Sprawling. Swirling. Ominous. Auspicious. Any number of multisyllabic words can be used to describe the music of Russian Circles, who have been creating dynamic instrumental music since 2004. In anticipation of their performance at The Great Saltair on Feb. 15, SLUG spoke with bassist Brian Cook about the upcoming tour and what Russian Circles have in store for 2013. … read more
The conflict between the devil and all that is considered good is never-ending. Musician and filmmaker Rob Zombie has become a modern media icon by writing and performing music and films exploiting that conflict—horror is his muse. Zombie is planning a spring invasion that will feature a new studio album, a feature film and an accompanying novel. … read more
Fritz Kollman is a sensitive creature. Not the type of sensitivity that happens when you rip a Band-Aid off a wound, or the kind that happens when you can’t take a joke. What I’m talking about is the sensitivity that controls the interaction between a person and their surroundings. What sets Fritz apart is his levelheaded approach to his circumstance, which has given way to the cultivation of two passions that keep him sane: skateboarding and horticulture. … read more
Steve Thueson takes us on a romantic journey through February’s most popular holiday in this month’s installment of SLUG Holiday Comix. … read more
Squatters started in 1989 as a great idea imported from Europe—a brewpub—and they did it well. Bangers and mash were among the first things on the menu, and the beer was, by today’s standards, so-so, but it was better than the sad brews others were making at the time. Popular right from the start, Squatters brought a whole retinue of imitators: brewpubs with their own, great beer and versions of pub food. None have become part of the DNA of Salt Lake in the way Squatters has. The first three restaurants out of my mouth when I talk Salt Lake eating to strangers looking for a place are Red Iguana, Market Street and Squatters. … read more
Chris Grenier is a talented snowboarder, and, as such, has been rewarded with lucrative endorsement deals with top-shelf brands. Of all of his beloved sponsors, I would venture to say there is none he holds more dear than his place on the Monster Energy team. Monster is stocked full of riders, but Grenier is unique because he’s the only snowboarder on this team that I know of who actually drinks their toxic product. … read more
Book reviews for The Enlightened Cyclist, Next of Being, Official Truth and Slanky. … read more
For this article, Forrest Huber, Jovi Bathemess, Sam Milianta, Gabe Dusserre and I met up near the library Downtown. The friendly dynamic and atmosphere that was created helped some of these tricks come to life. These photos were all shot on two Saturdays in downtown Salt Lake City. We didn’t get all the photos we wanted to––sometimes a spot gets the best of you, sometimes you get kicked out before you even get a chance to skate––but we had fun, and that is all that really matters.
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In a simple sense, OM is a band that makes and plays music. A straight dissection of the band’s musical elements may mislead the interpreter. The subject matter isn’t direct and the music fits into realms from traditional rock to experimental, drone and world music. “Things in my life are incredibly inspiring. They’re a hundred times more powerful than some shitty album from some shitty band,” says Al Cisneros. … read more
Reviews for the films Black Rock, Dirty Wars, Last Shop Standing, Star Trek: Into Darkness and Stories We Tell. … read more
“I think I’m always optimistic,” says Tracyanne Campbell from her flat in Glasgow. “It might not seem like that, but I think I’m always, ultimately, trying to look on the bright side.” As the leader of the Scottish group Camera Obscura, Tracyanne Campbell needs hardly any introduction at all—she’s one of the brightest-shining indie stars of the last decade. From a diverse body of influences, ranging from classic country to melancholic British indie-pop, Campbell and her bandmates have built a stellar body of work, replete with catchy tunes and supremely bittersweet, sardonic lyrics. … read more
Simon had an enthusiasm toward life that inspired me. I looked up to her, and I always will for her ability to look beyond the obvious value of something. She appreciated the intricacies in people that make them imperfect, and make them who they are. Nobody has ever had me feeling as cool, as smart or as interesting as Simon made me feel. I was flattered to be her friend. … read more
