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SaltLakeUnderGround • Vol. 25 • Issue #311 • November 2014 • slugmag.com
Publisher: Eighteen Percent Gray Marketing Coordinator: CONTRIBUTOR LIMELIGHT: Editor: Angela H. Brown Robin Sessions Managing Editor: Alexander Ortega Marketing Team: Alex Topolewski, Carl Acheson, Alex Springer Junior Editor: Christian Schultz Cassie Anderson, Cassandra Loveless, Ischa B., Janie Senior Staff Writer Office Coordinator:Gavin Sheehan Greenberg, Jono Martinez, Kendal Gillett, Lindsay Digital Content Coordinator: Henry Glasheen Clark, Raffi Shahinian, Robin Sessions, Zac Freeman Fact Checker: Henry Glasheen 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, John Ford, Jordan Deveraux, Julia Sachs, Deveraux, Julia Sachs, Laikwan Waigwa-Stone, Maria Valenzuela, Michael Sanchez, Nancy Maria Valenzuela, Mary E. Duncan, Shawn Soward, Burkhart, Nancy Perkins, Phil Cannon, Ricky Vigil, Traci Grant Ryan Worwood, Tommy Dolph, Tony Bassett, Content Consultants: Jon Christiansen, Xkot Toxsik Matt Hoenes Senior Staff Writers: Alex Springer, Alexander Cover Photo: Chad Kirkland Ortega, Ben Trentelman, Brian Kubarycz, Brinley Lead Designer: Joshua Joye Froelich, Bryer Wharton, Christian Schultz, Cody Design Team: Chad Pinckney, Lenny Riccardi, Hudson, Cody Kirkland, Dean O. Hillis, Gavin Mason Rodrickc, Paul Mason Sheehan, Henry Glasheen, Ischa B., James Bennett, Ad Designers: Brad Barker, Christian Broadbent, James Orme, Jimmy Martin, John Ford, Jordan Devin Wakefield, KJ Jackett, Kelli Tompkins, Deveraux, Justin Gallegos, Kia McGinnis, Lauren Alex Springer is a SLUG Mag all-star, plain and Maggie Zukowski, Nicholas Dowd, Nick Ketterer, Ashley, Mariah Mann Mellus, Megan Kennedy, Mike simple. He joined the SLUG team in May of 2012, Sumerset Bivens Brown, Peter Fryer, Rebecca Vernon, Ricky Vigil, and has since demonstrated his refined, global Website Developer: Kate Colgan Ryan Hall, Scott Farley, Sean Zimmerman-Wall, palate through writing food reviews—check out his Illustrators: D. Bradford Gambles, Lenny Riccardi, Shawn Mayer, Stakerized!, Thomas Winkley list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving on pg. 40! Maggie Zukowski, Manuel Aguilar, Natalie Edwards, Monkeys with Computers: Adam Fratto, Alex Springer has a strong sense of the people behind our Paul Frame, Phil Cannon, Robin Banks, Ryan Perkins, Coulombe, Alex Cragun, Alex Gilvarry, Allison community’s food culture, and he loves meeting and Sean Hennefer, Steve Thueson, Timm Paxton Shephard, Amanda Rock, Andrea Silva, Ashley interviewing interesting folks. Also catch his interview Photographers: Andy Wright, Ben Melini, Chad Lippert, Ben Tilton, Blake Leszczynski, Carl Acheson, with Hala Saleh, developer of the NomNom Finder Kirkland, Chris Gariety, Gilbert Cisneros, Gilbert CJ Morgan, Dan Vesper, Darcy Russell, Dylan Evans, app on pg. 22. He also provides adroit book, video Garcia, Jake Vivori, John Barkiple, Logan Sorenson, Eric Norris, Jamie Stott, Julia Sachs, Kamryn Feigel, game and film reviews for the magazine—just the Martín Rivero, Matt Brunk, Matthew Windsor, Kendal Gillett, LeAundra Jeffs, Lizz Corrigan, Mame type of guy you want teaching English and journalism Megan Kennedy, Melissa Cohn, Michael Portanda, Wallace, Matt Brunk, Michael Sanchez, Mike Riedel, to ninth and 10th graders, which is his day job. What Mikey Baratta, Robin Sessions, Russel Daniels, Scott Nancy Perkins, Nate Housley, Nic Smith, Nick a rad teacher! Frederick, Talyn Sherer, Weston Colton Kuzmack, Randy Dankievitch, Rheanna Sonnichsen, Videographers: Andrew Schummer, Brock Grossl, Samuel Hanson, Sara Bezdjian, Seeth McGavien, Candida Duran, Lexie Floor, Mitchell Richmond, Some Cop Dude, Steve Goemaat, Steve Richardson, Perrylayne Deker-Tate, Ryan Dearth, Slugger Timo H., Trevor Hale ABOUT THE COVER: SLUG has had its fair share of Community Development Executives/ SLUG Magazine’s Official Podcast: traditions. Again, this year, we’ve enlisted the talent Advertising Sales: SLUG Soundwaves of SLUG photographer Chad Kirkland to weird you John Ford: [email protected] Producer: Gavin Sheehan out this holiday season. Angela H. Brown: [email protected] Executive Producer: Angela H. Brown SLUG HQ: 801.487.9221 Associate Producers: Alexander Ortega, Christian Schultz, John Ford DISCLAIMER: SLUG Magazine does not necessarily maintain the same opinions as those found in our content. We seek to circulate ideas and dialogue through quality coverage of arts, music, events and lifestyle … except rollerblading. Content is property of SLUG Magazine—please do not use without written @SLUGMag youtube.com/user/SLUGMagazine permission.
4 SaltLakeUnderGround Burt’s Tiki Lounge chat over PBRs with a scene vet who’d seen the in turn, kept the sound waves fresh and boundary- first incarnations of bands like The Boards, pushing (and abrasive, if we were lucky). Each In Memoriam Massacre Guys and Maimed for Life and bartender would treat you like family—especially if Punk rock bar lived to tell about it. It was blue collar, honest and, you were family. In turn, when an extra hand was Street: 726 S. State St. most of all, a community space. No other venue needed to work the door or build onto the stage, Burt’s = tunes + cheap booze + provided a band the opportunity to play their set someone would inevitably step up. Sure, it was stories while watching The Toxic Avenger on one of the TVs a little rough around the edges, but that was its Burt’s Tiki Lounge was a place where one checked hanging from the ceiling. Whether it was a Tuesday charm, and they eventually fixed the water heater their “scene cred” at the door and let the bar’s night with handful of people aware of an obscure and got soap anyway. Toast this venue who’d be flier-ridden walls tell the venue’s story—and a touring band like Pleasure Leftists or a packed hard-pressed to turn a band away with a Cerebral damn-good chunk of Utah’s underground music house for Swingin’ Utters, Burt’s was always a Assassin, their trademark drink: Mix Jägermeister, tale at that. There was no place quite like it in bastion for music. The old guard of punkers and Old Crow and energy drink, shake it up, and down Salt Lake, where a bright-eyed 21-year-old could metalheads ushered in many a 20-something, who, the hatch as a shot. R.I.P., you dirty, old bastard.
