This Week’s Phoenix Area Alternative Music Concerts 5/6/2013

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Lisa Webb

Happy Monday to you all!  It’s a lovely spring day out there, so I hope you’re having lunch Al fresco somewhere.  And while you’re with your friends chatting it up, you might talk about hitting one of these alternative music shows this week.

First, Tuesday, May 7th, Built to Spill with guests Lenguas Largas and Junior Rocket Scientist will be at the Crescent Ballroom.  Doors 7pm.  Show 8pm.

Then Thursday, May 9th, local boys Jimmy Eat World play the Paramount Theater down in Casa Grande.  Doors 7pm.  Show 8pm.

Friday, May 1oth, there are two sweet local shows to hit.  Up in Scottsdale, Howard Til Midnight and Banana Gun play the Roxy Lounge.  Doors/Show 8pm.  Down in Tempe, Palms, Future Loves Past, and Bogan Via play a free show at the Yucca Tap Room.  9pm.

Finally, Saturday, May 11th, the Gospel Claws host their Vinyl Release Show at the Crescent Ballroom.  Doors 7:30 pm.  Show 8:30 pm.  Or, for a change of pace, head to Scottsdale and see Three Bad Jacks with The Henchmen and Voodoo Swing play Pub Rock.  Doors Doors 7:30pm.  Show 8pm.

So there you have it…all the great alternative music in the valley for you to catch live this week.  Get out there and support your local music scene!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Prince’s Early/Late Shows Merged

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Lisa Webb

If you haven’t already heard the news, the shows for Prince have been combined each night.  They are now one show with doors at 6:30pm and the show at 8pm.  If you bought late show tickets and cannot attend the early time, you can get them refunded at The Marquee Theatre.  Please, note, at this concert, no cameras or cell phones will be allowed in the venue.  Tickets are still on sale…at $277 each.  That’s US Dollars.  Here’s what you’ll find at Lucky Man’s website:

“Prince’s concerts at the Marquee scheduled for April 30 and May 1 will now be only 1 show per night, due to changes in production.

We hope that all ticket buyers for the late shows will be able to attend the early shows. If not, full refunds are available at point of purchase.

DOORS AT 6:30PM. CONCERT STARTS AT 8:00PM. NO SUPPORT ACTS.

ABSOLUTELY NO CAMERAS / CELL PHONES / ETC ALLOWED IN VENUE FOR THIS EVENT.

STRICT EIGHT (8) TICKET LIMIT PER CUSTOMER. PATRONS ATTEMPTING TO BUY MORE THAN EIGHT TICKETS PER SHOW WILL RESULT IN ALL ORDERS BEING REFUNDED.

THIS SHOW IS GENERAL ADMISSION/NO SEATS/STANDING ROOM ONLY. NO REFUNDS/NO EXCHANGES UNLESS THE HEADLINING BAND CANCELS.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off

This Week’s Phoenix Area Alternative Music Concerts 4/29/2013

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Lisa Webb

Welcome to another Monday in paradise…of course, today might mark the first day over 100 degrees in this so-called paradise, but hey, at least that means the pools will be warm enough to swim in soon!  And when you’re not sitting by the pool sipping  a frosty beverage or two, maybe you’ll have time to check out one of the concerts this week in the valley.

Tonight, Monday, April 29th, you can catch Paramore with guests Kitten downtown at Comerica Theatre.  8pm.

On Tuesday, April 30th, Prince plays two shows at The Marquee Theatre with no opening acts.  Doors open for the early show at 6:30pm with the concert beginning at 8pm.  The second, or late, show has doors opening at 10pm and the concert starting at 11:30pm.  If you don’t feel like shelling out the high dollars for Prince, JJUUJJUU with guests Blackfeet Braves, Of The Painted Choir, and Dead Canyon are over at The Rhythm Room in Phoenix.  Doors 7:30pm.  Show 8pm.

