Authors: Alex Cragun
Form of Rocket with Gaza @ Kilby Court 02.17
I’ll be honest, Form of Rocket and Gaza are in my top ten favorite local bands of all time. Their lyrical word choice, math-rock rhythm and active stage presence hooked me early on in life. I think my exposure to Gaza and Form of Rocket deeply shaped my expectations for “good music.” … read more
Henry Rollins @ The State Room 09.16
Rollins’ two-and-half-hour speech about whatever willed from his mouth—politics, reunion shows, being drug-free, iPod playlists, the smell of cow piss and more—was pretty bitchin’. With a sold-out crowd, Uncle Rollins proceeded to put the audience on his lap and tell them what the world is really like. No stone was left unturned, no ass cheek awake. For those of you who skipped this show, I shame you. … read more
Amy Goodman @ The Rose Wagner 10.29.12
I was in a room full of liberals. They all probably listen to RadioActive after Democracy Now!, but when was the last time they were really politically engaged? When was the last time they handed out literature or questioned their own political perspective? This was the message Amy Goodman left us with—to demand change, to make change—not to wait for it. … read more
Pinback with Judgement Day @ The Depot 01.26
Doped up on DayQuil and brandishing a blue handkerchief, I braved a sea of mucus and cough fits just to see the indie-icon band, Pinback. The Depot was packed—I stood alongside inter-generational hipsters, a few of my former college professors, appreciators of minimalist rock and a small band of flannel-bros, rising to the occasion despite the onslaught of snow, long lines and $7 beer. … read more
Negative Approach @ The Shred Shed 02.16.12
Alternative Utah came out in droves on Saturday to pay respect to punk legends Negative Approach. Street punks, Crust punks, SHARPs, punk-savvy hipsters, people of all ages (there was a man who clearly into his late 60s dancing at the sidelines), people from every socio-economic stripe packed the Shred Shed en masse for cynical, anti-social hardcore. I’m not sure if the show sold out, but it sure looked like it, all thanks to the promoting monsters at Pyrate Punx SLC. … read more
Alabama Shakes @ Saltair 03.08
I’ve been a fan of Alabama Shakes for shy of a year and even though I love their album, I was expecting a canned performance, appealing to a broad audience, sticking only to their album and no jam seasons. I was wrong. The Alabama Shakes have one of the tightest rhythm sections I’ve seen in quite some time—without their quick stops and interplay, the vocals of Brittany Howard would not have a platform to launch from. … read more
One Way System with Mass Terror, All Systems Fail, Desolate,...
For most of Salt Lake City, Monday night was a cold, wet and somewhat snowy night—one last night (hopefully) for hot cocoa, sweaters and watching that Magic School Bus box set you mom got you in December. Those of us foolishly brave enough to venture out to the Salt Haus got a quite the treat. Hosted by the Pyrate Punx SLC, the bands Discoid A, Desolate, All Systems Fail, Mass Terror and One Way System played quite the show. … read more
Black Angels with Hanni El-Khatib, Wall of Dead @ The...
I’m going to come out here at the front and say that Saturday’s show was amazing and you are less of a person for missing it. Sorry kids, but the Black Angels have yet to disappoint me, and you’re letting yourself down by missing any opportunity to see them. Now, let’s go on to why this was such a good show, starting with beginning. … read more
Baby Gurl, Aan @ Kilby 05.13
Holy shit it was hot Monday night. The fact that anyone showed up anywhere in the city is something short of a miracle. Originally, this was going to be a review of the Black Pus show scheduled for the night, but the band’s mastermind Brian Chippendale was pulled over for being too cool and as a result, couldn’t make the show. Here’s to hoping he comes back as soon as possible and that his insurance rates stay low. … read more
Interview with Casualties Bassist Rick Lopez
The chaotic punk rock of The Casualties baptized the Salt Valley in sweat on May 25, and SLUG Magazine got the opportunity to speak with Rick Lopez (bassist) before they walked onstage at the Salt Haus. … read more
The Casualties @ Salt Haus 05.25
The Casualties walked on stage to a twangy, rockabilly song and immediately went into a jam from For the Punx. To say I was excited would be an understatement. I’ve been a fan of these gents since the age of 15 and I haven’t seen them since 2006. I was never a punk per se (it was too expensive to buy the outfit), but bands like The Casualties, Leftover Crack and The Virus got as much play in my CD player as The Smiths, Tomahawk and Descendents. … read more
An Interview with Adam Ant
Adam Ant recently released his ninth album, Adam Ant Is The Blueblack Hussar in Marrying The Gunner’s Daughter, and is setting to start another tour of the U.S. After a 17 year hiatus from the music industry, Ant’s record is not only a new beginning as an artist, but a new approach to the business side of the music industry. … read more
