The Strongest Man Slamdance • Squarewave Sound • Alpha Dominche Vol. 25 • Issue 313 • January 2015 • SLUGMAG.COM • Always FREE at Sundance

slugmag.com 1 2 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 3 SaltLakeUnderGround • Vol. 25 • Issue #313 • January 2015 • slugmag.com

Publisher: Eighteen Percent Gray Juell, Carl Acheson, Cassandra Loveless, Cassie CONTRIBUTOR LIMELIGHT: Editor: Angela H. Brown Anderson, Claudia Trochez, Ischa B., Janie Managing Editor: Alexander Ortega Greenberg, Jono Martinez, Kendal Gillett, Lindsay Mason Rodrickc Junior Editor: Christian Schultz Clark, Rachel Roller, Raffi Shahinian, Robin Sessions, Graphic Designer Office Coordinator: Gavin Sheehan Rosemary Saycich, Sabi Lowder, Skye Galley, Digital Content Coordinator: Henry Glasheen Zac Freeman Fact Checker: Nic Smith Social Media Coordinator: Catie Weimer Copy Editing Team: Alex Cragun, Alexander Distribution Manager: Eric Granato Ortega, Allison Shephard, Christian Schultz, Cody Distro: Andrea Silva, Daniel Alexander, Eric Kirkland, Henry Glasheen, John Ford, Jordan Granato, Janie Greenberg, John Ford, Jordan Deveraux, Julia Sachs, Laikwan Waigwa-Stone, Deveraux, Julia Sachs, Maria Valenzuela, Michael Maria Valenzuela, Mary E. Duncan, Nick Kuzmack, Sanchez, Nancy Burkhart, Nancy Perkins, Phil Shawn Soward, Traci Grant Cannon, Ricky Vigil, Ryan Worwood, Tommy Dolph, Content Consultants: Jon Christiansen, Tony Bassett, Xkot Toxsik Matt Hoenes Senior Staff Writers: Alex Springer, Alexander Cover Illustration: Chris Bodily Ortega, Ben Trentelman, Brian Kubarycz, Brinley Lead Graphic Designer: Joshua Joye Froelich, Bryer Wharton, Christian Schultz, Cody Graphic Design Team: Chad Pinckney, Lenny Hudson, Cody Kirkland, Dean O Hillis, Gavin Riccardi, Mason Rodrickc, Paul Mason Sheehan, Henry Glasheen, Ischa B., James Bennett, Mason Rodrickc is a one-two combo—his designs Ad Designers: Brad Barker, Christian Broadbent, James Orme, Jimmy Martin, John Ford, Jordan have been knocking SLUG readers out since the Devin Wakefield, KJ Jackett, Kelli Tompkins, Deveraux, Justin Gallegos, Kia McGinnis, Lauren summer of 2012. Rodrickc’s design work is clean Maggie Zukowski, Nicholas Dowd, Nick Ketterer, Ashley, Mariah Mann Mellus, Megan Kennedy, and superb—see it for yourself in our interviews Sumerset Bivens Mike Brown, Peter Fryer, Ricky Vigil, Ryan Hall, with Jon Mikl Thor (pg. 8) and Squarewave Website Developer: Kate Colgan Scott Farley, Sean Zimmerman-Wall, Shawn Mayer, Sound owner Philip Zinn (pg. 22). Taking inspi- Illustrators: D. Bradford Gambles, Lenny Riccardi, Stakerized!, Thomas Winkley ration from cartoonists Chris Ware and Win- Maggie Zukowski, Manuel Aguilar, Natalie Edwards, Monkeys with Computers: Adam Fratto, Alex sor McCay, Rodrickc’s illustrative flair—seen in Paul Frame, Phil Cannon, Robin Banks, Ryan Perkins, Coulombe, Alex Cragun, Alex Gilvarry, Allison 2014’s Beer Issue and his SLUG “Holiday Comix” Sean Hennefer, Steve Thueson, Timm Paxton Shephard, Amanda Rock, Andrea Silva, Ashley in Aug. ’14—has given emotive depth to his design Photographers: Andy Wright, Ben Melini, Chad Lippert, Ben Tilton, Blake Leszczynski, Carl Acheson, eye candy (check them out on Insta’: @bearcat42). Kirkland, Chris Gariety, Chris Kiernan, Gilbert CJ Morgan, Dan Vesper, Darcy Russell, Dylan Evans, You might spot Rodrickc working on SLUG and oth- Cisneros, Gilbert Garcia, Jake Vivori, John Barkiple, Eric Norris, Gregory Gerulat, Jamie Stott, Julia er commissioned projects while sipping at Johnny Cowan, Logan Sorenson, Martín Rivero, Sachs, Kamryn Feigel, Kathy Zhou, Kendal Gillett, Nostalgia or Publik Coffee Roasters, headphones on Matt Brunk, Matthew Windsor, Megan Kennedy, Kristyn Porter, LeAundra Jeffs, Lizz Corrigan, Mame and ears tuned to anything from indie-infused hip- Melissa Cohn, Michael Portanda, Mikey Baratta, Wallace, Matt Brunk, Michael Sanchez, Mike Riedel, hop to dark and ambient electronic to Radiotopia Robin Sessions, Russel Daniels, Scott Frederick, Talyn Nancy Perkins, Nate Abbott, Nate Housley, Nic podcasts. We’re happy to call Rodrickc one of ours! Sherer, Weston Colton Smith, Nick Kuzmack, Nicole Stephenson, Randy Videographers: Andrew Schummer, Brock Grossl, Dankievitch, Rebecca Frost, Rheanna Sonnichsen, ABOUT THE COVER: SLC expatriate Kenny Candida Duran, Lexie Floor, Mitchell Richmond, Samuel Hanson, Sara Bezdjian, Seeth McGavien, Riches’ film The Strongest Man was accepted into the Perry Layne Decker-Tate, Ryan Dearth, Slugger Some Cop Dude, Steve Goemaat, Steve Richardson, Sundance Film Festival. Chris Bodily deftly illustrated Community Development Executives/ Taylor Hoffman, Timo H., Trevor Hale, Tyson Call, its main character, Beef. Read about the film on page Advertising Sales: Xkot Toxsik 38, and check out more of Bodily’s art at hatrobot.com! John Ford: [email protected] SLUG Magazine’s Official Podcast: Angela H. Brown: [email protected] SLUG Soundwaves SLUG HQ: 801.487.9221 Producer: Gavin Sheehan DISCLAIMER: SLUG Magazine does not necessarily Marketing Coordinator: Robin Sessions Executive Producer: Angela H. Brown maintain the same opinions as those found in our Marketing Interns: Ben Juell, Rosemary Saycich Associate Producers: Alexander Ortega, content. We seek to circulate ideas and dialogue Marketing Team: Alex Topolewski, Benjamin Christian Schultz, Henry Glasheen, John Ford through quality coverage of arts, music, events and lifestyle … except rollerblading. Content is property of SLUG Magazine—please do not use without written @SLUGMag .com/user/SLUGMagazine permission.

4 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 5 Dr. Duck

By Oliver Buchanan • [email protected]

6 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 7 KING OF MUSCLE ROCK By Henry Glasheen downs—and believe me, there were plenty of downs, [email protected] mishaps and crazy things. Some of the stuff, I don’t even believe.” However, he’s planning to travel down to Utah this month to see the film for the first time. ention Jon Mikl Thor in the right circle of peo- ple, and you’ll know right away what makes the Though his interest in performing live was Thor man a legend. His band, , never achieved galvanized in the early ’60s by the British Invasion, the same heights of commercial success reached he first decided that he wanted to perform when he Mby their contemporaries. They’re not booking sold-out encountered science fiction. “Growing up in the ’50s, shows every couple of years to support an endless I was always into The Adventures of Superman with stream of new releases, coasting on lucrative record George Reeves on television, and movies like Invad- deals or living a life of luxury. ers From Mars,” he says. “I had always wanted to put to- gether some kind of theatrical event—didn’t know quite However, Thor is bending steel bars in his teeth, still what it was—that would display all these elements that standing as a testament to the resilient spirit of rock n’ roll. I enjoyed and I felt other people would enjoy.”

That might seem like an oversimplification, but in real- The world of rock began to change in the early ’70s, ity, his live performance is still an unforgettable experi- when bands like KISS and Alice Cooper began amp- ence. “I think that if people put down their dollar, they ing up the theater of their performances. Technology want to see a show,” says Thor. “I want them to leave like laser-lights and pyrotechnics started becoming satisfied that they’ve seen a great show and they’ve a regular facet of the rock scene, making live shows heard some tremendous rock.” Performing an array of bigger and crazier than ever before. Thor finally saw strong-man feats and changing from costume to cos- an opportunity to make his childhood dream a real- tume during his set, Thor built his rock n’ roll career ity. “I could just go wild with my theatrics,” he says. “I on the strength of his charisma and theatrical prowess. drew all kinds of ideas and concepts on my drawing board—like becoming this superhero character and Fifteen years ago—a few years after he started tour- science-fiction character, fighting monsters and doing ing again—he encountered a pair of filmmakers who strength feats.” began following his life and daily struggles, creating Slamdance I Am the documentary that would become It’s one thing to pull off an illusion or a trick onstage, Thor Ryan Wise Alan Higbee . “ and saw me play but Thor’s feats were the real deal. He’d spent much of in Seattle,” he says, chuckling to himself. “That’s right, his youth competing in body-building competitions, and this is an epic 15 years in the making.” He still hasn’t by the time he became the Legendary Rock Warrior, he seen the film, which will be premiering at this year’s was already the first Canadian ever to win both the title Slamdance film festival, but he knows that it won’t be of Mr. Canada and Mr. USA. He even learned some pulling any punches. “You don’t know what’s going to secrets from the great body-builders of his time. “Doug happen when you do a documentary,” Thor says. “They Hepburn was, at one time in the ‘50s, the strongest followed me more and more through the ups and the man in the world. He lived in Vancouver, and I used to get secrets from him,” he says. “He could actually bend a dime in two with his fingers. I could never quite perfect that one.” Photo: Blue Lame 61 Productions For more than a decade, Thor was at the top of his game. His live show dazzled audiences in the US and Just how strong is Jon Mikl Thor? See Europe. Nobody else was pulling the kind of stunts he I Am Thor at Slamdance to find out. would attempt live and, at the time, he seemed like a shoo-in for permanent rock star status. However, a se- ries of incompetent management decisions ended up For someone who has seen the absolute best and stunting his career, preventing him from ever achieving worst of what the world of music has to offer, Thor the star status he craved. “I pretty much got out of the still believes in the dream. “Heavy metal is something Photo: D. Stevens business,” says Thor. “I tried a new life. I built a house that transcends time,” he says. “It lives forever, gener- down in Charlotte, North Carolina.” ation to generation. [Fans] appreciate the elders. I’m one of the guys that keeps on going, keeps on kick- After about 10 years of obscurity, Thor decided to get ing.” For now, Thor plans to release a new in back on the touring circuit. It wasn’t an easy decision, 2015, featuring a list of high-profile rockers, includ- either. His physician said that his live stunts could poten- ing , Jay Jay French and Richie tially kill him, and his wife left him when she realized he Stotts. “Life’s exciting, man,” says Thor, audibly smil- wouldn’t be dissuaded. The touring life was rough, and ing through his words. “I’m doing what I want to do. his shows weren’t bringing in tons of fans. Through count- If you can find something you can enjoy doing, that less lineup changes and setbacks, Thor still maintained makes life wonderful.” an impregnable sense of optimism about the future.

Screenings: Premiere – Sunday, Jan. 25, 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 8:15 p.m. “The Ballroom,” Treasure Mountain Inn, Park City “The Gallery,” Treasure Mountain Inn, Park City 8 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 9 Photo: Russel Daniels

(L–R) Ryan Arnold (guitar), Christina Manteris (vocals), Kevin Schultz (bass) and Jake Gloschat (drums, percussion)

solutely achieve the soulful, vintage sounds of the classic era of rock they aspire to. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing The group reinterprets many of their classic favor- for the group, who has add- ites as covers. The real excitement for any band, ed and changed some members though, is creating new material. With at least 20 since the original lineup. These days, Merchant Royal originals on the roster, a new EP though, they seem to have a healthy out since August, and new material always in the chemistry worked out regarding everything works, these guys mean serious business when it from songwriting to booking shows. They comes to putting in the work. They put no rules on each bring their own set of skills and experi- their songwriting, with each member welcome to ences to the table. Singer Christina Manteris bring in lyrics, riffs or even beats to get the pro- has been singing and songwriting for years, and cess going. With so much talent among the four as the face of the band, she reaches out to venues of them, the potential for excessive egos could hin- LOCALIZED and other bands to get many of the bookings for der the process, but with such good heads on their Merchant Royal. Guitarist Ryan Arnold works By Ischa B. • [email protected] shoulders, they use their skills for good instead of with Manteris to create the melodies and chords evil and put it all on the table, musically speaking. behind the vintage-inspired material, while Schultz uses his formal education in music (he studies at January’s Localized starts our new year off Next on the agenda is taking over the world, of the University of Utah) to help refine and guide the with the classic rock lineup of Merchant Royal course, as it is for many ambitious musicians. tunes with his sumptuous bass lines. Drummer Jake Though expensive and often uncomfortable, tour- and Big Wild Wings, two of our fair town’s Gloschat provides the backbone for the project ing still seems to be a necessity in the otherwise lovely femme-fronted projects. The evening gets with his consistent and considerate beats. He is a ever-changing landscape of the music industry, and an extra dash of feminine mystique with Night decidedly polite drummer, matching his intensity to Merchant Royal does not shy away from the pros- Wings opening the night, and the whole local- the music rather than asking that the music match pect. Schultz just got back from touring in October loving event is sponsored by Uinta Brewing him, a highly desirable quality for a percussionist in with his friend Charles Ellsworth, and traveling Co., KRCL 90.9FM and Spilt Ink SLC. Head a band where melody and voice carry the project. on down to the Urban Lounge and enjoy it all for 4,000 miles in eight days gave him a taste for life on the road. With a couple of members finishing only $5. Doors open at 9 p.m. Manteris’ voice really does shine in this style of up school and other obligations in the next year, music, which is as much to her credit as it is to the horizon will be wide open and calling their When the members of Merchant Royal set off on the three musicians creating the material and high- names. “Eventually, all 50 states would be great,” their musical voyage together, they chose a name lights her smooth and soulful vocals. Sometimes Schultz suggests and Arnold adds, “It’d be nice to to suit their ambitions. Kevin Schultz stum- band members can get carried away thinking tour the world … Why stop at the 50 states?” bled across the story of their namesake ship while about their own role and focus on how to come perusing the “On this Day” section of Wikipedia’s out on top in the mix. Merchant Royal members With plenty of local shows under their belt and main page. Laden with nearly one billion dollars’ seem to have an agreement about how the band visions of regional, national and international ex- worth of gold, the original Merchant Royal, a 17th should sound as a whole, and their cohesive live pansion dancing in their heads, Merchant Royal Century merchant vessel, sank on Sept. 24, 1641, performances show off their talents as a group. certainly have a bright future. When I ask what and has never been confirmed as recovered. “It Inspired by classic greats such as The Doors, they’d like the world to know about them, Gloschat had all the makings for something cool,” Schultz Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, replies enthusiastically, “We love them!” says of the story behind the name. Luckily for us, the tunes are a beautiful match for Manteris’ voice. the band Merchant Royal is laden with great tunes, “Vocally I’m influenced by Patsy Cline a lot … With their talent, drive and enthusiasm, there’s and there’s no stormy weather in sight. This bluesy That’s what I listened to growing up, and my mom no doubt that the world will love them, too. Come four-piece has been delivering the goods all over always sang [her] in the shower,“ she says. “Ever down to the show on Jan. 9 and sail away with SLC, and this past August, to the delight of the many since I was little … I wanted to sing like Patsy Cline your very own Merchant Royal disc, or check them fans of their live show, they released their first EP. … soulful, sad,” says Manteris. The foursome ab- out at merchantroyalband.com. 10 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 11 the next steps as a band. Austin spends time ensur- Star. Most intriguing, though, is how they do it all BIG WILD WINGS ing that the new album is getting the attention it without the obligatory lead guitarist to complete the deserves via social media, bookings and beyond. “traditional” band. “We’ve definitely talked about Sometimes in life, when we’re lucky, magical meet- After all the work to get to this point, she’s not go- bringing other members in, but it’s really wonder- ings just sort of happen, and beautiful things take ing to let it just disappear quietly into the night. ful and easy to work with three people,” Hummel flight on their own. Big Wild Wings was born of “Let’s not let this good, cool thing we’ve created says. Austin agrees: “We have kind of a lot of just such circumstances—in the spring of 2012, die down,” she says. The work she does is paying sound to just fill up with three people, but I think when singer/bassist (and sometimes guitar box off with gigs opening for touring bands at great we do an all right job of it,” he says. “We’re just player) Lyndsi Austin, drummer Chris Soper spots like Urban Lounge. Soper says, “People have always on the same page with our writing.” and keyboardist Tyler Hummel made good on been super supportive.” Naturally, playing more some casual chat to get together and jam. One jam shows and touring to promote the new album are The undeniable creative chemistry between the turned into another, and then, “Holy hell, we wrote major parts of the agenda for the near future. three will not be slowed, and so more music is al- some songs together. Who would’ve thought?” ways on the horizon. “It’s really refreshing to get Hummel says. Surprised and motivated by their The band found it difficult to justify touring before, back into the vibe we had when we started, to be early songwriting success, they quickly put their act without a new recording to promote. “That was able to write music together,” Austin says. After to stage. Soper says, “Next thing we knew, we had our biggest flaw performing over the last year and spending many months writing, perfecting, record- a show before we had a band name. We had to a half—we couldn’t give them anything,” Hummel ing and performing the material on Speaking in make some fast moves.” says. Now, armed with their new release, Big Cursive, the band is ready to stretch their musical Wild Wings can really spread their wings and muscles once again and begin the journey toward The chemistry among the three members is evident, fly. “It’s hard to go play shows out of town if you their next release. even just in the setting of our interview. “I think don’t have a product to leave. Ultimately, that’s it helps that we get along with each other really what you’re trying to do. Now that we have our In the meantime, you can still catch Big Wild Wings well,” Hummel says. They’ve put that camaraderie CD, we have a lot of freedom and flexibility to in town before they take flight out into the great to good use, joining forces to create one of the play outside of Utah,” Austin says. Their live show beyond and see for yourself what all the buzz is most anticipated and celebrated local releases of and new album are already getting reviews about. They’ve been opening for sweet touring acts the year. Their debut album, Speaking in Cursive, locally, so getting their music out into the world is like mr. Gnome and Perfume Genius at Urban features 10 tunes that are a culmination of dozens a must-do on their agenda. Lounge, and now you can catch them there on Jan. of shows’ worth of experience and crowd response. 9 for the firstLocalized of the New Year. Fans have compared them to acts such as Radio- “We were able to make it a cohesive collection head, The Cranberries, Beach House and If you make it down to the show, you can take flight of songs,” Austin says. The trio used their experi- even Phantogram. “We have kind of an indie with your own physical copy of Big Wild Wings’ ences playing live shows to help whittle down the sound, but it’s almost reminiscent of the ’90s in a new album, Speaking in Cursive. Otherwise, stop selection they chose to record. “It used to be a bit way,” Austin says. They blend a fresh, airy sound by bigwildwings.bandcamp.com to download it. of a dartboard,” Soper says of their songwriting with inklings of alternative melodies and beats, and in the past. However, after spending the last two Austin’s voice floats over it all like an angst-y an- years refining their performances and style, they gel—the combination reminds me of another ’90s feel more confident than ever and ready to face essential, and one of my personal faves, Mazzy Photo: Russel Daniels (L–R) Chris Sopor (drums), Lyndsi Austin (vocals, bass) and Tyler Hummel (keyboards).

12 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 13 14 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 15 Photo: John Barkiple Soup is the Word, and the Word is Good!

