile scales (though it looks like human cells? I could def be wrong). Either way, I can say that the new album is awesome and worth getting when released.

After doing their shows for the past couple of years I've seen them develope and grow and I would have to say that Get Color is the current product of the hard work they've put into the past couple of years. Out of all their releases, it's also one of the easiest of the albums to listen to, I do enjoy the vocals a lot more. Below is probably one of the better tracks on the album, kinda reminds me a little bit of Killing Joke.

Health will be accompanied by Chinese Stars (if you haven't seen them yet, then there's seriously no reason why your not going to be here) and Lovvers (UK) on November 10 @ The Rhythm Room - more info @ AZPARTYGIRLZ

HEALTH - Die Slow

Friday, September 4, 2009

Thursday, September 3, 2009

awww

The things you learn growing up....

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

GUN OUTFIT - Tomorrow night - The Manor


Don't miss this!!!

K N E S S E T



I first met Evan years ago when he started venturing into starting a label while he was still living in Omaha, Nebraska. The label (Bad News Bears Records) was supposed to put out a Peachcake record as well as one for The Show Is The Rainbow. Unfortunately those plans did not make it to fruition but that didn't seem to stop his passion for music. Once he moved back to Arizona he started an instrumental, light-hearted ensemble called Horse Thieves that bared members of The Kyds vs. Columbus. While in Horse Thieves he had an opportunity to mix and mingle with the best of the local music scene with bands like The Lymbyc Systym (one of my top 3 favorite local bands)

After the break up of Horse Thieves, Evan was telling me about how the drummer and him had decided to start a new band, Knesset. The Song below will be apart of their future full length, and from what I've heard there are a lot more gems waiting to be heard once it comes out. The band has quit the history with the local scene and is starting to make their mark and paying their dues as the up and coming potential bright lights of the Phoenix. They have one show coming up that I'm quit excited about with LA's The One AM Radio and Former Ghosts (featuring members of Xiu Xiu) October 2nd at the Trunkspace.

K N E SS E T - Tell Me All Your Lies

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Arizona Antics....

A couple of videos made in AZ, made to entertain, for your viewing pleasure......
Don't ask questions about the second video, I was incredibly drunk.

MIKA MIKO hearts The Trunkspace

In a recent interview about The Smell venue in LA and the scene that supports it Mika Miko brought up that there are other venues just like it, they decided to mention Phoenix, Arizona's Trunkspace as an example.

If you don't want to see the whole video at least start it at 2:30 (the mention is at 3:18) so you can get why it was brought up

For more upcoming events at The Trunkspace check out their website.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Marry Me...

In Search for The Romper Stomper Soundtrack

If anyone knows where to find the soundtrack to the Russell Crow, Oscar performance classic Romper Stomper, please let me know. It's just one of those things I want to have for no other reason besides it being completely horrible.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Not really my thang' but my deepest condolences go out to those who feel effected by the lose of DJ AM. It seems that he will not be "bringing it" (as advertised) to the Tempe Market Place next month. RIP

Becky lee And Drunkfoot - One Take Demo

a friend of mine, Mike Jarmuz first told me about Becky Lee. He went on about how she was a great singer and rocks the stage all by herself and was signed to some label in Europe (Voodoo Rhythm Records out of Switzerland to be exact, home of Reverend Beat-Man) but is from here originally and has huge potential to be awesome, Muz knows his shit so instantly interest sparked. Sean, a friend of mine (who is also in a one man band called Via Vengeance) also told me about her and how he knew her and with him was when I finally got a chance to see her when Yuma Territorial Prison Guards were playing around town with Becky Lee. I was incredibly impressed. I did see her at the Bare Wires show and she's only gotten a lot better (it's becoming overkill at this point, and there's nothing wrong with that)

I got this Demo (a friend bought it for me actually) at the show with YTPG. But pa-rouse her myspace for anything else she might be selling or go to one of her shows and buy this Demo off her.

Becky Lee and Drunkfoot - One Take Demo

Flotsam and Jetsam

I was never really a fan but I wish I could sing like this. I would just always talk like that.
I even want the hair.....and the shirt.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Before I moved to Arizona from Oxnard, CA I honestly thought that Arizona was just like this. It kinda almost was, every house had to have some sort of southwest "pueblo" look to it and of course it was the desert. I remember stealing a bike because some kid down the street left it out in front of his house for a couple of hours. I also remember thinking to myself that I was in heaven as I leaving that very house.

Jimmy Eatworld - Static Prevails



This record probably couldn't have came at a better time in my life. At that point I would have listened to anything with screaming and bands like Frodus have already been one of my favorite bands. To me this record seemed like it had a little grunge-Sonic Youth-y influence to it, but I was drawn to the dynamics and the high end yell Jim Adkins would belt out every so often. There were a lot of bands i noticed that would play on their clean channel and then kick in the overdrive to "rock out". This record has those moments but (especially) seeing them play songs like Digits live confirmed that Jimmy Eat World wasn't the run in the mill local playing out of the marshal solid state who's versus' dance from a medley of arpeggio rape to shitty unbearable distortion because the chorus had to be "intense" and "emotional".

