Seems like Phoenix band The Attitude has found themselves in some controversy recently.
The rock band is holding a benefit show on Thursday, February 4, for singer Jim Louvau, per the flier that's displayed on the Clubhouse Music Venue's website, but it doesn't specify what the show is benefitting, exactly.
A call to the Clubhouse went unanswered, as did a MySpace message to the band, who has read the message. A recent azcentral.com article on the band (note: Louvau works for The Arizona Republic) made no mention of where the show's profits are going to, either.
There is something that sheds a little light on the situation, though. Mike McKenzy, who is the man behind the blog www.arborcircle.posterous.com, wrote this entry explaining his take on the whole situation. The gist: McKenzy is now the step-father to Louvau's son, who wants to change his last name to McKenzy. Louvau wants to fight McKenzy and his wife, the son's mother, in court but doesn't have the funds to do so.
This past weekend was my first time checking out The Rogue Bar in Scottsdale since it transitioned to a full-time music venue.
I saw Crossing Sarnoff play Saturday night, and I was super-impressed with the stage location and lighting.
It totally reminded me of Los Angeles' The Viper Room, minus the chain link fence around the bar. It was about the same size and had the same type of energetic vibe that indicated the people at the venue actually cared about the music, which is refreshing in the Valley.
If you're sad about Conan O'Brien's cancellation like I am, drown your tears with some tasty free Pabst Blue Ribbon beer tonight at a The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien viewing party at Boulders on Broadway in Tempe.
In addition to scoring freebie classy beer, there will also be a raffle for a PBR skateboard, so you can ride on your favorite brewskie, too. Just be warned: if you decide to drink PBR while riding the PBR skateboard in Arizona, you could get a DUI.
It's really sad that Ke$ha's single "TiK ToK" has reached number one on the Billboard charts and is refusing to go away.
I actually liked the girl the first time I heard her in Flo Rida's song "Right Round," but now I'm getting drained listening to her on the radio singing about brushing her teeth with alcohol. Classy.
It's obvious she's trying to rip off Lady Gaga. Her music video for the song contains several house party scenes, just like Lady Gaga's debut, "Just Dance." Check out the non-originality below. If that's not enough to make you turn the dial, I don't know what is.
On Friday, I was at the W Scottsdale Hotel and Residences, chilling out in the lobby's Living Room bar. The comfy atmosphere, complete with sofa-style seating and dark lighting, was complemented by the acoustic stylings of Bobby St. Vincent, a singer-songwriter-guitarist who performed original songs as well as several covers.
To give you an idea of what St. Vincent sounds like, when he played the Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," you could close your eyes, and it felt almost as if KoL was actually there.
Now everyone can be part of the "Paparazzi." Fresh off news that Lady Gaga is losing money on her extravagant North American tour (which has so far reportedly overspent more than $3 million), the eccentric pop star has found a new way to reclaim some of her debt: by inking a deal with Polaroid as the camera brand's newest creative director of specialty products.
Sounds like a no-brainer, considering digital cameras have sent the instant-picture camera into obscurity. The trendsetter may be just what the recently bailed-out-of-bankruptcy company needs, and she'll be designing her own line of co-branded products.
After a hugely successful run of American Idiot at the Berkeley Rep in California (the show sold out its eight weeks of performances), the musical inspired by Green Day's album of the same name and directed by Spring Awakening's Michael Mayer is really hitting the big time with a Broadway debut in New York City this April. (Preview performances start March 24.)
The musical uses tracks from both American Idiot and the band's current album, 21st Century Breakdown, following young people in a war-torn world.
I used to be a HUGE fan of Tempe's electronic pop act The Medic Droid, which sadly broke up last year after singer Chris Donathon walked off-stage in Tucson mere days after 'Phoenix New Times' ran a cover story on them.
Darn you!
So, when he MySpace messaged me this, it piqued my curiosity:
"hey my names chris. i usta sing for a band called the medic droid. help me get my line off the ground. if your tired of seeing diamonds cupcakes brass knuckles ect and aren't afraid to step out side the lines of what your told to like. take a look see. if you dig let me know. www.donathon1985.com"
With Missy Elliott missing in action the past few years (fyi, she has a new album coming out in January), her producer Timbaland's been busy working with Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake and...Miley Cyrus.
It sure would have been fun to have been in the studio then.
