Perfume Genius with Parenthetical Girls @ KIlby Court 04.14

Mike Hadreas doesn’t do drugs, or at least not anymore. This is what the front man of Perfume Genius connoted as he told me the story about how a destitute man carrying a baby randomly solicited him for drugs a few blocks away upon his arrival. He looks as if he wants to laugh and grimace simultaneously at this, but opts to smoke the cigarette clenched in his right paw instead. This is his first time playing in Utah. … read more

Poetry Written in Gasoline: Refused @ The Glass House 04.12

Refused at The Glasshouse show poster.

Refused are fucking dead. The self-proclaimed “socialist fag-loving pc scumbags” quietly imploded on October 27, 1998, announcing their demise on the very day their final album, The Shape of Punk to Come, was released. That was 14 years ago, and if the adult me told the younger me that we would be seeing one of the most influential unsung hardcore bands of all time live, I would have replied simply, “You demand the impossible.” … read more

The Opiates – Hollywood Cuts: The Remixes Review

There’s always something to be said of a great remix and what it can do to transform a song—from reverent ballad to tits-out club stomper—and how it can revitalize or even reinvent a release. One of my favorite albums of last year was easily Hollywood Under the Knife, released under dance diva extraordinaire Billie Ray Martin’s great Opiates moniker. I was excited by the notion of a new full-length remix album, but didn’t expect to be so blown away by it. … read more

The Cave Singers, Dave Wilson @ Kilby 04.21

“You guys are badass!” Shouted one over-excited spectator as The Cave Singers took the stage. Lead vocalist Pete Quirk was quick to respond, “We are badass! We steal, and we loiter, but we’re a good catch, nonetheless!” Guitarist Derek Fudesco and drummer Marty Lund chuckled and hooted in agreement as they took their posts—Fudesco on a ripped up barstool, and Lund behind his percussion set, which included a pair of bongos. … read more

The Glamour of Selling Out: Stan Evans Photography @ Mandate Press 04.20

Motorcycles. Snowboarding. Muscular women, scantily clad, glistening with sweat. Without a doubt, photographer Stan Evans has made a career of capturing the subjects of any adrenaline junky’s wet dream. His images could be featured on an inspirational poster or a Nike ad; the collection is a sleek conflation of fashion and action sport images that are dramatic, dynamic and just plain sexy. … read more

Napalm Flesh: Jeff Loomis Interview

Welcome to Napalm Flesh! This week we have an interview with legendary guitarist Jeff Loomis, who we caught up when he played Salt Lake with Periphery and Protest the Hero on April 6. We talked to him about his days in Nevermore, his new solo album, and the metal scene at large. We also have our usual weekly calendar rundown as well as blog-exclusive reviews of Accept. Cathter, Pelican and the Nails/Skin Like Iron split. … read more