Music
Get Lucky
Get Lucky, the latest rave produced by V2 events, was a perfect example of the rave scene in Utah: great music, way too many people. The rave scene here has blown up in the past four years, and almost every V2 event at Saltair in the last two years has been bigger than the last. This year was no exception: the event was oversold by at least a thousand people, making for a frustrating night. … read more
Pet Shop Boys – Pandemonium CD/DVD Review
When The Pet Shop Boys first toured in 1989, it was a decidedly unique event. The end result was a complete eschewal of the traditional rock concert format, instead incorporating a theatrical approach with stunning visuals, multiple costume changes and the songs themselves being presented as themed concepts complete with filmed backdrops. They have continually expanded on this formula, creating a show that is both visually incredible and undeniably memorable. … read more
Pet Shop Boys – Pandemonium CD/DVD Review
When The Pet Shop Boys first toured in 1989, it was a decidedly unique event. The end result was a complete eschewal of the traditional rock concert format, instead incorporating a theatrical approach with stunning visuals, multiple costume changes and the songs themselves being presented as themed concepts complete with filmed backdrops. They have continually expanded on this formula, creating a show that is both visually incredible and undeniably memorable. … read more
Suzanne Vega – Love Songs Review
I remember the first time I ever heard Suzanne Vega: It was late in the Spring of 1985 and my childhood friend Emily would play Vega’s eponymous debut in her VW Beetle’s tape deck as we drove around the Salt Lake valley. I quickly became enamored with this album and especially Vega’s perceptive lyrics and her pretty, clear voice. At that time there was no one else quite like her. … read more
The Appleseed Cast @ Kilby Court
Do you remember being in high school? Do you remember that impressionable stage in life when great shows weren’t just great shows; they were “OMG! That was the best show of my life!” Or when great albums were life-changing works of impossible art? This was certainly the case for me when I was 16 and saw The Appleseed Cast for the first time at the Bluebird in Denver, CO. … read more
The Creepshow @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge
I arrived at the dark dank spot on State Street known as Burt’s Tiki Lounge early to make sure I got a good spot that offered a choice line of sight of the so called stage. The normal crowd of gutter punks were perched at the bar nursing their hang over from the weekend. Having an ultra, mega, schoolyard crush on the Creepshow lead singer Sara “Sin” Blackwood, I couldn’t wait to see her hit that stage.
National CD Reviews – March 2010
Reviews of new and recent releases from The Album Leaf, Crime in Stereo, Dessa, Fucked Up, Galactic, Jason Collett, Owen Pallett, Shearwater, Surfer Blood, Tindersticks, Vampire Weekend, White Wizzard, Xiu Xiu and more! … read more
Localized: Breaux, God’s Revolver and Maraloka – March 2010
Sure, you’ve been to SLUG Localized, but never before have you experienced the combined sadistic threat of Breaux, God’s Revolver, and openers Maraloka. It all goes down at the Urban Lounge on Friday, March 12. Five bones gets you in. Good luck getting out. … read more
King Khan: Rock n’ Roll Soul
“I think this career choice was a lot smarter than boxing,” says Arish “King” Khan, frontman of the retro soul-punk outfit King Khan & the Shrines. “I definitely chose a better type of brain damage,” he says. Besides playing with the Shrines, King Khan also plays alongside good friend Mark Sultan (aka BBQ) in the two-piece, doo-wop punk band The King Khan & BBQ Show, and recently hooked up with Black Lips to record an album. … read more
Daniel Day Trio @ The Red Door
It was a freezing cold Saturday night. As we walked down 2nd south to the Red Door my step-brother and I discussed our lovable local government. I’m halfway through the phrase “Glenn Beck-loving sons of…” when our conversation is abruptly halted. There’s a wait to get inside. A line at a local CD release show? Once we got inside, the guy at the door said “find a spot, wherever you can.” The place was packed.
… read more