Def Letter is Salt Lake’s own MC Dumb Luck and veteran DJ Linus Stubbs. Social Introduction is a very literal title for this album, as it is Dumb Luck’s premiere headliner. The album screams the white-boy angst of early Slim Shady with 20 tracks of high-speed life-struggle raps. … read more
Localized – Cornered By Zombies, Settle Down and Gunner
September’s Localized brings to the stage two of the hardest-working heavy acts in the valley today: Cornered by Zombies, a thrash metal two-piece that is erupting onto the scene, and Settle Down, the latest hard rock collaboration of veteran musicians you may already know and love. On Sept. 14, Urban Lounge (21+) hosts these two badass bands and openers Gunner, who will tear up the stage. For a mere five bones at the door, you can’t afford to miss it. … read more
Local Reviews: 5 State Killing Spree
Alternative, ‘90s-inspired and with a fun little Latin twist in the rhythm now and again, these guys have done a nice job of referencing some of the bands they probably grew up listening to. … read more
Local Reviews: Daisy & The Moonshines
Daisy & The Moonshines’ second release is six tracks of mediocre garage rock. It’s not bad rock music, but it is forgettable. The rhythm guitar feels like it’s mindlessly picked along with the drums, as if someone who didn’t know the music was playing along with a chord chart. … read more
Localized – Jesus or Genome, Color Animal and Nathan Spenser & Dylan Roe
If you’ve been hanging around the local scene for a while, chances are you’re already familiar with Jesus or Genome, while Color Animal and openers Nathan Spenser and Dylan Roe may be exciting, new flavors. Whether it’s scene veterans or the new kids on the block, one thing is for sure—there will be a great variety of folk, indie and garage rock sounds bellowing out of the Urban Lounge at this month’s Localized on July 13 for just $5 (21+). … read more
Aspen Harvey Hunt 08.28.75-01.27.10
Aspen Harvey Hunt was born into this world named Richard Harvey Padley Jr., but on account of our dad being a total douchebag, he quickly took on the name Harvey after our grandfather, a kind and gentle man. Not long after that, he legally changed his name to Aspen Harvey Hunt to honor our other grandfather and the aspen tree, the largest organism on the planet—as big as his personality. He seemed to change names like he changed girlfriends. … read more
Are We Not Men? We are Roommates!
I never would have thought that when Isaac Raymond and Mariano Wilson moved out of their parents’ homes and into a basement apartment in the Avenues, these two seemingly boyish men of the local skate world would have cohesively collided perfectly. I personally enjoy skateboarding around with these two. They each have their own individual qualities on and off the plank of youth. … read more
Narco Cultura: Bullets, Borders and Ballads
“Out of poverty, poetry; out of suffering, song.” This old Mexican saying has proven its merit throughout history. World-renowned photojournalist and filmmaker Shaul Schwarz came across this cultural connection in one of the most controversial yet underground conflicts currently marring our continent: the drug war. Schwarz makes his Sundance debut this January with Narco Cultura, a unique and engrossing film documenting the plague of cartel violence and the subculture that has sprouted from the bloodbath, making its way onto U.S. stages and airwaves. … read more
I Thought I Told Ya… I’m a Roughneck Souljah
Season 2, Episode 1 of “It’s a Rough Life” opens up with Johnny Roughneck, arguing with his “art director.” Flustered and in a sort of panic, Roughneck explains that the tour is a few days away, and they don’t even have any fucking flyers designed or printed. He knows he can’t do it all, but he feels the need to, sometimes—well, most of the time. He’s high-strung, opinionated, passionate and determined. Why is the flyer so damn important, what is this tour, what is Roughneck Hardware and, most importantly, who the fuck is this guy? … read more
Localized – January 2013
Embarrassment might hold you back from admitting you were scared to make plans beyond Dec. 21, but if you’re reading this, the new year came and you survived the world’s end. Come celebrate your survival with the thrash-punk-metal noise of Screaming Condors and Simian Greed at Urban Lounge on Jan. 12. Cancer Culture open at 10 p.m.—your 21-plus ID and $5 get you in. … read more
Fiddling While Rome Burns: Pleasure Thieves
Unbeknownst to many, a small faction has been assembling for the past few weeks to revive an entity that has long been considered dead. Their inconspicuous plan to unleash their diabolical, reanimated creature on humanity is almost complete. That is, if you consider post-hardcore-influenced metal-punk diabolical. I’m not talking about some cult from a splatter film, but, rather, Salt Lake’s Pleasure Thieves: a punk-based four-piece coming off an extended hiatus. … read more
Mike Brown’s Monthly Dirt: Puke!
To be a decent writer, I feel that it’s important to write about stuff you know about. Refer to the saying: “Never trust a skinny chef.” I am by no means an expert on writing, but if there’s one thing I do know a thing or two about, it’s vomit. Having hurled many, many times in my short life, I feel I’m a skinny chef you actually can trust while navigating the seas of puke. So, for this article all about throw-up, please allow me to be your chumpass. … read more