By Heck Fork Grief [email protected]

SALT LAKE CITY 1465 S. State St.

thanks them on the way out at 3 p.m. and again at 8 The Wings and the Tonkotsu Tuesday – Saturday: p.m. They are here to live, for a few minutes, in the synergize as a hearty meal 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., comfort of soup and to note, quietly to themselves, the from Tosh’s Ramen. differences from the time before, and the time before 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. that—and I have to admit that it makes me envious. Sunday: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. ($8.95) is lighter in the broth—in color and in mouth Monday: Closed I don’t really have a feel for ramen, but I hope to, with feel—but otherwise quite similar in dress and pleasure some work. As my friend, chef Tony Rivera at to the Tonkotsu. Takashi, said, “In the West, we taste oils for flavor, and cooking is designed around oils. In Japan, fla- The Karai Ramen ($9.95) is a bigger soup with a 801.466.7000 vors are set around the things in water, like salt and spicy base added to the broth. It comes with seaweeds and the taste of fish, mushroom and a -infused mushroom, roughly minced pork and ferment. It’s much more subtle.” The soul of the soup bean sprouts, and bigger body is a little more “fall” is in the broth, but the body is in the noodle. The in color and warmth. The heavy and more expensive word “ramen” is a Japanese word that derives from Curry Ramen ($10.50) has a gravy-minded body, the Chinese word “lamian.” Unlike the instant, pre- brown with curry and sporting breaded pork fried kind you settle for at mere quarters a package, and fat-crunch leafy greens. There is a Vegetarian Ra- toshsramen.com this noodle is yellow, coarse and muscular. It burrs my men ($8.95) as well, and yam noodles can be had lip a little when I slurp it, and it bites and chews in a for a vegan diet. satisfying way. It is the constant horizon to the broth’s changing sky. The appetizers are popular—most tables seem to share a few. The Tokyo Wings ($7.50) are sweet Sekikawa’s broths differ subtly, style to style and day and tender. They come six on an albatross-bill-shaped to day. Ramen houses take pride in their broth’s par- bowl. The Kushikatsu ($6.95), skewered medallions ticulars, and each is a secret, a labor of love. Innova- of pork fried in panko, are served with a hoisin-based tions to the broth and the noodle are, like fashion, dip, and the Gyoza ($6.95), are small fists of minced quickly adopted. However, ramen evolution from out- pork and greens in hand-pinched dough. With an side Japan is scorned. Tosh’s are traditional kinds of acidly bright dip, they are very particular—not your broth, and his ramen service is old-school. He and his mama’s pot stickers. soup are placeholders of a history for which young ike a newly sprouting garden, Tosh’s Ramen isn’t Japanese yearn, and which the older ones remember For drinks, they offer ($2.50), hot or cold, Lmuch to look at. It sits in the same sad space as a and esteem. Korean restaurant did last year, in a sad strip mall, on iced tea ($1.50), Perrier ($1.50) and American a sad block of title-loan sharks and payday-lending pi- canned sodas ($1). For dessert, there is Annin The menu at Tosh’s is appropriately small: six Ramens, ($2.50), which is a fresh apricot cream sweet. ranhas. Its chairs are a flimsy variety of the ubiquitous a few appetizers and one dessert. The service is pro- plastic lawn chair, and its tables are small. vided by hip kids who obviously like the job and do Juzo Itami’s very funny foodie movie, Tampopo is a it well. There in the back is Sekikawa. He will prob- good place to look if you want to witness the church Yet, people know about it, and many love it. Tosh’s ably greet you as you come or go. Mostly, he is at Ramen is a church to worshippers of a passing time, of ramen in its original glory. Tosh’s Ramen is the old- the bowls and hovering near steaming cauldrons. timey church of ramen that moved in just down the where secrets are revealed in bowl after steaming Your food is his by design and often by his hand. The bowl of flesh, water and wheat. The keeper of the street. I think you should go there and get a bowl full ($8.95) has a hemisphere of boiled of the good news. flavor’s secret,Toshio Sekikawa, holds his con- egg bobbing by spring onions and three wide slices gregation in thrall. Sitting at his tables, they connect of fatty, striped pork belly. The broth is butter-colored with a cosmic circle of Japanese culinary knowledge with rendered fat. Its taste is subtle in distinction but and a tradition of perfect yet changing flavors. I see big in character. It’s a rich mouthful. The noodles them here in numbers, some many days a week, pretty eat al dente and slightly grainy. The Shoyu Ramen much from the time he opens his humble doors until he 16 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 17 A Meeting of Minds with Filmmakers Jerry White Jr. and Jeremy Royce By Jordan Deveraux • [email protected]

Can these punks rekindle their zany mojo? Catch 20 Years of Madness at Slamdance to

find out. Photo: Jeremy Royce

ost of us have made videos of ourselves and bers. But there were many cast members whom to live in the moment,” White says. “If everything’s our friends doing weird shit. Depending on White hadn’t spoken with for years. “It ran a too perfect on the page, you run the risk of things Mwhen you were born, those videos could sit gamut of ‘totally still in touch with them’ and com- feeling too scripted, and it won’t live.” in a dusty box in the basement or float aimlessly pletely estranged,” White says. The dramatic arc and untouched in the cloud. The more ambitious of the story, for better or worse, lies in the fact Looking back to the old episodes, there is a ver- among us produce works of art that go on to lead that White had a falling-out with key players in satility that extends far beyond improvising lines happy lives on YouTube or Vimeo. the show, which ultimately led to the demise of 30 or gestures. The credits show a rotation of roles Minutes in the first place. similar to that of a band where the musicians swap In the ’90s, a group of friends in Michigan de- instruments every few songs. This is the case with cided to get serious about film and took to their The concept of 20 Years of Madness is quite meta the 15th episode. White told me that none of the local public-access studio to capture what were in that it is a document, in film, about making a TV skits that play out in the episode are the product then landmark documents in adolescent hijinks. episode. Royce informed me that this often worked of one single writer—in short, it is as it ever was. The show, appropriately called 30 Minutes of in their favor: Problems that White faced with 30 “They say, ‘You can’t go home again,’ and I know Madness, aired 13 episodes composed of visually Minutes became fodder for the documentary. The you can’t revisit the past truly,” White says, “but and, at times, conceptually cohesive comedy skits. documentary also works in tandem with the mak- I’m telling you, when we hit record and we were However, it eventually met its end, and took with it ing of the episode. “I really wanted to tell the story going, it really did feel the same.” the film aspirations of most of the cast. of 30 Minutes of Madness and all the people on it in a way where the current relationships that As it is a documentary about making a TV episode, Fast-forward 20 years. Jerry White Jr., the producer they’re rekindling echo back to 20 years ago process has a heavy hand in figuring the theme of and mastermind of 30 Minutes of Madness, met fel- when they first met,” Royce says. “I wanted the the movie. It’s no secret that the cast (the people in low filmmaker Jeremy Royce while the two were en- modern-day story to be a mirror to the story of this the documentary) are going through tough times; rolled in the graduate film program at USC. White group of friends back in the ’90s.” but there is a therapy that happens for these people familiarized Royce with the show and the history when they get back in front of the camera, which between the 30 Minutes crew and, upon returning The 15th episode takes cues from the early creative seems to have been at least in the back of the film- from a brief visit in Michigan, White relayed to processes of 30 Minutes. The early skits show a me- makers’ minds. “Hopefully, in the process, some of Royce that many former cast members were strug- thodical randomness that ranges from caffeinated these people can rekindle friendships and possibly gling in the day-to-day. “I was struck by the fact monologues delivered in stream of consciousness, some of their artistic aspirations,” Royce says. that there was this show where these kids acted to a gimpish slave being towed by a lady on roller crazy when they were teenagers, and then a lot skates. The new skits are equally as whimsical. 20 Years of Madness: What is it? Well, it’s a film of them now were struggling with mental illness, When I asked Royce and White about the process about an old TV show. But it’s also about youth, and I was like, ‘You have to make a documentary of making the film, the spirit of improvisation came friendship, revisiting the good times of the past and about that,’” Royce says. Thus, 20 Years of Mad- up with both filmmakers. “It is a way to keep things the healing power of creativity. ness began. energetic and inspire yourself, because you have

The obvious framework was to document the mak- Screenings: ing of the 15th episode of 30 Minutes of Madness (the 14th was completed by White and included Premiere – Friday, Jan. 23, 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 11:30 a.m. mostly old footage) with the same key cast mem- “The Gallery,” Treasure Mountain Inn, Park City “The Ballroom,” Treasure Mountain Inn, Park City 18 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 19 Goth-leaning avant-pop songstress Nika Roza Danilova returns to Urban Creativity in Isolation: Nika Roza Danilova Lounge Jan. 12 as Zola Jesus. By Allison Shephard • [email protected]

t’s been two years since Zola Jesus (aka Nika Roza Danilova) blessed SLC with her ethereal voice that caused us to rethink how we view the world I around us. SLUG recently had the opportunity to sit down with Danilova, who returns to Urban Lounge Jan. 12, and to discuss the environment, living in isolation and her new album, Taiga.

SLUG: How did you get from where you started to where you are today? Zola Jesus: I think it’s mostly been a process of refining—of first doing the thing that comes. That’s the only thing you can do, really, because it’s the only music you’ve ever made, and then you continue to chisel away at it, and refine it, and figure out the path that the music needs to take. I think that over the past five or six years, I’ve been constantly fine-tuning the whole thing.

SLUG: Would you say that’s the that you’ve transitioned from genre to genre? Zola Jesus: Yeah, but also because I get bored so easily. It’s a constant pro- cess of throwing yourself into a world that’s unfamiliar and finding your way out of it. That’s when creativity happens—when you’re uncomfortable. It happens when you’ve got limitations. That’s when the greatest music happens. So you need to put yourself in those uncomfortable or new positions in order to yield that.

SLUG: How would you describe your songwriting and composition process? Zola Jesus: Sometimes there’s a routine, just in terms of the workflow. I pro- duce, I write, I play all the instruments, I’m recording it and it’s all happening at the same time. So you kind of set up a template. I like to throw that off a little bit because after a while, it becomes a little mundane, and you stop being creative that way. I’ve really enjoyed just randomly walking around, going on a hike and coming up with music that way. It feels much more organic and natural that way. You catch yourself off guard. Photo: Jeff Elstone SLUG: I noticed that on this new album, isolation is a main theme. How do you feel about songs being remixed purely for large crowds and clubs in relation to that motif? Zola Jesus: In the past, I was really closed-minded to that. I didn’t like the idea SLUG: I’m really interested in what it was like living on Vashon Island, where you didn’t know of someone taking a song that I worked really hard on, that’s incredibly personal anyone and didn’t have Internet access. and that I made a certain way for a certain reason, and then just throwing a Zola Jesus: It was really interesting. It reminded me of how I grew up, because I grew up in the dance beat under it and putting it in a club. I found that very offensive. But now, middle of nowhere in rural . So much of going to that island was returning to my roots, I’m thinking about [it] in terms that it frees me up to make the record that I want in a way. It was removing myself from society. I was living in Los Angeles at the time, which is to make, and the remixes can be functional in different ways. They can make the epicenter of society and culture. It’s overwhelming as an artist because you get so weighed my music appropriate for different situations. My music isn’t appropriate for down by the culture that already exists—it’s so hard to figure out where you belong in that story. many situations. I feel like it’s mostly best to listen to alone—it’s not a public or To remove myself was really healthy … You’re just among the trees and by the water, and it felt festive kind of music. So the opportunity to have that situation be appropriate very innate and very natural. It felt easy. Life is so much easier when you take the baggage of for my music is interesting. I couldn’t do it myself, but I like to hear people that society away. I admire do it. SLUG: Will you continue this pattern whenever you go to write a new album? SLUG: Would you say it makes your music more accessible? Zola Jesus: I’ll definitely continue that process of removing myself. I think, in the past, writing Zola Jesus: I don’t know if it makes it more accessible—I guess, in some ways, when you’re in the middle of everything becomes clouded. Your creativity becomes clouded by ev- it does. I’m open to it right now. I like throwing myself into uncomfortable situ- erything else going on in the world. It’s important for an artist to comment on culture because that’s ations. So whenever I have really strong principles about something, I’ll get to the point of art, but at the same time, you need to give them something new. In order to do that, a point where I need to question why I have those principles, so I’ll test myself, you need to take everything that you’ve sponged up and remove yourself and make sense of it all. and that’s what the remix situation is like. I’m testing the principles that I used to have, and so far, it’s been interesting. Be sure to check out Zola Jesus’ sixth studio release Taiga, out now via and see Danilova perform at Urban Lounge Jan. 12. 20 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 21 SAWTOOTH/SINE/TRIANGLE/SQUARE

By Timo H. • [email protected] SYNTH SHOP Photos: John Barkiple

Squarewave Sound is Salt Lake City’s only that to help grow the community here. It’s store dealing primarily in a passion of mine, and the people that are and effects pedals. We are lucky to have interested in it are really interested. It’s them—not because they are the single op- kind of an addictive thing.” tion, but because of an already intriguing selection of instruments and effects and an Philip and his wife, Chaney Zinn, began owner with a great amount of knowledge planning the shop around June 2014, and and enthusiasm: Philip Zinn makes one’s had a great turnout for the grand open- time spent in the store a memorable and ing in October. The reception thus far has positive experience. My visit to the shop been extremely positive, with sales grow- for this interview was my first time being ing steadily since that time. “It’s exceeded there, and I wanted to play with every ma- our expectations,” Philip says. “People chine on the shelf. The shop space is on the come in, say they’re glad to have us here smaller side, so there’s a nice sense of be- and want to support.” ing surrounded by gear. Records line the tops of the walls, a chalkboard announces The appeal of electronic instruments is incoming equipment, and a glass case certainly broad, and Squarewave’s cus- houses effects pedals, some by brands tomer base isn’t limited to any one demo- Philip Zinn, co-owner of Squarewave Sound. unavailable elsewhere in Salt Lake, such graphic—it ranges from “teens, to guys in as Strymon. their 60s who own large modular setups,” says Philip. “The variety of people com- Philip’s interest in synths and modulars be- ing into the shop is pretty extraordinary in Squarewave’s current inventory includes machines by companies gan when he was playing bass as a teen terms of musical backgrounds, production, such as Moog, Dave Smith Instruments, Vermona and Earthquaker in a three-piece rock band. He recalls the interests.” Devices. As the number of customers for the store grows, the inven- experience as fun, but there was a definite tory is expanding as well: “My hope is to continue to add interesting turning point at the time of Philip’s discov- Philip likes to talk to people about their things from small boutique manufacturers from around the world,” ery of soft-synths in the early 2000s, when own projects and pursuits, be they dance says Philip. “There are many small companies making extremely he became excited with the idea of being music producers or keyboardists in rock interesting musical electronics. My vision for Squarewave is to be a able to perform music alone. Philip made bands, beginners or electronic veterans. place where people can walk in month-to-month and find new and the next logical step and began collecting Phil says, “What I really find cool about interesting things that they may have not seen before.” hardware. Since the search for new gear synths is they find a home in a lot of genres never ends, he still is collecting. Naming of music. A lot of people maybe don’t think Philip currently runs Squarewave part-time and says that he hopes some favorite machines in the shop, he about them in that way, but they’re very to see the store grow to be able to employ others and have regular points out a Vermona in versatile instruments.” Refer to music by hours. Though he has retail experience, Squarewave is an entirely stock that he uses in his own studio, in Clara Rockmore, Suzanne Ciani, new business venture for Philip, guided by his own knowledge and addition to a few Moog synths, and he is The Night Terrors and Dâm- for passion about gear. looking to add a Dave Smith Instruments examples of these instruments’ levels of Pro 2 to his setup. versatility. He’s made some fantastic connections, both local and out of state, including SynthArk, of Pocatello, Idaho. Philip says “SynthArk is a When asked about the reason for opening Philip cites synth-based music by artists small company dedicated to the preservation of vintage synthesiz- a synth shop, Philip says, “I saw a void such as Alessandro Cortini and Col- ers through restoration and sampling.” SynthArk will also be han- here in Salt Lake City and wanted to fill lege as current favorites. dling repair work for Squarewave customers. Philip lists Analogue Haven, Noisebug, Squarewave Sound will periodically host meet-ups and classes in Switched On and Control Voltage as his order to support and help grow the SLC synth community. Philip favorite shops and inspirations for Square- says, “One class that is upcoming, and that we’re going to try and wave. I tell him I’m glad to finally be able repeat often, is a ‘Modular 101’ class,” hosted by Lance Iden, to order gear that wasn’t previously avail- owner of Softwire Synthesis, a local Eurorack modular synth able from a local business. The vending manufacturer profiled inSLUG ’s 2014 Craft Lake City DIY Fest issue. machine full of modular units was a pretty “Our hope is to make the subject less daunting and more approach- intriguing sight. Having played with one able for people.” Philip says. for a while after the interview, I’m serious- ly hoping there will be a Moog Theremini Visit Squarewave Sound Monday through Saturday, 4 p.m.–6 p.m., in my future. at 1321 East 3300 South #9, SLC.

22 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 23 Photo: Matthew Windsor (L–R) Bree and Nate Millard created a Meet the Artists: woodcut piece of The Millards and Uinta’s Brighton IPA Label art that has become the label for Uinta’s By Mariah Mann Mellus • [email protected] Brighton IPA.

ate and Bree Millard are successfully trepreneurial spirit. She approached the couple and ago, they were showing and selling art at another navigating the art world. In the last year, asked if they needed any help around the store. Bree of Scheuerman’s Art Adoption shows when they met Nthey have elevated their brand, Ban Sup- began working at Signed & Numbered immediately, Lindsay Berk, Marketing Manager at Uinta Brew- ply Collaboration, increased the commissions learning everything she could. She explored screen- ing Company. “We were instantly impressed with of their woodcut signs and locked in the contract to printing first, but found that she was most interested in their talent,” says Berk. “Aside from them being local, create the new Brighton IPA label for Uinta Brewing learning about the vintage finishes used on the frames. their medium is one that aligns closely with the ‘look Company. It might sound like I’m reading from an an- “I loved the levels and the look it produced. It all clicked, and feel’ of the Uinta brand—hiring Nate and Bree to nual report for a major business, but Ban Supply Co. and I became addicted to vintage finishes,” she says. do some [initial] art pieces for us was a no-brainer.” consists of two hardworking artists making awesome From that chance meeting, the Millards were com- art in a backyard studio. With big smiles and cold Ban Supply Co’s current product line features cus- missioned to reproduce nine of Uinta’s most iconic beers, the Millards welcomed me into their home and tom-designed, vintage poster- and sign-inspired beer labels into woodcuts, which now grace the halls studio to discuss their journey to becoming artists. woodcut renderings that are hand-drafted, routed of Uinta Brewing Company’s headquarters in SLC. out and meticulously painted. Much of their work Nate moved to Utah in 1997 for the same reason is inspired by their love of traveling, mountain bik- The Millards were well aware of Uinta’s history of hir- many people call Utah home: to ski and ride our ma- ing, beer and snowboarding. Each piece is hand- ing local artists to produce beer labels—friends and jestic mountains, and met a gorgeous blonde (Bree) crafted in their own backyard workshop, which mentors Travis Bone and the aforementioned Bell who could charge the mountain and rival the boys on bears striking resemblance to Santa’s Workshop. both designed labels for Uinta’s Crooked Line beers, the half pipe. The two would have many more chance but in their wildest dreams they never thought that in encounters until, eventually, this duo became official— Having worked as an architectural drafter for seven such a short time, they’d be asked to create the look of in marriage, and then as the artists Ban Supply Co. years, Nate brings a lot of design elements to their Uinta’s Brighton IPA. Their hard work, professionalism work. While he enjoys working with the wood- and good nature landed them not only a label but that The Millards, like many artists, had to experiment to cuts, Nate’s focus is on the layout, typography and of their beloved home ski resort. “It all happened so find the right medium for their artistic expression. Pho- creation of new designs. He bounces ideas off of fast. We always thought, ‘What if they let us a design tography was their first love: Bree focused on still life Bree, and she relies on him to keep everything a label,’ but the fact that it was for Brighton was just and urbanism while Nate pursued action sports, even lined up before she starts chiseling away. “Nate crazy. I’m not even sure Uinta fully knew our ties to doing a stint as a SLUG photographer. In 2010, they does a lot of the prep work,” she says. “He’s su- Brighton, but it just worked out this way,” Bree says. incorporated their love of photography and snow- per meticulous with tracing the design on the wood boarding into a social-media site featuring all things and keeping it all in line—he makes sure we have With such a high-profile project, they needed to work Brighton. The Brigtown Chronicles serves as a supple- a good foundation before I start cutting it up.” closely with Brighton and Uinta to come up with ment to the Brighton Ski Resort page, but focuses on the right look to represent the brand and the resort. photos and videos highlighting local riders, Brighton’s What a difference finding their preferred medium of For the Millards, the pressure was compounded by vast terrain, après beers and the latest gear. “The woodcutting has made for their lives! Less than a year the fact that these are two brands near and dear to Brigtown Chronicles crew consists of many talented them and that their work would be on the shelves and dedicated snowboarders who have been riding for all to see. In the end, Berk, on behalf of Uinta and supporting Brighton for many years,” says Nate. says, “We love the new label. They totally nailed it!”

It was a fellow Brighton snowboarder and artist Josh If you’d like to see the label up close and personal Scheuerman and his annual Art Adoption Show that and try this tasty beer, visit your local Harmons, Trader introduced the couple to an expansive art community. Joe’s, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Dan’s and select Through the Art Adoption Show, the Millards met Phil Maverik Stores. Of course, you can find it at Brigh- Sherburne and Leia Bell, owners of the art and ton Ski Resort, too. For more information about Ban frame shop Signed & Numbered. Bree fell in love with Supply Co. and Nate and Bree Millard’s work, visit the shop, its aesthetic, and Sherburne’s and Bell’s en- bansupplyco.com.