6 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 7 (L–R) Ryan Gee (drums), Greg Midgley (keyboards), Angie Eralie Midgley Photo: Russel Daniels (bass) and Tyler Anderson (guitar, vo- cals) play SLUG Localized on Nov. 14 as Bronco. (Not pictured: Mike Sasich.)
out here and there.” When their album Paint- ing Pictures Of A Perfect Life came out, Bronco went on a 10-day tour to promote it. Anderson with an unexpected stage dive. He’s got the au- says, “Before recording [In Lights,] we went to dience in mind. Anderson says, “The highest I’ve Colorado and played three shows in four days. gotten is on a half-stack with my guitar. I looked [Colorado] seemed like a close place to sharpen LOCALIZED up at the rafters, then down at the people sup- our skills to be ready to record.” On their mini porting us, and I didn’t want to ruin their night.” tour in Colorado, along with playing at a Burt’s By Steve Richardson He’s the type to look before leaping into full-on Tiki Lounge equivalent called Lion’s Lair, Bronco everypizza.tumblr.com rock star self-indulgence. played at a barbeque joint and a pizza place. Bronco ended up spending money on tour, not Set aside your best $5 bill so you don’t miss this In the years that Bronco have existed, Ander- making a profit. Anderson says, “[The shows] month’s Localized, featuring the American rock of son has been the only constant. The sound of were for the free meals but mostly for the road Bronco, the ’60s sound of Super 78 and opener Bronco’s music has evolved along with the trip, for the fun.” The day after returning to Salt Green River Blues at Urban Lounge. It’s spon- lineup, which has been changing for Bronco’s Lake, Bronco began recording. sored by Uinta Brewing Co., KRCL 90.0FM whole existence. Although Anderson writes the and Spilt Ink SLC. Doors open at 9 p.m. on songs, the others play a large role in the sound Not abnormal for country-inspired music, stories Nov. 14. of the finished product—he doesn’t want to be are a central element in Bronco’s songs. Ander- seen as a solo artist. Angie Eralie Midgley, son usually writes the story first and then puts Bronco began about 10 years ago as a solo on bass, has been with the band nine years. music to it. Anderson says, “It’s hard to write project under a different name, a name that She has stuck with Bronco longer than anyone. a great song, so if the song’s not that great, as Tyler Anderson, Bronco’s vocalist and guitar Midgley’s husband, Greg Midgley, joined to long as the story is, you’ve got that going for it.” player, doesn’t give up without some prodding. play keys later on, along with Bronco’s other cur- Anderson thinks a good plot line can pull a song But the story goes like this: Anderson went rent members, Ryan Gee on drums, and Mike out of mediocrity. Made-up characters usually by the nickname T-Bone. When he began Sasich on lead guitar. Anderson says, “The drive his fictional lyrics, but Anderson doesn’t performing in his proto-Bronco solo project, music’s changed as the band members have believe he could write a song without some truth a friend suggested Anderson go by Bone changed. When I started out, it was more laid- in it. He says, “You can’t write a song that’s to- Alone, and he did. Anderson’s brother started back alt-country.” Bronco have been working on tally fictional. There’s always something in there playing drums, and he wasn’t alone anymore. their third album now, In Lights, and Anderson that represents what you’ve been through and His brother suggested the name Bronco be- says it’s pure rock ‘n roll—nothing like the two where you are, but if someone thinks they wrote cause it fit the Americana tone of the music. previous albums. Anderson says you’ll be able a total autobiographical song, that’s a lie.” An- to get your hands on the new album at Localized. derson doesn’t consider himself a fiction writer Although Anderson had played in bands before or a poet—he considers himself a master plumb- Bronco, he had never filled the role of frontman. Both of Bronco’s released albums have been er. Anderson channels his creativity through Some people have an innate ability to entertain recorded with Sasich, who runs Man Vs Music songwriting. He loves writing a good story, then a crowd, but Anderson started out feeling awk- studio, where their third album is in the works. trying to make it catchy and fit to music. ward. “Bronco’s been around 10 years,” he says. Anderson says, “[Sasich] knows the band and “It’s taken me that long to get out of my shell, to the songs very well.” And he should. On the first Anderson says he wants to make good music be able to relax and enjoy the moment without two albums, Sasich just recorded the group, but for people to enjoy. If someone offered Bronco being nervous.” Anderson thinks Bronco have he joined the group for In Lights. a break, they’d take it, but they have no vision good energy onstage now. He says it’s rock ‘n of ruling the world. To keep up with Bronco’s roll and, if he’s onstage performing, he might as With the members in their 30s with careers, upcoming shows or stream their music, go to well get on his knees and offer the crowd a shitty Bronco can’t get on the road much, but they broncotheband.com. guitar solo. Anderson likes to have a good time still enjoy taking their live set to new audiences. onstage, but he probably won’t knock you out Anderson says, “We can’t really do an East 8 SaltLakeUnderGround Coast tour or a Southern tour, but we can sneak slugmag.com 9 Super 78 have been around since sometime Lopez play guitar, and the newest members, bums that take you from point A to point B—he in 2009, when Cesar Reyes and Rocky Kai Watson and Charlie Samuel, play uses Primal Scream’s Screamadelica as an Maldonado changed the name of their high bass and drums/percussion, respectively. example. “It starts off with them having a party school band, previously called The Whirl- and ends with them coming down from what- ings. The music has kept the basic feel over When asked what Super 78 has recorded, ever drugs they took,” he says. “That’s fucking the years since, which Reyes describes as wall- Reyes says, “Nothing. We just record ideas awesome to me.” He’s not necessarily aiming to of-sound, Phil Spector–style psychedelia. “I at the house.” Super 78 doesn’t even have take the listener through a story, but likes when love the sound of multiple guitars, in unison, a Bandcamp page, but older tracks can be albums must be consumed as a whole. playing the same chord,” says Reyes. “It’s very found on their Soundcloud. “For the stuff I re- repetitive, so the music has that hypnotic thing.” ally care about, we make videos and put them According to Reyes, Super 78 play in Califor- After a show in Portland, Reyes says a news- on YouTube,” Reyes says. The videos consist of nia often, though not so much locally. They paper there compared Super 78 to a meeting pieces of film from the ’60s or a still image—a don’t have specific ties there (Reyes is from between Gang of Four and MGMT. After guitar, for example. The videos are a way to Mexico City), but have just connected with a he read this, Reyes says, “I was like ‘What the hear the songs instead of something to watch. scene and other bands from there. Reyes says, fuck—that’s so weird.’” Reyes loves ’60s music Super 78 can be found on YouTube under the “The stuff we like to do, ’60s influenced wall- and the whole ’60s era seems to influence the username super78cult, or you can link from of-sound stuff, gets a better response in L.A.” band heavily. They even play ’60s instruments. their Facebook page. They might have a stronger following in Califor- Holding up his Vox Ultrasonic, Reyes says, “This nia, but Reyes thinks, if they do, it doesn’t mean guitar is a big part of the band. Everyone has Super 78 haven’t started recording an album much. Over the past few years, Super 78 have a Vox, played through Fender Reverbs. It’s the yet. Reyes says, “I’m not quite ready to release been to California about nine times and last most essential part of the band.” anything because I want to do it old-school visited the state for the Oakland Echo Festival style, where I make 50 songs and choose 12 (headlined by Lumerians, Dead Meadow Reyes says the songwriting process for Super to re-record.” When Reyes says old-school and The Cosmonauts on three consecutive 78 can sometimes be collaborative, but, for style, he’s not expressing an aversion to digital nights) at the end of October. Reyes says that the most part, he does it all. People have been recording, although he would record to tape if when Super 78 head to California, they try to coming in and out of the band since the begin- somebody who knew how wanted to record make a tour out of it, but only ever play a few ning, but Reyes has been the only constant—“I them. To explain old-school style further he shows. As far as touring, Super 78 have been write the songs and hash them out with the says, “Like when there was no Bandcamp and to Portland, Denver and California. rest of the band,” Reyes says. Even though people worked really hard to release something the membership has been unsteady over the physically.” Super 78 already have around 30 The only plans Reyes has for the future of years, Reyes says the lineup is solid right songs, and Reyes says a few are ready for the Super 78 is to record an album this winter. now. Reyes sings, plays guitar and writes the album. But he doesn’t want just good tracks on He’s down to play shows if good opportuni- songs, Drew Workman plays keyboards, his album. He wants something that works as ties come up, but says, “My main goal after Sawyer Garner, Leon Ridd and Joshua a complete piece. He says, “I want to make it Oakland is just going to be to record.” So be flow as an album, start to finish.” Reyes likes al- sure to catch Super 78 at Localized. Unless you live in California, you might not get another chance anytime soon. Photo: Russel Daniels
Super 78 singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cesar Reyes has been the band’s visionary since 2009.
