Music
▼ Interview
Mad Max & The Wild Ones
Mad Max and the Wild Ones is a rockabilly, family band composed of the Maxwell sons: 9-year-old Duke, who sings and plays rhythm guitar; 14-year-old Cole who plays drums;18-year-old Wyatt who plays lead guitar and writes their songs, and their father Max, who plays the upright bass. … read more
Joshua Payne Orchestra
The Joshua Payne Orchestra has been a part of Salt Lake City’s musical landscape for 10 years now, in one form or another. Over the last two years, they have really come into their own, garnering several consistent weekly gigs and a busy schedule. I asked him if it is alll a bit overwhelming, but he just laughed as if I had asked him something stupid like if he thinks guitar is cool, and he replies, “We’re lucky to have so much work.” But he certainly has paid his dues to get to this point. … read more
Red Bennies
“We have been around for sixteen years, and there’s a reason: it’s because we’re the best band—ever. And we challenge anyone as proof of this. Book the show and we’ll be there.” These are the words of Dave Payne, vocalist/guitarist of venerable local rock veterans The Red Bennies. With over ten releases to their name and a list of alumni that includes some of the most notable musicians in Salt Lake, The Red Bennies’ self-described style of “rock soul punk” has become legendary. … read more
Ghost Riding an Econoline: Spell Talk Cruises Into Craft Lake...
Walking into the home of Spell Talk is like walking onto the set of an independent film about hometown rock heroes on the verge of making it. It’s a Monday night and they all seem to be in a state of semi-recovery from the weekend before. Despite their various states of weekend disrepair, they manage to pull their shit together long enough to make spaghetti dinner with homemade pasta sauce, set the table and pair each meal with a cold can of Olympia beer. … read more
The Mynabirds and The Art Of Losing Oneself
When any artist finds their defining sound it is a moment of revelation as much as it is a celebration. Laura Burhenn, singer/songwriter extraordinaire and one of the hardest working artists in recent memory seems to have found both in her great and critically acclaimed project The Mynabirds, and the world is musically a better place for it. … read more
Against Me! Interview
Over the past ten years, there has been no band as divisive in the punk rock world as Against Me!. I spoke with frontman Tom Gabel a few dates into their current tour with Silversun Pickups (stopping at The Rail on July 27th) about the band’s new lineup, their new album, and their relationship with fans and the media. … read more
Out of School and Inside the Studio: Spy Hop Records...
When I got a hold of a free CD sampler of local youth artists produced by a local youth record label, I was surprised. Actually, I was in disbelief. The first time I popped the CD into my stereo, I did a double take. I checked the CD and the sleeve to make sure that this was, in fact, the music of teen musicians as produced by other teens. It’s not just that the musicians themselves are talented and original, but the production quality itself is so good that I couldn’t help but wonder if some mistake had been made. My apologies to the talented folks over at Spy Hop Records. … read more
Metal of the Mountains
I walk into Burt’s Tiki Lounge with Deavy Metal, the wicked bard of Killbot. After cracking open some tall boys and ascertaining that the reason Devin’s hair is so shiny is because he uses Dove, I have one thing on my mind: Deavy Metal Productions Presents S.L.C. METAL Volume #1 – FREE. … read more
Swingin’ Utters: Back in the Swing of Things
Though the Swingin’ Utters haven’t released a studio album since 2003, they’ve released a live album, a b-sides/rarities compilation, and earlier this year a tribute record was released. With news that the band will be releasing a new 7” entitled Brand New Lungs on June 22, a new album coming this Fall and extensive touring in the near future, I felt the need to get an interview with Utters’ guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Darius Koski and to get his thoughts. … read more
It Just So Happens I Have Many Concerns: An Interview...
Damien Jurado writes songs like Robert Altman directs films. Like Altman, Jurado’s characters are victims of circumstance, sometimes environmental, sometimes of their own accord, who are forced to face down moral questions that they are unequipped to deal with. I had the chance to talk to Damien Jurado about his craft as songwriter and his new album Saint Bartlett. … read more