24 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 25 (L–R) (bass), Pat O’Brien (guitar), (gui- tar), George “Corpsegrinder” Fish- er (vocals) and (drums) will brutalize The Complex on Feb. 5 as . Photo: Alex Morgan I WAS ASKING FOR IT an Interview with George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher By Alex Coulombe • [email protected]

tanding in the SLUG office, my hands begin world of electronic gaming. He recalls that when Final Sto shake as I prepare to interview a man I Fa n t a sy 11 was just about to come out, his friends had easily hold in higher regard than Ludwig van been urging him to play World of Warcraft. “I was like, Beethoven, William Shakespeare and Galileo ‘Fuck off—I’m playing Final Fantasy,’” he says. At the Galilei combined. Once we connect, he apologizes suggestion of his buddies, he gave the game a try and for a minor delay in picking up his phone: George experienced something that changed his life forever. Fisher was helping his father hang Christmas lights Now Fisher likes really, really fucking loves World of around the house just before this interview. It’s heart- Warcraft—he even got a WoW tattoo on his forearm to warming to hear Mr. Fisher, a man who performs eternally solidify his allegiance to the game. He says songs like “I Cum Blood” and “Fucked With A Knife” that, once he upgrades his computer to get the newest in Cannibal Corpse for a living, speak of decorating expansion running smoothly, “outside of the family, any for the holidays and his fondness for watching Home spare time is going to be dedicated to Warcraft.” He Alone and A Christmas Story during the Yule season. Russia, where a couple of dates were canceled. At one proclaims: “I’m Warcraft for life.” venue, the power was (supposedly) shut off right be- He has recently returned from a grueling nine-week fore they were about to perform. “Once they knew for Because Cannibal Corpse will be returning to our salty European tour in support of Cannibal Corpse’s new al- sure that we weren’t playing, the power mysteriously city on Feb. 5, I ask if he remembers anything that makes bum, , which hit shelves on Sept. 16 came back on,” he says. At another Russian show, they SLC stand out. Fisher laughs as he recounts making a of last year. Regarding his role in the recording process were in the middle of a set and were told to stop play- stop here on a tour with Angelcorpse and seeing the of the album, most of it was done without prior prac- ing out of the blue. “It was heartbreaking, you know— marquee outside misspelling it “Angel Cops.” He appre- tice or knowledge of what was in store. “One thing is, there [were] a couple of places where people were ciates the Gateway Mall being in the vicinity of venues I hadn’t really heard the songs too much by the time coming up who were literally in tears,” he says, “and Cannibal Corpse has played in the past. “Some places that I [had to record] vocals. I only had [heard] one or that’s when you start to get angry about the situation.” [we play] are just in the middle of nowhere, and you’re two songs that those guys had sent me,” he says. “The Being a band that deeply and genuinely appreciates just kind of stuck in the bus or the club,” he says. “It gives vocal patterns and stuff, a lot of them I was learning their fanbase, Cannibal Corpse exchanged hugs and you something to do, somewhere to walk around.” while we were in the studio.” This comes as a shock, hung out with those who were unable to see the per- considering his surgically precise vocal execution on formances. “We figured the least we could do was So what can we expect from the upcoming show with the album. This isn’t the first time he’s had to do this stick around and sign some stuff since [our fans there] Behemoth? “Some head-banging, some growling,” kind of last-minute recording, though. One example he couldn’t see the shows, says Fisher” he says. “We’ll be playing some songs off of A Skeletal mentions is when the band was recording “Pounded Domain … a bunch of the old classics too, of course.” Into Dust” from their 1999 release, Bloodthirst, where Fisher and the band are, at heart, upstanding individu- bassist Alex Webster had “whispered” the way the als—well-meaning folks who have families, friends and And that’s pretty much everything one could ever want song should go to Fisher, who, in turn, ground out the hobbies. One interest Fisher and I share is a deep ob- from a Cannibal Corpse show. Cannibal Corpse will vocals that same day. session of video games. “I have a Playstation 2; I have be co-headlining with the almighty Behemoth at The a Playstation; I have a Gamecube; I’ve got a Sega Gen- Complex on Feb. 5 with supporters Aeon and Tribu- As he describes the European tour he has just returned esis; Atari; I’ve got a bunch of old systems,” he says. He lation, a show to be missed only by the unenlight- from, there is a contrasting mixture of emotions in his enthusiastically tells me a story about playing Might and ened and those who experience allergic reactions to voice. Like most tours, this one had its ups and downs, Magic back in the day, spending hours on end trying to pure, unadulterated (un)righteousness. Check out their but the downs this time around were especially disap- get the best character stats and leveling up. “I broke out official site at cannibalcorpse.net or their band page pointing and frustrating. “The shows we got to play my Playstation 2 and was going through Final Fantasy at Metal Blade Records at metalblade.com/us. were great and the shows we didn’t … it sucked,” he 8 again because I love the Final Fantasy games.” How- says. The ones that sucked particularly hard were in ever, not long ago, he discovered his true calling in the 26 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 27 PISSED OFF PURSUIT OF

PROTEST A CONSERVATIVE CHAT WITH LYDIA LUNCH

By LeAundra Jeffs [email protected]

Deep in the bowels of the SLUG dungeon, I had the bizarre pleasure of a tête-à-tête with no-wave pythoness Lydia Lunch, detailing her newest music

ventures and volatile impressions of 21st Century Photo: Jasmine Hirst society. Not surprisingly, she had some fiery words, but with one end of Lunch’s anger spectrum, necessarily comes the other, sublime pleasure. At the top of the agenda was Lunch’s most recent release, Twin Horses—a forlorn and longing Pist punk pistol Lydia Lunch dishes her take album in collaboration with . on recent projects and the state of our world.

SLUG: How did you get hooked up with Cypress Grove? You seem to work so well together. Lydia Lunch: I was invited to contribute to the a certain amount of notes together in the right Lunch: My street was the epicenter of two race Jeffery Lee Pierce tribute records. I did two way. I think that it is a language that doesn’t need riots in ’64 and ’67 when I was just a child. I know songs with Cypress Grove, and from there, we words. I think that all art is the shout to the universal that that is part of what gave me my sense of decide to make music together. We made all of the wound, whatever format it takes. protest. Seeing that people would actually take to music on GarageBand, in our separate locations, the streets, sometimes violently, and make a loud which, for the sound, is pretty amazing. SLUG: What are some examples of important noise about what the hell is wrong. literature to you? SLUG: On your newest release, Twin Horses, you Lunch: My spoken word always consists of the SLUG: I’m sure you have ideas for how to fix the decided to include a cover of “Hotel California” by same material and always will: surveillance, the bullshit … the Eagles. Why that song? war, dead men, violence, ghosts, readdressing Lunch: We need to communicate with each other Lunch: It’s one of the most hated songs ever imbalance, quantum physics. My favorite and, in order to not become homicidal maniacs recorded. We hate it so much because it is so philosopher is E.M. Cioran. He wrote books with ourselves, have an understanding of what pleasure imbued in our teenage psyche and it won’t go titles like The Temptation to Exist and The Trouble and real intimacy is—and I don’t mean texting away. If you actually listen to the words, they are with Being Born. Need I go on? He was hilarious. your friend on your fucking phone. I mean looking fantastic. I am an ear obtainer, not an entertainer, He writes aphorisms, one-liners, paragraphs. It’s into someone’s eyes and having a conversation. so if I can convert and twist something that is very depressing and amusing—it cheers me up. irritating and turn it into something pleasurable, What can I say? SLUG: So, what is next for you? that’s very contrarian. Lunch: Well, the Retro/Virus album will be SLUG: Much of your lyrical content focuses on coming out. I’ll do a tour with my three-piece SLUG: You have recently been working on some violence and hypocrisy in the United States. What female improvisational group, Medusa’s Bed, in new material for your new project Retro/Virus about our society do you think creates this cultural March in Austria, and Retro/Virus will go on tour … Tell me a little about that. specificity? in June. I have two books I want to write, and of Lunch: I wrote an introduction for a T-shirt book Lunch: Oh, God … Do you have a lifetime to course, carry on doing what I’m doing. called Ripped with Cesar Padilla, then I called listen? Look, the problem with America is this: Bob Burke and started plotting Retro/Virus. Everything we pretend to be we are not. We After more than 30 years of making music, Lunch It’s a retrospective about shirts, so why not do a pretend we are free—we are not. We all pretend is powering through the world with as much force retrospective of my music? It’s very no-wave, very to be white, rich and celebrities. We are not. We as ever. With a repertoire that spans multiple brutarian and aggressive. We just recorded a are vastly poor. We are ignorant. We are patriotic. genres, her new retrospective will have something studio album that will be out in a few months. We are poisoned. The food, the air and the water to please the most acrimonious recesses of your are contaminated. We try to export democracy societally ass-fucked heart. There will be many SLUG: Music is so intrinsically important to the by committing mass murder. This country is so years and projects to come, with Lunch operating human experience. Why do you think that is? arrogantly, outrageously hypocritical. as a mouthpiece for the stomped-on individual, Lunch: Literature influenced me more than music. spewing aggression in the pursuit of delight and It saved my life, actually, and then music came SLUG: Where did your political passion start? indulgence. in afterward. There is something about putting 28 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 29 Straight to the Mu'fuckin' Greatest: By Dan Vesper • [email protected] The Best Mixtapes of For years now, some of the biggest game-changers in hip-hop haven’t been — they’ve been “mixtapes”—free, digital releases that may or may not have an annoy- ing DJ who ruins the whole thing. These days, mixtapes are a necessity for staying relevant, which probably sucks for rappers, but appeals to the cheapskate in me. Everyone makes them, so there’s a lot to sift through. Luckily, SLUG has done all the hard work for you, and these are the 10 tapes from 2014 you need to know about. 2014 10) Freddie Gibbs x The World’s Freshest 5) 2 Chainz The Tonite Show Freebase Street: 05.13.14. Street: 05.05.14 Gibbs’ Piñata was among the better records of 2014. So, Even on a list of free records, 2 Chainz is a tough sell for to compare these two albums might be a bit unfair. Still, some reason. I see why people might be turned off by him— the only real problem with The Tonite Show is “Pussy Got he spends a lot of time poking fun at hip-hop culture. Still, Slap,” which is every bit the bed-shitter it sounds like. For his passion for rapping is undeniable, he’s consistently hilari- the most part, though, this is Freddie Gibbs in fine form, ous, and this might be his best work ever. Here, we have “rollin’, pockets all swollen,” he’s got two bad bitches with 2 Chainz backed up by absurdly fabulous trap beats, rap- him and he’s, “blowin’ that Billy Ocean.” Wait! Did he ping, “I don’t respect my elders / These (shoes) right here just say he blew Billy Ocean? Maison Margiela / I cannot get no earrings / It’ll make my Rolex jealous.” 9) Travi$ Scott Days Before Rodeo 4) iLoveMakonnen Street: 08.18.14 ILoveMakonnen EP Street: 07.06.14 Travi$ Scott’s loose affiliation withKanye has prompted a lot of comparisons. Luckily, unlike Yeezy, Scott doesn’t For a while, I couldn’t decide if I liked this. That’s when I spend the whole record rapping about how much richer realized that I’d been obsessed with it for weeks. Makonnen than you he is. He’s not exactly Socrates either, but I’ll take raps in a slow monotone caked in autotune—sometimes it’s it. The essential jam here is “Mamacita,” but there’s plenty stupid, but it’s always sorta mesmerizing. Then again, I’d more, like “Quintana Pt. 2” and “Don’t Play,” which offer up probably sound awesome, too, if Sonny Digital, Met- some next-level production. ro Boomin and Lex Luger hooked me up with all their dopest beats. 8) $ell Sole 3) 100s Street: 10.21.14 IVRY Street: 03.07.14 The last thing you want to be is “backpack rap.” That’s code for hip-hop that white college kids like. In theory, I don’t Time is money, ladies, and the last time 100s checked, “Your know why backpack is a bad thing, but in practice, well, love don’t pay [his] bills, and that’s real.” Or maybe it’s there’s Wiz Khalifa. Dej Loaf has that stink all over her, not, because two songs later, he’s rapping about how some unfortunately. It’s a shame, too: At a time when the most lucky gal is paying his bills and how “that’s real.” Frankly, popular female MCs—e.g. Nicki Minaj and Azealia I’m confused, but it doesn’t much matter. When funk of this Banks—have little to offer but vapid narcissism, Dej offers caliber comes along—and it rarely does—don’t question it. depth with remarkable skill. 2) Vince Staples 7) Migos Shyne Coldchain Vol. 2 No Label 2 Street: 03.13.14 Street: 02.25.14 Vince Staples has said that he doesn’t record unless he has Migos embody a new direction in rap—one that not ev- something to say. I believe it. In the wake of Ferguson, he re- eryone appreciates. Nevertheless, “Versace,” from Y.R.N., leased his much-discussed single, “Hands Up.” Yet it was six is the anthem of the decade, and Atlanta’s scene is single- months earlier that he gave us this excellent mixtape, where handedly reviving hip-hop right now—and thank God, too! there isn’t a lazy rhyme or forgettable beat to be found. On, Without the Migoses and Young Thugs of the world, rap “Oh, You Scared,” he reminds us for the millionth time what would smell like Jay-Z farts. Not only did this tape prove desperately needed to be heard before Ferguson: “The ones that these guys weren’t one-trick ponies, it got Rush Lim- preach protect and serve—the main ones tryin’ kill you.” baugh to hate them. If there’s a better recommendation than that, I don’t know what it is. 1) Birdman / Young Thug / Rich Homie Quan: Rich Gang: Tha Tour Part 1 6) Cakes Da Killa Street: 09.30.14 Hunger Pangs Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan are easily the two Street: 06.18.14 most polarizing figures in rap. It’s complicated, but for a culture that’s been holding on to 1994 for 20 years now, It’s bullshit, but when you’re a gay rapper, you can’t just these guys are causing a stir. Their personalities aren’t just be good: You have to be fierce. Cakes Da Killa is ravenous wildly unique, there’s a virtuosity in the syncopation of their and he will “eat a bitch up.” I don’t think that’s rhetorical, flows—the same stuff you’d expect from classic and either­—Because when I listen to this tape, I hear a man that R&B. Inexplicably, this has earned them a surprising amount I honestly believe might chew your face off and lick your of homophobic aggression. Hollow criticism like that only fucking bones. underscores what’s really going on: Few can step to these guys. 30 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 31 Portanda

Michael

Photos:

Artisan or Perfection What the Alpha Dominche Steampunk Means for the Future of Coffee

By Cody Kirkland • [email protected] Alpha Dominche CEO Thomas Perez views the Steampunk as a technologically imperative advancement in coffee-brewing culture.

“A very skilled can make a very good cup Alpha Dominche’s headquarters at 726 S. 400 W. I practically had to beg barista Zade Womack of coffee—and so can we—but we can make that To brew with it, a barista puts a precise amount of to brew it with an actual Hario V60. The popular very good cup of coffee every single time,” says coffee or tea into a crucible, selects a desired volume Japanese drip cone, which made its mark on mod- Thomas Perez. He’s the new CEO of Salt Lake and temperature of water, brew time, amount and ern in 2005, already felt quaint and City’s Alpha Dominche, manufacturer of the Steam- duration of agitation, and begins the brew. These outdated. Instead of its former place on the front of punk, a wildly innovative device that can achieve settings can be saved as recipes for a particular cof- the bar, the V60 now makes its home on a high shelf cup quality and consistency never before possible. fee or tea, and a different recipe can be selected for behind the counter. Center stage at two Salt Lake “The Steampunk is a commercial brewer that will al- each crucible, allowing four distinct brews to hap- shops—Nobrow and Publik Coffee Roasters—and low you to brew every cup of coffee and tea to per- pen simultaneously. These recipes can be published at cafes throughout the world, sits the Steampunk. fection,” says Perez. “You can completely control the to a cloud-based library and shared from roaster to brewing process, and repeat it again and again and cafe, or from cafe to cafe, anywhere in the world. It’s been a long time since there has been such inno- again.” Last October, Perez left his post as CEO of vation on the very basis of how to brew coffee—the North/South America, a company that pro- The Steampunk may initially seem like the nail in advent of the machine in 1884 is the only duces one of the simplest coffee-brewing devices— every barista’s reclaimed-wood coffin—what will we one that comes to mind. When I ask Perez if the the —to head a company that produces all do, if not stand and pour water into a French Steampunk is as historically and technologically im- one of the most complex coffee-brewing machines. press, or Chemex? Perez, though, sees portant as the , he answers without Perez, who was born in Denmark but spent the last the Steampunk as a tool for to achieve pause, saying, “Yes. Absolutely.” He reminds me, 14 years in Sweden, , New Zealand and brewing excellence. “With this machine, you’re though, that coffee isn’t the only application for Al- New York working for Bodum, was drawn to Salt able to manage more complexity with coffee, and pha Dominche’s invention. “We talk about coffee all Lake City because of Alpha Dominche’s innovation. to apply all your techniques to each individual cof- the time, but I think teas are just as high on the list as It’s a telling move, one that reflects a growing shift fee. It’s kind of like taking it one step further than coffee. You have even more complexity in tea than in philosophy within the industry and in cafes them- French press,” he says. “You can manage many you have in coffee,” says Perez. The tea industry, selves. When it comes to coffee and tea, artisan isn’t more kinds of methods and recipes. Then you can particularly in Asia, has embraced the Steampunk good enough anymore—perfection is the next step. do anything—that’s what inspired me.” The inspi- 2.1 and 4.1 (available with two or four crucibles, ration Perez speaks of led him to Salt Lake City. respectively) and the Steampunk MOD—a modular As for the machine itself, it’s a beautiful achieve- setup that hides all but the crucibles under counter, ment of engineering and industrial design. With the Salt Lake City, a place that was once about five years as well as custom MOD setups that can include size and stature of a modern espresso machine, the behind when it comes to coffee, has become a hub multiple crucibles spanning an entire cafe bar, such flagship Steampunk 4.1 comprises a base enclos- of coffee culture and innovation—enough so that The as the one in the San Francisco tea shop Samovar. ing the electronic and hydraulic components, four New York Times ran a story about it last November. vertical glass tubes or crucibles in which coffee or High-quality, brewed-to-order coffee is becoming the As far as future innovations go, Alpha Dominche is tea is brewed, and a touch-screen control interface. norm here. About half a dozen Downtown shops focusing on perfecting the machines that they already Aside from a few small parts and the Google Nexus serve excellent brewed by amazing baristas offer, as well as continuing to build custom versions of 7 tablet that runs it, every metal, glass, wood and using a French press, siphon, drip cone, Chemex or the Steampunk for worldwide clients. Ultimately, Al- electronic part in the Steampunk is custom-made AeroPress. That being said, the last time I walked into pha Dominche’s goal is, in the words of Perez, “show- here in Salt Lake City and assembled by hand in Nobrow Coffee Werks and ordered a “pour-over,” ing people, on a grand scale, what coffee can be.” 32 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 33 By Alex Springer [email protected] Photo: Gilbert Cisneros Photo: Gilbert Cisneros

If you’ve been to Nobrow Guy Harding, Coffee Werks or Publik Cof- founder of Provo- fee Roasters, you may have based software noticed their dutiful baristas development brewing your coffee with a machine that looks like it was company Verisage, pilfered from the lab of a mad is the brains behind scientist. Have no fear, citizens— Alpha Dominche’s you are merely gazing upon what Mincher App. could very well be the future of cof- fee brewing as we know it. It’s called the Alpha Dominche Steampunk, and Because of its ability to store recipes and along with its futuristic design, it’s outfitted settings, the Mincher app and the Steam- with a Google Nexus 7 tablet, whose pur- punk itself are quite approachable for the pose is to house the machine’s heart and soul— newly minted barista. “When we install a ma- the AD Mincher app. The Mincher, so named as a chine, we train the baristas how to use it. After that, diminutive of Alpha Dominche, was designed by Veris- it’s really straightforward,” Harding says. This makes age, which is a custom software development shop the brewing and serving process more efficient for based out of Provo. The app is designed to give baris- baristas and customers, and it ensures that each em- tas using the Steampunk the ability to control their cof- ployee at a given coffee shop is on the same page. fee brewing to a near-fanatical degree. Not only does Since the app is exclusive to coffee shops who are it allow for specific instructions regarding water tem- using the Steampunk, baristas can rest assured that perature, agitation and steeping, but it also connects their content is getting updated by professionals—not the owner to a cloud server to which they can upload just anyone has access to the Mincher. their own recipes and access those of other coffee shops around the nation. “It’s cool from the barista’s It would be easy to dismiss this integration of technol- point of view,” says Verisage founder Guy Harding, ogy and coffee brewing as some kind of gimmick if the “because it remembers each recipe, which streamlines Mincher didn’t produce a damn fine cup of coffee. Ear- the ordering process so they can pay more attention lier this year, the Alpha Dominche was pitted against to the customers.” renowned manual brewer and barista Nick Cho in a competition to see whether or not a machine could Harding and Verisage got involved with Alpha craft a better brew than a human. Though it was only Dominche during the latter’s search for a streamlined by a one-point margin, the Steampunk managed to user interface for their Steampunk machines. “They come out on top. Thanks to the app’s ability to remem- had a custom-built controller that didn’t have the ber the exact settings of each particular brew, it offers network capabilities that they wanted, and it was ex- Verisage’s Mincher App allows baristasPhoto: Josh Telles its users the ability to craft four consistently flavorful pensive to maintain. They also wanted something that precise control over a number of variables, cups of coffee at a time. looked better and matched the design of the machine resulting in a perfect brew every time. itself,” Harding says. The Mincher does exactly that. Regardless of its streamlined interface and overall Its interface captures the sleek, minimalist design of functionality, the true innovation of the Mincher app a Kubrickian science fiction film, and its ability to remember several specific is its ability to collaborate with other coffee roasters around the country. As more recipe components and preparations makes it extremely user-friendly. “We defi- coffee shops start using the machine, the app will allow them to connect with each nitely wanted the app to match how cool the Steampunk is,” Harding says “It was other in order to swap recipes and tips for achieving a certain ’s op- really fun to work on.” The four crucibles of the Steampunk can also be regulated timal preparation. While the immediate result of such collaboration is an increas- individually through the app, allowing the user to brew four completely different ingly perfect cup of joe, the potential applications for this type of technology in coffee coffees with the same level of consistency. other culinary areas are exciting.