10 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 11 SLUG HOLIDAY COMIX NOVEMBER 15 clean your
ByRefrigerator Bradford Gambles • heartlesscorporation.org day
12 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 13 Murder, Mayhem and Melodic Music By Ricky Vigil [email protected] Photo: Durty Harry
wels the Je f Run TJ2, er Mike o m, R (L–R) El-P and Kill albu second 17. officially dropped their ov. e on N Loung on Oct. 27, and hit Urban
“Opening for the Wu is for real,” Killer Mike (Michael it for their friends, the reaction proved that they had some- Render) tells SLUG in his boisterous Southern drawl. El-P recreates the experi- thing special. “When you do something cool, it’s cool. But when you do ence, saying, “We walked into it assuming the crowd was there for Wu-Tang something cool and it works, it’s like, ‘Oh shit!’ And that’s the most beautiful thing and we were just the opener. So the fact that we had 10,000 kids screaming about Run the Jewels—that ‘Oh shit!’ moment when we realized this was a real our lyrics back to us was legitimately a surprise.” While the members of Run the group,” Killer Mike says. The first Run the Jewels album was a beast, featuring El-P Jewels were surprised by their overwhelmingly positive reception in Salt Lake and Killer Mike at their fiercest. Packed to the brim with bravado, swagger and City—opening for Wu-Tang Clan as part of the Twilight Concert Series this past grime, it sounded like nothing else coming out of the rap game in 2013. El-P says, summer—they probably should’ve expected it. After dropping their self-titled de- “This is music that would never happen with either one of us on our own.” Run the but album in 2013, they became coveted festival performers and showed up on Jewels records are very much El and Mike being influenced by each other. “You’re a lot of “best-of” lists at the end of the year. There’s a magic to Run the Jewels. hearing us coming closer to each other’s approaches and meeting somewhere in There’s an energy and enthusiasm that is rarely found in hip-hop these days that the middle. We wanted to honor and do our version of a classic rap group that makes it feel hard and dangerous, but also smart—and most importantly, a lot of we grew up with,” says El-P of groups like EPMD. goddamn fun. So really, it’s no surprise how well Run the Jewels fared in their first visit to Salt Lake City. “I was happy as a goddamn little girl,” Killer Mike says. When it came time to create RTJ2, the group knew they had to step up their game. “Originally we said it was gonna be dirtier, harder, funnier, darker, and I thought The unlikely pairing of Killer Mike and El-P started in 2012, when El, aka Jaime that was good enough,” Killer Mike says. “At some point, it just became some- Meline, was approached to produce Killer Mike’s album R.A.P. Music. The pair- thing else. I think it’s Run the Jewels evolved—[the] first time I heard the finished ing of Mike, a Southern rapper with ties to OutKast and T.I., and El-P, an un- thing, I damn near wept. It’s a fuckin’ album.” RTJ2 is still dirty and raw, but it’s derground rapper and producer known for his Public Enemy–meets-outer-space a definite progression in the group’s sound. El-P described it not as a giant leap, production style, seemed like an odd one to outsiders, but Mike and El were but as a hard step forward. He says, “Our hope is that people go into the record always confident in their chemistry. “We knew, when we teamed up, people were expecting to nod their head and maybe punch someone in the face to walking gonna say, ‘What the fuck are you talking about?’ But we also knew that when away from it, having actually felt something.” The album was released on Oct. they heard it, we would never hear that shit again,” El-P says. Mike’s bombastic 27, and is available for free download from Mass Appeal records. style proved to mesh perfectly with El-P’s thunderous-yet-spacey production. The pair hit it off both creatively and personally, and every single second of R.A.P. Run the Jewels on record is one thing, but their live show is something else entirely. Music proved that the duo were simpatico. “There was magic there. We’re the They proved that last summer, opening for Wu-Tang Clan, as they had the crowd same age. We have a lot of intersecting influences and a lot of parallels in our chanting along with them and making the RTJ symbol with their fists and fingers. lives,” El-P says. Killer Mike added to this sentiment, saying, “It’s not always easy They’re the kind of group that can switch from mean muggin’ to old-school hip- to fall into a groove, so when you do, you wanna stay there.” hop dance moves on the fly and not lose any of their integrity. “When we get onstage, it’s just straight bananas, because we’re having a blast. I’m not even So, they kept a good thing going. While on tour together in late 2012, El-P and thinking when I’m up there. I just look to my right and see that big, goofy-ass grin Killer Mike began recording a few songs together that would eventually become on Michael Render’s face, and I know that I’m having the time of my life,” El-P the first Run the Jewels album. The duo thought of it as an intermediate project, says. Catch Run the Jewels when they perform at Urban Lounge on Nov. 17 with something to hold them over until their next solo affairs. But when they played Ratking and Despot.