The teen pop star's on Tim's latest album, Shock Value II. Tim has even gone so far to say Cyrus has an amazing voice and he's leaving hip-hop for pop.
No joke.
But after listening to both volumes of Shock Value, this is a great move for Tim. On his first album, he brought Elton John to people who may have never listened to the British star on a very pretty track, and on his current disc, the strongest tracks are surprisingly from Cyrus, JoJo, Katy Perry and Daughtry.
Lately, it seems all the world's heard from Christina Aguilera is her pitch for DirecTV, as her commercials seem to be playing 24-7. And with Lady Gaga dominating the pop world for now, it's a wonder whether Aguilera has anything up her sleeve to get back on top in the music world.
While it may seem like she's been doing nothing but hanging out with her baby, Max, Aguilera has actually been quietly gearing up to release a new album next year, and she collaborated with some big names in pop, including M.I.A., Santigold and Sia.
OK, I'm going to say this, and it's not just because Jared Leto is freaking hott: 30 Seconds to Mars put on one of the best band performances on network television when they performed last week on Conan O'Brien, and my YouTube browser can't refresh quickly enough.
The rock band performed their single, "Kings and Queens," off their new album, This Is War. There were nearly 20 people on-stage at once, including a punky choir, three free-standing drummers who danced the whole time and a string quartet.
Here's another rather unique opportunity for local musicians: If you're a bloke who looks and sounds like the late John Lennon, the folks Paradise Valley Community College's music department want to speak with you. More to the point, they're hoping you'll audition for their upcoming recreation of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in March.
Here's the 411 on what they're looking for:
As part of the college's annual Fine Arts Scholarship Fundraiser, 30 professional musicians will perform the Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in its entirety. On Saturday, December 19th, PVCC's music department will hold auditions for a vocalist to sing the "John" parts for their upcoming Beatles tribute performance.
The goal of the musical performance is to reproduce one of the greatest recordings of
all time as authentically as possible, so accurate vocal tone and vocal style are paramount.
Auditions are for serious musicians only. Singers will be required to sing both lead and background vocals. The ability to read sheet music is preferred and singers will receive
a small honorarium. Interested vocalists should be prepared to sing the following songs:
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!, and A Day in the Life.
Given the fact that the Yucca Tap Room devoted an entire evening to paying tribute to the Beatles this past weekend, I'm willing to bet there's more than a few guitar-plucking troubadours around the PHX who will be trying out for this.
The auditions start at noon on Saturday, December 19, at PVCC's CPA-Music Hall. Anyone interested in trying out must schedule their appearance by 3 p.m. the day before. Call 602-787-6686 or e-mail christopher.scinto@pvmail.maricopa.edu.
Television Noir's Stephen Strange (left) and Mike Red.
You can catch the Dr. Rev. Stephen Strange and his cohorts doing their bizarre sideshow exploits at any number of locales throughout the PHX: During First Friday on behind MADE art boutique, at the upcoming Fiesta Bowl block party on New Year's Eve, and even the occasional corporate party.
As of earlier this month, however, Strange's outrageous antics can also be seen on Cartoon Network's late night Adult Swim block of programming, typically between midnight and 4 a.m. (read: the time when insomniacs, shiftless layabout potheads, and unemployed shut-ins usually tune into watch the animated adventures of the Venture Bros. and Aqua Teen Hunger Force).
So did the makers of Robot Chicken or the Squidbillies pluck the P-Town oddity outta relative obscurity to star in their latest 15-minute long epic?
In lieu of the whole, "I'm gay and open and will fondle whomever I darn well please on-stage" performance by Adam Lambert at the American Music Awards this past Sunday, ABC's Good Morning America has canceled an appearance by the fabulously glam singer on tomorrow's show. Because, you know, PDA between men of the same sex is just wrong, y'all.
The show admitted it was Lambert's sexy performance, in which he kissed a band mate and shoved his goodies in front of a dancer's face, that killed his appearance. Even though Britney Spears, who kissed Madonna on-stage at MTV's Video Music Awards, and Miley Cyrus, who grinded on a pole at FOX's Teen Choice Awards, have both appeared on the "wholesome" morning program. Sounds like GMA is a little bit prejudiced.
Lambert gets a chance to comment on the diss on CBS' The Early Show Wednesday instead, and he'll also be performing.