34 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 35 36 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 37 eef is the strongest man in the his crush, Illi (Ashly Burch), who berlain is a longtime friend along with world. He charges through is Mrs. Rosen’s niece and surrogate Editor TJ Nelson and Composer B cinderblock walls one after the daughter. Afflicted by daunting anxi- Andrew Shaw of Color Animal, other at his construction job, and he ety in his search for his bike, Beef must Magic Mint and Albino Father— rips on his gold BMX bike—his prized navigate his valuation system amid all current Salt Lake citizens. “It makes possession—on the streets of Miami. loss, love and … chickens. it fun,” says Riches. It would seem that His muscles are rippling … and he they’ve found it fun, too. Nelson, who snorts Pixy Stix on the beach with his A chicken turns out to be Beef’s power also edited Must Come Down, says, best friend, Conan. animal, which he discovers when he “The Strongest Man just had so many goes to his “Safe Place” at the behest awesome moments that you just kinda Beef (Robert “Meatball” Lorie) of the bourgeois, German-accented get to pick your favorite one and go PLATED and Conan (Paul Chamberlain) Patrick Fugit with it.” Riches’ girlfriend, Cara De- PLATED Guru Fred ( ) in a medi- are best friends who gracelessly and tative yoga session that he takes with spain, served double duty as Art ININ humorously carry out a Don Quixote Illi and Conan. “In his brain, [Beef’s] Director and Assistant Producer. She and Sancho Panza–style journey a small person,” Riches says. “He provided some basic art direction for in The Strongest Man, a 2015 Sun- wouldn’t see a powerful thing—he Must Come Down, but due the amount dance film in the “NEXT” section. “I would see this strange chicken,” which of aesthetically demanding scenarios think I have a hard time not putting serves as the crux of Beef’s character- in The Strongest Man, increased the GOLDGOLD some comedy in there,” says Kenny ization, that he would project his in- breadth of her involvement for this Riches, the film’s writer and director. ner being as something contrary to his film. This transcended the couple’s After frequently visiting Miami and strength and muscly physique. Riches natural tendency to help each other: eventually moving there from Salt says, “I just felt like it was an interest- “When I read The Strongest Man The Strongest Man Lake City in March of 2012, Riches ing thing to have the juxtaposition of script, I felt like, right away, it was the began developing the story for The this man who thinks he’s physically best thing that he’s written and it was Strongest Man in spring of 2013. This the strongest man in the world, and the most exciting thing he’s written,” at Sundance is his second feature-length film, fol- then, on the inside, he’s very anxious she says. “I think that he found his lowing 2012’s Must Come Down. “[The and kind of reserved.” Beef’s struggle old voice, but tapped into something Strongest Man] is just as much about to overcome his anxiety and internal that was real for him but also relat- By Alexander Ortega a place as it is characters,” he says, self-belittlement plays out in funny yet able for people where we live now.” referencing Miami. A key element of hair-pulling ways with Illi. Even in a Nelson concurs from his perspective [email protected] most any place, moreover, may well conversation that he imagines having of the project: “I think the ease of edit- be the people. Riches acknowledges with her before they actually speak, ing spoke to the writing, honestly,” he that the character economy in The he “bargains”—as Riches puts it—in says. The Strongest Man demonstrates Strongest Man serves as a caricature his profession of his love to her: “I Riches’ growth as a screenwriter. Its of “Miami types,” emphasizing their think you talk too much,” he says in dynamics, compared to Must Come archetypes and “quirks.” Where Beef his reverie, “which can be annoying, Down, flex fluidly and and Conan fill the roles of aimless but it makes up for when I don’t have emotively, treating early-30s construction workers, char- much to say.” the viewer to the (L–R) Conan (Paul Chamberlain) and Beef (Robert “Meatball” Lorie) provide acters like the haughty, eccentric art magic of cinema. laughs and existential musing in Kenny Riches’ The Strongest Man. collector, Mrs. Rosen (Lisa Banes), Meatball and Chamberlain aren’t for- “The biggest thing Image Courtesy of Prodigy Public Relations Image Courtesy of Prodigy typify moneyed personages, which, mally trained actors. Riches met Meat- that I learned about in the film, enacts Riches’ comedic ball in Miami where, Riches states, making Must Come Down was writing take on the dichotomy between the he makes some performance art and … mostly in the editing,” says Riches,

Photo: Talyn Sherer Photo: Talyn different classes of Miami people is well-known in the local art scene. who agrees that he learns more from notwithstanding. Riches explains this designation, though; he into Sundance,” says Riches, “because the first thing you think and the social friction between them. Riches describes Meatball as the “life doing rather than studying. “With this says, “Every scene in this film has some sort of symbolism about is, ‘Fuck, David is supposed to be here.’” Riches, Nel- of the party,” and says that when he film, it’s much tighter and the pacing that is relevant. I think that a lot of the things I try to explain son and Shaw express—either verbally or silently—that it’s “There’s a lot of money in Miami, and met him, “he and I commiserated on is a little different.” in my films are done through symbols or metaphors.” It’s thus painful. Nevertheless, Nelson says, “In the process of mak- money is part of the culture,” says the fact that we both had crazy anxi- no surprise that Beef’s anxiety takes the form of a red-eyed ing this film without him, physically, he was still, in my mind, Riches. He suggests that a reason that ety, so that definitely dictated, ‘Oh, Shaw also returns to film fromMust “being” or monster, whose costume Despain helped make holding some kind of bar or some kind of standard [where Sundance accepted his movie is that of course Beef has anxiety.’” Riches Come Down, as The Strongest Man’s from palm fronds that naturally blacken when they die. The we] would … want to make something that he would like.” it offers “a different kind of American cast Meatball alongside his good score writer. Riches confesses to hav- anxiety monster’s presence alerts the viewer that Beef feels Riches furthers the sentiment: “It’s like I’m writing to impress cinema because it takes place in Mi- friend Chamberlain, who, accord- ing been “obsessed” with Magic anxious. Even a recent surge of high-rise construction in the David. I still do that,” he says. ami, and Miami is a different Ameri- ing to Riches, flirted with becoming Mint’s 2014 release, Grand America, Miami cityscape plays into Riches’ use of symbolism: Mrs. ca.” Representing the lower end of the a traditional actor. Their characters’ whose flavor will saturate the score of Rosen lives in one and pays Beef to move around her zany art In regard to maintaining much of the same team of “besties” socio-economic spectrum of this city, personalities and friendship arose as The Strongest Man. “The score on Must collection. Riches says, “She is physically in a building that’s from Must Come Down to The Strongest Man, Riches says, “I Beef cherishes his gold-plated BMX a “mix of me and the actors that play Come Down is more of a character above them [Beef, Conan and their homes]. I like the visual think that’s a big reason why I make films, is to pull everyone bicycle. “It’s not customed-out—it’s the characters and totally fictional ele- than the score needs to be on this film,” play and what that brought—both thematically and visually.” back together.” Though The Strongest Man takes place in Mi- gold because it’s also a symbol of ments as well,” says Riches. “As far as Shaw says, whereas the feel for scoring ami, the collection of characters and symbols synergize and Miami,” says Riches. It’s an object of their interactions go—once you have The Strongest Man is “more about trying Banes’ rendering of Mrs. Rosen elicits reflect the bonds of the people behind invested value, as it functions as Beef’s an idea of the way a character is go- to find the right textures and try to not some laughs with her upper-middle- the film who worked together across transportation and his favorite pas- ing to be throughout the story—they be too pushy with anything. … I think class white-privileged persona. It’s a the nation and created a gripping work time. Beef’s bicycle evinces his Miami kind of dictate to you, as you’re writ- there’s so much good stuff already hap- character whom Riches wrote with the of art that’s nonetheless relatable and prerogative to flaunt his own little bit ing, how they’re going to interact.” pening in the scene, and so whatever late David Fetzer in the back of his down to earth. In the context of Sun- of excess, which cheekily satirizes a Riches allowed for a large degree of I can do to just kind of help move the mind, who was one of the lead roles dance, Riches and company stand as culture and place riddled with souped- interpretation on the part of the actors scene along a little bit is what I’m after.” of Must Come Down and a dear friend hometown heroes who’ve captured the up cars and other dis- in The Strongest Man, and Meatball who passed away in December of original spirit of the festival—ardent plays of wealth— and Chamberlain shaped a veritably I find it curious that both he and Riches 2012, with whom Riches also made a creators forming a chain spinning a Miami’s Bass real friendship filled with existential would consider a score a “charac- Utah native Kenny Riches’ second feature-length film,The handful of short films. “Certainly, it’s cog, their shared artistic spirit plated in Museum even musings and their quest to find their ter,” Shaw’s penchant for assigning Strongest Man, was accepted into the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. been a really crazy thing after getting gold of the noblest caliber. features a gold- spirit animals (Conan’s is a dog). sounds to emotions and characters Illustration: Chris Bodily themed conceptu- al art exhibit. Once Riches’ team comprises his “besties,” Screenings: his bike is stolen, however, his desire who are “conveniently placed in each Premiere – Sunday, Jan. 25, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 6:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 9:30 p.m. and passion develop more so toward category that I need,” he says. Cham- Prospector Square Theatre, Park City Library Center Theatre, Park City Broadway Centre Cinema 3, SLC Redstone Cinema 1, Park City 38 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 39 photo feature

Keegan Valaika – Wallie Front 3 – SLC, Utah

By Bob Plumb Creativity is king these days—with ESPN’s Real Snow and a “bigger is [email protected] better” mentality, it’s rad to see people find spots like this and be creative. Keegan found this years ago while filming forBozwreck 2. Five years later, no snow was needed for the lip. 40 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 41 New Year’s Resolutions

By Mike Brown • Instagram: @Fagatron

Initially, SLUG wanted me to fill this page up with a bunch of crap though. That’s just rude. Even if the NFL and most of their fans don’t I probably should do differently with my life for 2015. I’ve opened care too much if you beat up girls, there’re still a lot of people who do. myself up to SLUG readers with most of my bad habits over the years, So don’t do that, OK? but I know myself all too well: I am a creature of habit that despises change in any form. If I set New Year’s resolutions for myself, I’m just New Year’s Resolution for Mormons: Give women the priest- going to fail miserably and hurt my own feelings—and I’m a pretty hood. Come on! Remember when you wouldn’t give the priesthood to sensitive guy when I’m sober. So, the only thing I’m changing in 2015 black people, but then God changed his mind in the ’70s and said it is my underwear. was OK? It’s kinda like that, and it’s a nice baby step toward accepting gay people, which I don’t expect that you That being said, I came up with some New Year’s resolutions that I guys will do this year. Besides, I went to priesthood would like to see from other people. I also made my resolutions super meetings when I was a kid, and it was super easy for these people to follow because, well, I have low expectations boring. Once women see how boring being for humanity. That way, if humanity does anything great, I can get a priesthood holder is, then they probably extra excited. won’t want to have it. So it’s kind of a win- win situation. New Year’s Resolution for Cops: Quit killing black people. If you guys keep doing this, people are going to start getting more upset— Overall, I don’t like telling people what and it doesn’t help me out when you kill ones named Mike Brown. to do, and I know I’m lumping a bunch I’m sure most of you are all right guys who don’t want to kill black of people together, but come on folks: people, but seriously, how is it that you guys didn’t kill the white guy Let’s make the world a better place. who shot up the people watching The Dark Knight Rises two and a half years ago, or the white guy who shot the Arizona senator? You guys found the fucking Unabomber without killing him, for fuck’s . So how ’bout if someone is black and selling illegal cigs or stole a candy bar, you just don’t kill them? I don’t think I’m asking too much.

New Year’s Resolution for the Utah Jazz: Play some fucking defense (Derrick Favors excluded). We all know the team is going to suck this year and that we are rebuilding the franchise until you guys all get good enough to play anywhere but Utah, but in the meantime, can you guys at least play some D? Your D sucks D right now. Flail your arms a bit. Don’t be a pussy and take a charge, lose a bunch of games and then go home and fall asleep on your giant pile of money in between two hot, white strippers.

New Year’s Resolution for the Jiffy Lube on 677 E. 400 S.: Quit lying to customers—especially me. I’m not one to waste time on Yelp filing complaints about anyone in any service industry—that’s what this column is for. I understand shitty service: If your waiter’s dog died that morning and then he has to put up with your dumb ass, a little saltiness is understandable. But yeah, I waited four hours for an oil change and safety and emissions test, then they failed my car. Oh, and then some dipshit that works there lied to me, saying that all I had to do was bring my car back once it’s safe and they wouldn’t charge me for the oil change—lies, all lies. Jiffy Lube is the Comcast of the automotive world. That means they suck donkey dick.

New Year’s Resolution for the Federal Government: Legalize weed already. You guys might as well—it’s going to happen anyway. Well, maybe not in Utah, where prescription drugs take the cake, but I’ve never understood how something could be legal in a state but il- legal in the country—doesn’t that still make puffin’ tough illegal? I read that in Colorado, all the weed stores are making butt-loads of cash, but

since that’s still a no-no with the Feds—they can’t put their money in a Illustration: Manuel Aguilar bank. Imagine what their mattresses look like. Now it’s just a matter of time before some goons from the mob roll in and cut off their weens and take their money. What a bummer, man.

New Year’s Resolution for NFL Players: This year, don’t beat anyone up that is a girl. For the most part, I think football and football players are dumb, which is why I enjoy watching them beat the shit Mike Brown’s New Year’s resolution for the Jazz is to out of each other to the point where they spend the rest of their lives play some fucking D. His resolution for Jiffy Lube is to with crippling, suicidal injuries. I don’t like watching them beat up girls, quit lying to their customers.

42 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 43 These photos are the result of three trips to the Downtown Library. Not to dissuade anyone library, two (and a half) broken boards and from jumping down massive stairs—we went a lot of skin and blood from Taylor Green’s straight there—but he proceeded to break back. I have to give it to the kid—he isn’t his board and then Hogan’s board. The a quitter. The first time we went, I had actu- second time, he drove straight to SLC from ally just met him. We ran into Dirk Hogan work in Layton, and after a dozen attempts, PHOTO FEATURE and Bambi skating Downtown and pulled we got kicked out by security. By the third over to see if they wanted to shoot a photo. and final trip, Green was determined to land By Weston Colton • WestonColton.com Green had this crazy idea of late shoving the it—17 tries later, he rolled away.

Taylor Green – Late Shove-It – SLC

44 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 45 By Mike Riedel IPA—it’s worth your time and shekels. [email protected] Also, a percentage of the sales go to fund the Utah Avalanche Center. Very Oi! Thank Thor the holidays are over! cool! Every year, the Christmaquanzukkah ass-kicking boot seems to find its tar- Imperial Java Stout get more and more often on my deli- Brewery/Brand: cate, beer-loving tushy. By the time Santa Fe Brewing Co. January rolls around, I’m definitely ABV: 8.0% in need of some of that cliché New Serving Style: 12 oz. can Year’s resolution bullshit. Personally, Description: This new offering into my resolution is to get my chafed ass our market pours dark brown to black back in shape, but if you’re a perfect with some ruby highlights around the person and have no need for that edges. The head is sturdy for a while, self-improvement crap, then I have a but will fade into a cap of espresso- year-long assignment for you. They style foam. The nose is full of dark- say that only 8 percent of us will be roasted coffee and roasted barley. able to stick with a resolution this Immediately, you know this beer is all year, but don’t despair. This assign- about the coffee. The taste starts with ment is simple: Get away from the an abundance of dark, bitter coffee. flavorless, mass-produced swill and Nutty, dark chocolate comes in next embrace flavorful craft-beer brands. with toffee, char and pine rounding Your perfect tongue, mind and body out the end. The is well-hid- will thank you. Here are some fine ex- den, as this doesn’t taste at all like an amples to help get you on your way. 8-percent beer. Overview: For an imperial stout, Brighton IPA this is not as viscous as you’d think. It Brewery/Brand: has a body and sweetness more akin Uinta Brewing Co. to a milk stout. This beer is new to the ABV: 4.0% market, so you may have some dif- Serving Style: ficulty locating it at first. Don’t let the 750 ml bottle /draft can fool you—this is a great beer!

KCCO Black Lager Brewery/Brand: Resignation Brewery ABV: 5.1% Serving Style: 12 oz. bottle Description: Another new addition to our market, this dark lager pours a nice-looking, dark-brown cola color Description: Poured from its beauti- with a good two fingers of frothy ful corked and caged Champagne- eggshell head. The nose has some styled bottle, this seasonal IPA has a pumpernickel-like breadiness to it, deep, golden hue with a tight, white, along with some Quik chocolate milk foamy cap that lasts halfway through notes. The taste starts with some bis- the beer. The nose has a great mix of cuit and coffee-like flavors. Earthy, pine, floral notes and citrus peel. The dark fruits and toffee notes come taste starts similarly, with big English- next, with a hint of ash adding a little esque floral and pine bitterness. It balance. Unsweetened chocolate almost has a lagered, pilsner quality. and piney hops round out the back A touch of caramel malt sweetness end, providing a fairly dry finish. comes next, adding a bit of balance Overview: For a dark lager, this to the bitterness. The end is surpris- has a light/medium body. It’s not a ingly tropical and citrusy. It’s like the perfect example of the style by any brewers saved the best for last. It fin- means, but if you come across it and ishes fairly hoppy and dry. are looking to give your tongue a Overview: This is like two beers new challenge, definitely give it a in one. It starts off like a hoppy la- whirl. ger and transitions into an American Cheers!

46 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 47 Reimagine the natural world with Nancy Steele-Makasci’s drawings at the Finch Lane Gallery.