This record is totally unlike any other record they've put out. It's my favorite above clarity to be honest.

I've been to my fair share of local shows and I think having to sit through bands that thought if they only played exactly what the biggest band at the time is playing, that they will get just as big (I guess in all fairness, it's not a bad concept especially if your this guy who came up with it). I think having to live through all that, my brain decided to push back records like Static Prevails to the further regions of my head. I'm glad I found it again

Get ready.......



The last show left everyone pretty good about making the trip to come see Titus Andronicus.
This will be their long waited return (at least for myself). I just remember randomly coming across them on some blog well over a year ago, to then doing the show (the first one - the flyer is here). No matter how chaotic and awesome the recordings sound, Titus Andronicus is as true if not better to the songs I've heard recorded. Accompanied by, tour mates The So So Glos and local newcomers The OSS this should be a good night in september.

Where you at the first show?

Titus Andronicus is playing on
Saturday, September 26
w/ The So So Glos, and The OSS
@ Modified Arts
presale tickets can be bought here.
more details here.

DAVILA 666 - show review - 8.26.09 PHX, AZ


DAVILA 666
w/ Hot Skin, The Chandails, Cardiac Party
The Trunkspace
Phoenix, AZ - August 26, 2009

Davila 666 has seem to have stumbled across a rough patch in the tour. Those who came to tonight's show know for sure. As the band was heading to their Tucson show (a show they were unable to play) their van started giving them trouble (a rental mind you). Having to put more money than the band even had to fix the van Davila 666 made it to Phoenix regardless of the struggles to get here.

The night started off with Cardiac Party, though down one keyboardist they still were able to get peoples heads moving to their obscure blend of random noise fused with catchy pop melodies. The Chandails have been showing progression towards a more mature sound (especially for high schoolers). The Chandails are proving to show strong promise in the future. I hope they're around a year from now. I would really like to see where their efforts will take them.


Hot Skin needs to play Phoenix more. I want to say its unfair that they live so far away and are unable to play here more. Another great band that has incredible promise. Well worth the watch if you ever get a chance to see them. Addison is one of this scenes better guitarists and I'm sure he doesn't get the credit for it

It's been a long time where I went to a show (or done a show) and not one person had a bad thing to say, not only that but they had a lot to say about how good they were. The band's consistent positive high energy, full band sing-along and loud penetrating volumes made it almost impossible for me to not smile and not want to node my head or tap my feet. The room was half full of people dancing or grooving to songs who's lyrics (I'm sure most) they couldn't understand.

These pictures are of Davila 666 tonight.

The one bad thing that happened tonight was due to someone breaking into 5 vehicles in the Bikini Lounge parking lot (which is next door to Trunkspace). One of those vehicles just so happened to be Davila 666's mini van they rented for tour (they just dropped all the money they had into it to continue the current tour). A GPS unit and a camera were stolen, on top of the broken passenger side window.

It was awesome to see people's generosity come full force to help Davila 666. If anyone would like to help them out you can go to their myspace and buy some merch from the merch store.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

DAVILA 666 - tonight!



You would have to have a really good reason not to come out. Especially since Arizona never really gets a chance to have bands like this come to town when they usually just play the coastal regions.

Show starts at 8 with Cardiac Party (who really impressed me when I first saw them, so I'm pretty amped to see them again). Don't miss them!


This could be a chance to see this band before Pitchfork or Hypemachine makes them their favorite band and seeing them at a venue like the trunkspace will only be a memory. So bring some extra cash for some shirts and vinyl.


Before my time but still really cool to watch.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

SUICIDE NATION


There is no description anyone (as far as I know) can really find of Suicide Nation on the internet. I guess the only way to
really know much of anything would be ask the old dudes. Or try to pry out whatever you can from Matt inLandmine Marathon or Mike Genz of King of The Monsters.

Suicide Nation was before my time, but I could be wrong (I'm guessing to be honest, I know I could be way off but I started going to shows around '97-ish but not really, the joys of living on the other side of town where all the shows were in mesa/tempe and only having friends that exclusively listened to gangster rap). The video below does say '98 so one thing is clear, I def wasn't aware of them when I started going to shows (which is why I'm hoping blogs like this, and places like
AZhardcore.net would help out anyone new in Phoenix).

It's kinda fustrating when people that I've either met or know (from A&Rs of record labels, friends to random dudes in bands like the guys in Wolves in the Throneroom) that has seen or followed Suicide Nation seems to express more than just liking their music (like, "they were more than just a good band" type of descriptions) and it makes it even more frustrating when one is trying to look for even a blog that has one of the albums for download.

I would hope Suicide Nation doesn't become one of the unfortunate gems that will get lost in the sands of time in the history of Arizona punk/hardcore and metal.....it almost seems as if they wouldn't mind to have it any other way. But if I find anything! I will be sure to post it here...but for now this is it

Suicide Nation - Covenant of Shit

Monday, August 24, 2009

....