14 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 15 Photo: John Barkiple
Peace Through Delicious Food
By Amanda Rock [email protected]
mar Abou-Ismail is thrilled to examine people’s ex- pressions as they taste raw vegan food for the first time. O As a skeptic by nature (and junk food vegan!), I was surprised at the palatable flavors and textures—I’ve never had anything like the food from Rawtopia. I’m sure Omar could detect the suspicion fade and turn to bliss as I stuffed my face. (L–R) Omar Abou-Ismail and Jinan Abu-Ismail Omar’s raw food journey began as a search for optimal health. sit before Rawtopia’s Hemp Milk Chai and He transitioned to veganism, but noticed he wasn’t feeling as Hummus Pizza, whose crust and seed cheese energetic as he wished. It wasn’t until he discovered raw foods Jinan added to Omar’s raw-food cuisine. that his energy was at an optimum. His enthusiasm for raw, living food quickly became a passion. Abandoning his lucrative career as an engineer, he opened his unique restaurant, Rawtopia. Like the name suggests, the restaurant is a universe of uncooked, un- 2148 S. Highland Drive processed food. Nine years later, his restaurant is a destination to Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. those in search of tantalizing, healthy food. As a madly talented chef, Omar crafts delectable dishes, treating food as sacred. Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. He uses mostly local ingredients, and everything in his kitchen T. 801.486.0332 is vegan (with the exception of local honey), organic and gluten free. “Healthy food should taste good!” he exclaims. omarsrawtopia.com
A simple dish that exemplifies his philosophy is the Hummus/ wait, there’s more. You can opt to add dried forkful made me happy. The texture was remi- Tabouli Bite ($7). Two boats of fresh lettuce leaves occupy the plantains to the rolls, adding a chewy, sweet niscent of actual cheesecake, but didn’t leave plate, one filled with hummus and the other, tabouli. Creamy hum- texture. Dipped into the luscious almond curry me with that yucky dairy feeling. Try pairing mus is made from sprouted sunflower seeds and almonds with sauce, this roll is so much better than any fishy the cheesecake with one of the many teas of- tasty onions, tomatoes, parsley and briny olives, finished with a roll I’ve ever had. I could eat this forever and fered, or maybe the Hemp Milk Chai ($4/8). drizzle of good olive oil. Vibrant flavors abound in the tabouli, a ever—the combination of sweet and savory Spicy, with a creamy texture, this drink hits the tasty mix of parsley, tomatoes, red onions, scallions, hemp seeds just gets me. spot—just spicy and sweet enough. and mint marinated in olive oil, lemon juice and Celtic sea salt. A lot of men get dragged into the restaurant by Making wonderful food runs in the family. One of the most popular dishes on his menu is the Hummus Pizza their wives or girlfriends, and Omar’s favorite Omar’s mom, Jinan Abu-Ismail is Head ($18.50). The price may sound steep for a personal pizza, but dish to serve them is the Nut Burger ($15), a Chef at the popular Middle Eastern restaurant consider the extensive preparation and quality ingredients. He dehydrated veggie and brazil nut patty topped Mazza. She even developed the pizza crust also lists “love” as an ingredient, and who knows how much with avocado, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and and seed cheese for Omar’s pizzas. A tight-knit that goes for these days? It takes 48 hours to prepare the crust Alfredo sauce (made from soaked macada- duo, Omar loves feeding his mom. She’s tran- in a dehydrator. It’s made from flax, buckwheat and apple, his mia nuts and cashews) between two cabbage sitioned to eating a lot of raw foods and feels mother’s recipe. A generous layer of live hummus (Can you tell leaves. I was really surprised by this one—the much healthier and energetic, just like her son. I’m utterly in love with this hummus?) is topped with a medley of cabbage leaves held everything in like a prop- vegetables, avocado and olives. And here’s the best part (aside er bun, and the patty was flavorful and savory. Omar’s Rawtopia is a comfortable place to from the hummus)—a healthy dose of seed cheese. It adds a dine. There are books about raw food and lo- remarkable note to the pizza. For dessert, try the Berry Cheesecake ($8)—it’s cal products to browse in the small restaurant. a life changer. If you’re suspicious of raw food, Omar treats his staff like family, and in return, Another dish I’m partial to is the Spicy Curried Seaweed Roll start with dessert. This cheesecake is un-fuck- they are committed to his vision. “This feeds ($15). This roll will knock your socks off. Instead of rice, ground ing-believable. The crust is made from almonds me,” he says, gesturing at the restaurant. Hap- macadamia nuts are used. I was surprised at how rice-like the and coconuts, while the filling is made with co- py diners and employees create a real sense of ground macadamias were. The roll is stuffed with avocado, conut cream and cashews. Completing the raw community. You’ll walk away from your meal red bell peppers, tomato, zucchini, cucumber and sprouts. But dessert, a berry sauce is drizzled atop. Each feeling nourished and full with a happy buzz.
16 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 17 Matt Bergman absolutely kills it on scene. His take on our scene here says a skateboard. I’ve seen Bergman a lot about who he is. He likes that no around for a couple of years now, and one tries to do the same shit, noting all I can say is that this dude fucking that everyone does their own thing and rips. He can—and will—skate any- brings something original to the table, thing. With his raw talent, loose style and Bergman is no exception. His in- and I’ll-skate-whatever attitude, it’s no terests—in skating, people and things wonder Milosport gave Bergman a that get him stoked—are much like spot on their team. Bergman himself. He’s down for anyone that skates—anyone that’s happy to be Hailing from Provo, Bergman got his riding their board. Bergman’s in skate- start in skateboarding early on. His boarding for the long haul—he’s not in brother and friends sparked his in- it for the chicks or the glory. Bergman terest in skating, and he took it from just wants to skate. there. Bergman grew up skating the Orem park, before a park was built What’s rad about Bergman’s skating is in Provo. Two of his big influences in that you can’t classify him as a certain skating early on were his friend Dave type of skater. He’s well-rounded. He Nelson and Utah local Aaron Lo- does it all. When you watch him skate, pez, who was the first dude he got it’s non-stop charging. He’s got rhythm to watch skate. From there, it was all in his skating, and the rhythm makes skateboarding for Bergman. What sense. You see, Bergman thinks skating keeps him skating now is the fun it and music go hand in hand, and Berg- brings. He’s been doing it so long man’s a blues man. It seems appropri- now—he says, “It’s just become what I ate. How else could he fly around on MATT BERGMAN do.” He loves the individuality it comes the board with such style and smooth- with, the possibilities for creativity and ness? You think he’s daydreaming not being tied down by doing one about 311? Hell no! When you see him The Bergler Does it thing. on a non-stop tear through the park or streets, you can assume he’s got How- Now living in Salt Lake, Bergman’s a lin’ Wolf or Willie Dixon blasting in regular at 9th & 9th, among other parks his head, iPod or no. and, of course, the streets of SLC. Be- ing from Provo, he’s seen two different Much like his just-do-whatever mindset skate scenes. I asked him about Provo, while on the board, there’s no this way By Dylan Evans • [email protected] and how he felt about Salt Lake’s or that with Bergman, and no concern for making plans. If an idea comes up, Backside tailslide to hill bomb all the way. Photos: Weston Colton or a trip is in the works, Bergman’s down for it. He’ll jump on any train that’s headed to a skate park. Recently, Bergman took a couple trips to Oregon Hippie jump. and Montana, gracing their parks and streets with his presence, and most likely turning heads. He’s big on Dream- land parks, and if you’ve seen any of them, you can imagine the type of skat- Wallie bluntslide. ing this dude does.
Though Bergman likes to keep his plans loose (or non-existent), he’s been work- ing on a solo video for a while now, with hopes of putting it out before the snow falls. So when you don’t see him destroying at 9th Park or Rose, you can assume he’s out on the streets, handling business for the video. I’m expecting some pretty mean skating from this one! As of late, though, Bergman took home $250 for a best trick contest in early October at the Energy Solutions Seven- Rail. If you haven’t seen the clip, do yourself a favor and check it out!
I’d tell you what’s next for Bergman, but I already said he doesn’t make plans. He goes with the flow—he skates what- ever, and he’s just here for the good times. If you’re not bringing the good times, Bergman totally will.