Winter Hues: in April of 2014. It will remain on dis- play until Spring of 2015, when it will January’s become available to travel around the Gallery Stroll state. If you want the Art-o-mat for your organizations, business or events, con- By Mariah Mann Mellus tact the Rio Gallery for its availability. [email protected] The Salt Lake Arts Council will em- It’s easy to fall into a rut in January— brace the darkness of the season and that’s probably why some overachiever show us the light in black and white. began the ridiculous tradition of making Two exhibits will share the Finch Lane New Year’s resolutions. It’s hard to stay Gallery space at 54 S. Finch Lane. In motivated when the snow turns icy and the “East Gallery,” Jena Schmidt’s brown and it gets dark before dinner, or exhibit, Black North, will feature her when we’ve lost track of bad-air-quality large-scale abstract paintings. In the days—all the more reason to get out “West Gallery,” Elise LaJeunesse, and look at some art. For January’s Gal- Nancy Steele-Makasci and Mat- lery Stroll, go remind yourself that win- thew Kruback have joined forces for ter is a season and not a state of mind. an exhibit titled Remapping the Natural World in Black and White. The show For a different hue this January, Utah opens for the Jan. 16 Gallery Stroll and Division of Arts & Museums hosts will remain up until Feb. 27, and a re- its 115th Statewide Annual Painting ception and artist talk with Schmidt will and Sculpture Competition at the Rio take place for the Feb. 20 Gallery Stroll. Gallery. From the far reaches of the state, 224 artists have submitted a total Utah Arts Alliance invites you to of 392 works in either medium. Jurors jump down the rabbit hole and just have meticulously pored over each sub- leave this cold, dark reality behind. mission and pared them down to 59 Their Urban Arts Gallery is transform- works by 59 artists, representing 44 ing into Alice’s Wonderland, complete cities across 18 counties. Awards are with tea parties, live music and cosplay. given for “Best in Show,” juror honors The show includes artwork, installa- and honorable mentions. “This com- tions and other mixed media by these petition and exhibition is an excellent fabulous artists: Synthanthropy representation of the exciting work Utah Art Collective, Sailor Taylor (aka artists continue to produce,” says Arts & Taylor Millet), Maomi Sunshine, Museums Director Lynnette Hiskey. Timm Paxton, Lisa Mace, Bacee, The show opened on Nov. 21, but will Derek Dyer, Taylor Maguire, That remain on display until Jan. 9. The Rio Guy Gil, Jenn Blum, Greg Shear- Gallery is open Monday through Friday, er, Stephanie Hillman, Torsten from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m., and is located at Bangerter, Jenny Kennedy and 300 S. Rio Grande Street. more. The show runs until Feb. 15, but to get all the interactive activities, you While at the Rio Gallery, make sure you should stop by during the Gallery Stroll take a peep at the Art-o-mat, the brain- reception on Jan. 16. The Urban Arts child of a North Carolina group known Gallery is located at 137 S. Rio Grande as Artists in Cellophane. The Art-o- Street (at the Gateway Center). mat repurposes old cigarette vending machines to dispense mini-masterpiec- Bundle up—a little cold and a lot of es, which include ink drawings, jewel- art does wonders for the soul, so go ry, tiny robots and flip books. Utah Arts out and Stroll! and Museums acquired the Art-o-mat 48 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 49 son Illustration: Steve Thue

Dear Orificer, The rest of your sentiment I’ll comment as follows, and you I’m pretty sure I know where you stand mentioned families: with the Michael Brown, Trayvon Mar- tin, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, etc. issue. Eric Tyrone Smith – End Of Watch I imagine that you are on the cops’ (or July 7, 2013 – He was a twin. security guards’) sides in these matters. He was a United States Marine. I am against the decisions to vindicate He and his TWIN brother were cops like Darren Wilson who, whether raised by a special mother whom it was “justified” in the eyes of the law loved Eric A LOT. He was quite or not, killed people with firearms—or possibly one of the smartest cops by other means, as with Eric Garner. I to have existed on this planet, have a 19-year-old brother, who, in the EVER. He had sons, Eric Smith Jr. eyes of the law may be an adult, but I and Quentin, who he loved more know that he is still a kid who makes than life. So, where the FUCK mistakes and is figuring “it all” out. Kids were you (and Al Sharpton) and think they’re invincible, and regardless your diatribe when he was shot of whether Michael Brown was as “Hulk down, with his own gun, by Hogan”–esque as Darren Wilson made some murdering criminal piece him out to be, he was still a kid; he’s of shit? dead, and although my brother is by no means 6’4” or 292 lbs. or black, all I And … can see is someone’s brother who was murdered. Here’s my question: Why are Rodney Renee Thomas – End of cops still using weapons and tactics that Watch April 4, 2013 – He sang in kill people? Why not implement a weap- his church choir. His passion for on that stuns them without a potential for fishing was unequaled. He had death? Humankind can land a probe on a son, Rodney Thomas II. There a fucking comet, but law enforcement was an accident one night, and can’t figure out how to detain someone he got out of his car and made without taking their lives and ruining sure everyone was OK. He even those of their families and uphold the put on his reflective vest for safe- peace they purport to defend? ty. Some piece-of-shit criminal, driving a $75,000 Porsche, ran –Lizardhand Gomorrah him down. Where the FUCK were you or Al when this happened? P.S. After Trayvon Martin, if I were Mi- chael Brown, I wouldn’t have complied Cops die every day, and as with Darren Wilson either. From Watts the media likes to remind us, to Ferguson, the police have made it “You signed up for it.” But, we clear that they’re to be considered an are still people very similar to enemy—not one as blatant as ISIS, but you, AND we will continue to a more nebulously insidious foe. sign up for it and die for it. It’s who we are—male/female/ Mr. Lizard, black/white/brown/yellow/ gay/straight/trans/gimpy/ To answer your questions, #1 glass eye, whatever. Someday, – Cops use weapons and tactics when it sinks in, maybe you, that “stop” people from their too, can be one of us. Maybe. criminal intent; #2 – It’s called a taser, and people still die after –Cop being tasered; #3 – Seriously, you’re relating the scientific ac- complishment of comet landing Have a question for the Cop? to natural, human, criminal-vs.- Email him at cop interaction? Idiot. [email protected]

50 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 51 The Observable speak. We already know that there’s hu- mor and that crazy shit will happen. The Characteristics of book is a fun-if-you’re-nasty tale about Organisms: Stories gentleman and accomplished cook Ryan MacDonald Daniel Quinn, who moves to Park City FC2 for a job that pays more than he’s ever Street: 09.30.14 made before. Shenanigans commence, and this story becomes a blast to read. The Observable Characteristics of Or- Porndance is a sequel to the Island of ganisms is a collection of stories by Ryan Lost Souls, but this is a brand new ad- MacDonald. The definition of stories venture for Quinn. The title is derived was loosely draped in this context, as from a porn festival happening during many of them seemed to be nothing a Sundance Film Festival, in the nearby more than half thoughts: a collection town of Kamas. This event is organized of dream-word soup missing too many by a friend of our hero and serves to handfuls of sentences to successfully de- be an elaborate joke on the upper-crusty liver the punch line. This is perhaps why I Sundance goers. Author Zack Matheson found the anthology to be so interesting. has a firm grip on this story and keeps I wouldn’t ever suggest a cover-to-cover the jokes coming while never letting pass with this one. It should be digested the story wander aimlessly. Matheson’s like apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon characters are developed to the point a day, and the taste will grow on you. where you feel as if he’s writing about The stories are drenched in confusion people he already knows, and Park City and absurdity, with an almost lost sub- is explained in guide-like detail. There’s text. My favorite story ended with a fa- a level of cynicism that creeps among ther expressing his being terribly jealous the humorous situations, and since the of a rhinoceros’ trembling as she gives narrator is talking about himself, you birth, wanting “to be a mother, if only to chuckle again because the story is just tremble, to feel the warmth of the crea- gosh-darn clever. I highly recommend it. ture leaving me.” My only concern for –Benjamin Tilton the book is the notion that it may result in an increase of emergency calls from psi- This Changes locybin aficionados convinced they’re inside a David Lynch film, unable to Everything: Capitalism escape. –Andrea Silva vs The Climate Noami Klein Porndance Simon & Schuster Zack Matheson Street: 09.16.14 CreateSpace Independent Naomi Klein (The Shock Doctrine) pro- Publishing Platform vides a brilliant and well-researched ex- Street: 10.17.14 planation of the most important crisis to define the 21st Century: capitalism and its abhorrent effect on the Earth. Klein draws upon topics that are both con- troversial and enlightening to highlight road blocks to the profound changes needed to tackle this threat to our very existence. These road blocks come in the forms of the perpetuation of the free mar- ket ideology that emphasizes a for-profit system, the reckless policies of extractiv- ism, such as fracking, and the failure of putting faith into billionaire messiahs like Richard Branson to properly ad- dress the issue, since they are tempered by their own bottom dollar. Rather, we need to radically rethink our relationship with the Earth and with each other. This is “decade zero,” and how we continue to exist on this planet will be determined by our actions today. Though certainly a heavy subject, this book makes that perfectly clear a few pages in. It is well worth the read and essential to under- The book Porndance starts with a loving standing what’s going on. The struggle dedication to maniacs. This sets the tone is here, so tune in, for dropping out is no long before the author has a chance to longer an option. –Nick Kuzmack

52 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 53 150 unlockable characters are at your disposal. Just the friendly neighborhood dragon saying ‘hello.’