On Wednesday, May 1st, Prince plays the second night of back to back shows at The Marquee Theatre.  Doors are 6:30pm with the concert at 8pm for the early show.  The late show has doors opening at 10pm and the show beginning at 11:30pm.  Once again, there are less expensive show alternatives that night.  Head For the Hills with Run Boy Run will play The Sail Inn.  Doors 7:30pm.  Show 8pm.  Or head downtown and see Ghetto Cowgirl playing Last Exit Live.  Doors 8pm.  Show 9pm.

Thursday, May 2nd, two great shows are happening.  First, Black Mountain with Earthmen and Strangers play the Crescent Ballroom.  Doors 7pm.  Show 8pm.   Second, The Haymarket Squares with Mr. Mudd & Mr. Gold play TMI Thursdays at Last Exit Live.  Doors 8pm.  Show 9pm.

Friday night, May 3rd, is packed full of great shows to hit.   You might need to sharpen your darts to decide!

Then on Saturday, May 4th, the TMI Radio Show on KWSS hosts the “Cuatro” de Mayo celebration at Salty Senorita’s in Peoria.  Two stages feature Mergence, The Veragroove, Future Loves Past, Snakes, Snakes, Snakes!, Sara Robinson and the Midnight Special, Banana Gun, Jared and the Mill, Mouse Powell, Bob Domestic, The Wiley One, Ruca, Bad Lucy, Andrew Duncan Brown, Marc Norman, and Taylor Oulette.  Music starts at 2pm.  There will also be a volleyball tournament with a $500 prize, so be ready with that team to take on the world!

If you’re not up for a whole day of music and fun, wait til the night and catch Doctor Bones and Zero Zero along with Rough Tough Dynamite and Fairy Bones at Last Exit Live.  Doors 8pm.  Show 9pm.

So there you have it, a week with many, many shows filled to the brim with alternative music.  If you want to keep that rolling, keep going to the shows.  And bring a friend or two and show ‘em what they’ve been missing.  Phoenix is filled with great venues that provide shows you’ll love to see!  As always, have a great week and rock local!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Barrio Sideshow: Fayuca’s Masterpiece

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Lisa Webb

mas·ter·piece  /ˈmastərˌpēs/ Noun

  1. A work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship.

  2. An artist’s or craftsman’s best piece of work.

Cover_Fayuca_Barrio Sideshow_rooster cover

I love when one of my favorite artists puts together something so fabulous that I simply cannot wait to get my hands on it.  So, imagine the gargantuan smile plastered across my face when I received a new album from Fayuca, Barrio Sideshow.  Immediately downloaded and into my iTunes files, Barrio Sideshow has now been playing overhead in my home office for hours.  (I think I’m at least three times through it now.)

For those of you still not familiar with the band, Fayuca’s music is ska, punk, and reggae blended with their cultural background, filling the vocals with either English or Spanish, depending upon which fits the moment.  Upon hearing their music, one usually thinks Sublime/SOJA/Slightly Stoopid/Authority Zero combined.  And since those are some of my favorite bands, you probably get where I’m going with this.  Interestingly, in their latest interview last Friday evening, Gabriel Solorzano (lead vocals, guitar) put it best, “I don’t look to make a song in either English or Spanish.  It’s just some songs sound better one way or the other.  Don’t know why, they just do.”  And that’s a rather cool concept to be able to express themselves freely across the two language platforms.  The music, well, it just works!

The standout feature of this album seems to be the attention with which it has been assembled.  The tightness of each song permeates throughout it.  Barrio Sideshow screams “laid-back perfection.”  The guys of Fayuca along with producer/engineer Ralph Patlan (Jamie Foxx, Megadeth) and the team at Fervor Records created a masterpiece.  Additions to the album both large and small worked together, creating something that music lovers will want to have in their libraries, especially for those days kicking back by the pool here in the valley.  Danny Torgersen‘s trumpet tracks add such depth to the songs, just the perfect fill here and there.  (I’m hoping he plays with the guys at the Martini Ranch CD Release Party March 3rd!)  Ryan Sims’s horn work blends seamlessly as well!  Adding Jason DeVore‘s vocals to “Shoot It Up,”  which blends so harmoniously with Gabe’s vocals, it’s almost difficult to see when one ends and the other begins.  It’s quite a lovely effect.