18 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 19 A Real Hero: an interview with David Grellier of
Photo: PJ Skyman By Justin Gallegos [email protected]
f you’ve seen the movie Drive, then you you’ve so much concerned about the challenge of creating a heard the music of David Grellier. Grellier is a score as he is concerned about interrupting the free- IFrench electronic composer and the founder of flowing process that he follows to create his music. the retro-futurist music collective known as Valerie. “Music is my escape from formal creation,” says Grel- Valerie has been an exciting side project for Grel- lier. “It’s a weird feeling to be able to create emotion.” lier, but his international success has come from the electronic nostalgia and prowess of his work as Col- Grellier is inspired by old films, such as Mad Max, be- lege. College is an alternate universe where Grel- cause they portray characters that accomplish superhu- lier does exactly what he says he does: “I present man things, all while being able to die at any moment visions of the past.” During our chat, Grellier spoke like the rest of us. “Mad Max is a beautiful film,” says with SLUG about the films and childhood inspirations Grellier with a smile, “Heroes today, in most movies, behind his music. Through our conversation, I came are super heroes. They’re not real people.” Grellier is to understand what inspired “A Real Hero,” the song obsessed with nostalgia and preserving memories of that garnered Grellier a worldwide fanbase. Grellier childhood. “It’s not easy to hold on to good memories is the personification of that song in my eyes. He has of childhood like the TV shows and movies we watched toured America twice as College, and he’s about to when young,” he says. “The purpose of College is to embark on his third U.S. tour, on which he’ll make his try and preserve those things. I don’t want to recreate Utah debut. Grellier will play at Kilby Court on Dec. the past. I just want to express something of today with 7, and I’m sure he’ll fascinate the minds of everyone tools of the past.” in attendance. As you might imagine, Grellier’s live performance will privilege to have an electronic musician of his caliber Ever since “A Real Hero” captured the emotional depth be accompanied by visuals, but they won’t be scenes play one of the most intimate venues in our city. of Drive, Grellier has been in a different spotlight. It is from old movies or other pulled sources. He has com- one of the best electronic songs I’ve ever heard, but missioned designer Alexander Burkart for Col- When I asked Grellier about the future of College, he an unusual song for Grellier due to its use of voice. lege’s album covers, which draw from ’80s noir and excitedly told me about his ideas. “I want my next work Grellier prefers to compose instrumental music, not just spy novels. Burkart has also worked to create original to explore the ambient possibilities of synths, like Brian because he’s nearly perfected his aesthetic, but, as he visuals for the show that will bring the universe of Col- Eno, and leave conventional rhythm entirely.” I asked says with a chuckle, “I just can’t sing. I’ve tested it.” His lege to life. “I want to feel emotion from the crowd,” Grellier if this next EP, which will be released on Nov. honesty and humility in statements like this are what Grellier says. “I want them to dance. We played a 10, would feature a new direction in ambient music. He impressed me most about him. “Several French direc- show in Portland, and the audience stood there the laughs and says, “Not quite, but I like to preserve some tors reached out to me after Drive’s release, but I don’t whole time with big, glassy eyes. I had no idea if they mystery.” I guess the only thing left to do is to show up want to write a score,” says Grellier. “It usually needs enjoyed the show, so I asked a few people what they on Dec. 7 and see just how much of that mystery Grel- to be done in a hurry because the film has already thought, and they said that they enjoyed my perfor- lier is willing to unfold. Until then, visit soundcloud.com/ been made, and you have to match the songs to each mance very much.” He asked me if people in Salt Lake college to hear some highlights from College’s current break in the scenes. I don’t like adding that techni- City prefer to dance at shows—I told him that most of catalogue that are sure to keep you spinning through cal aspect to my music.” The statement intrigued me, the time they do, but it just depends. I know that I’ll be time in preparation for the show. and I can’t help but respect his point of view—he’s not dancing when College comes to Kilby Court. It’ll be a
20 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 21 Nom Find Nom er: Keeping Tabs onUtah’s Food Trucks
By Alex Springer • [email protected]
A few months ago, I wrote an article about from the food truck operators themselves, some of Utah’s finest food trucks. Although who are able to update their information combing through the Twitter-verse to track and locations through their own interface. down a specific truck was a time-consuming My favorite aspect of the app was the abil- process, it was a situation in which I often ity to filter between trucks that are currently found myself: hungry, in an unfamiliar part open or trucks that I have saved, making the of town and not really wanting to hit up a fast search for local vittle even more efficient. food joint. Unbeknownst to me at the time, there was an app that could have made my Saleh’s team has conducted outreach cam- food truck odyssey more efficient. It’s called paigns to try to build interest out of state, NomNom Finder, which uses GPS technol- and there have been pockets of food trucks ogy to show its users where food trucks can that have signed up with the app in Florida, be found and whether or not they’re open. Michigan and California as a result. “We The app was conceived by local, indepen- have about 4,000 downloads so far, and dent product development manager Hala around 800 active users,” Saleh says. “We Photo: Talyn Sherer Photo: Talyn Saleh, during a Startup Weekend in Provo. also have about 75 trucks registered, with Sherer Photo: Talyn “On my way down, I had a few ideas, and 40 to 50 of them actively using the app.” a food truck finder was one of them,” Saleh While the app is still in its early stages, says. “I initially felt silly about it, but when I Saleh’s team has kept much of the focus got there and saw that the organizers of the here in Utah, but app use has taken a life weekend were giving out food truck bucks of its own in bigger cities like Los Angeles. and I saw the enthusiasm of the attendees, I As NomNom Finder is still in a developing thought that the timing was perfect.” stage, there’s a lot of room for future expan- sion. Chief among Saleh’s priorities is mak- When NomNom Finder was voted fan fa- ing contact with local event organizers and vorite at the Startup Weekend, Saleh’s team venues to help build some kind of partner- earned some serious press and bragging ship with fostering food-truck-friendly events rights, as their story was picked up by KSL. throughout the city. “We’re currently think- “We decided that we needed to launch and ing about communicating with the Gallivan go live before we went on TV,” Saleh says. Center and seeing if we can help coordinate From there, they have continued improve- their Food Truck Thursdays,” Saleh says. ments on the app and let it evolve into some- thing that both diners and food truck owners Though NomNom Finder is a great way to can use as their go-to location finder. navigate through our pantheon of urban food trucks, it has the potential to be the After playing around with the app myself, ultimate road trip companion. One of the I was initially surprised at how many food things that I love the most about road trip- trucks were operating in Utah. Not only does ping is eating at different restaurants, but Using the app NomNom Finder, which Hala Saleh the app provide their locations, but it will tell it’s often hard to find that one haunt that has helped develop, the variable locations of Utah’s users whether a truck is open or if it’s current- gathered a hardcore following of locals. food trucks can be found right at your fngertips. ly in transit. Since app users are likely to be Food trucks that have stayed in business for famished and short on patience when they an extended period of time often exemplify fire it up, NomNom Finder’s interface is lean those same characteristics. If I had an app and straightforward. Each truck pops up on that told me where and when I could cash NomNom Finder is available for a map, and all a user needs to do is tap on in on some authentic food truck cuisine, it iPhone in the App Store and for their icon to see what type of food the truck would definitely encourage me to go a bit provides, their hours of operation and a link further than that Subway/Flying J monstros- Android via Google Play. to their website. This information is gathered ity off the interstate.