The Collider thought that goes into the composition tiplayer when they wanted to. That’s in some state of distress within each of your character and party, or maybe just not the case, and what should mission. The game’s signature humor Shortbreak Studios it’s just a combination of all of these have been the greatest re-release ever is everywhere—from the snarky cut- Reviewed on: Steam elements. Whatever the case may be, suffers greatly for it. On top of that, scenes to an excellent use of Conan Also On: PC, iOS, Android Dragon Age: Inquisiton is the deepest, this was supposed to be Microsoft’s O’Brien—and it’s also a nerdy treat Street: 09.15.14 most impressive RPG experience to chance to show off the Azure cloud’s to have all of this superhero action take grace consoles since the Dovahkiin multiplayer gaming capabilities—a place to the original music of Dan- The Collider is a very simple, fast-paced trudged across the frosty Skyrim ter- shame on all fronts. 343 and Microsoft ny Elfman and John Williams. game with only one premise—do not rain. In it, you take on the role of the will have a lot of work to do to satisfy –Alex Springer collide with things. The controls are herald of Andraste, a savior of sorts the folks who already bought this, but very basic: If you are on a computer, that has the ability to close demonic I can’t help but think that MCC’s mul- World of Keflings you move your mouse around to dodge rifts. From there, the story is seemingly tiplayer population will never come things, and with a touch-screen device, up to you. How you go about saving close to what it could have been. Ninjabee you use your finger to dodge. When I a hopeless world, which characters –Blake Leszczynski Reviewed on: Wii U first saw the trailer for this game, I was assist you, and how much of a prick Also on: Xbox Live Arcade, afraid that the mouse control would be you are while doing it—everything is PC too touchy, but I was very pleasantly Lego Batman 3: your call. While the slow-moving nar- Street: 11.13.14 surprised to find that the game doesn’t rative—that really takes center stage Beyond Gotham punish you for moving the mouse off over any action—may turn a certain Traveller’s Tales/ World of Keflings is a city-building track. The game quickly becomes fast- section of gamers off, anyone who en- game that’s quite charming. You play paced, and if you are good at this style joys the genre (or the previous games) Warner Bros. as your Mii, a giant among Keflings. of gaming, you can finish it in 10–20 will bury themselves for hours—much Interactive Keflings are reminiscent of wooden minutes. If you are horribly blind and like I have—in the vast, rich continent Reviewed on: PS4 marionettes, and they’re about that jumpy like I am, the game will provide size compared to your Mii. You wake of Thedas. –Blake Leszczynski Also on: Xbox One, PS3, you hours of entertainment. I would rec- up in the icy land of the Eskimo Ke- ommend purchasing this game for your Xbox 360, Wii U, PC flings where the mayor needs some mobile phone instead of your computer Halo: Master Chief Street: 11.11.14 help building up the town. The Keflings because I can really see this being a Collection Even for a hardened, story-driven are willing to be your minions in ex- great bathroom break game instead of 343 Industries/ gamer like myself, it’s tough not to love change—they’ll mine resources, and a desktop game. The music is very fast- the Traveller’s Tales Lego games. For transport them to the building of your paced to match the game, and it also Microsoft/Bungie the third installment of their take on choosing. Keflings level up as they doesn’t require you to invite friends to Reviewed on: Xbox One the Caped Crusader, a roster of 150 work, making them more efficient. Re- get bonuses or extra content, which (Exclusive) characters from all over the DC Uni- sources can be refined as you construct I love. As a mobile game, I’d say it’s Street: 11.11.14 verse are up for the unlocking, making complex buildings, which lead to more Nicole Stephenson worth it for $2.99. – this feel like less of a Batman-centered things you can manufacture. It gets a 343 and, to a certain extent, Microsoft game and more of a riff on the Justice little confusing when you have to keep botched this one badly. This space Dragon Age: League of America—not that I’m com- track of 20 or more minions who will should have been reserved for effusive plaining. One thing that these Lego randomly start piling up resources in Inquisiton praise of this love letter to Halo fans, its games do extremely well is to offer the middle of the map instead of their beautifully remastered graphics, flaw- Bioware/EA engaging gameplay with surprisingly designated building. There are a few less presentation, and polished game- Reviewed on: Xbox One low stakes. Since dying isn’t that big of visual glitches as well: The Kefling that play. Instead, I have to talk about how, a deal in Lego Batman, the player is en- started up a conversation wouldn’t be Also on: PS4, PS3, Xbox in a week of trying to play multiplayer couraged to explore the painstaking, on the screen, an occasional minion 360, PC matches, at least one hour a day, I can Lego-constructed world in search of dif- would disappear when they leveled Street: 11.18.14 honestly say I’ve only played one full ferent upgrades and unlockables. The up, and only a starry imprint with the match. That’s embarrassing for every- It might be the simplicity of jumping game’s challenge factor comes from us- level-up icon remained. Despite those one involved. The Master Chief Collec- from quest to quest in such a mas- ing specific combinations of characters minor bugs, it’s still fun to help build tion is more than multiplayer, no doubt, sive game—or maybe how the game and their unique abilities to discover many a kingdom with the quirky Ke- but I think it is safe to say that a lot makes you feel like everything you are inaccessible areas and find ways to flings in their bright, colorful worlds. of the people who plunked down their doing (or saying) is actually affecting liberate TV’s Adam West, who is –Ashley Lippert the world. Maybe it’s the strategy and $60 did so to at least jump into mul- 54 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 55 COLDCOCK (mildly) reformed punx like me. The for musicians and podcasters to utilize, Unified Computer off-white (dare I say crème?) laces but it’s just a couple options shy of be- American Herbal and eyelets—save the top two yellow ing perfect. –Gavin Sheehan Intelligence Flavored Whiskey ones—give this stock pair of kicks Corporation coldcockwhiskey.com some flavor, and help match a mostly JimmyCASE Ubi black outfit with brown-leather jackets. From the name alone, my expecta- These sneaks boast yellow, vulcanized iPhone 5 Wallet Case tions of this whiskey—whose brand leather soles, which are the selling thejimmycase.com is co-founded by ’s Kerry point to market this product toward King—were low. Although “coldcock” bartenders, who need to maintain a implies that this product will knock you grip on a potentially wet floor as they out, in the context of heavy drinking, hurry to mix cocktails, hence the off- the name reflects similar phrases such white laces and water-resistant leather. as “flaccid penis” or, more crudely, Making cocktails at home (I’m messy) “whiskey dick.” This is funny, because and riding my bicycle has tested their it starkly contrasts with the brand’s grip, and the soles have passed with aggressively macho and douchey flying colors. Unlike Cutty Sark, how- promotional campaign, as found on ever, these shoes are expensive, and I their website. They feature sponsored don’t think that they’re quite worth the music videos, such as the horrific $150 pre-order price that Generic Sur- Upon a Burning Body and Ice-T plus is asking. If you’re the doll of the cover of “Turn Down for What.” It’s like dance at the bar and receive a surplus in 30 Rock when Jack Donaghy hires of tips, get these, but you’re likely $50 Ghostface Killah to endorse his away from a pair of nicer, high-quality theubi.com foul-tasting Donaghy Estates wine, ex- boots that may catch the eye of your cept this whiskey is for real and these The Ubi ($299) is a small, stationary future trust-fund-baby lover. guys are serious. Oh, yeah, about the device that controls your smart home –Salamander Horchata whiskey: It’s awful. According to their devices (Nest, WeMo, Smart Things, website, COLDCOCK is “a three-year etc.), and can send texts and emails, aged American bourbon blended with JamHub provide answers to simple questions a variety of herbs, including green Tour Bus Studio and play music via voice requests. The tea, hibiscus, ginger, eucalyptus, cin- jamhub.com system’s integration with smart home namon and ginko.” In a sipping taste devices was fine, but since Ubi only The JamHub is essentially a musician’s test alongside Underground Herbal has their mobile app available for An- dream, as this single device records Spirit and Fernet Branca, COLDCOCK droid at the moment, there’s no way for multiple players/singers into a single There are a lot of phone cases on the has very minimal herbal notes and is iOS users to utilize the Ubi’s services device, where everyone can tune into market that double as a wallet so you cloyingly sweet with hints of honey once they’re out of voice range from each other at their own volumes over can keep your ID, cash and essential and sweet vermouth. The brand’s slo- the device—which is disappointing. headphones and record a perfect live cards on you at all times. Some are gan is “Take Your Shot,” so I figured As for the texting and email options, it session together. The Tour Bus model bulky, many are cheesy, not to mention I should try it that way. Shooting two seems like they’re still in the beta stages features seven positions (six musicians the ones that let your stuff slip out or ounces of the 70-proof swill was like (think of what auto correct does to your and a producer setup), allowing full are loose and easily stolen because — drinking a mouthful of simple syrup. I texting, then imagine not being able control over any recording. The unin- to be blunt, no one knows how to keep shuddered with disgust, but the sick- to see what auto correct had done be- tentional bonus to the system is that it a phone in a pocket anymore. The ness didn’t stop there. Upon going to fore you hit send—not pretty). Setting can be utilized for podcasting as well, designers at JimmyCASE have worked bed, I was plagued with an uncharac- alarms and reminders with the device as each station is a private mic/head- to remedy that situation with their line teristic series of night terrors and fever also proved troublesome, as most of phone jack with the option of tuning in of covers. The backing is made of ma- dreams all night long, which I blame the time Ubi would just say, “Reminder, your fellow panelists without ruining a hogany, with a tightly-woven pocket on entirely on COLDCOCK. Stay away. alarm going off,” so it becomes as recording. The drawback to the Jam- the back to hold six plastic cards with –Cody Kirkland useful as a Remembrall. Asking Ubi Hub is the connectivity. In two podcast ease. Inside, a layer of silicone handles questions and having it play music was Generic Surplus recordings and two live-recording ses- well with accidental dropping, but like somewhat entertaining, though the sions with bands, there was no way to most cases, you shouldn’t test its lim- voice recognition isn’t perfect (Yeezy Cutty Sark x Generic transfer the audio live using the USB its—who slams a phone down a full is not and never will be The Cure, Surplus Hi-Top connection on the back, even with the speed to test the case, anyway? You Ubi). The potential for what is possible genericsurplus.com internal software running. That means get a decent selection of color patterns in terms of home automation and the you have to record on just the Hub with whatever phone you have, so interconnectivity of everything with the Just like their smooth Scotch whiskey, at first and hope that recording went even if you don’t use the option on the Ubi is clear—the future will most cer- Cutty Sark—and Generic Surplus— smoothly when it’s transferred to what- back you can at least find something tainly be a super rad place to be—but have introduced a shoe that takes on ever audio program you’re using. An- that fits your style. Overall, JimmyCASE for now, the Ubi still has some kinks to the casual zero fucks of Chuck Taylors other setback: It didn’t come with the is a fine minimalist version of these type work out. –John Ford and made them smooth and sexy. The USB cable needed to hook it up to be- of cases. –Gavin Sheehan shoe has the build of Converse All- gin with, leaving you searching for one Find more reviews and Stars, but with water-resistant leather if you want to experiment without the exclusive content on that lends it a sleek je ne sais quoi for memory card. It is an amazing product slugmag.com! 56 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 57 Annie dwarves and elves with The Hobbit: I could barely recollect one worth- The Battle of the Five Armies. We pick while musical number. Marshall is no Director: Will Gluck up precisely where the second cliff- stranger to the musical universe (his Sony hanger concluded with the dragon, adaptation of Chicago won Best Picture In Theaters: 12.19.14 Smaug, laying waste to Laketown in 2003) and delivers superb perfor- Upon hearing that Will Smith and in a fiery attack. Without giving too mances from the ensemble cast, but Jay Z were producing a cinematic much away, the majority of the film is this musical execution is far from that remake to the 1982 musical Annie dragon-less, and the spotlight is set on caliber of greatness. –Jimmy Martin with Willow Smith (Will’s daugh- the dwarves as Thorin Oakenshield ter) as the lead, expectations were (Richard Armitage) copes with the Top Five miniscule, to say the least. However, acquisition of his castle, but must im- Director: Chris Rock mediately defend it as word spreads when Quvenzhané Wallis—star of Paramount of the mountainous fortunes residing in 2012’s Beasts of the Southern Wild— In Theaters: 12.12.14 signed on, the sun came out from be- his palace. While many Tolkien fanat- hind those dreadful clouds. The story ics despise Jackson’s additions to the It’s been far too long since we’ve seen follows foster child (not orphan) Annie storyline, for someone who has never Chris Rock be funny on the big screen. (Wallis) as she becomes a media stunt read the source material, I quite en- Sure, the checks he’s cashed from for New York billionaire Will Stacks joyed the inclusion of Legolas (Orlan- Adam Sandler’s cinematic catastro- (Jamie Foxx) as he campaigns for do Bloom) and Tauriel (Evangeline phes clear at the bank, but this was mayor and attempts to charm his way Lilly). In fact, they add the greatest once one of the funniest comedians on into the office. As the ploy appears to elements to the action sequences. the circuit. To this day, he is still my be working, the two form a bond that Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins favorite host of the Academy Awards It seems like only yesterday that Re- may not be as bogus as the scheme has been a delight since the first foot because he gave that room of celeb- ese Witherspoon was the innocent they’re pulling on the voters. Memora- was set forward, and the tradition rities exactly what they deserved: the teenager in films likeFear and Cruel ble musical numbers such as “Tomor- continues to the end credits. Jackson truth. As you can imagine, it’s great to Intentions. It’s crazy what almost two row” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life” leaves Middle Earth on a high note see Rock step away from the Happy decades and a Best Actress Oscar can get the bass-induced remixes thanks with a stunning battle that embodies Madison atrocities and sink his teeth do to someone’s career. In this tale of to Mr. Z, but it’s in the downtime mo- the majority of the film. –Jimmy Martin into this passion project in which he rejuvenation and self-realization, With- ments that this film finds its true heart directed, wrote and produced. Es- erspoon portrays the real-life Cheryl and soul. Wallis and Foxx share an Into the Woods sentially, Rock plays a characterized Strayed as she decides to hike 1,100 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail after a authentic father-daughter chemistry Director: Rob Marshall version of himself named Andre Allen, who is currently promoting his latest tragic event brings her crumbling life in between songs, but the amateurish Disney dramatic role when all anybody wants into perspective. Witherspoon sheds choreography appears to be too much In Theaters: 12.25.14 for the child star and her young peers. is their once entertaining comedian. more than her makeup in this daring If I can ask the world for one favor, This critic is a sucker for musicals. Enter journalist Chelsea Brown (Ro- role that leaves her vulnerable to the it’s to never have to listen to Cam- There’s something special about hear- sario Dawson), who wants to write elements of man and Mother Nature. eron Diaz sing another note. That’d ing catchy show tunes on a stage or in an honest profile piece on Andre and Director Jean-Marc Vallée successfully be delightful. On the other hand, a movie theater and immediately sing- begins by asking him why he isn’t completes the task of turning a story director Will Gluck has definitely im- ing them in the car on the way home. funny anymore. Ouch. Rock walks a of a dysfunctional woman walking proved his craft and sense of humor However, such is not the case with fine line between reality and fiction as alone—which could easily collapse since his first feature,Fired Up!, which Stephen Sondheim and James he delves into hysterical stories of his into a monotonous expedition—into I have credited as the nastiest review I Lapine’s Broadway show, brought to former days as a stand-up comedian an engaging and humorous story have ever written, and deservedly so. the screen by director Rob Marshall. and introduces Chelsea—and the au- of redemption, and, with the help of –Jimmy Martin The story follows a baker (James dience—to his real friends. It’s obvious cinematographer Yves Bélanger, Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) that Rock made a favor call to all of he captures the ever-changing color- The Hobbit: The Battle as they attempt to complete the tasks his comedian pals—and it’s good that ful beauty of the Pacific Coast’s rural given to them by a witch (Meryl he did. Witnessing Jerry Seinfeld regions. As Cheryl takes one step after of the Five Armies Streep) in order to lift a curse that has make it rain in a sketchy strip club was another, she comes across a slew of Director: Peter Jackson been keeping them from being able to absolutely priceless. Rock reignites unique individuals that either reaffirm Warner Bros. conceive a child. Along the journey, a his inner hilarity by breaking free of her trust in mankind or make her weep In Theaters: 12.17.14 clutter of fairy tale characters impact clichéd family comedies and reminds for the future. Witherspoon offers yet the outcome, including Cinderella us of the comedic golden gun he can another award-worthy performance It’s been 13 years since director Peter (Anna Kendrick), Prince Charming still shoot like a skilled marksman. that is sure to garner the attention of Jackson brought audiences into his (Chris Pine), Red Riding Hood (Lil- –Jimmy Martin multiple ceremonies, and I wouldn’t be version of Middle Earth with the Lord la Crawford), The Wolf (Johnny surprised if she needed to clear some of the Rings trilogy. Once those were Depp) and Jack (Daniel Huttle- room on the mantle for what’s to come. completed, it was nine years later Wild stone) with his magical beans. While –Jimmy Martin when he released the first of three Director: the theatrical stage-play elements with films that adaptedJ.R.R. Tolkien’s costuming and set designs are inviting, Jean-Marc Vallée prequel to the former stories. Now, Find more reviews and Sondheim’s musical components are Fox Searchlight we have reached the conclusion of not. As the end credits scrolled down, In Theaters: 12.05.14 exclusive content on Jackson’s journey with hobbits, orcs, slugmag.com! 58 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 59 that have been around for far longer. I “Six,” really come to life. Though the expect more great things from Kitfox. album grows a little stale toward the –CJ Morgan end, it stays fresh throughout when ac- companied by the visuals. Still, I’d rath- Max Pain and the er this album stand a little stronger by Groovies itself, but perhaps the two forms were meant to be together … er … forever. Electro Cosmic View the silent filmTogether Forever at Psych Lake City Records MiNXband.com. –CJ Morgan Street: 12.31.14 Max Pain and the Groovies Mooninite = The Growlers + Soda The Black Angels Hel Audio Cowboyboy culture—or just youth culture in gen- something, as if the artist was afraid of tions. Take the album’s closer, “Black I first saw Max Pain and the Groovies Street: 11.08.14 EP eral. The album opens with an up- overdoing it to the point where it com- & White,” for example: Costello’s pro- keyboards and bands requiring dual in 2010 at Kilby Court. I forgot who Mooninite = Critical Emu + cally bound musical modes and styles electronic song titled “Silicon cessed vocals and chorus-laden bass male/female singers, this is your bag, headlined because Max P. and the has pooled and sunk into one of the Self-Released promised the sound. The music style VCR5 + Valley,” which weaves in between an merges with Maglione’s steady drum baby, and I suggest you fill up. A good boys definitely stole the show. Since most unlikely places to host such cos- Street: 10.24.14 has the potential to be something fan- obnoxious cowbell sound and dubstep machine and post-punk flavored key- first listen would be “From Me to You.” then, they’ve been jamming harder, mopolitan influences. Does a city get Cowboyboy = tastic, but the dainty approach to the remixes of a woman screaming. The album resulted in a lack of being any- boards—it’s a well-polished, absorb- The CD hardcopy even has a hidden as their debut full-length album, Elec- on the map by housing a sprawling Conquer Monster + rest of the album follows suit, making thing memorable. Highlights include ing listen. Put on your – 11th track, completing my geeky love tro Cosmic, was released this past New orchestra playing straight-up authen- Anamanaguchi a negative remark on some aspect of “King Creep,” “Still Afraid” and “By red lipstick, your favorite jean jacket for the genre. These boys work hard Year’s Eve—it’s a game changer. Much tic cuts off of Fela Kuti’s Afrika ‘70 California culture or prominent figures Accident.” I would keep an eye on this and goth all the way with Fossil Arms. at promoting themselves, and the fan like their self-titled EP in 2013, Electro band or matching a sitar drone with such as Steve Jobs. The album is artist because there is talent there, but –Christian Schultz response from shows has been excel- Cosmic is a cohesive, high-energy set a punchy bass line and a big, bright worth a listen—just to hear what the the album as a whole was mediocre at lent. For the disillusioned hard rockers from start to finish, but with 12 tracks, brass section? Salt Lake City is now on group has to say and can be found at best. –Julia Sachs I’m Designer out there, I highly recommend this tu- it’s three times as good. Here, psyche- that map, but that map does not exist valentineandtheregard.bandcamp.com. Lulled from Reality neage—please go check these boys delic garage rock is taken to a new because there are no maps because –Julia Sachs Fossil Arms Self-Released out locally and support local, kick-ass level: The boys go a littler harder, with there are no nations—just ideas, and rock! –Benjamin Tilton Street: 09.22.14 the confidence to loosen up and let the ideas flourish where there is water and Deathead Only Ever Have Nightmares reverb and mysticism flow. The inter- sunlight, which SLC has in spades. I I’m Designer = When I’m Ill Kitfox ludes are undeniably groovier than be- pledge allegiance to No-Nation. Blessed in Blasphemy Alarms and Controls + Self-Released fore—even the song titles give it away: –Ryan Hall Self-Released 30 Seconds to Mars + Where We Were Street: 10.17.14 “Electro Cosmic Chronic Jam.” If you’re Street: 07.18.14 A Perfect Circle Self-Released Fossil Arms = New Order + looking for a way to kick off 2015 the The Piano Guys Deathead = Sodom + Street: 10.24.14 Ah, yet another statement album, this When a band titles a track “First Gasp right way, don’t miss out on one of the Kreator + Sepultura Kitfox = Straylight Run + one apparently about soft drinks. Moo- Wonders During Sexual Assault,” you wonder best albums of the year. –Lizz Corrigan Gardiner Sisters ninite combines synthesized down- Portrait I’m sure Deathead don’t quite want to just what the fuck you’ve gotten your- tempo electronic beats with robotic Street: 08.25.14 be known for a small rukus over a T- self into. But titles are just titles, and MiNX vocals for a sound similar to something The Piano Guys = Richard shirt they made that had “At Least I’m deception seems to be I’m Designer’s The album opens with a track that Together Forever you would hear in a video game, but Clayderman – Yanni Not Mormon” on it, but I do think it did MO. They seem simple, but multiple sounds like static on a television before Self-Released I wouldn’t quite call it chiptune. The get them banned from playing a venue listens reveal depth. At first, I heard a With an uninspired and cloying mu- clearly becoming a constant of reverb Street: 10.31.14 album artwork reminds me of state- or two. The Ogden thrash trio self- basic mix of atmospheric guitar work, sicality that makes one wish for a from an electric guitar. The music is MiNX = Blondie + ment artist SOPHIE who premiered good, but the distortion becomes a lit- produce their stuff. The sound on the steady drums and melodic vocals. My John Tesh comeback, local duo Jon Phantogram a similar style and vibe at the SXSW album comes off as a bit tin-like and interest piqued, I dug deeper and no- Schmidt (the pianist, as in singular) tle bit distracting and takes away from 2014 festival in Austin, Texas. What I almost feels as if when a solo plays, it’s ticed the weight of the cool, echoing and cohort, cellist Steven Sharp the listening experience because, well, like about this album is that it combines played far off in the distance. I like the reverb as they nod to Queens of the Nelson, present their moniker as it’s sort of like nails on a chalkboard. nontraditional sounds in each track to DIY production, as it gives the album Stone Age and Them Crooked though they’re a group. It’s a small This Salt Lake–based artist has a really go with the overall concept of the al- the old-school panache. The songs Vultures. I heard a universe of famil- point, but when creating little more good idea, as the music is cool and un- bum—which is, in this case, soda. The have that raw, dirty feel, like listening iar sounds executed with originality than cover versions (under the guise of like anything I hear often—combining artist remixes the sounds of soda cans to some old, obscure ’80s thrash cas- and silver-coated production. I noticed “mash-ups”), how many people does it elements of glitchy electronic and the being opened and other similar noises sette tape. “The Thing in the Dark” is a the journey that a single song can really take? Blame YouTube for making rock-band starter kit—insert guitars, that make the album sound bubbly and keyboard and drum set here. The best damn cool song, and as the album pro- take as it straddles psychedelia with a them popular—where anyone talented If Salt Lake City can claim its own mu- sweet but robotic as if it were all held tracks on the EP were “Orlando” and gresses, the speed lets up, and there’s light touch of emo, or hard rock with a or otherwise can be a star, at least sical John Hughes, it’d be Chaz together by metal—a can of soda. “Skank,” which demonstrate the instru- some cool bass-jam-styled tracks. side of pop. I traveled along as they At peak season for icy air and cold to themselves—but that doesn’t make Costello—he’s adept at creating an Highlights of the album include “Lemon ment combination really well. Check Blessed in Blasphemy stands solid and jam, croon, holler and launch to the noses comes this warm, wholesome de- their dreck any more palatable. Worse inclusive, fist-to-the-sky experience Lime” and “Blue Hawaii.” The album is out this album—it’s something new and the possibilities of the live show’s sound moon and beyond. Lulled is a solid but EP from Kitfox. It’s a quiet, somber are their treacly videos, included with in any band that he’s in. Fossil Arms, available for digital download or cas- fun! –Julia Sachs make me want to get off my ass and release from a great up-and-comer. five songs, but Kitfox certainly found the “Deluxe Edition” of the album. It’s Costello’s darkwave synth n’ bass proj- sette on the Hel Audio website: helau- make it to a gig. –Bryer Wharton –CJ Morgan their sweet spot early in their career bad enough that they made a cover ect, with the equally stellar Melody dio.org. –Julia Sachs with careful acoustic cross-picking, pi- of Frozen’s “Let It Go” to begin with, Critical Emu Maglione, has been a thrilling pres- Farewell, Nick Wan ano, sleepy banjo and the occasional, but do we really need to see their se- Wristbands Make You Look ence in Salt Lake for years now, and Iridia The No-Nation lightly processed electric guitar. The Together Forever follows a fairly stan- rious “musician” too? At least Dainty are probably “thee” band that finally Cognition Stupid… melodies are very balanced and ton- dard formula (house beats, killer guitar Orchestra the snowy caverns that surround them Self-Released got all of your punk friends to accept Self-Released Self-Released ally exact (particularly on “Where We riffs, electronic soundscapes), and the reminded me of the maze scene from Street: 10.28.14 a goth lifestyle. Only Ever Have Night- Street: 10.10.14 Coil EP Street: 11.02.14 Were”), and the musicianship is really lyrics are rarely more than repetitive Stanley Kubrik’s The Shining. Farewell, Nick Wan = mares When I’m Ill contains songs that Self-Released Critical Emu = Bassnectar + Iridia = Peter Murphy + Tool fantastic. It’s a short EP, but highlights and simple (the big exception being –Dean O Hillis Anamanaguchi + Ratatat have been punctuating Fossil Arms’ Street: 11.14.14 + Alice in Chains range from drowsy heartfelt numbers the spoken-word highlight “Five”). The Glitch Mob performances for over a year, and they The No-Nation Orchestra = The immediate imagery that comes to Rock has stumbled a bit recently with like “Sleep” to mid-tempo nostalgic Ultimately, though, MiNX are a multi- Cage Critical Emu’s Bandcamp description now exist in physical cassette form— Antibalas + Fela Kuti + mind when I see the word dainty is little its identity, so it was welcoming to hear ones like “Halloween Song” and sweet media band—an ambitious one. If the of the album reads, “a concept album with help from Diabolical Records— The Budos Band Tales Of A Thief / doilies in pastel colors or miniature trin- the straightforward thrashing of Iridia’s romantic tracks like “Wild Grass.” music alone feels like it’s missing some- about a bunch of college students try- and digitally, on fossilarmsnoise.band- kets like Polly Pocket dolls. Similarly, debut album, Cognition. The album it- There’s really nothing here to dislike, thing, that’s because it is. Together For- The No-Nation Orchestra is a diaspor- Burning Now ing to make it in the South Bay area camp.com. The tape’s seven tracks the word dainty creates an image of self is almost a walk from ’80s metal and they’re every bit as talented as, if ever is an album built as the soundtrack ic take on funk, jazz and various types Self-Released of California.” In a generation that comprise the same drama of a Fossil something being easily breakable to the modern just before not more talented than, many national to a silent film by the same name. The of non-Western music flying beneath Street: 09.25.14 values bottle service and VIP wrist- Arms performance, albeit without the or fragile, and I think this is the per- 2010. You can even hear the building acts you’re likely to find in the indie folk story hinted at in the album opens wide afrobeat’s all-encompassing flag. As (Tales of a Thief) bands over a good conversation or veil of flowers attached to the mic that fect name for this album. Though the transitions through the years in song genre. They’re a young band, but they when cast alongside the film. Funky, the group’s name suggests, this type of 09.03.14 (Burning Now) quality experience, I can see how Costello typically sings from, or the production is good, each song lacks after song. For those of you sick of sound far more mature than some acts danceable numbers like “Three,” and loose confederation of non-geographi- Robyn Cage = this album is a remark on Bay Area duo’s occasional equipment malfunc- 60 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 61 (Florence + the Machine) + art form, and then pop that disc in any- songs, but the music sounds a bit pre- Various Artists Lana Del Rey – Fiona Apple time you need a reminder that humans mature. It’s difficult to say what aspects are awesome. Rock on, B—one more the band can further develop or add, City of Dis Compilation It is always nice to hear a local musi- feather in the cap! –Ischa B. but I’m hopeful the growth will be evi- City of Dis cian sound so polished and profes- dent in future albums.