Music
▼ Interview
Salty Lyrics and Love Songs
The Growlers, based out of Costa Mesa, play spooky, slowed-down surf pop. It’s an unexpectedly morose sound, considering their proximity to the beach, great surfing and ample sunshine. This spring sees the band touring through Salt Lake City on March 8, playing Austin’s SXSW, the sold out, two-weekend-long Coachella, and releasing their third album, Hung at Heart. … read more
The Slackers: Rude and Reckless Radio Rebels
The Slackers aren’t a ska band. They aren’t a reggae band, or a punk band, or a garage rock band. According to vocalist/organist Vic Ruggiero, they’re a “Jamaican rock n’ roll” band. In listening to the band’s vast discography, you’ll find bits of The Velvet Underground crossing over with The Upsetters grooves, psychedelia mixing with dub, and Motown taking some heavy hints from Studio One. … read more
One Model Nation Under Courtney Taylor-Taylor
The last three years have kept the members of the Dandy Warhols busy on various projects, but the most interesting project has been frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor’s graphic novel, One Model Nation. The book was originally released in 2009 and is now being reissued as a special hardcover edition. A companion album, One Model Nation TotalWerks Vol. 1 (1969-1977), is also being released. … read more
God’s Revolver
The weather has been bleak this winter, without much snowfall—just lonely little tumbleweeds bouncing and rolling through the bars and venues that God’s Revolver used to play so frequently. Luckily, God’s Revolver will brandish their six-shooters again, as they will play SLUG’s Blue Dress Birthday Bash on Feb. 17 in full force, with only one little qualm: Singer Reid Rouse says, “I don’t know how this one’s going to go. I hear we’re going to be in dresses.” … read more
Godina
If it’s nighttime in Salt Lake City, Justin Godina is working hard on some Technics—either DJing as he does at residencies, six nights out of the week, or in his basement fixing the broken mechanisms that make the workhorse tables of the industry tick. His instrument is the 1200s, and he’s known as the “Mad Scientist of the 1200s,” after the infamous Technics SL-1200 turntables that he both plays on as a DJ and repairs as a hobby. … read more
Localized – Nevertanezra, Huldra and Visigoth
On February 10, heavy metal gods Visigoth and the mighty post-metal Huldra play SLUG Magazine’s Localized at the Urban Lounge. Nevertanezra’s death doom majesty opens the show. Localized starts at 10 p.m. and, as always, only costs five bucks. … read more
Palace of Buddies
Nick Foster and Tim Myers have made music in Salt Lake in many incarnations over the last 12 years. Palace of Buddies, the current musical incarnation of Foster and Myers, plays an infectious assembly of electro-pop and dance-rock. Make sure to put on your blue dress and join Palace of Buddies as they get the party poppin’ at SLUG’s Blue Dress Birthday Bash on Feb. 17 at The Woodshed. … read more
Ghost: Gathering the Black Masses
Ghost emerged in 2008, playing live shows clad in cloaks with their faces covered, their frontman adorned in a demonic pope outfit and skull-painted face. Speculation immediately came from fans and cynics: Are Ghost a gimmick, or something more sinister? In an interview with one of Ghost’s Nameless Ghouls, I attempted to unravel the mystery behind the band. … read more
Localized – Filth Lords, ABK and Vena Cava
Urban Lounge is the spot on Friday, Jan. 13 for bona fide rock n’ roll and punk with ABK and Vena Cava. Filth Lords open the 21+ show, and, as always, $5 gets you in. … read more
The No-Nation Orchestra: An Interview with Stephen Chai
A staple of the local music scene, Stephen Chai has been involved in a wide range of influential musical projects, from Laserfang to Mammoth and Night Sweats. His latest project brings together a slew of talented local musicians and a handful of upbeat genres to create The No-Nation Orchestra. … read more