22 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 23 The Inquisition of cEvin Key By Mistress Nancy •
Skinny Puppy are one of the most influential bands in the industrial music scene. SLUG was lucky enough to spend some time on the airwaves with one of the group’s founders, cEvin Key. We tackled the topics of politics, influences and musical technol- ogy, and also discovered that everyone may view the Industrial veterans Nivek Photos: Emilie Elizabeth and John Kraw band’s history a little differently. Ogre and cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy headline the Alliance of Sound Tour, Skinny Puppy have influenced many artists, and I was then. There was focus on wanting to hear something curious about who has influenced them. Key started off you hadn’t heard before, and you knew you hadn’t which stops at The Complex in the commercial band Images In Vogue. “I had an heard it before. We have heard everything.” It appears on Dec. 13. interest in music, but I didn’t feel that type of music,” Key that there’s a need for simplicity and solid ideas. When says. “We liked more intense music, like industrial music it does come down to today’s technology and instru- at the time, which was basically noise.” Their beginning ments, he prefers the modular synthesizer. “The modu- influences were Cabaret Voltaire and Throbbing lar stuff is getting more interesting by the minute,” he Gristle and the noise scene. For them, there wasn’t says. People are becoming inventive and building their he says. Although Facebook issued an apology, they as much focus on rhythm, just big beats mixed with the own. He already sells a few modules under the name said that Key was reported and working under a fake Subconscious Communications concept of noise. They refined that sound and focused to contribute to name. “They were not serious about stopping because on the supportive underground dance floors. The 1983 the industry. everyone with a suspicious name is being deleted from Xtract Records release titled The Elephant Table: a compi- Facebook,” he says. “They haven’t stopped.” lation of difficult music also had a huge impact on them. I wanted to know Key’s thoughts about S. Alexander Reed Assimilate The album had a bunch of music on it that was similar ’s industrial history book . He states that As for the update on invoicing the United States govern- to what they were thinking and doing. It also came with he has not read it in its entirety, but he has read the ment for using Skinny Puppy’s music to torture prison- a myriad of contact addresses. They sent their music off chapter on the history of his band. “Don’t take it too ers at Guantanamo Bay, Key says, “We found out and to almost all of them, which established the network of literally,” he says. “There are some historical ‘facts’ that were not too happy about it. We did issue them an what would later become the scene. are a little askew and could be misleading. It really invoice, knowing there was probably going to be no re- depends on who you speak to, and each story could be sponse. It was more about bringing attention to the mat- I have noticed that a lot of artists are returning to radically different.” For what really happened, I guess ter. It only adds to the list of distrust that people have the older style of industrial music, and I was curious we will just have to wait for them to write their own for the U.S government. We didn’t make the music for to find out if this was the reason behind the string of history. that purpose, and it’s even worse when a bureaucracy re-releases. As it turns out, they’re reflecting on these is utilizing your creation to impose new meaning. It’s albums because they were released in Europe and not More recently, an online protest was going on in Key’s not shocking in today’s society at all.” done properly in the U.S. The band also wanted to be honor for him to keep his name. Facebook was recent- more in control of their music on a label they trust and ly trying to force everyone to use their legal identity, Be sure to pick up Skinny Puppy’s latest album, work with. “As for the resurgence, for going back to which would take away some of the artists’ aliases. I Weapon, and Key’s new project, Japanese Electro the beginning again, it’s typical for the scene to go full asked if he saw this as a way to control and monitor Punk Brutality, which will be released on Nov. 25, circle,” Key says. “It’s come so far that it is ready to go the masses in a “Big Brother” manner. “Absolutely,” via Metropolis. See Skinny Puppy on the Alliance back to the start. As far as music making is concerned, he says. “I was shocked I had to present them with of Sound Tour with artists of the industrial vanguard the tools are a lot different today than they were in the an actual ID and show them contracts I signed to get VNV Nation, Haujobb and Youth Code at The old days. It was a lot harder to make a sound back my name back.” At this point, we could call cEvin Key Complex on Dec. 13. his official name. “I am one of the first wave of this,” 24 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 25 Deja Vu Duck
By Oliver Buchanan • [email protected]
26 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 27 access from the interstate and offers ample local folks at Alpine Trails constructed the parking as well. The park encompasses custom-built pump track and wooden fea- The Great Indoors: nearly 15,000 square feet of rideable sur- tures of the skills park. Their attention to de- face, and Randle has plans to expand to tail makes the experience smooth and fun on the full potential of the 27,000-square-foot any type of bike. BMXers and the dirt jump Exploring the warehouse. There are even plans to incorpo- crowd will feel most at home on the pump rate the adjoining building once the existing track, which features berms, rollers, tables tenant moves out. If that plan comes to frui- and crossovers. In the skills park, there are tion, the space would effectively double to various wooden ladder-bridges and boulder almost 50,000 square feet. gardens that test the balance of even the most seasoned riders. “We’re working on Rolling through the front door, visitors are catering to everyone and draw all comers invited to join in the fun, and Randle per- from novices to pros,” says Randle. sonally sets everyone up for success. He is a family man, and it’s not uncommon to During the Grand Opening in late Septem- see his wife greeting guests or his 4-year- ber, the park held a BMX exhibition with old son shredding the pump track. A day local pros, prize drawings and even food pass Monday–Thursday is $15 for adults trucks to keep riders fed. The event hosted and $10 for kids. Friday and Saturday, the nearly 100 people and spread the word price bumps up to $18 and $12, respec- that there is a new riding opportunity in By Sean Zimmerman-Wall • [email protected] tively. Little rippers 4 and under ride for Utah. Randle admits that attendance could free, and the park is currently closed Sun- be better, but at the time of year of this inter- reative thinking and following dreams are what led to the invention days. Season passes go for $399, and dis- view, he was competing against the weath- of the bicycle so many years ago. Today, there are a multitude of counts are available for service members, er. “I’m optimistic that once the seasons options for riders of every level to get on a two-wheeled machine youth, and National Interscholastic Cycling change, we will see a dramatic increase in C Association (NICA) members. interest,” says Randle. and experience the freedom it has to offer. However, the snow and cold temps often put a damper on most Utahns’ cycling adventures from about November to March. Fortunately, entrepreneur and avid outdoorsman Many riders bring their own bikes, and ev- For the coming months, Randle is planning Spencer Randle saw an innovative opportunity to keep bikers enter- ery style is welcome, provided that it is rela- on building more expansive jump lines and tained year round by bringing them to the great indoors. tively clean and in good working order. For has already added an airbag to his reper- those new to the sport or looking for a more toire. Pedaling into the 6-foot takeoff was Randle’s vision has helped bring the idea and execution of indoor bike purpose-built machine, the park has various quite intimidating, but the experience was parks westward. There are several bike parks across the country, most bicycles for rent. “We were fortunate to get all time. Flying through the air and landing notably Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Ohio, which caters to cyclists Scott, Haro and Fox Racing in as sponsors,” in a giant pillow is exhilarating, and it gave during the winter months. What is unique is that Randle brought this idea says Randle. Dirt Jumpers are available in me the ability to try new tricks that I would to Utah and has a development plan that will eventually make it one of every size, and a full-day rate is only $14 never attempt on land. the larger indoor bike parks in the United States. There are only two for a brand-new Scott Voltage. BMX riders other parks west of the Mississippi, and they are located in Oregon and can check out the latest Haro models for It is no doubt that Randle is a man with a Washington. only $11 per day. Youth rates are $8 per vision and genuinely enjoys showing people day, and the park even has strider (pedal- a good time. He encourages riders to drop Realizing the opportunity to keep the wheels rolling all year has kept less) bikes for the youngest kids. Helmets in and provide feedback and ideas to keep Randle busy—he spent the last two years traveling around, gathering and pads are also available for rent and the park innovative and attractive. There will ideas and gaining sponsors. “Finding the right building for this project are included in the bike rental price. These even be opportunities to assist in building fu- has been the biggest challenge. There are a lot of codes to follow, and safety items are necessary, and I can attest ture features and painting murals as the park space is at a premium in Salt Lake City,” says Randle. The current home that they offer added confidence when try- grows. Current hours are Monday–Friday, 2 of Wasatch Indoor Bike Park is situated in the commercial district just ing new tricks. p.m. – 10 p.m.; and Saturday, 12 p.m. – 10 east of I-15 at 2400 South and 815 West. The space is a repurposed p.m. Keep up on changes, events and ex- warehouse that lends itself perfectly to this kind of business. It has easy Inside the park, there are a variety of fea- pansion at facebook.com/wasatchbikepark. tures for every type of rider to enjoy. The
Wasatch Indoor Bike Park features approximately 1,500 feet of rideable surface. Photos: Ben Melini
Owner Spencer Randle.