–Justin Gallegos Street: 11.11.14 sional. While not possessing the Storms City of Dis = strongest of voices (its thinness—à la Valerie Rose Sterrett Charles Bronson + Del Rey—sounds too overdubbed in Critter Anal Cunt + Disfortune parts to compensate for what it lacks), Self-Released Monsteria Cage’s isn’t an unpleasant one. Open- Street: 09.23.14 Swoody This waste of magnetic tape is a bom- er and lead single “Burning Now” (the STORMS = Motörhead + Street: 10.31.14 bardment of awful, ugly, crappy noise. separate, three-track release of which Pink Floyd + Mudvayne Valerie Rose Sterrett = It was probably recorded in some- features an acoustic take plus an en- She & Him x The Pierces / body’s basement. Also, why are most If you’re looking for a metal/nü metal joyable lo-fi remix of the song by Park of the bands named after a movie star hybrid with aspirations of psych rock, Alpine City’s The Planetaries) sounds quite or a character? Bill Murray would I suggest you look no further. Critter different than the rest of the material Opening with a combination of pia- be so appalled that his name is be- by Storms is an elaborate concoction and is more intriguing musically, with a no, waves and what presumably is ing used for a band that sounds like that never commits to any identity. If clear electronica vibe absent from the a breeze, I was quickly given a brief a bag of hammers being thrown into you think you’ve pegged them at first rest of Tales’ six tracks. Co-credited to glimpse into how I would spend my a wood chipper, though Steve Bus- listen, don’t be upset when they become and produced by Darryl Neudorf next 40 minutes—confused as fuck. cemi might be flattered. Shit, I can something else a minute later. The song (Neko Case, Sarah McLachlan), First thing, this album isn’t necessar- really only pull the sarcasm so far— “Beast Mode” will have you jumping it is a direction that suits Cage better ily bad. However, it lacks any kind of ”shitty” as the bands that make up the and punching with excitement, and the than the stage show musical-cum-real- musical consistency—it tries to span City of Dis sound are, it’s some fanciful lyrics behind “Navigator” might cause ity TV music series numbers that make too many different genres in too short noise to be taken with a grain of salt. you to stare at the wall and rethink up those others. Clichéd lyrics—not a time. The album ranges from folksy, The fact is that the bands on City of Dis some things. By the time you reach “The helped by her music—abound, but to goth-pop, to something kind of indus- create violent noise for themselves over Zephyr,” you’ll feel like the evil moun- fortunately, the exception is the solid trial-sounding and then back to some anything and do it on a budget of beer tain sequence of Fantasia is over and Katey Sagal Zooey and straightforward “If You Don’t Try.” kind of –meets– and Top Ramen. Much as one may slip into melancholy only rivaled by Deschanel Grace Slick –Dean O Hillis –meets– think it’s silly, it’s something whose exis- the liberal use of Benadryl. “Sea Legs” clusterfuck of a song, with intermittent tence in SLC one should be glad about. Selja Sini shows off the band’s musical talent, as it instrumental breaks laden with seem- –Bryer Wharton offers up all the diversity of the previous ingly nonsensical samples. I’m not sure Back Home tunes in one sexy bundle. The members if this was an attempt at a concept al- Visigoth Self-Released of Storms offer an excellent and creative bum that just went way over my head, Street: 09.26.14 EP with Critter, and I suggest the jour- or if Sterrett just has musical ADHD, but The Revenant King Selja Sini = Cate Le Bon + ney to anyone. –Benjamin Tilton this album left a lot to be desired. Next Metal Blade Records Rilo Kiley time, please find a sound and stick to it. Street: 01.27 Valentine & –Allison Shephard Visigoth = Icarus Witch + Selja Sini is a local husband-and-wife The Regard Hammerfall + Manilla Road duo and power couple. Selja Felin Various Artists Engar of Finland and Brett Engar Misery Utah’s own heavy metal staple return with their first full-length album—re- of Utah created this indie-folk EP, Back Self-Released Almost Live Home: six tracks beautifully composed Junction City Records leased on none other than Metal Street: 04.04.14 Lee Campana with the ukulele, percussion and a hint Street: 09.19.14 Blade Records. and Valentine & The Regard = Jamison Palmer use their axes of electric fringe—everything as soft as Junction City Bands = Simon & Garfunkel / like master warriors, hacking out the hum of Selja’s voice. Each track sur- Bright Eyes Descendents + (Rancid x classic-assed riffs and melodic solos passes the next, dancing through mo- Operation Ivy) + like camps of unsuspecting enemies ments of hope and reverie. Slower tem- ( x Black Flag’s while bassist Matthew Brotherton pos and wondrous, transfixing songs The Process of Weeding Out) and drummer Mikey T. hold down and upbeat tracks like “We Ran” affirm the rhythms steadily and skillfully. The I have to admit, when I think of Ogden, the epic tragedy of this album: There songs are dynamic and ensure that the Utah, the term “music capital” doesn’t are only six tracks. –Lizz Corrigan catchy choruses linger in your mind— exactly come to mind. However, un- with one exception: The track running derground indie label Junction City Simply B times never fall below the five-minute Records has promoted some pretty mark, making me want to take a drill The Candelaria Session diverse and badass bands from Og- to my brain à la Pi so I stop waking Self-Released den’s so-called “underbelly.” Jail City up with “Blood Sacrifice” on repeat Street: 09.21.14 Rockers and The Dirt Nappers hit in my head. Those familiar with their Simply B = Jack Johnson + the speakers with three-part harmonies other releases will hear polished rendi- thrown in with some rockabilly twang, Django Reinhardt + tions of older songs, such as “Creature making them the most danceable looping fun of Desire” and the proclamatory “Iron bands on the disc. Hi-Fi Murder and Brotherhood.” I’m particularly im- The insanely talented Brandon “B” Tainted Halos call back to the ’80s pressed with the increased, raw emo- Barker is at it again, this time releas- with heavier riffs, faster and tion that vocalist Jake Rogers ex- ing a quick, four-song EP of material more raucous vocals. Fried Arm’s hibits on this album. Classic metal from his solo, multi-instrumental looping- Manchester Misery is quite the perplex- sound supplements the use of distorted purists and basement-dwelling D&D project, Simply B. The recordings are a ing album for a few reasons. It’s a fairly vocals and atonal guitar riffs, emoting a nerds alike are going to need emer- lot of fun, but with a project like this, the difficult listen considering that it consists mix of post-punk and garage rock. We gency stockpiles of tissues and lotion experience of watching the artist set up of acoustic folk and soft ballads, which end with the dance-inducing rhythms for this one. If Magic: The Gathering the loops and do everything himself is should be relatively easy listening. It of The Two-Bit Band, whose blend had a soundtrack, this would be it. a major part of the awesomeness. Hap- may be the spoken word pieces that of two-tone ska and gives –Alex Coulombe pily, B and his team filmed the whole end and begin the album or the vocals’ listeners one last chance to “get their session (the recording of all four tracks) striking resemblance to emotional junk- skank on.” With such an array of punk Are you in a local band? to demonstrate, firsthand, what kind of ie Conor Oberst, but Manchester Mis- rock subgenres, this compilation does Send us your album, and magic was happening in the studio. I justice to Ogden’s underground music ery feels like it’s trying to be something we’ll review it in print: recommend watching the vids to get bigger than it is. There’s depth, emotion scene. –Eric U. Norris the appropriate appreciation for the and traces of great folk artists in the [email protected] 62 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 63 Mechanical Tonight a wall of distortion and atonal riffing panned out with heavy riffing, crest- ing out. There’s no chance of sitting HFN Music hits the speakers all while Norwood’s fallen melodies and somewhat nihilis- still for the 12 tracks, and screaming Street: 11.10.14 Southern-accented vocals manage to tic lyrics. They give ode to alone in your car is highly encouraged. Faded Ranger = break through it. The album continues ( ‘s longtime friend and The album is not without its catchy mo- with “Coming Up For Air,” a synthesis fallen punk hero) with “One More ments either, and “Bath Salts”, “Don’t Lee Burridge + of country twang and roots music with Song.” While Hang is different than Believe You Anymore” and “Mint Gum” bad ‘80s distorted post-punk riffs and “The End ’s best-known work, it will are easy listens for those new to this If you’re a fan of overly synthesized to Alvernon,” which boasts country- definitely leave some emotion resonat- band’s sound. Fans of harmonies and funky pop beats like style vocals singing dark, deep and ing in my head. –Eric U. Norris can rejoice with this release. For those most ’80s music, then this album is for sincere lyrics evocative of the late Ian of you looking for rock with a little kick you. I, for one, can’t think of anything Curtis. While this combination is odd, Leonard Cohen and integrity, I say this record is very but the awkward prom scene from Na- The Gary actually make it work, show- Popular Problems filling. –Benjamin Tilton ing off each of their inspirations in ev- poleon Dynamite when I listen. There Columbia Records are a few good deep house beats in ery song. –Eric U. Norris Golden Circle Afternoon is full of the Annie Lennox Street: 09.23.14 Medicine Acid Baby Jesus some of the tracks on the album that type of squealing, squelching, contact- Leonard Cohen = Home Everywhere Selected Recordings The “Satisfaction” single blew me would be a lot better if they were ac- mic stabs of noise she is referring to. Gravenhurst Captured Tracks away the first time I heard it. It has a + Tom Waits Slovenly Recordings But listening beyond/past/through that companied by more haunting vocals Flashlight Seasons / powerful, straight-to-the-point message Street: 10.28.14 Street: 11.18.14 offers some moments of pure brilliance and a few instrumental tweaks. The of “Don’t you cry, don’t be whiney,” Black Holes in the Sand / Medicine = Del Venicci + Acid Baby Jesus = on an otherwise straightforward noise highlights of the album are “In Every and “You need time to feel … recover + Brian Jonestown Massacre record. The trio hits moments that Home A Heartache (Extended Ver- Offerings yourself.” The darkwave beats that Purling Hiss + Fuzz – Nana Mouskouri rival Oneohtrix Point Never’s sion),” which I couldn’t stop listening Records these ladies have put behind these deconstructed synth styling during to, and “We Are Stars,” which, like I Street: 12.02.14 Medicine has solidified their position moving lyrics will make you move, “Fish Is God” that is then blasted said, had vocals that didn’t go with the Gravenhurst = Dan Mangan as noise-pop connoisseurs since reunit- become inspired and bring bodies to apart with some power-electronics rest of the music. Preview the album on + Fleet Foxes ing in 2013 after an 18-year hiatus. the dance floor. The original mix of blasts of noise. Courtis’ brain-melting iTunes because it’s worth checking out, Home Everywhere is their second album this song can stand on its own, but the Re-releasing an album after 10 years guitar work is nearly undetectable, but I didn’t buy it. –Julia Sachs since reuniting, and is the follow-up to Haujobb remix brings out the mean- isn’t an uncommon move, especially if but his explorations into dynamic sonic last year’s To the Happy Few. Brad ing of the song even more by slowing it’s an iconic album that has gained a landscapes have their mitts all over this Full of Hell Laner handles Medicine’s sound from to listen to Radiohead’s Kid A for down the RPMs, darkening it up with lot of attention since its release. Less record. –Ryan Hall guitar to electronics, and he’s worked Full of Hell & Merzbow is re-releasing an album by the millionth time. Newcomers may their experimental style and adding a on recordings for Caribou and Brian Profound Lore an artist that hasn’t managed to gain a find a little more accessible— ticking clock. Emese Arvai-Illes has Eno, among others. Laner’s collabora- Birdie Num Num and Street: 11.25.14 particularly strong following. Flashlight the beats are more discernable and an amazing voice—it soothes, scolds tive partners hint at his ability to step Full Of Hell = ACxDC + Sessions falls into this latter category easier to follow. Fortunately, it retains the Spirit Squad and seduces you all at the same time. I With an overflowing ashtray for a outside the box, and unsurprisingly, Noise + Weekend Nachos and luckily, this album rules. Graven- Richard D. James’ unmistakable, Subject to Change wouldn’t be surprised if you hear some voice, Popular Problems is like codeine Home Everywhere is nothing short of ex- hurst is the work of singer- signature quirky genius. The tracks Robot Recordings crossover diva house tracks from her Although a collaboration, it would be coursing through your liver. Cohen perimental guitar greatness. “Don’t Be Nick Talbot, and Warp Records is are simultaneously off-putting and Street: 10.14.14 very soon. The full-length release will more accurate to label this a Full of takes the listener by the hand and Slow” is a tropical psychedelic number right to try and share his music again tranquilizing. Syro starts with “minipops Birdie Num Num and the take place in March 2015. You need to Hell album that incorporates elements walks through the rotten, damp streets that sounds like The Flaming Lips If the ancient Greeks had invented 67 (source field mix),” which contrasts –Mistress Nancy with the world. This album is full of Spirit Squad = Ty Segall + hear this! of Merzbow’s noise—Full of Hell has of dystopia and sorrow, painting working with Tame Impala to pack- psych-rock up there on Mount Olym- whispered acoustic songs that are lay- radiance with warped vocal samples. even said so themselves. Taken in those portraits with a humming organ and age the latter’s fuzzed out harmonies pus, the gods would’ve found this stuff Pepper Rabbit + ered with electronics in a way that is “180db_” has unsettling, altered The Black Watch terms, it’s the strongest Full of Hell re- clean, jangled guitar. The album arcs with the Lips’ sense for odd pop. Songs pretty far out. The band is named partly The Black Angels somewhat reminiscent of early Griz- synth loops repetitively strewn over lease to date. Those looking for a com- quite nicely, peaking with “A Street,” a like this one don’t paint Medicine as after another “long-haired hippy” who Sugarplum Fairy, zly Bear—who happen to be on the an oscillating, start/stop drum pattern. Subject to Change is a slow-paced psy- pletely unique grind/noise album will classically structured Cohen song and the early shoegaze pioneers that they wouldn’t come till a few centuries af- Sugarplum Fairy same label—only it’s more effective The album ends on a softer note with chedelic rock album, which contains be disappointed, as Merzbow’s pres- ending with the airy (if a Cohen song are, but it does prove that their sonic ter. Songs like “Diogenes” and “Night Pop Culture Press than that band’s earliest output. With “aisatsana,” a simple yet satisfying a sense of angst and despair despite ence crops up in small doses, much in could ever be called that) “You Got Me palette has always looked forward— of Pan” are odes to the Greeks of old the popularity of artists like Elliott piano piece laced with chirping birds. the abundance of groovy instrumenta- Street: 01.27 the way noise interludes are incorpo- Singing.” The lyrics are poetic and so- and never back—for inspiration. by a new generation of Greeks. These Smith in the period just before its Syro, armed with encoded mystique tion. Birdie Num Num cover a broad The Black Watch = rated in other extreme albums. It took a norous even when read, and are often –Justin Gallegos songs have a Mediterranean musical initial release, it’s a wonder this al- and sleek grooves, is easily the best spectrum of influences and tempos that Billy Bragg + Built to Spill + few listens to suss out Merzbow’s con- spiritual in nature. (What else would influence, which is somewhat stately bum doesn’t have a larger following. electronic album of 2014. It’s the are unexpected as the album moves Tears for Fears tributions to the first half of the album, you expect from Cohen?) For being Megafortress and seductive—like a Greek dance. album everybody’s been on. They chose a fitting title. At first, –Alex Gilvarry For their impressive 18th release, the as they are negligibly different than 80, Cohen has still got it, which begs Beginning long and languorous, these asking for and nobody saw coming. tunes like “The Creek” and “Infinite” Believer LA-based indie group The Black Watch Full of Hell’s prior releases. Merzbow the question: Has Cohen ever written songs hypnotically weave themselves –Alex Coulombe don’t necessarily prepare the listener Lagwagon Driftless Recordings put together a collection of earnest has more to say in the latter half of the a bad album? I don’t think so, and I into your mind. The album was record- for a album with their Street: 11.20.14 songs that seem to both expand and album, though, with a couple of tracks Hang hope he never stops. Pick up this album ed on a secluded island in the region, usage of indie sounds like pianos and Megafortress = Son Lux / contain the audible emotional complex- that truly fit the collaborative feel. Full with a pack of American Spirits—I par- and the sound could be miles away or BJ Nilsen & cooing backing vocals, but it definitely Sufjan Stevens / Bon Iver ity of their primary songwriter, John of Hell are as caustic as ever, and in- Street: 10.28.14 ticularly enjoyed this album in the dark as much as eons. Yet, it’s right in place Stilluppsteypa / Anla gets there. You’d be hard-pressed to Andrew Frederick. The album title credibly tight. Profound Lore is a go-to Lagwagon = + through headphones, and I suggest This is a record for a curious ear, a bro- in the current psychedelic resurgence, deny the cerebral feeling of the riffs Alex Cragun Courtis is a nod an outtake gem found in The label, and, with this release, they con- + you do the same. – ken heart or a wandering soul. Believer flavored by various interpreters of the found in later songs like “Everyone Beatles’ “A Day in the Life,” and the tinue their winning streak. –Peter Fryer is full of sincerity and genuine talent. genre all over the world. It’s a great Golden Circle Afternoon Deserves the Same Thing” and “Storm record as a whole seems to convey the Low Fat Getting High Bill Gillam composes symphonic, introduction into the cult of psychedelic Editions Mego Witch.” If I had to summarize it in one It’s amazing what nine years of not same tired sentiment of Lennon’s line, The Gary Self-Titled mostly electronic pieces that are about mysteries—music-wise. –Stakerized! Street: 10.13.14 go, Subject to Change sounds like Ty releasing new material can do to a “I read the news today, oh boy.” How- Money Fire Records as sparse as the recordings from Nich- BJ Nilsen & Stilluppsteypa / Segall’s hangover (in a good way). Farewell Foolish Objects band—case in point, Lagwagon’s ever, the album plays much more like olas Jaar’s excellent album, Space Is Aphex Twin Anla Courtis = Birdie Num Num take their time in this Sick Room Records Hang. The band’s latest release con- Street: 11.11.14 British new wave. Songs like “Scream” Only Noise. On top of the meditative The Wanda Group + release, and give an almost sobering Street: 10.28.14 tains deeper and, at times, more Low Fat Getting High = Syro and “Quietly Now” surprise the usual and minimal soundscapes is Gillam’s Skullflower + emotional quality to the psychedelic The Gary = + brooding lyrical content, showing their Queens of the Stone Age + Warp tone of melancholy verses into shoe- angelic voice that is as soothing as it genre. I’ve got “Lucky Old Sun” on re- Sonic Youth + Johnny Cash turn toward a more sentimental song- Nirvana + Pennywise Street: 09.19.14 Rashad Becker gaze jamming with heavy drum lines. is grabbing. With these dynamic ele- peat. –Nic Smith writing approach. “Burden of Proof,” Aphex Twin = Written and recorded on a trip through Although this band still belongs to the I’ve seen some odd combinations of With a sound so raw it behaves like ments, Believer, Gillam’s debut album, the ominous acoustic album opener, Polygon Window + Europe, this grouping of jarring noise/ spirit of ’90s indie rock, there’s a sat- music in my time, and The Gary is defi- a B-side from your favorite punk/grun- is as strange as it is beautiful. “Mur- Black Nail Cabaret sets the stage for some very emotion- Conjure One drone artists BJ Nilsen & Stilluppsteypa isfying sincerity in Frederick’s lyrics nitely in the ranks of oddball musical ge/stoner rock compilations, Low Fat derer” begins as a dance track then al disclosure and immediately gives and Buenos Aires–based guitarist Anla Satisfaction and presentation. If any of these de- fusion—bringing together elements of Getting High rock with an aggressive breaks into spaced-apart, warbled Syro is the sequel to Aphex Twin’s way to the fast-paced, melody-driven Courtis is some type of miasmic hell- Negative Gain Productions scriptions interest you, keep this album post-punk, roots music and Americana. thump that won’t leave your head for sound bits before introducing a new 2001 masterpiece . I remember “Reign,” confirming that Lagwagon still ride into the Europe depicted in all Street: 11.28.14 around for the days when you’re feel- The opening track, “Blank,” starts off hours. In true punk fashion, the songs rhythm with Gillam’s poignant words, friends in high school throwing pack a punch. Every song stands out those Hostel movies. I am saying that Black Nail Cabaret = ing moody. –Nic Smith like a straight up folk song with Dave range from one to three minutes and “I cannot make out your intentions / tantrums about how it was “just a on this record. “Made of Broken Parts,” because my wife lumps this into all the Norwood’s vocals over simple guitar stop so abruptly that you hardly miss a But I know mine.” Believer is a power- bunch of random bleeps and bloops” Siouxsie and The Banshees “Poison in the Well,” “Drag,” “Burning “haunted house” music that I listen to. chords. Then, around the 2:22 mark, step before the next song comes crash- ful record that greatly expands on the before ironically ejecting the CD + Assemblage 23 + Faded Ranger Out in Style” and “In Your Wake” are 64 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 65 slightly R&B, ambient recordings of MLP reeks of the dark thrash chaos …Honor Is All We Know Captured Tracks Future Sounds Various Artists Vircolac = Megafortress’ previously released EP. similar to the black metal bands in the Epitaph/Hellcat Records Street: 12.02.14 New Granada Secret Stash Records The Ruins of Beverast + Believer’s tracks bring balance to my equation with hints of death spewing. Street: 10.27.14 Shiny Two Shiny = early Street: 11.11.14 Primordial + Arcane Sun being, and I can’t wait to hear it on Add some of the Brazilian speed con- Presents: The One-derful! Rancid = Operation Ivy + Everything But The Girl + In Sunbears! = vinyl. –Justin Gallegos tingent, and you get the idea—only Here we have another sweet little UK Subs + The Vandals The Garden–era Eurythmics The Flaming Lips / Records Collection with renewed hate and even more demo from an at-the-moment-pretty-un- Spiritualized Secret Stash Records Memphis Dawls glorious speed and gritty, tar-tainted It’s ideal that Rancid’s first studio ef- known band, once again from the Ger- Street: 10.28.14 man Iron Bonehead label. Before Rooted in the Bone riffing. There is a reason Morbosidad fort since 2009 starts off with “Back Future Sounds is full of bizarre and lush The One-derful! Records are underground heroes, and Tortura Where I Belong,” with its chorus chant- I gush about Vircolac, I have to say Madjack Records pop songs that are reminiscent of Ab- Collection = furthers that nail into the metal cross. ing, “I’ve been gone way too long, bey Road-era The Beatles and The that I absolutely love the fact that the Street: 11.04.14 The Five Du-Tones + –Bryer Wharton now I’m back where I belong!” I can Flaming Lips. This isn’t surprising con- label officially releases band’s demos Memphis Dawls = Beverly Shaffer + honestly say that …Honor Is All We sidering that The Flaming Lips enlisted for more mass consumption. Consume Emmylou Harris + and repeat is what you will want to Know is up there with …And Out Come Sunbears! to contribute on a recently The Sharpees + + the Wolves as one of Rancid’s most sub- released Beatles tribute album. “Don’t Wanda Davis do with this multiple-subgenre-tackling The Civil Wars Irish band. They execute black, death stantial albums. “Collision Course” hits Take Too Many Things” is one of my This is the first installment of a compi- Warner Bros. and doom metal quite well, pumping members of the ferocious black/death with some nostalgia as it calls back to favorite songs on Future Sounds. Sun- lation than spans from 1962–1971 of Street: 11.04.14 out the atmosphere of dread heavily, band Diocletian, Vritra brings in Böl- their raw, street punk sound, “Evil’s My bears! could play the recorded version rare soul, funk and gospel gems. These Neil Young = Crazy Horse with an equally dark and aggressive zer vocalist KzR, and he complements Friend” gives their ska listeners some- of this song today or 20 years from come straight from the vaults of the nature—all presented in a humble set the release with a nicely differing, You never know what Neil Young is thing to dance to, and “Malfunction” now and convince some people it’s ac- legendary African-American Chicago of four songs (more like three: The first growling vocal ferocity than Witchrist’s going to do next. After 2012’s aptly has a chorus that fans will scream out tually a Beatles song. It’s full of rising labels that brought about the mid-’60s is an intro track). This band’s way of two full-length recordings. The three named and this April’s of their car windows. The title-track is vocal harmonies that repeat the song’s R&B dance hits of The Five Du-Tones’ Long disbanded and mostly unknown transitioning from gloomy, almost epic songs here aren’t quite in the business set of covers, , the newest the one that stands out the most—with title while a guitar, bells and cello play “Shake A Tail Feather” or group soul in the U.S.—having previously released death/doom (at times) to blazing, gritty of being dynamic, as they offer more chapter in his musical saga (35th re- guitar melodies that match the expres- in orchestral format. It’s such a good harmonies of The Sharpees’ “Take Me a sole mini LP of eight tracks and just blackened styles does exactly what a of a pummeling of riffs and a culmina- lease, to be exact) contains stories told sive and hopeful lyrics sung by each song. As the album progresses, there To Your Leader.” However, while jiving one single from that (and those only in demo should do—leave the listener tion of a few different influences. The in duotone, so to speak, each song ren- member. Not only is this one of the best are more psychedelic pop journeys to these, don’t forget the deep, soulful Europe) before disbanding in 1984— wanting more. –Bryer Wharton mixing is what Witchrist is becoming dered in minimal, acoustic guitar ver- Rancid albums that I’ve heard in years, that beg the question: Why aren’t Sun- ballads of Liz Lands’ “Seventh Hour” early ’80s minimal synth duo Gayna known for. There is a great presence sions and with full orchestration. This it’s also proof that Rancid is still ham- bears! more popular? Well, after this and Betty Everett’s “Your Love is Impor- Florence Perry and her former of old-school death metal, particularly approach works better for some tunes mering with ferocity. –Eric U. Norris album, they might be. –Justin Gallegos tant to Me.” If that has whetted your bandmate, guitarist Robin Surtees Swedish, but one could even say some than others, and none of them, unfor- appetite, then you’d best break out Alpha Mike Foxtrot: Rare achieved cult status by having this LP other Euro influences like German and tunately, rank with his best work. The Röyksopp Usnea your wallet for these artifacts, for this hit the UK indie top 10. (Both were in tracks 1994–2014 / What’s Polish. Add that old-school death with One of my favorite things, musically, album release was celebrated by an is essential for any hip weirdo’s record The Inevitable End A Formal Sigh, which had the dis- Random Cosmic Violence Your 20? Essential Tracks some signature New Zealand occult/ are great vocal harmonies, and the art opening for Young’s first-ever West collection. There is more to come from Dog Triumph Records tinction of having done a legendary Relapse Nonesuch war-styled blackness. Look to this for Memphis Dawls are exceptionally Coast exhibition of his watercolors, in- these collected works down the road, Street: 11.07.14 Peel Session before they split from that Street: 11.10.14 some muddy, down-tuned heavy on good at them. To so many people, folk cluding his design for the album cover, but this is where you start. These 25 Street: 11.17.14 Röyksopp = a less ethereal band). Here that is in its entirety, plus Usnea = Samothrace + the death metal blackness for a fan- music is code for dusty and boring, but I in Santa Monica. –Stakerized! tracks are available via double LP or Wilco = Uncle Tupelo + Björk + Robyn + Worlds-era the 7” and 12” mixes from their debut Disma + Winter tastic way to say goodbye to 2014. would challenge anyone to get through by CD. Stop wasting time and dig this. Jeff Tweedy – Son Volt Porter Robinson single, “Waiting For Us,” and its B-side, –Bryer Wharton one spin of Rooted in the Bone and dare Para Elite / –Nick Kuzmack “Ritual Hate,” and an experimental Twenty years of Wilco—where has the to utter the word boring. Songs like Total Annihilation live track, “Seven Four,” all showcas- time flown? The occasion of the anni- Young Ejecta “Liar” transform this three-piece, all-girl ing promise. While the duo’s demise Vashti Bunyan versary of this quintessential No De- folk band into a ’60s soul group, and Battle On Split EP The Planet is irrelevant now, it is interesting how Heartleap pression alt-country band is marked by at the same time, the traditional gospel Skinflint Music Driftless progressive they sound—multi-tracking Fat Cat Records a four LP/CD release of studio and live sounds of “Where’d You Go My Love” Street: 11.25.14 Street: 01.27 songs around a drum-machine base— Street: 10.07.14 recording rarities, and a two-CD set of all feel at home on this record. An- Para Elite = Blitz + Young Ejecta = Neon Indian with Perry’s pleasant vocals and essential tracks taken from previously other standout is the wanderlust-filled Condemned 84 + Vashti Bunyan = x Porcelain Raft + keys complementing Surtees’ guitar. released studio albums. Where to even country tune ”Ride Alone”—with steel White Flag Down -era I Break Horses –Dean O Hillis start? There are so many gems, like guitar and the girls’ vocals, it may be Total Annihilation = Animal Collective + Bon Iver the demo for their chestnut “Passenger Hone in your inner constellation chaser the loneliest song I’ve ever heard. Folk Anti-Heroes + + Side” to a cover of their ’60s predeces- with the post beats, breathy vo- being the root of all music, I think that Stockholm Monsters Lower Class Brats Vashti Bunyan has been making music sor (“Burned”) cals and overall sensuality of Young might be why a group like these gifted All At Once since the ’70s, but Heartleap is only to a twangier, still teenage-lovestruck Ejecta’s (formerly Ejecta) newest mini- gals can go anywhere musically and Never have I heard an Oi! band that Captured Tracks Cock Spar- her third, and probably last, album. cover of Big Star’s “Thirteen.” The album. Simple yet emotionally varied still seem to make it all come from the had lyrics as raucous as Street: 12.02.14 rer It’s a bit of a shame that such a unique band took what Tweedy had started production from Joel Ford combined same place. –James Orme ’s or compositions as abrasive as Stockholm Monsters = I stumbled upon Usnea while digging and valuable voice has had such a with Jay Farrar in Uncle Tupelo, de- with Leanne Macomber’s fragile any Warzone track until I heard Para One of Norway’s more popular elec- New Order + The Smiths – through Bandcamp about a year ago limited output, but what we do have is veloped it, and took it further to create and ethereal vocals successfully trans- Morbosidad Elite. With White Flag Down’s Coop tronic groups is back with their second as frontman and Cliff Warby of Con- Morrissey and was impressed with the blackened, well worth the wait between albums. something that would become a clas- port us to another universe fraught with release of the year, though this one is Heartleap sounds, in many respects, sic, American indie sound—something Tortura demned 84 behind the kit, I guarantee Stockholm Monsters are Manchester funeral doom/death concoction on their star dust, gracefully spiraling nebulas about twice as long as its predeces- like a lot of acoustic-based music that I can imagine we’ll still be hankering Nuclear War Now! that “Battle Cry” and “Hang the Bank- contemporaries of New Order, dis- debut. Fast-forward to 2014—heavy- and twinkling planets in the distance. sor, Do It Again, which features Robyn. has been made in the last two decades for 20 years from now. Including 36 Street: 12.15.14 er” will continue to resonate in their covered by that band’s bassist, Peter weight label Relapse has put out However otherwordly this soundscape The album combines synthesized, or so—but I’d like to think that’s mainly pages of liner notes filled with recol- Morbosidad = Bathory + listeners’ heads. However, they’re not Hook, in 1980—not long after, they their follow-up. This style can easily get may seem, it is Macomber’s pseudo- down-tempo electronic pop beats with because Vashti Bunyan pioneered the lections from band members, it’s a Sepultura + Sodom the only ones to hold their own on this became labelmates on Factory Re- bogged down in its dirging pace and sexual lyrics that keep us rooted to the ethereal female vocals, which makes “Freak Folk” genre with her album Just must-have for any lover of Wilco or alt- split—Total Annihilation hit back hard cords. Captured Tracks is re-releasing atmosphere. Fortunately, Usnea has no Earth by a string around our ankles, The four songs on this nice and vicious for really cool pop tracks on songs Another Diamond way back in 1970. country in general. –Stakerized! with their raw, street punk–oriented vi- their entire catalogue: the full-length such issues on Random Cosmic Violence. hovering comfortably between worlds MLP release from Texas underground like “Save Me,” and “Monument,” but Heartleap is possibly a step below her tality. The gravel-voiced Jimi Yama- studio recording Alma Mater as well While most of the pacing is slow, their known and unrevealed expanses. black/death metal heroes are balls- gets a bit darker and more melancholy previous output, but it’s still a fantastic moto rips through the crass lyrics of as several 7”s and singles into the knack for melodic guitar work, passion- Witchrist Ford’s sound ranges between pulsat- out, fantastic, need-to-hear ear-crush- on tracks like “Rong.” The produc- album from an influential artist who, “Death of a Nation” and “In Bed with mid-’80s, including the poke at rival ate vocals and black metal flourishes Vritra ing cosmic compositions (“Your Planet” ers. The band known for having some tion on the album is really well done, I’m sad to hear, won’t be making music the Reds” with his trachea-shredding label, “How Corrupt Is Rough Trade?” make for a captivating listen. The best Iron Bonehead and “Into Your Heart”) to minimalis- pretty gritty production tones actually with great attention to detail and use anymore. If you’re a fan of Neutral vocals. Oi! may have reached its Produced by Hook, these songs are a part of low and slow music is that when Street: 12.31.14 tic arrangements bound in simplicity took a bit of a cleaner approach with of various instruments on every track. Milk Hotel, or peak some time ago, but these patri- bit more poppy than New Order, but it changes up, the effect is potent. This (“What You Done” and “Recluse”). The these songs, and it sounds amazing— It’s definitely one to check out if you’re most any modern indie-folk act, this is Witchrist = Coffins + otic American skins prove that as long had the misfortune of falling under their is most evident in the title track, which Planet is good for those who aren’t even on an MP3 promo. The tones pre- looking to broaden your knowledge of worth checking out. –Alex Gilvarry Blaspherian + Diocletian as their Doc Martens hold up, they’ll shadow and Ian Curtis’ death as is also the highlight of the album. “Ran- ready for the full-on interstellar adven- sented have that tinge that make vinyl good groups from around the world. be stomping all over this goddamned well, but their music inspired a number dom Cosmic Violence” showcases the Well-established New Zealand death ture and experienced explorers alike. hounds know this will sound even more –Julia Sachs country. –Eric U. Norris of later Brit indie musicians, and still mix of musical influences and impec- Vircolac dealers Witchrist have enlisted some –Allison Shephard amazing on that precious wax. The sounds vital now. –Stakerized! cable timing that set Usnea apart. This new blood for this highly enticing and black metal side feels slightly toned Shiny Two Shiny Codex Perfida Rancid may fly under the radar, and it’s too Iron Bonehead gratuitously grim MLP, and it’s beyond Read more reviews down for Morbosidad—instead, the When the Rain Stops bad, because it’s excellent. –Peter Fryer fucking heavy. Comprising mostly Sunbears! Street: 12.22.14 at slugmag.com 66 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 67 - In The Venue 2015 Sundance Film Festi- Happy Birthday, A-Rodge, Babbylon, RyRy, - Rio Grande Merchant Royal, The Wild War, val - Various Venues Tommy Dolph! Kendrick - Kilby Mountain Standard Time Terracotta - Kilby 2015 Slamdance Film Fes- Gleewood, Secret Circus, Knife Party - Park City Live - State Room The Second City - Kingsbury tival - Various Venues Robyn Cage, Pablo Blaqk, You by Graham Brown - Flash & Flare, Geronimo Revolt, Braindead Constance, Static Waves, RKDN - Velour Q & The Current Rose Wagner - Urban Carrie Myers Music - Mojos Once The Lion - Why Sound - Atticus Coffee 2015 Sundance Film 2015 Sundance Film DiseNgaged, Disforia, Dismiss Lazy Susan, Tupelo Moan Haunted Summer, Big Wild Festival - Various Venues Festival - Various Venues the Silence - Murray Theater - Woodshed Wings, Season O The Witch 2015 Slamdance Film The Strike! - Velour Manufactured Superstars - Kilby Festival - Various Venues - Park City Live Saturday, January 24 Heaps N’ Heaps, Alarm Call - Velour Sunday, February 1 Winter Farmer’s Market Gleewood, Secret Circus, Coyote Vision Group - Urban 2015 Sundance Film - Rio Grande Robyn Cage, Pablo Blaqk, 2015 Sundance Film Friday, January 30 Festival - Various Venues SB Dance: Wine, Theater, Food Festival - Various Venues Strauss’ “A Hero’s Life” - Get your event listed for free in print, online and on our iPhone app! Sign up for a free SLUG Calendar account at slugmag.com/calendar Q & The Current - Rose Wagner - Atticus Coffee 2015 Slamdance Film Abravanel Monday, February 2 Friday, January 2 Happy Birthday, Royal, Big Wild Wings, The Mother Hips - State Room Stroller Tours - UMOCA Cash’d Out - State Room The Toasters, Sturgeon General, Festival - Various Venues Calabrese - Area 51 Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Sumerset Gregory Gerulat! Night Wings - Urban Family Art Saturday: New is Beachmen, 90s Television, The Desert Noises, Starmy, Matt Hoenes! Bivens! Sugar House Art Walk Old, Old is New - UMOCA Circulars, Empty Street Riot Wildcat Strike - Urban Bad Suns, Coasts, New Years in Vienna - Monday, January 5 - Various Galleries Mr. Vandal, Grimblee, - Urban Velour’s 9th Anniversary Maudlin Strangers - Complex Abravanel Sun Dog, Shasta & The Second Gypsy Cab, Jack Pines - Velour Sweaty Nerd - Urban - Velour Broken Down Guitars - Brewskis Strings, Wonderstone, Moonshine Bandits, Big B, Premiere , Thursday, January 15 The Rompstompers, Tuesday, February 3 DJ Juggy - Downstairs Fast Eddy - Metro Demun Jones - Westerner Go For Broke, Discard Pile Nappy Roots - Area 51 Hi-Fi Murder, Jail City Rockers Murder By Death - Bar Deluxe Stonefed - Hog Wallow Curtis Wardle, Maxx Teuscher - Velour Damon Leibert, Derrick Keane, - Why Sound Logic, DJ Rhetorik, Nora Dates, Heartless Breakers Tuesday, January 6 Mike McCarthy, Derek Richards Michael Christmas - Complex - Kilby Do Your Laundry Day (Don’t - Egyptian Theatre Sunday, January 18 NOVA Chamber Music Series All Star Monster Truck Tour Question It—Just Do It.) Green River Blues - Kilby Nekrofilth, Weapönizer, Presents: Late Beethoven and - Maverik Center Seven Feathers Rainwater, High Odium Totus, Burn Your World Post-Minimalism Wall Of The Fallen, Wednesday, January 7 Counsel, Terracotta - Urban - Bar Deluxe - Libby Gardner Hall Controlled Demise, Happy Birthday, Corey Christiansen, & The Departed, The Expendables, Katastro You’ll Die Knowing - Metro Christian Schultz! 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Book On Tape Worm, Branson Anderson - Velour Mike McCarthy, Derek Richards Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, Home- Photo: Gilbert Cisneros Saint Motel, The Moth & The Brady & - Velour - Egyptian Theatre boy Sandman - Urban Provo’s Desert Noises hit Urban Lounge on Saturday, Jan. 17 with Starmy and Wildcat Strike. Flame - Kilby Bombshell Academy, MiNX, Thursday, January 8 South Rail - Garage Two Stories Show Me Island - Woodshed Happy Birthday, 29th Annual HOF Germanfest Wednesday, January 21 Bombshell Academy Tuesday, January 27 Salt City Sirens Burlesque - Salt Lake Acting Co. Angela H. Brown! - Golden Spike Happy Birthday, - Bar Deluxe Lindsay Stirling - Park City Live - Bar Deluxe Saturday, January 3 Happy Birthday, Marinade - Hog Wallow Ben Tilton! Controlled Burn - Garage Particle - State Room Start SLC: Sustainable Thursday, February 5

