Month: February 2011
Gaza
Jon Parkin, Tino Lucero, Mike Mason and Casey Hanson are four of the nicest guys you’ll meet in an anti-Jesus setting. Gaza is one of the most notorious bands to come out of Utah in years. While Gaza hoodies are keeping people all over the world warm, their albums are keeping parents all over the world scared. They are a band with a message, and they’ve stepped onto a platform in the Utah music scene which had been empty for years. … read more
Raunch Records
Raunch Records first opened its doors in 1984. Over the last decade, the yuppies have seemingly said, “Jump,” to which Sugarhouse has said, “How high?” So Brad Collins and company couldn’t have picked a better time to re-launch—or, re-Raunch. Look no further for punk/hardcore CDs, vinyl, apparel and skateboards. No Top 40, no Entertainment Weekly subscription offers at checkout, and no phonies—that’s Raunch, “a fucked up place to get some shit.” … read more
Blue Boutique
Blue Boutique is one of the oldest and best lingerie/adult novelty shops in Utah. Walking into any of their four locations is like stepping into a casino in Vegas minus the drunk smokers, and with some extra sexy thrown in the mix. Longtime buyer Dionn Nielsen has been working with the shop since 1989, as long as SLUG has been around, and she still loves her job.Despite a move that hurt the business, and the initial protests over their new location, Blue Boutique has continued to thrive. … read more
State Room
Darin Piccoli and Chris Mautz moved to Utah in the late ‘90s and both quickly fell into the roles of local concert promoters, booking for events like the Red Butte and Snowbird concert series as well as the Utah Arts Festival. Both were “avid concert-goers” when they moved to Utah and turned their growing expertise into a physical reality with The State Room’s grand opening on April 1, 2009. … read more
Velour
Years ago, traveling to Provo to see a touring band would have seemed unthinkable. When Corey Fox opened Velour, however, that all began to change. Fox began the all-ages venue almost five years ago with little more than a dream and some elbow grease. Fox’s hard work has paid huge dividends for Provo’s surprisingly diverse musical community by providing a cultural hub deep in the heart of Utah County. … read more
Nobrow Coffee and Tea
In 2006, after half a decade of working as a barista in corporate coffee shops, Joe Evans decided to open his own coffee shop, and Nobrow was born. Although Nobrow is a boutique shop—specializing in coffees made from top-tier roasters around the country like Intelligentsia and Counter Culture—the atmosphere is casual and their espresso delicious. Nobrow is more than a mere coffee shop, it’s also serves a gallery, a practice space for local bands and a meeting space for many groups. … read more
Meditrina
To Jennifer Gilroy and Amy Britt, the couple responsible for the award-winning wine and small plate restaurant, Meditrina, it’s the personal touches that matter. After coming from backgrounds in nightclub management and the corporate sector, they started the foodie heaven in 2008 without investors, so little things are constantly improving. Having followed their own passions for food and excellent wine, they say it’s the energy of the place that makes it unique. … read more
S & S Presents / Kilby Court
Four years ago, Lance Saunders and Will Sartain combined forces to become S&S Productions. Since then, the duo have been booking some of the raddest national talent to play venues in Salt Lake City, Utah. In January 2008, S&S extended their reach beyond booking—becoming owners of Kilby Court and partial owners of Urban Lounge. These days the two venues each host over 25 shows per month. … read more
Copper Palate Press
A little more than a year old, Copper Palate Press has quickly gained a reputation for housing the vanguard of Salt Lake City’s burgeoning art scene by throwing killer screen printing parties and being an unmissable stop on any Gallery Stroll. More than this, however, the CPP communal philosophy is responsible for providing the ever-expanding collective with a black hole-like gravitational pull for all those fascinated with SLC’s art scene. … read more
Heavy Metal Shop
Since 1987, The Heavy Metal Shop has been everything that stores like Hot Topic and FYE aren’t—legit, neighborly and stocked with great music, posters and apparel. If you ever want to talk music, take a minute and go chat with HMS owner Kevin Kirk. He’s an absolute fountain of rock/metal facts and anecdotes. Kirk has done something few shop owners have done: He’s created one of the most recognizable brands to come out of Salt Lake. … read more
Burt’s Tiki Lounge
Jeremy Sundeaus—or “Jerm” as most folks know him—has been involved in the local and national music scenes since before most mall-punks were born. He can often be found slinging drinks, loading the stage at our own Burt’s Tiki Lounge, occupying said stage with his current doom act Muckraker, and also bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Prince of Darkness with the extremely awesome and underrated Black Sabbath tribute band Irony Man. … read more
Ruckus Inc.
Benji Pierson, a.k.a. Ruckus, moved to Jackson Hole, Wyo. from his hometown of Seattle with little more than some art supplies and turntables. Making ends meet by DJ-ing parties, weddings, his own radio show and then working as a lifty at the local mountain, he started on his now-promising art career. Nearly a decade later, Pierson’s art has been featured on skis, snowboards, jackets and several prestigious snowboard and ski magazines. … read more
