Concerts 

A Broadcast of Passion

“Broadcasting to the Nations” marks the six album release from Authority Zero on a label. Including prior independent releases that puts the notch up to eight. This marks nearly two decades of music from one of the few punk bands to come out of Phoenix with a following across the world. This release show brought one of my favorite punk bands, Guttermouth, to town alongside four local openers with more of a reggae and rock leaning. The first of the night’s lineup was Howard Til Midnight. These guys were the…

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Concerts 

What Punk Rock Bowling Hangover?

What do you do after four days straight of punk rock? Go to more punk rock. Unlike my last three years of Punk Rock Bowling, this Tuesday had two awesome punk shows the night I returned. Over at the Yucca Tap Room, Booze & Glory passing through. Meanwhile, at Time Out Lounge the excellent guys of Lost in Society. I split my time between, catching the two awesome out of town openers at Yucca and made it in time for Lost in Society and Bad Funk at Time Out. Opening…

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Concerts 

Music on a Monday

Tonight was a night to go see a friend play. With that meant it was additionally one of those nights going in mostly blind to the rest of the lineup. Of course, going in blind to the two other bands turned out to reward. Both the Roosevelts and Dirty Sunset were excellent, plus another great time catching the Banter tonight. Dirty Sunset opened up with a fantastic, full of energy folk sound from right here in Phoenix. They are full of guys who like to move around as they play.…

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Concerts 

It Isn’t All Painting and Fences

Last night was one of those where I could have been in six places at once. I put catching the EP release show for Painting Fences atop my list. With it came some of the best stage lighting I’ve seen at Pho Cao and two bands new to me. It included a couple extra guests during the Painting Fences set too. It was a blast to be at. If seeing Zero Degrees North for my third Saturday in a row does not show how high in regard I hold them,…

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Concerts 

Raking It In

With a cover band, it tends to be hard to tell the true personality of the musicians. However, when you go to a Me First and the Gimme Gimmes show, the personalities shine the most. Tonight was a bigger example of this when you bring in awesome personality of the openers touring with them. The sold out crowd was in for a treat from all three bands on Wednesday. If there was a contest for best band name to tour with Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, it would be…

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Concerts 

Big Eyes for CJ Ramone

Nostalgia holds a strong grip on a lot of humanity. When you bring in nostalgia for a band that helped usher in the punk genre, you’re going to attract a lot of people looking for that original sound. While I enjoy watching CJ Ramone play some covers of The Ramones, what I enjoy more is watching him do his original stuff. He brought along Big Eyes for the tour, plus one of my local favorites, No Gimmick, opened up the Phoenix stop. Despite No Gimmick being a band for about…

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Concerts 

What’s R and R When There’s Music Nearby?

Living closer to one of my favorite venues to visit is a luxury. Although when you go to it after your first day of moving things, may not always be the best for your energy. Regardless, I was going to take in some music after being deprived of it while I was busy packing most of the prior week. I mean, it was a quick trip from the new place. It entailed hearing three genres of music in one night too, with the Phenomenauts being a mix of a couple…

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Concerts 

No Trick For JT’s Birthday!

Tonight was one of those nights about being with friends and celebrating a birthday. It just happens that JT has some super talented musical friends to celebrate with. Over the years he has been putting on great shows in Phoenix, helping get local musicians in front of the eyes and ears of more people. You can see the awesome cake that Kristin made for him too. Plus he is one of the tallest people I know. Let’s start this write up off with a Happy Birthday JT! Opening up the…

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Concerts 

Neither Girls Nor Russians

Music festivals tend to give you a great amount of music for your buck. However, they make it hard to catch every band and musician you came to see. Either they overlap parts of the set, or the entire set at times. Such was the case when I first saw Russian Girlfriends during the Rebel Riot. Sandwiched between the 2 Tone Lizard Kings and Broloaf, I only caught a portion jumping between the outdoor and indoor stages. Tonight was where I fulfilled catching a full set from the talented group…

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Concerts 

Guitar Party Power, Confirmed!

Bob Log III is a musician I have somehow missed seeing. He comes from Tucson, so he is nearby and plays Phoenix often enough to catch. He was on a club show that I attended on the inside stage of the Bunkhouse, during Punk Rock Bowling. I somehow missed him then too. Not sure how I have avoided his performances, but tonight was the night to correct that wrong. The night opened with only a single opener, but with the awesome named, Shit Show Duo. This pair of hilarious guys…

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