In skateboarding, it’s easy for skaters to become known for a certain trick that they do really well, or do a lot. For example, Paulo Diaz was the nollie guy; Lindsey Robertson—heelflips; Andrew Reynolds—frontside flips; Keith Hufnagel—giant ollies; etc. When I first met AJ, I was in awe of how well he skated fakie. … read more
Me and my bike are much like P.W. Herman—before he ever masturbated in public—and his special two-wheeler, in that we have both been on many adventures together. Both of our bikes have been stolen and retrieved with little aid from proper authorities, as clearly evidenced in the famous ’80s documentary, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. My tale of thievery is a bit different, but there are several parallels. … read more
801 Sessions is an entirely youth-run music production company, formerly known as Spy Hop Records. 801 Sessions consists of a group of students attending Spy Hop Productions—a nonprofit youth media organization who puts on their own shows every third Wednesday at The Shred Shed. The students find the bands, do all of the promotion, run the sound, the cameras and the lights, and then edit and mix the live footage into one well-composed video that they share online. … read more
When SLUG offered me the chance to make a goddamn beer cake, I was not about to say no, even if I am about the worst example of domestication I know. I called the Martha Stewart of the metal world, my dear friend Lady Arsenic of local band Arsenic Addiction, and asked if she’d be interested in helping me create this heavenly dessert. To keep chocolate off the camera, my wonderful partner in crime, SLUG photographer Matt Brunk, offered to document the debauchery. … read more
Video game reviews for Age of Wonders III, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, Child Of Light, Conception II, Daylight, Diablo III: Reaper Of Souls, Disney Magical World, The Elder Scrolls Online, Kinect Sports Rivals, Mercenary Kings, Pokemon Battle Trozei, Strike Suit Zero, Thief, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition and Trials Fusion. … read more
Malted barley, hops, water and yeast—if there’s one thing that beer has going for it in the world of fermented beverages, it’s the great diversity of flavors that a brewer can coax out of these four main and important ingredients. For many beer drinkers, when the word “beer” comes to mind, tastes of light-toasted grain and grassy/floral bitterness pops into mind. This is what mainstream beer has been for so many people over the last 120 years, but there is a style of beer that goes back centuries, which owes its existence to necessity and ungovernable factors: the wild ale. … read more
When I think of Idaho, I am reminded of giddy little trips to the nearest state border from Logan, Utah, to buy Mickey’s 40 ounces and clove cigarettes, marveling at the porn selection available only minutes away. Little did I know that, as I was stocking up on forbidden fruit for bacchanal weekends, a serpent was tempting two talented musicians with visions of doom and drone. Wolvserpent, a two-piece based out of Boise, consists of Blake Green (vocals and guitars) and Brittany McConnell (drums and violin). They return to SLC on July 24 to play at Urban Lounge. … read more
It’s strange that this is the first time I’ve actually written a bike-specific column for the bike issue, because I’m such an avid cyclist. I don’t drive—I never really have. In fact, I let my driver’s license expire over 15 years ago and never bothered to renew it. I’m the stereotypical city-ite who lives her life within a mile of her house, and if I can’t get there by bus, TRAX or train, then I most likely just don’t go there. If I leave the Downtown area, it’s usually on a plane. … read more
On May 27, Salt Lake City lost one of its favorite sons. Jeff Vice was somebody that everyone in town knew—he couldn’t walk into any bar or coffee shop without seeing a friend or being recognized by a fan with whom he would instantly interact, as if they were already friends. He gave everyone his attention and was always ready to talk movies, music and comics expertly and passionately. … read more
Since the summer of 2012, the Bad Kids Collective has shaken up Salt Lake’s drag scene, made connections with the global genderfuck community and established a home for queer artists at Metro Bar. Now, at “terrible” 2 years old, SLUG catches up with founding braintrust Cartel Chameleon Fenicé and performers Jezebel Jet and The Bearded Femme about where they’ve been, where they’re headed and why their approach to gender-integrated performance art is a vital force in queer Utah. … read more
When the Jade Cafe, a Chinese-American restaurant built in 1956, became available, Brandt saw the opportunity to reinvent Sage’s Cafe and become an important part of an up-and-coming area of Salt Lake. Reopening in early 2014 with a fantastic menu update, Brandt has certainly increased the restaurant’s appeal. The new location has plenty of parking (and is just a short walk from Trax), lots of kitchen space and ample seating. And here are the best parts: an updated menu boasting delectable small plates, an impressive vegan wine list and a full bar. A vegan restaurant with a full bar? Yes, please. … read more
I’ve always hurt for that olde-worldy town pub feel in Utah—dimly lit and warm, complete with woodworked furnishings that welcome all walks of life to casually learn about the nearby company—where I can drink something from a house keg and enjoy the finest classic beer food known to man. The ascending Avenues have bolstered Avenues Proper, letting in some natural light, but the concept of a laidback place to sit back and watch the world spin is starting to carry itself out of the Berger Straße and onto the Bonneville benches. … read more
