Every Show Joe

Tag: Coyote Tango

  • Random Joy

    Random Joy

    There are a few events that put together music in my favorite ways in Phoenix. One unfortunately came to an end in Viva PHX, while others continue to flourish like the Indie 500 at the Trunk Space. An event on that list, that I have loved every time I’ve attended, is the Phoenix Rock Lottery. In the six years, I’ve only missed the first one and last year’s due to an overlapping commitment. It is put together by Psyko Steve and the ticket sales benefit Rosie’s House. The rules are simple. Twenty five local musicians are assembled randomly into five bands the morning of the show with the expectation to write three original songs alongside perform a cover that night.

    Opening up was the band that called themselves Trash Can. In here we found Jason Devore, of Authority Zero, Nick Scropos, of Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Danielle Durack, Ben Scolero, of the Stakes, and Nate Ray, of James Band.

    Among their set included the cover of the Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be.” This was a choice cover as crowd engagement was immediate to sing along. Their combined sound a little bit folk and a little bit rock, a perfect tone setter for the night.

    That was followed by the Afro Scorpions. These guys made up of Zach Vogt, of the Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra, Jess Pruit from the Bittersweet Way, Lawrence Zubia, of Pistoleros, Andrew Stravers, of Katastro, and Carly Bates, of Hyperbella and Solomon Trio.

    With already complimenting sounds from their assembly of bands, we found a combined sound of funk and blues with alternative rock. Smiles kept cropping up around the stage and off it throughout their set.

    Next was the Anxiety Queens. They were the first and only band this year to dress as part of their name. They wore Burger King crowns with “Anxiety” written on them. Those adorned with the crowns included Michael Coughlin, Sydney Sprague, Yoli Bejerano, Marc Oxborrow, of the Haymarket Squares, and Chad Dennis, of Playboy Manbaby and Instructions.

    The enterainment of their set wasn’t just the attire. They came out with a song written for Psyko Steve that brought out smiles and laughter. Then to break out their cover of Eminem’s “My Name Is” as a rock song sealed the deal for my favorite combined performance this night.

    After that was a band I had to work to remember the first word of and perhaps the most unique named, Fibonacci Sequins. This one made up of Anthony Neal, of Coyote Tango, Lou Resnick, of the Sink or Swim, Erin Sperduti, of Paranova, Mario Yniguez, of Harrison Fjord, and Anamieke Quinn, of Treasurefruit.

    This combination exuded personality up there with how animated and into the performance they were. Their cover was a pair of them, as they started with the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind” and mixed it into Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So.” Certainly felt like they had the most excited crowd by that stage.

    Last band of this year’s Rock Lottery, with many familiar faces to me, was Smoking Tiger and the Invert. Not sure who the invert was, but it consisted of Nathanial Shrake, of Post Hoc, Jed Foster, of The Bittersweet Way, Kim Capria, of the Banter and solo work, Callie Young, of Lighthouse, and Aaron Hjalmarson, of The Freeze and many, many others.

    Between Kim and Callie alone we had a pair of fantastic vocalist performing these final four songs. Nate bounced around and smiled with Aaron, as Jed just took to the cool guitarist approach. It wrapped up another great year of the Phoenix Rock Lottery.

  • Go With The Flow

    Go With The Flow

    There is a lot of new music hitting my ears weekly these days. Perhaps it is the exponential growth of bands I follow or just the coincidental concentration of bands releasing new music. With that comes the album release shows. It is a get together of musicians and a few of their favorite musical friends to celebrate their latest lyrical creations. This time around a few guys I’ve been watching since I was a teenager were celebrating their latest music, NEATO, with a few of their favorite friends.

    The show opened with Johnny Lee Gowans, a regular to the stage and festivals around Phoenix. He is the epitome of the nice guys I know performing music. In many ways, exact same to the guys of NEATO. Although, his music is more of an acoustic rock and not the reggae they play. Johnny’s sets are a pleasant mix of excellent originals and a couple alternative rock jams you may recognize. If you haven’t seen Johnny Lee yet, no better time than looking up his latest show and checking him out.

    Speaking of a staple of the Phoenix scene, Skull Drug was next. One difference this night was that Evan looked a little more dressed up. I was shocked not to see his traditional attire on that stage. Though I’m sure he could play dressed as a Power Ranger and his performance wouldn’t be affected.

    Of course, you had Justin, Roger, and Evan running around that stage, playing back to back at points, and occasionally on the ground. Per the status quo, Justin ended up playing from the floor at the end. Skull Drug’s set was the blast I come to expect each and every time I catch them.

    A new, old band that I had never seen when they were last active was Off the Mark. Made up of Cole, Paul, and Marty, two of which I’ve watched play regularly the last few years. Their sound is a familiar style of the southern California skate punk bands. The personalities of Paul and Cole felt like they worked the best I’ve seen of bands Paul has been a member. A reason for that is the onstage conversation felt more like they were chatting like old friends.

    Of course, that includes the exchange when Paul fell backwards and kept playing bass on his ass until the song finished. Surely a set that reinforced that it is a good thing Off the Mark is back playing.

    Only the middle of the night, it was time for Coyote Tango. Here is a band that I’ve met Brian on a couple occasions with the guys from NEATO, and never realized he played music. In retrospect, it makes sense given how many of their friends plays music. It just never crossed my mind.

    These guys play a brand of alternative music that is a little slower and influences of indie rock and rock ‘n roll intertwined. It made for an enjoyable set of music with one of the slower paces of this night to it. I’ve since already seen Coyote Tango again, and aim to try for more in the future.

    After that was Miles to Nowhere, a band that I got spoiled seeing regularly for a couple years, but now the rare sets make it more of a delight. This wasn’t a full band set either. Rather, it was an acoustic one with Kristen and Katie both playing guitar. Which is perfect, because the dynamic between these two has shined since Katie joined the band a couple years ago.

    The set was the Miles to Nowhere mix of pop punk tracks. Plus I got to be part of their usual introduction to a song about guns. The good news is the break between times playing is shorter this time, as Miles to Nowhere will be back in less than a month at the Rebel Lounge.

    Then it was the time for NEATO to get up there to celebrate the new “More Is Less” album release. An excellent five song EP, with lyrics that are a clear representation of the minds and values these guys hold. I’ve watched Andy since his Point Nine Percent days and Johnny since his Oktober days. Granted, those were punk bands, and with NEATO they play their brand of reggae rock.

    Over the past year or two, they have added Katie, of Miles to Nowhere and We Happy, on guitar and Cristian, from more bands than I can name here, on bass. It all brings a personality and happy atmosphere. Later in the set, Kristen joined on stage to play and sing along too. Congrats once again to NEATO on the excellent new music, and look forward to what more will come.

    Last for the night were the excellent two piece punk rockers, Hollowpoint Vigils. Making waves now in the punk scene, and having made waves in the local hip hop scene, both influences show in their performance. I want to say there is a little garage rock in their sound too. This is another band this night full of animation and energy. Sean takes on guitar and lead vocals, while Dana contributes to vocals while hammering the drums.

    On one song, Sean sets down the guitar, pics up the microphone, and shows off his skills rapping. Having their fast paced punk sound with hip hop influences mixed in is exactly the sound needed to keep energy going at the end. Hollowpoint Vigils has new music coming that I can’t wait to hear. Plus that loaded night of music was a fantastic way to celebrate NEATO’s release.