Authors: Ricky Vigil
Localized: Fox Van Cleef, The Boomsticks and Big Trub –...
There’s no better way to celebrate SLUG’s annual beer issue than by knocking back a few at this month’s Localized. Bands from all over Utah’s musical landscape will converge at The Urban Lounge in the name of booze on June 18, as Ogden psych-rockers Fox Van Cleef, Salt Lake surfers The Boomsticks and Provo garage rock openers Big Trub take the stage. As always, five bucks gets you in, and you get what you pay for. … read more
Red Bennies
“We have been around for sixteen years, and there’s a reason: it’s because we’re the best band—ever. And we challenge anyone as proof of this. Book the show and we’ll be there.” These are the words of Dave Payne, vocalist/guitarist of venerable local rock veterans The Red Bennies. With over ten releases to their name and a list of alumni that includes some of the most notable musicians in Salt Lake, The Red Bennies’ self-described style of “rock soul punk” has become legendary. … read more
Polar Bear Club: No Glitz, No Glam
Polar Bear Club has made a career out of not fitting in. Polar Bear Club is also one of the hardest touring bands in any scene of the greater punk rock spectrum, and their willingness to take chances on tour packages and musical style has garnered them a stronger and stronger following since they began touring full-time in late 2008. During a rare period of Polar Bear Club downtime, SLUG had a chance to chat with vocalist Jimmy Stadt. … read more
Two Cow Garage
Looking at the routing of Two Cow Garage’s current tour reveals many gigs taking place at bars, pubs, lounges, and even the odd brewery or tavern. If there was any justice in the world, these Ohio natives would have broken out of the bar scene and gained the same level of popularity as like-minded bands like The Hold Steady and The Gaslight Anthem. Injustice notwithstanding, one must admit that Two Cow Garage’s songs make a lot more sense after a few beers. … read more
Top 5: Touche Amore/La Dispute
When the Internet shit-talking regarding new bands reaches unprecedented levels, it usually means they’re about to get huge. As part of the weirdly wide-reaching post-hardcore and emo revival of the last few years, Touché Amoré and La Dispute have become the regular targets of many a cro-magnon keyboard attack in recent months, and both seem poised for greatness. … read more
Salt Lake City Film Festival: No Off Season
While most people’s attention will be turned towards Park City this January, the organizers of the Salt Lake City Film Festival will be hard at work putting together the third installment of their annual event. Even though this year’s festival doesn’t take place until the end of August, the organizers have been busy expanding their brand and planning for the future, and on December 16, the SLCFF celebrated the opening of submissions for the 2011 festival. … read more
Liturgy: Transcending Black Metal
Hunter Hunt-Hendrix may be the most hated man in metal at the moment. His essay Transcendental Black Metal has become the subject of much derision. However, Aesthethica, the second album from Hunt-Hendrix’s band Liturgy, has garnered just as many positive reviews from metal outsiders as it has negative reviews from the kvltest of the kvlt. I spoke with Hunt-Hendrix about the new album and how he’s dealing with all of the attention Liturgy has been receiving. … read more
CLC Band: The Mooks
Pop punk has always been a home for young, loud, snotty weirdos who don’t mind their rebel music being filtered through The Beach Boys, bubblegum, comic books and shitty horror movies. The Mooks have been doing their part to keep pop punk alive in Utah since 2008, and at Craft Lake City, they’ll unleash their firestorm of cuteness upon the masses. … read more
The Time I Interviewed The Queers
Here’s a comic about the time I interviewed The Queers for SLUG in 2007. … read more
Top 5: Wugazi
I hate mash-ups. I hate DJs. I hate dance music in general and the culture that surrounds it. However, I love Fugazi and I love the Wu-Tang Clan. Wugazi was made specifically for people just like me. … read more