Show Reviews
A Hawk and a Hacksaw
You know those bands that you really like, but then you see them live, and your whole world is rocked sideways by, um, every part about them? This happened to me. A Hawk and a Hacksaw have always kind of intrigued me with their Eastern European jams, but until now, I have not fully appreciated what they’ve got going on. … read more
Peelander-Z at the Urban Lounge
Seeing Japanese/New Yorkers Peelander-Z play at the Urban Lounge was like witnessing an extra-terrestrial invasion, complete with laserblast guitar riffs and “take-me-to-your-leader” style mispronounced English. Anamanaguchi opened the show, which was fun enough, but Peelander-Z’s goofball antics really made the night. … read more
Star Fucking Hipsters at The Salt City Cellar
Despite what I’ve read on bathroom walls, I was under the impression that punk was, in fact, quite dead—or at least punk as I was initially introduced to it. In my mind, all the street punx that hadn’t burned out completely had replaced their mohawks with misshapen dreads and converted themselves into freight-riding crustlords. That, or they’d put on Rayban knockoffs and turned into snotty garage rock dudes. … read more
The Octopus Project with Birthquake
Nothing is more refreshing than attending a show where the crowd is totally absorbed in what’s happening on stage. On the final night of February Birthquake and The Octopus Project delivered captivating and joy-inducing performances at The Urban Lounge in Salt Lake City.
Underoath @ In the Venue
I’m not the type to attend high school reunions or reminisce about the “good times” passed, but when I saw that two of my favorite bands from back in the day were playing on the same bill, I couldn’t help but don my undersized black band tee and Macbeths for a night of nostalgia. … read more
RJD2 w/ DJ Steez @ Urban Lounge 01.28.11
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How the Grouch Stole X-mas @ Urban Lounge 12/07
On Dec. 7, Danksquad put it down for a sold out crowd of hip hop heads at Urban Lounge—all eager to see some of hip hop’s living legends and possible future legends. Los Raka’s took the stage first and began their set. These dudes were pretty sick despite a language barrier
Napalm Flesh – Live Excursions, Best Of and Damned Good...
My review queue has a wealth of quality live DVDs, CDs and “Best of” albums, all of which are reviewed here for your reading pleasure. Live albums, concert/documentary DVDs and best of collections can be fun, but sometimes you get a stinkpot live production or a not so “best of” collection. Here’s my attempt to weed the good from the bad. Also included is a rundown of upcoming shows and some blog exclusive grind CD reviews! … read more
Spoek Mathambo @ W Lounge
It took a lot to get Mr. Mathambo’s hype-heavy mash up of retro-futurist electronic music filtered through the cultural battlefield of post-apartheid Johannesburg to Salt Lake City. In fact, it took a superfecta of nightlife/fashion promoters to persuade Mathambo and Mshini Wam to make a pit-stop along I-80 to our dusty little spot on the map. … read more
Small Black at Kilby Court 11/12
As a space heater warmed up the Kilby garage, crowd-pleasing local opener The Heavens and the Earth (aka producer Matt McMurray) came onstage behind an impressive array of electronics hooked together with a grippe of colorful cables. As he started playing a whooshing synth pad, I anticipated a set of Tangerine Dream worship. Then he hit the crowd with a beat and got everyone moving. … read more