Then, like a splash of hot oil in the face, we were hit with the caustic surf guitar and cymbal crash of Sisterworld’s “Scarecrows on a Killer Slant.” The crowd members immediately started slamming into each other as our long-forgotten punk instincts took over, and the band took advantage of our heightened energy as they moved into the dance-punk club banger, “Brats,” from WIXIW. It was as if the Liars from 2001 met the Liars from 2012 and made a song together—too bad nobody knew how to dance, because this would have been the time for it. … read more
San Diego Comic-Con 2012 Day One: Blood on the Con Floor
San Diego Comic Con is a strange and overwhelming beast. You can try to imagine what a mass of humanity 125,000 deep is like, but it won’t do justice to viewing the actual spectacle with your own eyes. This being my fourth time attending I still find it incredible. … read more
San Diego Comic-Con 2012 Day Two: When It’s Time to Party We Will Party Hard
“The best laid plans of mice and men,” as they say, was a bitter pill to swallow. I learned this quickly the second day of San Diego Comic Con 2012, as I dashed with my roommates to try and get into the Firefly 10th Anniversary panel. This was one of the very few things on my agenda that I really wanted to attend. But the normal part of my brain was not willing to get to the con early and wait in line for hours. … read more
San Diego Comic-Con 2012 Day Three: Oddball Comics
I entered day three of the convention with the Zen calm of a Hindu cow, resigned to my fate. All the things that a fanboy suffers through for his passion—the sore feet and aching lower back, the endless bumping of people running into you at every turn in the tightly packed convention center, the loud noises, the ups and downs of meeting your idols or being turned away from a full panel, the expensive but desirable exclusive toys and comics—all these things no longer bothered me. … read more
Wasatch Roller Derby Extravaganza @ Derby Depot 07.14
A day filled absolutely full of derby. What more could a girl ask for? Or anyone with decent taste, for that matter? … read more
She’s A Lady Fest: 2012 Edition @ Free Speech Zone 07.14
I am happy to announce to you Salt Lake City dwellers that a community of extraordinarily talented female musicians surrounds us. This years Lady Fest at the Free Speech Zone showcased an exciting variety of such local artists. … read more
Napalm Flesh: Red Fang Interview
This week, our faithful darkhearts, we have an interview with the awesome stoner-rock outfit, Red Fang, a band whose star is rising faster than you can say “pass the PBR.” They made a stop here in SLC just recently, tearing up Bar Deluxe, and we kidnapped guitarist Bryan Giles for a few minutes to find out how all this success and nonstop globetrotting is treating these badass groove monsters. We also have an exclusive review of the new Hypnosia compilation for curious ears. … read more
Damn These Heels! 2012
The Damn These Heels! Film Festival kicked off with the screening of Gayby, a hilarious flick by Jonathan Lisecki about two longtime friends who overcome their mutual life doldrums and relationship dumps to have a baby together, which deals with sexual stereotypes and roles. … read more
Teen Daze, Beat Connection and White Arrows @ Kilby 07.18
Teen Daze evinces the same sort of tactile relationship with his equipment as does a guitar player as he fiddles with the knobs, a coy simper on his face. … read more
JP Haynie, Mooninite, Ben Best @ Kilby 07.12
Concluding the night with songs from his new LP, The Sand, JP Haynie was joined on stage with bandmates Nate Housley on bass, Greg Wilson on guitar, Danny Orme on drums and Denny Fuller on the trumpet. … read more
The CUAC pARTy Bus: Final Voyage to a Contemporary Art Oasis
Recent years have produced an alternative avenue for experiencing the art world in Utah. In much the same way one could hitch the party bus to Wendover, one could hop aboard the Contemporary Utah Arts Center (CUAC—pronounced “quack”) pARTy bus and enjoy a boozey transport to the unlikely town of Ephraim. … read more
Naysayer @ SLC Foursquare Church 07.19
The best thing about all-ages hardcore shows isn’t the moshing. It’s not the contrived feeling of male camaraderie and it’s not the chance to shout along to a butchered Chain of Strength cover. No, the best thing about all-ages hardcore shows is the simple fact that six legitimate bands can play full sets, and the passive observer can still be home in time for 10 PM Simpsons re-runs and a hot bath before the following work day. … read more
