“It’s All Heartfelt and Shit”: Best Friends Forever Takes Slamdance

Posted on January 2, 2013 (January 31, 2022) by Alton Barnhart

Best Friends Forever is an indie film that blends together dark comedy, sci-fi and horror into a road trip—in a ’76 AMC Pacer—which takes place during a nuclear apocalypse. Co-written by Brea Grant and Vera Miao, BFF is an examination of what’s truly important in life. In a video from the film’s website, Miao describes BFF by saying, “It’s all heartfelt and shit,” and anyone who has had a “BFF” before knows that’s a perfect description of a good friendship. … read more

All Systems Fail

Posted on July 3, 2012 (January 24, 2022) by Alton Barnhart

If the old axiom, “slow and steady wins the race,” rings true, then All Systems Fail have certainly earned the blue ribbon 10 times over, and have given each one to the kids bouncing around house show living rooms and art shop basements. If you’re one of this odd lot who has never experienced All Systems Fail, now is a good time to do so. The band is a time capsule of sorts that belts out their original sound and embodies the ethos of punk times past, but they are also gradually sidling into a slightly updated articulation of All Systems Fail. … read more

Head Room: Comadre Unleashes Comadre

Posted on January 2, 2013 (January 31, 2022) by Alton Barnhart

“We write until we feel like we don’t have good ideas anymore,” says Jack Shirley, guitarist of the Bay Area punk band, Comadre. For a band that has put out three previous, full-length albums, splits with Trainwreck and Glasses, five mixtapes, an EP and a self-titled record out Jan. 8 on Vitriol Records, it’s clear that they are nowhere near a drought of creativity. What’s more is that Comadre have underpinned their existence with a tenure of DIY ethics, having self-released all of their releases up until this one on Bloodtown Records. … read more

Photo Feature: Dylan Thompson

Posted on January 2, 2013 (February 2, 2022) by Alton Barnhart

I can’t believe it’s 2013 and I’m writing about the fact that Alta still won’t allow snowboarders on its slopes. If anyone would have bet me 25 years ago that weed would be completely legal in a few states, gay people could marry and we’d have a two-term black president before Alta would cave in and finally allow snowboarding, I would have most certainly taken that wager. And that’s why I’m not a betting man. … read more

Photo Feature: Mike Murdock

Posted on January 2, 2013 (February 2, 2022) by Alton Barnhart

What I said before about going out with a real tight plan to get a photo––that doesn’t always work. Sometimes, after an exhausting hour of trying the planned trick, you decide to move on and try something else. Sometimes you strike gold and end up with something better than the plan. Mike Murdock struck gold at this barely skateable bump. … read more

Building Boards After Dark

Posted on January 2, 2013 (February 2, 2022) by Alton Barnhart

After Dark Skateboards is a new, thriving project in the Salt Lake City community. Owner, creator and visionary Mark Judd brings his fine-tuned woodworking expertise from the cabinetry industry to his passion for skateboarding, making some of the highest-quality handmade skateboards in America. On an almost daily basis, you will find Judd slaving away at his craft, making sure every After Dark skateboard is pressed, shaped, printed and packaged to meet his personal standard. … read more

Princess Kennedy: The Great Wig-Out of 2013

Posted on January 2, 2013 (February 2, 2022) by Alton Barnhart

Cleopatra had hers dyed with saffron, the ancient Romans made them for their statues, Baroque times dictated men wear them, and women adorned them with the most preposterous scenes. Pastiche, peruke, rug, weave, periwig or toupee: Welcome to the wonderful, wacky world of wigs! … read more

Beautiful Godzila: Down Here, It’s Our Time—It’s Our Time, Down Here

Posted on January 2, 2013 (February 2, 2022) by Alton Barnhart

A cloud of warm air forces its way through the loose loops of yarn on the crocheted scarf covering my mouth as I pull my bike out of the shed. What doesn’t make it past my mom’s needlework fills in pockets of moist heat around my face, providing a comforting sensation in contrast to the dry freeze that’s stinging my uncovered eyes. I’m wearing enough layers to regret the extra hoodie after the first hill, but if I’d tensed from a single shiver walking out the door, I might’ve changed my mind and stayed in. Besides, the only humans awake at this hour to witness my pit stains and matted hair are busy with someone’s hand up their skirt in the back of a cab. … read more

Gallery Stroll – January 2013

Posted on January 2, 2013 (December 22, 2022) by Alton Barnhart

Scotty Soltronic’s “Steve Austin” is made from repurposed materials welded together.

Highly regarded artists Scotty Soltronic and Anthony Granato will be warming up our cold, winter night with solo shows at the Utah Arts Alliance and the Gray Wall Gallery. … read more

Millworks Skateboard MFG.: Out of the Trash, Into the Streets

Posted on January 2, 2013 (February 2, 2022) by Alton Barnhart

There is something magical about taking what some people consider garbage and recycling it to give it new life. This is especially magical when that garbage needing to be recycled is your old skateboard. Millworks Skateboard Manufacturing, or in more appropriate terms, re-manufacturing, is a small venture started about a year ago out of the Millcreek garage of Aaron Schwendiman. “It started from just a stack of old decks,” Schwendiman says. “Every skateboarder has a pile of old decks—I just wanted to make them skate-able again.” … read more

Video Game Reviews 1/13

Posted on January 3, 2013 (February 2, 2022) by Alton Barnhart

Planetside 2 and Pokémon: Black Version 2 are reviewed this month. … read more

Beer Reviews 1/13

Posted on January 3, 2013 (February 2, 2022) by Alton Barnhart

Getting a beer-reviewing gig is no easy thing––every asshole out there with a tongue can pretty much tell you if they like or don’t like a beer. Apart from being a conniving bastard, I’ve also been writing about the local beer scene at the Utah Beer Blog for the last seven years. I think I have a pretty good pulse on Utah’s beer culture and hope you can find some use for my reviews. … read more