It's refreshing to have an openly gay American singer make such an impact in pop culture, and it's pretty disappointing apparent homophobia is alive and well in major media outlets. With gay marriage (finally) being legalized in places throughout the country, a dude kissing another dude on TV should be embraced, not shunned.
It was heartbreaking enough Lady Gaga decided to skip Phoenix on her Monster Ball Tour, but now another big name has said, "No, thanks" to P-Town--John Mayer's not coming here, either, on his new tour. What gives?
Sometimes it's outside of the artists' contol -- they can't fit in the city due to venue constraints, or perhaps Phoenix is unfortunately less important a market than surrounding cities such as Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Maybe the heat scares artists away. Or maybe it's because our venue selection sucks (read this.)
There's no reason the fifth-largest city in the nation shouldn't be a top destination for musicians. What's your take on why the Valley isn't a concert date for some musicians?
One of the highlight's of last year's concert season undoubtedly was the superstar-studded Phooson put on by 104.7 KISS FM last December at Cricket Wireless Pavillion. (Relive the coverage by Martin Cizmar and Jonathan McNamara in all its glory).
It was certainly an interesting affair from beginning to end, offering all manner of entertainment and offensiveness from the likes of Rihanna, Fallout Boy, and the excerable Tokio Hotel.
But if you're wanting to see what John Jay & Rich come up with this time around for a follow-up, better plan for a two-hour roadtrip down Interstate-10. Phooson (which is a combination of "Phoenix" and "Tucson," indicative on how KISS hits both town's with its signal) is only happening at the Rialto Theatre and has been dubbed "John Jay & Rich's Strictly Tucson Phooson."
If you're one of those cats who've been Groove Candy since the hip-hop night went the way of Jam-Master Jay back in September, Karlie Hustle is gonna give y'all another lick.
The Power 98.3 personality is reviving the event for one night only on Wednesday, November 25, in honor of Groove Candy's annual pre-Thanksgiving bash, and the game's pretty much the same: DJ M2 and guests will spin neo-soul, Top 40, old-school, reggae, and urban tracks for an ample crowd that's sure to include plenty of local hip-hop artists.
The only change is the shindig's location, which will be PHX Nightclub in downtown P-Town. Doors open at 9 p.m. with ladies getting free before 10:30 and two-for-one drink available until 11. Drop by GC's MySpace or Twitter for more info.
It's a major disappointment Miss Lady Gaga isn't coming to town on her Monster Ball Tour, but Phoenicians can still hear the diva's new music when The Fame Monster drops November 23.
She just released the newest single and stylishly slick video, "Bad Romance," off the album, which includes all the music off her debut, The Fame, as well as eight new songs. The new songs will also be sold separately for the more than 4 million people who already have the original album.
I just don't get what the big deal with Shakira is.
I mean, don't get me wrong, the Colombian pop singer is gorgeous, but she sounds like a dying horse when she sings.
Seriously.
It's really difficult to sing along to any of her music, which, for some reason, consistently finds its way onto top 40 radio stations.
When she's not moaning, howling or grunting in her music to sell her songs with sex, you can't understand what she's singing. She also has a terrible wavering quality to her voice that makes me scared that I'm going to have a seizure at any minute.Her songs sound mildly better when she's singing in Spanish, but even then, the quality is dismal.
Vocalist/guitarist Masaki Murashita of Phoenix metal band Hemoptysis has a new toy to show off. He's recently been sponsored by Jackson Guitars and received a limited-edition EMG-X King V, which he'll be displaying at upcoming shows, including a November 21 gig at Mardi Gras in Scottsdale.
The band's also being honored as Metal Band of the Year at the 2nd Annual Phoenix Music Awards in Los Angeles at the Avalon Theater November 12. The awards show recognizes nearly 20 Valley bands, including Butcher Jones.
Hemoptysis is currently promoting their latest EP, Who Needs a Shepherd? The heavy EP, which the band describes as having a futuristic metal style that combines several sounds, includes the track, "Shadow of Death," a commentary of the Iraq War.
One of the Valley's youngest metal bands, Age of Evil, is now being played on local rock radio station, 98 KUPD (97.9 FM). You can now request their song, "Cruel Intentions," and bring more of a local presence to the station's playlist.
