Harkening back to the alternative-pop that was popular a decade ago, Avintage have put a new spin on the anthem rock genre that met its doom when post-grunge came into fashion. Formed late last year by two college roommates, the duo picked up bandmates from around the state and quickly hit the studio with everything they had. … read more
Local Reviews: It Foot, It Ears
It Foot, It Ears is a tricky animal. One part Nick Foster from Palace of Buddies, one part Jason Rabb from Bad Yodelers fame, It Foot, It Ears is cut from the same cloth as their experimental predecessors. Day Type is full of strange tunings, even stranger time signatures, disjointed melodies, loads of negative space and pregnant pauses. … read more
Local Reviews: Scapegoat
Utah has played host to its fair share of visionaries and eccentrics. Edward Abbey, Joe Hill, Wallace Stegner and LaMonte Young (Southeast Idaho is close enough) have spent time (or died) here in Utah. Drinking from that pool of collective genius is the dark ambient artist Scapegoat. … read more
Local Reviews: Society Mis-Call
Here’s the kind of hardcore I like to see coming out of Utah. Pure Reagan-era throwback that owes more to Dischord’s Flex Your Head compilation and Midwest mutant thrash than Earth Crisis, stretched earlobes or the vegan apocalypse. Possibly recorded in a garage under water during a power outage, it’s the slightly sloppy charm, the pissed-off drill sergeant vocals and the self-deprecating wit (“We Suck”) that keeps me coming back to it. Songs range from the outlandish (“Society Mis-call”) to the accusatory (“Fuck the Lies”) to the spooky (“Halloween”). … read more
Local Reviews: Sodacon
Founder Jesse Crawford took Sodacon solo in 2008 after nearly a decade of existence, tossing the music catalog and spending over two years writing and producing new material by himself. [ed.- Sodacon has always been a solo project and has recorded six albums in the last six years] The result is Songs Of Summer, which isn’t as much a full musical experience as it is Crawford showing off. … read more
Local Reviews: Wesly
Brainchild of lead singer Wesly Lapioli, this album is neat and complete. The songwriting is clear and specific, and for local bands and debut albums, that is an admirable feat. Not having to compromise content with other band members has surely lent itself to a more definitive direction and style, and Lapioli’s inspirations have led to an album that seems to revisit the sounds of the mid-1990s grunge era. … read more
Shannon & the Clams: Shake Rattle & Roll
If curious fans are feeling impatient for a taste of the raw rock n’ roll sound that defines Shannon and the Clams, they can get a preview of what is sure to be a brilliant show by dropping the needle on the trio’s new record, Gone by the Dawn. It’s a perfect album that narrates the longing of heartache while still being something one can groove to. … read more
SLUG Snow Photo Feature: Lizard King
Last year, we got Lizard King out of snowboard retirement and brought him with us to Poland. It was an insane trip with nothing but hammers. This photo was shot at an abandoned hotel where we did whatever we wanted for three days. That never happens. … read more
If the Truth Isn’t Funny, Make it Up: An Interview with RuPaul’s Russian Contestant Katya
Performers around the world are usually known for a specific feature or characteristic: good looks, intelligence, kindness, talent, passion or hard work. However, RuPaul’s Season 7 Russian Queen, Katya Zamolodchikova, is known by her fans and friends to hone all these qualities and more. Between hilarious performances—like her famous Abe Lincoln look—and her ability to improvise regardless of circumstance, Katya is the drag queen to take notes from! … read more
Mostly Harmless: David Bello of The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die
Harmlessness, the second full-length album from emo band The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die, has elevated the band’s status in the indie community. … read more
Make Space Zine: We Are All Allowed
For the Riot Grrrls and the girls who look up to Patti Smith. For the girls who want to learn bass and scream into a microphone. For the girls with cameras, paintbrushes and tattoo guns sick of having to justify doing what they love to a white-cis-male dominated industry. … read more
SLUG Skate Photo Feature: Miles Vigil
I met Miles Vigil about 30 minutes before shooting this photo. He said that he had an idea for a photo, and then described how he wanted to ollie off this bump on the sidewalk to a ledge from which he would foot plant and then drop down into the street. What I pictured in my head was nowhere near as cool as what he actually did. … read more