Who here besides me is enjoying the new MEW record?
Comes out tomorrow.
Im all over it

give this track some time....just sit back and wait, then it'll become your favorite song ever.

LOVVERS

I'm hearing from a lot of friends that have either seen, toured or played with Lovvers that they are awesome live and I "need to see them". I'm already sold on the new single "OCD GO GO GO Girls". (Lovvers myspace here)

Lovvers are opening up for All Leather and Chinese Stars on November 10 @ The Rhythm Room. more info soon to come.

A BAT IN THE COPY ROOM!!!



I'm such a pussy! There's no way I would have walked further to take a better picture so this is at good as it gets from me.
That's it! the black dot up on the top. Those things have rabbies. Fuck that.....
I have no clue as to how a bat got into the 6th floor of a brand new building, unless there are already bats living within the walls of this building.
I did spend sometime today emailing girls in my office that there were bats under the desk of their cubicle.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

GUN OUTFIT - September 2nd


Around the Begining of the year I started working on promoting a show for Mika Miko. While digging around PPM's website for promo materials I stumbled across Gun Outfit. I didn't really give them much attention until the kids at The Manor were spreading the word that they got Gun Outfit to play there.

The Manor is seriously one of my favorite places as of recently. I haven't seen a bad show there. But like most houses that do shows there is that unavoidable end in the future. So! until then I personally am going to try to go to as many shows as I can there.
One in particular is the one on September 2nd with Gun Outfit. I planned on trying to give a little write up on the album, but I never seem to be any good at that.

So here (taken from another blog ha!) download Gun Outfit's Demo '08.

If interested in coming out you should get in touch with the guys (and gals) from the manor.
The locals playing are also well worth the time. I'm pretty excited to see Summer Happened. In all honesty they're not my cup of tea but I love me some Alex Jarson and I wouldn't miss it for the world.

So Catchy!


The Zeros - Beat Your Heart Out


All weekend long my brian has put this song on repeat. I wouldn't ever compare it to some form of torture but I'm just realizing how ridiculous and catchy this song actually is. A fair warning to whoever I potentially date in the future, be prepared to hear this song on a consistent basis in honor mutually decided commitment.....AND YOU WILL LOVE IT!!

I'm Retarded.....

The recent Davila 666 post I made had Sept 26 as the date. That's obviously wrong.
The show is Wednesday, August 26 @ the trunkspace

My apologies, I'm retarded.

See you there

Saturday, August 22, 2009

EARTHMEN and STRANGERS / BARE WIRES tonight

Earthmen and Strangers are probably one of my top 3 favorite local bands. Some might say thats not saying a lot, but I would have to say I'm rather proud of what we have going on these days. Lenguas Largas from Tucson is another shining star from The Grand Canyon State that will also be playing tonight (I didn't know what to expect at first saw them play but I was completely taken by surprise as to how good they were. Judge for yourself at the EAS myspace here and LL myspace here).

Also, if you make it out, do not miss Bare Wires from Oakland. Their recent release on Tic Tac Totally is pretty solid! BW myspace here.

Friday, August 21, 2009

ALL LEATHER add to Chinese Stars / Lovvers (UK)

San Diego's ALL LEATHER (Justin Pearson of The Locust / Some Girls / Swing Kids)

All Leather has now been added to the already awesome line up on November 10 at The Rhythm Room featuring Chinese Stars and Lovvers (from the UK, a great band that alot of my friends are telling me everyone needs to see.)
More information and advance tickets can be found on the Stateside website (because I've become both overwhelmed with work and slightly lazy to update my website.....those who are interested to help let me know.) http://www.statesidepresents.com

Thursday, August 20, 2009

The Zeros


THE ZEROS
THU/SEP 24/2009
@The Sets

I'm not gonna lie, I'm not gonna try to write up something about a band I honestly just found less than a year ago. But I do feel fortunate enough to be apart of helping The Zeros come back to out to Phoenix.

A friend of mine had them on his myspace player and I was intrigued enough to check them out. Just researching the history of the band alone got me stoked on them. I was already starting to have a love affair with anything underproduced or recorded in the 70s where unless you were The Beatles you weren't probably getting what you thought your money could buy.

So instead of trying to fluff you up with whatever banter I could try to muster in an hour or so I will copy/paste the information provided to the world wide web via the ever-knowing Wikipedia (be honest, you owe half of what you have on your itunes to what you've educated yourself through wikipedia)

"The Zeros were an American punk rock band, formed in 1976 in Chula Vista, California. In 1977, The Zeros played their first major gig in Los Angeles at the Orpheum Theater. Opening the show was the first performance by The Germs"

I haven't found any information regarding any previous visits The Zeros might have made to Arizona. So I guess you can ask them at the show.

$10 you cant lose. seriously, it's as much as going to see a movie and besides Inglorious Bastards there's probably nothing else good to see right now.