Music
The Black Angels @ Urban Lounge
I’d been anticipating The Black Angels’ May 6th show since I saw the group play in Austin at SXSW. I typically try to not to build things up this much. In many cases that much anticipation will lead to disappointment. Lucky for me, I was seeing The Black Angels. The Black Angels don’t disappoint. … read more
Junip and The Acrylics @ The State Room on 04.29
Moving from the empty winter streets to a full house at The State Room Friday evening, I joined Salt Lake’s dedicated José González fans to see his band, Junip. … read more
Starfucker @ Urban Lounge 04.19
I am so glad this band returned to their original name. The Portland dance pop squad initially altered their moniker because of the media attention they were receiving from the funloving but thorny “Starfucker” to the somewhat bland “Pyramid.” Apparently you just don’t feature a band called Starfucker in a TV commercial. With the release of their second LP (after a slew of EPs), Reptilians, the original name is back, although they will also tour as the more marquis friendly “STRFKR.” I think the original fits them. … read more
This Will Destroy You – Extended Interview
Perhaps it’s blasphemy, but Texas-based This Will Destroy You are what I imagine god would sound like if he were real and in an instrumental rock quartet. Their name may be just as pretentious as that statement, but once you hear any of the powerful tracks off their upcoming album Tunnel Blanket, to be released May 10 on Suicide Squeeze, it’s clear This Will Destroy You are not feigning ambition. Read on for an extended version of the interview with drummer Alex Bhore running the May 2011 issue of SLUG. … read more
Napalm Flesh – Local Artist Spotlight: Sonic Prophecy
It’s maximum metal Wednesday today! this week’s blog features an interview with Utah metal crew Sonic Prophecy along with the usual lowdown of concerts for the week. Add on top of that a massive breakdown of album reviews from Satan’s Host, While Heaven Wept, Argus, Before the Dawn, Hrizg, Leave’s Eyes, Midnattsol, Samael, Shakra, Suidakra, Twisted Tower Dire, and Voodoo Circle, offering the first glimpse of future Napalm Flesh and Dead But Dreaming blogs to feature reviews of all the metal you can handle! … read more
National CD Reviews – May 2011
New and recent releases from Austra, Citizen Fish, Deafheaven, Gang Gang Dance, I Was Totally Destroying It, The Kills, Nader Sadek, Pet Shop Boys, The Raveonettes, Shannon & The Clams, Sims, tUnE-YarDs, Wormrot, Young Widows, and many more are reviewed this month.
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Mountain Man @ The Deathstar on 04.06
Maybe I’ve become lazy in my show upkeep, or maybe this was just poorly promoted, but that’s not the point. What matters is that when a real deal hardcore band graced us, here in “Brovo,” with their raucous presence, I immediately put all my other pursuits (like patching together a broken relationship and finishing my linguistics essay) on hold. … read more
The Dwarves: Back at It… and Still the Best
Anyone who has ever been a fan of The Dwarves knows that they are true originals. The band’s two staple members, guitarist HeWhoCannotBeNamed and lead singer Blag Dahlia, are anomalies all their own. Somehow, this highly explosive punk rock outfit has lasted for 25 years, and to mark that occasion, they have released their twelfth full-length record Born Again. I had a chat with Blag about where the band is now and what they want out of the future. … read more
This Will Destroy You
Perhaps it’s blasphemy, but Texas-based This Will Destroy You are what I imagine god would sound like if he were real and in an instrumental rock quartet. Their name may be just as pretentious as that statement, but once you hear any of the powerful tracks off their upcoming album Tunnel Blanket, to be released May 10 on Suicide Squeeze, it’s clear This Will Destroy You are not feigning ambition. … read more
Sympathy for the Recording Industry: Midnight Records
Founded in 2008 and located in the back of the Utah Arts Alliance on 127 S. Main Street, Midnight Records has beaten the odds by flourishing and growing in this incredibly volatile time of transition in the music industry. Midnight charges a flat, $75 rate per song, which includes mixing, mastering and a CD, or a $45 hourly rate, which includes mastering. The flat-rate pricing allows a more relaxed and interactive recording environment. … read more
The Poorwills: Melodic Stalwarts Show New Folk-Pop Face
Essentially carved out of the three separate acts of Bluebird Radio, Glade and The Devil Whale, the folk “super-group” of The Poorwills came together on a whim and spent nearly half a year putting together their debut album, Drinks On The Wing. Now, with a fully formed setlist, a release show on May 13 and possibilities of a tour, this on-the-fly project may be one of the best groups to emerge in 2011. … read more
Localized – May 2011
On Saturday, May 14, roll on out to the Urban Lounge for a healthy smattering of punk rock from both ends of the spectrum. Expect a dose of sugar-sweet pop punk from The Hung Ups and an unholy strain of riotous thrash from Desolate. Problem Daughter will kickstart the sonic smorgasbord at 10 p.m. $5 gets you in. … read more