28 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 29 A SIGN OF HI-STYLE By James Orme • [email protected] Photo: Jim Herrington Photo: Jim Herrington
(L–R) Doug Corcoran, Jason Smay, JD McPherson, Hi Style Studio’s Jimmy Sutton and Raynier Jacildo play old-timey roots rock n’ roll in McPherson’s band.
Sometimes, it’s the simple ideas that find their way to the top. When a Chicago- owy influence on the record. “A lot of the attitudes we found in late ’70s, early ’80s based musician decided to turn his attic into a recording studio, he had no way of punk,” he says. “We didn’t want to appear to be trying so hard as to hit you over the knowing that from that studio, he’d record one of the most devastating roots rock head with influences like The Clash or the Ramones, but that stuff is in there too.” n’ roll records ever concocted. But that’s exactly what bass player Jimmy Sutton accomplished when he invited an Oklahoma boy named JD McPherson to record Recognizing that the record was going to be something different, Sutton heard the his debut solo record, Signs and Signifiers—after eight years of constructing Sutton’s proof that they’d caught lightning in a bottle. “We realized [it] right away, when we passion project (a home studio with vintage equipment). Not only did the record take listened to the tape,” he says. “At Hi-Style, we were recording straight to tape before off to heights that no one could fathom, Sutton’s Hi-Style Studios and record label we mixed it, but we listened to just the tape and we could hear just how much fun became a destination for anybody looking for the textured and steadfast sounds of was in it. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, this will sound good in the mix later.’ It was already vintage music. there. I was so eager for people to hear it, and, as an artist, you sometimes have reservations about that.” With his own projects in mind, Sutton’s home-studio aspirations started off small. Over time, they would grow into something else entirely. “At first I wasn’t thinking Sutton’s plan was only to shepherd McPherson’s record. He had produced, helped about a whole studio,” Sutton says. “I just wanted to get an old tape recorder and write songs and played bass, but it wasn’t until the record was completed that Sutton restore it nice, like an old Ampex, and get a couple of ribbon mics. A friend of mine’s decided that the work with this new partner would continue. “I knew myself, and the father gave me an old Berlan machine, which I restored, and it just took off from project had been really close to my heart,” he says. “So when JD said ‘Hey, as far as there. I would look at old photographs of studios where albums I’d loved had been I’m concerned, this is a two-man deal,’ I was happy to hear him say that. He’s some- recorded and studied them.” body who I respect, so I was happy to sign on. I was loving what we were creating.”
When Sutton’s relationship with McPherson began, their common ideas about music In attempting to follow up Signs and Signifiers, Sutton took a step back from his previ- made their ultimate collaboration inevitable. “I was contacted by JD about helping ous role, “I think it’s a continuation of the first record,” he says. “We, as a band, him get shows in Chicago,” says Sutton. “He sent me some links to find his band have a lot more confidence, and I think we have a lot of solid things to build on. We at the time, The Starkweather Boys, and I was pleasantly surprised. He was a didn’t go back to Hi-Style because we wanted to try to create a different sound. As really good guitar player and songsmith.” Sutton and McPherson’s exchanges con- a performer in the band, it was better this time if I didn’t produce this record, but I’m tinued, and they began to realize that they should be working together. “We were on proud of it, and looking forward to getting it out to people.” the same page philosophically when it came to roots music,” Sutton says. “He had hinted before at wanting to come and record with me, but when he started talking Although his duties to the JD McPherson band keep him busy, Sutton has still found about doing a solo project, I jumped at the chance, and told him I’d love to produce time to get into his studio. He’s working on a new record with The Bellfuries, and that and put that out on my label.” will be releasing it on his label, Hi-Style Records. He’s also producing the next Pokey LaFarge record in the Hi-Style studio. When it came to the approach of making the record, Sutton took inspiration from Howlin’ Wolf guitar player Hubert Sumlin, who advised him, “Don’t lie. When When the dust settles, and they turn out the lights at Hi-Style Studio at the end of the it comes to playing music, just don’t lie, and you’ll be alright.” Sutton says that’s day, I think that all that Sutton hopes for is to capture good art, and while that may be easier said then done. “When we started, we wanted to create a record that showed vague in its description, Sutton’s high standard is unwavering. Catch Jimmy Sutton all of our influences,” he says. “My thing was to combine all these great vintage and the rest of the JD McPherson band at The State Room on Nov. 10. rhythms that I heard in older music with JD’s songwriting.” Even punk had a shad- 30 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 31 Skatepark By Michael Sanchez [email protected]
Banzai Skatepark opened their doors around six months ago. The park shares space with the distribution facility of Jase Boards, a local longboarding company. Banzai is in the town of Lindon, Utah, which is about 45 minutes from Salt Lake. SLUG recently had the chance to speak with the general manager of Banzai, Grant McCarty, about some of the finer points of the park.
SLUG: Why the name Banzai? McCarty: Jase Boards is based out of North Shore, Hawaii, and their home park was named Banzai, which is across from the famous Banzai Pipeline. We wanted to pay homage to that park and keep a relaxed vibe to it. It’s just about having a laid-back atmosphere and having a good time.
SLUG: What made you decide to get into the business of managing a skate park? McCarty: I was originally hired just to build the park, but through conversations dur- ing construction, they let me know they needed a manager. Jase eventually shot me an
offer and the rest is history. Colton Photos: Weston
SLUG: Were there any challenges you had to go through in order to open the skate park? E.g. permits, paperwork, money. Brodie Penrod – Backside kickflip – Banzai Skatepark McCarty: We had to go through the planning commission and got all the necessary permits just to make sure everything is legit. We took about four months to build the park, and most of that time went to the construction of the bowl. It was just two of us his channel. After talking about it, he felt like it had potential and wanted to see what building the park with some random people helping here and there. he could make of it.
SLUG: How often does Banzai hold contests, or other functions? SLUG: How big is the skate scene in Utah County? McCarty: So far, we have held one concert and one contest. Fictionist played here McCarty: It’s actually surprising—you wouldn’t think there are as many good guys not too long ago. They also played [Provo’s] Rooftop Series with Neon Trees. here, but there have been plenty of them coming out of the woodwork and visiting the park. It’s a pretty good scene. SLUG: Which features in the park were you most hyped about when it was being constructed? SLUG: How much does a trip to Banzai cost? McCarty: For me, it was McCarty: It costs 6 dollars for one day. It’s not session-based, so if you want, you the bowl. With indoor skate could grab a bite to eat and come back an hour later and still be able to skate. We parks, you need something also have three-, six- and 12-month passes available. to draw people. I felt that an all-wood bowl would cause SLUG: Are helmets required? people to want to come down, McCarty: Helmets are required for people under 18, and everyone who skates has and for the most part, that has to sign a waiver. been true. SLUG: What sets Banzai apart from other indoor skate parks? SLUG: How did you get in McCarty: A lot of it has to do with the vibe. I wanted to embrace the size and make contact with Devin Gra- it feel like a backyard session. We will get sessions where we have a bunch of guys ham for the “5001 Bal- standing around the bowl, slapping their boards on the deck and cheering for one guy loons!” video? ripping the bowl. Plenty of guys come and just watch their homies skate. McCarty: I’m actually long- time friends with him, so I just The park has features for all skill levels. If you aren’t comfortable with skating the bowl, called him up and presented Banzai features a mini-pipe, wall ride and a couple of rails. The park may not be as him with the idea. I knew it big as some of the other indoor parks, but the flow feels comfortable. Banzai wants to had to be a good enough con- hold events at least twice a month. If you are looking for a venue for your death reggae cept where it would work on band, Banzai might be the place for you!