Favorite tracks thus far:

  • 01- Por Que Seguir (video on MTV in May) – driving ska beat with wicked horns
  • 04- Stickier Than the Last – laid back reggae tune with lyrics almost acting as a corollary to Authority Zero’s “Retreat”
  • 09- the Cycle – quick punk rhythms flowing back and forth into ska
  • 10 – Salvame – easy reggae song leaving you ready to sway while sipping your favorite frosty beverage

And not only is the music sheer perfection, the album artwork adds another dimension to the project.  Rafael Ruiz’s (percussion, vocals) favorite artist, El Moises, agreed to complete a piece for the album cover.  This commissioned drawing gives such flavor to the whole package.  They mentioned in their interview how humbled they are as a band that El Moises would agree to work on their project.  Raf especially praised the work, loving what it adds to the album.

Barrio Sideshow will be available for purchase May 7th.  You can catch them live May 3rd at Martini Ranch in Scottsdale for their CD Release Party.  Having heard some of the new tracks live last Friday, I can say with certainty that the show will be nothing short of exceptional.  Their live performances continue to sharpen each time I see them.  Whether it’s the driving beats of Raf tearing up the drums, Gabe’s maddening guitar riffs while belting out tune after tune, or Sam Edwards’ mad bass skills timed perfectly with Raf and Gabe, the trio brings an energy to stage that will get even the shiest person grooving to their infectious tunes.

There’s still time to pre-order the CD or grab one of the cool packages they have available.  I’m sure you will also be able to pick up the CD, and more, at their merch table at Martini Ranch May 3rd as well.  Mark my words, you will want Barrio Sideshow.  It is a shear masterpiece, through and through.

Thank you to Fervor Records, and Anamieke Quinn, for the advanced album and artwork.
Posted in New Releases | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

This Week’s Phoenix Area Alternative Music Concerts 4/22/2013

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Lisa Webb

Hey Sanka, ya dead yet?  Phew…this past weekend was a riot-filled music extravaganza!  If you stayed home, you definitely missed out on some seriously great live music.  But never fear, the concert promoters of the valley have put together another week of bands that are sure to bring a smile to your face, even if it is a Monday!

Starting on Tuesday, April 23rd, we have these bands popping through town:

On Wednesday, April 24th, Crystal Castles with Doldrums play The Marquee Theater.  Doors 6:30pm.  Show 8pm.

Thursday, April 25th, is another jam-packed concert night with these shows:

Friday night, April 26th, you can punk it out in Scottsdale with Nerf Herder at Pub Rock.  Doors 7:30pm.  Show 8pm.  Or, you can go more of the Mumford route by catching Jared and the Mill with The Senators in Phoenix at Last Exit Live.  Doors 8pm.  Show 9pm.

Then on Saturday, April 27th, you can help out young musicians by attending the Benefit Festival & BBQ for Pueblo del Sol Band will be at The Sail Inn.  Bands playing include Bogan Via, Andrew Duncan Brown, Former Friends of Young Americans, Ruca, Anamieke Quinn, WUT, Frequent Kings, and The Hourglass Cats.  The day is all to help fund the Pueblo Band’s trip to Disneyland.  Both an outside stage and acoustic lounge will be open 2-8pm.  This is an all ages event.  $5 cover, $1 raffle tickets, and $5 BBQ plate.  Come support these fine young musicians!  When you’re done rocking there, head to Phoenix and catch IAMWE with Zero Zero and Bogan Via at Last Exit Live.  Doors 8pm.  Show 9pm.  Now that’s a full day of music!

Round out your week on Sunday, April 28th, with either Alkaline Trio with Bayside and Off With Their Heads at The Marquee Theatre.  Doors 6:30pm.  Or, Telekinesis with Mount Moriah at the Crescent Ballroom.  Doors 7pm.  Show 8pm.  Either way, it’s a great cap for a rockin’ week!

I’m sure somewhere in there is a night just calling your name.  So get out there and see a show.  Only you can keep our local music scene rocking!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off