Diabolical/Albatross Records has carved out a much needed niche in Salt Lake City for the hip weirdoes to congregate. Not only does this shop have a top selection of records, but they put on some of the better gigs in town. Obviously I am no stranger to this hive of scum and villainy, but my reason for being here on this particular evening was something of divine inspiration. I was here on a mission from god to see The Rich Hands. … read more
Mr. Gnome @ Urban Lounge 03.21 with Big Wild Wings and Heaps & Heaps
Having just completed a tour that included a stop at SXSW, Mr. Gnome graced this salty, allergy cloud of a city with an aerobic and intimate show at Urban Lounge. … read more
Round Table Riot: Molly Morbids vs. Ladies of the Lake @ The Hive 03.22
The bout started off great, with some amazing blocking from the Morbids. In only the first five minutes, the score was 15 to 36 for the Morbids. … read more
Against Me! @ Murray Theater 03.22 with Laura Stevenson & the Cans, Cheap Girls
Being an Against Me! fan is exhausting. Against Me!’s mix of “fuck society” politics, self-examination and stripped-down revolt against punk paradigms filled the hole in my punk heart. Then they signed to a major label and I felt betrayed. I’ve since grown up a little (I hope) and realized that a band can do whatever they want and it has absolutely nothing to do with me. … read more
12 Minutes Max – First Iteration @ The City Library 03.23
12 Minutes Max has long been a staple in the dance and performance world. It’s the signature program of Seattle’s famous On the Boards and now, Paul Reynolds has brought it to Salt Lake City’s downtown public library. This past Sunday at two in the afternoon, a respectable crowd––faces familiar to me from our city’s film, dance and visual art communities––filed into the auditorium at the library. … read more
We Are The Strike @ Velour 03.22 with Scott & Brendo
It was as packed as maybe I have ever seen inside. Velour actually had to keep a few people out because the show was completely sold out and the venue at capacity. Only minutes into We Are The Strike’s performance, it was easy to see why. … read more
Nightmares On Wax @ Urban Lounge 03.20 with Chase One Two & Crisis Wright
It was amazing to watch Nightmares on Wax’s George Evelyn manipulate everyone with tempo and instrument–bringing everyone to near exhaustion with pounding drums and lulling them from near collapse with beautiful workings of technical sound-smithing. Evelyn, however, never showed any sign of slowing down, as his set had remained solid through its entirety, leaving Urban Lounge in a wake of electronic bliss and technical prowess. … read more
Just Jonny: An Interview with Social Distortion’s Jonny “Two Bags” Wickersham
“So many different things about me manifest themselves on the record, whether it be through lyrics or whatever.” Jonny “Two Bags” Wickersham has put together an eclectic record that plays like a musical autobiography of a guy that has made music his entire life. … read more
Saga Outerwear Presents Odesza and High Counsel @ Urban Lounge 03.22
Every once in a while, I tend to get to a point where my body needs to release itself through dance, so I’m often convinced to venture out of my little shell to break free and let go. I’ve been looking forward to seeing Odesza for quite a while now, knowing that it’d probably be the perfect cure to loosen me up, and I was far from let down with that expectation. … read more
Ring Rats Anonymous: UCW TV TAPING (12th Anniversary Show) @ UCW Arena 03.22
Twelve years ago, Stevie Slick started this company in his basement. It was previously NWA-affiliated, sports an ultra loyal fanbase and ranks as THE pre-eminent promotion for quality pro-wrestling in Utah. Moving to Utah was a culture shock on all fronts. I’m not talking about Mormonism, snowboarding and the super-dry climate … I didn’t know where to find the wrestling! Don’t worry though. All that changed once I found UCW-Zero. Long live it! Long live independent wrestling! … read more
Reading Through the Refraction: Black Lips Talk Touring and New Releases
Raising hell since the late ’90s, the foursome of the Black Lips has always made music-making look effortless. They’ve pushed the boundaries of production and sound with their seventh studio album release, Underneath the Rainbow—a melodic mixture of gritty rock n’ roll, tangy lyrical wit and a dash of sticky-sweet Southern soul that drips off the tongue like molasses. SLUG was able to hash things out with bassist Jared Swilley to discuss life on the road, battle plans and bucket lists. … read more
Bellator 114 in Salt Lake City 03.28
Thousands of MMA fans will enter the Maverick Center Friday, March 28 to see MMA icon Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, the middleweight title fight with Alexander Shlemenko versus Brennan Ward and Rad Martinez’s final professional fight against Edson Berto, along with several other promising match-ups. … read more