The hard rocking track is off their upcoming EP, Get Dead, released Nov. 17. This summer, the band was busy touring Europe, where they've garnered quite the fan base, having been named Best Newcomer by Germany's Heavy magazine.
Hear music from Get Dead at www.myspace.com/ageofevil, and to request "Cruel Intentions," call (602) 260-9800.
Still pissed about that David Allen Coe show being canceled at Last Exit Bar & Grill? Join the club. We recommend heading out to catch indie pop act Neba and jam band What Laura Says tonight, at a free show at the Tempe live music venue. You can catch two hot up-and-coming Valley acts and talk to management about getting a refund if you're one of the unlucky cats still waiting to get your money back.
Neba will also perform Thursday, Oct. 8 at Phoenix's First Christian Church, Friday, Oct. 9 at the Sail Inn as part of the Dry River Yacht Club CD Release Show and Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Yucca Tap Room with Dry River Yacht Club.
Daisy, the forthcoming album from Long Island indie/hardcore band Brand New isn't out until next Tuesday, Sept. 22, but thanks to MySpace, you can check out the disc in its entirety before it drops next week. The band is streaming its fourth disc on their MySpace page.
After giving the stellar album a full listen, we can't wait to see them live next month. Like a fine wine, Brand New continues to get better with age. Be sure to check out tracks like "At the Bottom," "Gasoline" and "Daisy," the title track. You can also check out the guys performing "Sowing Season (Yeah)" from The Devil And God in the studio during the Daisy sessions here.
The band will debut some new material for an AZ audience when they headline Mesa Ampitheatre Thursday, Oct. 22. Manchester Orchestra and The Builders and The Butchers are also on the bill. Tickets are $24-$28 and show kicks off at 6:15 p.m.
Looking for your chance to shine in a music video? Hit up The Attitude on MySpace. The glam rockers are searching for "hip guys and gals" to be apart of their video shoot on Sunday, September 20, for a new track. According to a bulletin the band posted on the social networking Web site, the shoot will be around six hours long. If you're interested in being their next video star, hit up the guys via their MySpace page.
The guys are also slated to perform Friday, October 30, at Martini Ranch in Scottsdale at ll-ages show.
The post-hardcore rockers are touring in support of their new album Beggars, which hits store shelves the next day on Tuesday, September 15. We're guessing the band will debut some brand new material during the show on Monday. Doors are at 7 p.m. for the clandestine, all-ages event, which will also feature a set by openers Aushua. The earlier you arrive, the more likely you will get to be apart of the secret fun.
Quick, synchronize your digital televisors! Violet Wild's gonna take to the Valley's airwaves.
We admit that this is totally a last minute kinda thing, but we just learned that Tempe alt-poppers Violet Wild are gonna be performing a special acoustic set on today's edition of KPNX's Arizona Midday program, which airs at 1 p.m. this afternoon.
But if you aren't able to catch guitarist Josh Kennedy and vocalist Bobby Scott hob-knobbing with host Destry Jetton and Jan D'Atri, the band will be gigging tonight at Tempe Marketplace's District Stage starting at 7 p.m.
Tempe's The Lucky Devil has been hosting some interesting events over the last few months - various rock shows, the Rockabilly Showdown, fun theme nights, etc) - putting themselves on our radar. On Friday, Oct. 2, the Tempe dive bar, which is located conveniently off a lightrail stop on Apache and Dorsey and sits next to Club Tattoo, will host a White Trash Keg Bash in honor of cutie pie bartender Eldon Bertsch's birthday.
The bar is inviting people to bring their own beer bongs for the party, which will feature $1 Natural Light beers and Jell-O shots and a Miss White Trash pageant for $100 prize.The bar will also award prizes for best trashy top and best jean shorts so be sure to get all trashed out if you want to score a fun prize. If you need some inspiration, we suggest cruising Van Buren. The party starts at 10 p.m. and cover is $5.
The long-running electro/hip-hop night that's been going down at Bar Smith since last November, has eschewed downtown in favor of Old Town as of tonight. All of the PR residents are coming along for the ride, including Benjamin Cutswell, Senbad, D-JR, Tricky T, and Death to the Throne (our personal nominee for the "Best DJ Name of All Time" award).
Doors open at 9 p.m. and there's no cover. PCL is located at 4426 North Saddlebag Trail, just south of Camelback Road. Call 480-481-3100 for more info.
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