Happy Birthday, Jordan Devereaux! Photo: Garrett Allen Red Bennies, Great Interstate, Kevyn Dern - Hog Wallow SLC White Party - Tim Notaro - Urban Startups - Gateway Mall Behemoth, Cannibal Corpse, Cody Kirkland! The Anchorage, Be Like Max, Chalk - Kilby Gateway - Grand Hall 2015 Sundance Film Periphery, Thank You Scientist, Aeon, Tribulation - Complex New Years in Vienna - Problem Daughter, The Sinisters Catch local indie darlings Chalk at Kilby Court Friday, Jan. 17 Krisian Bush - Outlaw Saloon Thursday, January 22 Jukebox The Ghost, Twin Forks, Festival - Various Venues Nothing More, Wovenwar Joe McQueen Quartet - Garage with Great Interstate and Red Bennies. Abravanel - Kilby Mokie - State Room Reaper The Storyteller Secret Someones - Kilby 2015 Slamdance Film - In The Venue Silverstein, Hands Like Houses, Balance of Power, Brushstrokes of Genius: - Why Sound Sunday, January 11 Class Of 808, Bastion, Type- - Area 51 Iggy Azalea - Park City Live Festival - Various Venues The Circulars, Beachmen, Major League, My Iron Lung Eyes Of Damnation, Dezecra- Creativity and the Artist’s Soul - Zombiecock - Woodshed Happy Birthday, funk, Nate Lowpass - Urban Morgan Snow - Hog Wallow Winter Farmer’s Market Nick Neihart - Kilby - In The Venue tion, Unthinkable Thoughts, The Leonardo Nick Kuzmack! Salt Lake Gallery Stroll Koala Temple, Grass, - Rio Grande Wednesday, January 28 Mates Of State, Fictionist, Silenced By Dawn - Bar Deluxe Flannel Graph - Velour Saturday, January 10 Sam Slam 4 - Bar Deluxe - Various Galleries Ghost Logic - Kilby Moors & McCumber Happy Birthday, Eidola, Scenic Byway - Metro Friday, February 6 Frank Vignola & Friends - Juana Ghani, Paul Hitter, The Subdudes - Egyptian Velour’s 9th Anniversary 2015 Sundance Film - State Room Kendal Gillett! Alesso - Park City Live Pick up the new issue of Capitol Theatre Friday, January 9 Folk Hogan - Bar Deluxe Theatre - Velour Festival - Various Venues Hell’s Bells - Urban Happy Birthday, Flabbergast - Rose Wagner SLUG - Anyplace Cool Batcave Gothic Industrial Samba Fogo - Bar Deluxe DJ Soulman - Downstairs NOVA Chamber Music Series Hoodoo, The Atlas Grove Billy Shaddox, Cory Mon, 2015 Sundance Film Talyn Sherer! Sleeping With Sirens, Tanglewood - Brewskis - Club X Elite Fight Night 25 - Complex The Subdudes - Presents: Contemplations of the - Why Sound Jared Harding - Velour Festival - Various Venues King Tuff - Kilby - Saltair Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Reckless Kelly, , Egyptian Theatre Beyond - Libby Gardner Hall 2015 Slamdance Portugal. The Man Whitey Morgan & The 78’s Experience - Egyptian Theatre Micky & The Motorcars - Depot Stoney Larue - Depot CoolaBiBus - Hog Wallow Heartist, Machine Gun Rerun, Saturday, January 17 Friday, January 23 Film Festival - Various - Park City Live - State Room The Weekenders - Hog Wallow Miss DJ Lux - Downstairs Miss DJ Lux - Downstairs Better Taste Bureau, Sorrow For Virtue Happy Birthday, Gleewood, Secret Circus, Venues Mark Kozelek of Sun Kil Moon Tokimonsta - Urban Wareye, Out Of Anger, Bullets & Belles - Garage The Subdudes Brothers From Another, Matty - Loading Dock Shawn Soward! Robyn Cage, Pablo Blaqk, Bat Manors - Velour & Red House Painters Park City’s Last Friday Gallery Hisingen, Sorrow For Virtue, Back Wash - Hog Wallow - Egyptian Theatre Mac, Bearsohmy, Kemp - Kilby Mobile Deathcamp, Q & The Current Driver Out - Why Sound - State Room Stroll - Various Galleries Versus The Man - Metro Larusso, The Boy That Lives, Ben Miller Band - Garage Affiance, Phinehas, Monday, January 12 Blood Purge, Deathblow, - Atticus Coffee Scenic Byway - Urban 2015 Sundance Film Festi- G. Love & Special Sauce, Dear Lucian, Bad Feather - Hog Wallow Kingdom of Giants, Beneath Happy Birthday, Repeat Offender - Bar Deluxe DJ SaYo - Brewskis Sunday, January 25 2015 Sundance Film val - Various Venues Matt Costa - Park City Live The Mail Box Order - Kilby Max Pain & The Groovies, Red Skies, Tony Bassett! Pearl Fishers - Capitol Theatre Guster - Depot Gleewood, Secret Circus, Festival - Various Venues Kate Elaine, Liam Cahill They Reminisce - Rose Wagner All Star Monster Truck Tour Red Telephone, Spirit Tribe Delusions of Godhood, The Zola Jesus, Deradoorian Damon Leibert, Derrick Keane, Billy Shaddox, Honey Pine Robyn Cage, Pablo Blaqk, 2015 Slamdance Film - Woodshed SteelFist Fight Night 31 - Maverik Center - Kilby Hands of Desecration - - Urban Mike McCarthy, Derek Richards - Garage Q & The Current Festival - Various Venues - The Rail Winter Farmer’s Market Winter , Odium Totus, Loading Dock - Egyptian Theatre Bad Feather - Hog Wallow - Atticus Coffee Saturday, January 31 Ogden’s First Friday Art Stroll - Rio Grande Huldra, Black Throne, Charlatan, The Stigmata Tuesday, January 13 Matt Hopper & The Roman The Pelicant’s, Rich Girls - Kilby Geek Show Movie Night Thursday, January 29 Fetish Ball - Area 51 - Various Galleries The North Valley, Albino Father, In The Arms Of Atrocity - Metro Massacre, Away At Lakeside, Cruel Hand, Angel Du$t, Candles, The Highway Theives By the Thousands, Superior, Th- - Brewvies Cold Blue Mountain, YG, ASAP Ferg - Complex Provo Gallery Stroll Koala Temple, King Tiiiger The Mother Hips - OP Rockwell Aether, Forget the Sunset, The Beautiful Ones - Kilby - Garage algora, Dethrone the Sovereign, 2015 Sundance Film Hard Men, Making Fuck, Eric Church’s The Outsiders, - Various Galleries - Urban Jhonny K & Krew, Element Nine - Murray Theater 29th Annual HOF Germanfest Silence Protocol - Loading Dock Festival - Various Venues Stargrazer - Bar Deluxe Halestorm - EnergySolutions Isaac Russell, Timmy The Teeth Book On Tape Worm, Fundamentals, Winter Farmer’s Market Wednesday, January 14 - Golden Spike Skrillex - Park City Live 2015 Slamdance Film Mark Chaney & The Garage Start SLC: Sustainable - Velour Quiet House - Velour Shasta & The Second Strings - Rio Grande Conveyer, Meridian, Give and Big Blue Ox - Hog Wallow Andy Frasco & The U.N. Festival - Various Venues All Stars - Garage Startups - Gateway Mall Check out expanded list- Fight King: Rocky Mountain - The Royal Ring Around The Rose Take, Hands of the Martyr, Loss Of Existence, - State Room Start SLC: Church & State Johanna Johanna, Shot In The ings and additional events Fight Championships Nico & Vinz - Rose Wagner Surviving Terror, Below Fiction, Beneath Red Wiz Khalifa Monday, January 26 - Gateway Mall Mountain, Foreign Figures, throughout the month on - Western Park Arena - UCCU Events Center The SLUG Games: Battle Attack The Sunset - Skies, Stigmata Massacre, - UCCU Events Center Happy Birthday, Talia Keys, Gemini Mind Cory Mon - Kilby Sunday, January 4 SLUG Localized: Merchant At Basin - Snowbasin Loading Dock Thalgora, Ossatura Hell’s Bells - Urban Rheanna Sonnichsen! - Hog Wallow Winter Farmer’s Market SLUGMag.com 68 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 69

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