Grant McCarty manages Lindon, Utah’s Banzai Skatepark, which he also had a hand in building!
32 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 33 rone is king. If you’ve been to a lible. “That’s where I see myself,” he says. show in the last three years, you’ve “In the gutter, looking up at God.” There’s no D undoubtedly heard it in some of un- divide there to navigate between these two REBEL derground music, from indie to industrial. It extremes—we are all in the same gutter. “The gets you in the solar plexus and holds you like divide has been navigated for me, and that’s a pinned insect. One place you may not ex- the whole crux of the message,” he says. We pect it is from a band more commonly known can rebel, but rebellion is just part of who we ROUSER for country-folk sounds and Christian themes. are as humans. The latest album by Denver’s Wovenhand, David Eugene Edwards of Refractory Obdurate, is full of both surprising This theme of rebellion runs through Refractory Obdurate—whose title means “rebellious, re- bellious.” Despite the home-spun cover art— a threadbare piece of patchwork that would seem to recall a simpler time—he says that it actually “is a representation of America”—a country born of rebellion—“a frayed, falling- apart quilt.” The theme of the album is that “the efforts of man, a rebellion, to better himself and the world around him is, for the most part, rebellion, and there’s this constant By Madelyn Boudreaux rebellion against rebellion.” What Edwards [email protected] and expected elements as another fascinating describes here is a perfect Hegelian dialec- chapter from singer/songwriter and visionary tic, but while we think we are escaping our David Eugene Edwards. past and becoming more enlightened, we re- ally aren’t. “There’s no rebellion from that— From the early days of the “Denver Sound,” there’s no escaping that.” which Edwards first inspired with his bands The Denver Gentlemen and, later, 16 But he’s a rebel in his own way, creating his Horsepower he’s always mixed in a num- own enigmatic sound. Edwards was self- ber of influences. Although he came from taught even as a child. “I’m just impatient,” he a strict Nazarene background where he says. “I didn’t want to rehearse. I didn’t want wasn’t allowed to experience popular cul- to practice. I just wanted to play,” he says, of ture, he found his way into music. Blending learning the piano, violin, drums and more. heavy sounds—from punk to metal—with “That’s still my attitude. I’ve just done that out country, bluegrass and folk music, Edwards of my own impatience and kind of created created something new, distinct from the my own sound.” Even the microphone he uses theatrical cowpunk of bands like Wall of is an enigma and not the usual equipment; a Voodoo, something altogether more or- $10 flea market purchase with no markings ganic and primitive. that is “completely falling apart,” he says. He’s not entirely sure what it is, but the sound Today, Colorado bands from DeVotchKa to it creates, “like you’re singing through the tele- Slim Cessna’s Auto Club perform dark, phone,” is a huge part of the warm, crackling quirky Americana, but Edwards remains the feeling of the music Edwards creates. master of the style, changing it up by add- ing elements of doom and black metal, the Edwards has a distinct style of performance— aforementioned drone and tinges of Native he usually plays seated, with his eyes closed, American music. Over the years, the band’s and often seems to be in a trance, commun- sound has gotten heavier, a reflection of Ed- ing with God, the music or the audience, or wards’ tastes—the newest album is on metal/ perhaps all three. These states can seem so hardcore label Deathwish, Inc. The band intense that I wonder how he can keep play- is well-received at metal festivals in Europe ing, or else, if it’s pure performance. “I have these days. If they wouldn’t seem to fit in to strike some sort of balance because I can there, well, “We’re just in the ether,” Edwards get really out there and just forget where I’m says. “The whole alternative country [and at, and that’s not good, so I have to rein it rock n’ roll] world, they never wanted us to in to a certain extent,” he says. The technical begin with, because of the things we’re sing- difficulty of his performance plays a role, too. ing about, but these people adopted us.” “I just end up paying attention to doing the song properly and not trying to impress any- Although his faith is often a subject—some- body by anything but the song itself. I meet times the only subject—of his interviews, Ed- the audience within the song. I can’t commu- wards is far from preachy and doesn’t care if nicate with the audience other than with the his audience is secular. For him, God simply song itself. The conversation is in the ether, is. “God presents Himself through people and and that’s where I expect people to have to through anything He’s created,” Edwards go to enjoy it.” says. “It doesn’t matter if someone is a be-
Photo: Courtesy of Deathwish Inc. liever or not. God moves and does what He Be sure to catch Wovenhand with Pontiak wants to do, and what He wants to do is on Nov. 22 at The Garage on Beck. Learn good.” For Edwards, whose song’s nar- more about the band and check out Re- rators often seem to be in the lowest fractory Obdurate at their official site, David Eugene Edwards will front places—self-aware sinners seeking wovenhandmosaic.com. Wovenhand singing through a mysterious God—we are all equally fal- rummage-sale microphone at The Garage on Beck on Nov. 22.
34 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 35 Glossary: Please be aware that there is no consensus on many of these identifiers, even within the trans* community, and that many can overlap.
Gender Identity: How a person internally identifies with their gender, not necessarily related to their outward appearance or sexual preference. Trans* or Transgender: An umbrella term for a person who does not identify with the gender assigned to them at birth. Recently, the suffix change r from “-gender” to an asterisk has been implemented to better incorporate a wider to l c a spectrum of identification and expression, By Megan Kennedy • [email protected] • Photos: Russel Daniels e b and to decentralize “gender” as a point of p y importance. Terms such as “transsexual,” S o ng R “transvestite,” “tranny” and “cross-dresser” Aisli ian were interchangeable in earlier decades, Christ but are now considered to be outdated he last 10 months have seen a tsunami of victo- to live, a day relatively free from harassment—is a con- fluidity in how they do or have identified, meaning a and offensive. ries for the gay and lesbian community across stant struggle, but one they have accepted in exchange term may become less useful from one day or year The landscape is certainly opening up a bit, and it’s a relief for T the nation, as states fall like dominoes to the for living on their own terms. to the next. While some outsiders see this fluidity as these community members. Outspoken celebrity trans* folk like Female Assigned At Birth pressure of a more tolerant generation of Americans. an excuse to delegitimize the trans* experience, to actress Laverne Cox and model Carmen Carrera are (FAAB) / Male Assigned At This is no doubt a watershed moment, but there is Spector sees a specific thread tying together the dis- others, it is proof that the rigidity of gender expres- stepping up and boldly educating mainstream America another community that is still fighting an enormous crimination against not only the trans* community, but sion is a false front, a socially constructed system, in unprecedented ways, joining ranks with other trail- Birth (MAAB): uphill battle. Tolerance for the trans* community, an non-conforming cis people: “Trans women represent a which does not correctly account for the variations blazers such as frontwoman Laura Jean Grace of An acronym that refers to the socializing umbrella term for individuals who question, change really strong threat to patriarchy because they repre- of human experience. “For me, my gender is this punk band Against Me! and filmmaker Lana Wa- of gender at birth based on an indi- and otherwise fuck with the idea of binary gender, sent someone being given the chance at male privilege, nebulous, unformed thing that is whatever I decide it chowski, to de-stigmatize and even normalize the vidual’s genitalia, rather than their gender has not advanced at the same pace as it has for and then rejecting it, and therefore seemingly choosing is at the time,” says Spector. presence of trans* people in mainstream artistic cul- identity, which may not correspond with gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals. In recognition femininity,” she says. “It’s femininity and identification ture, a foundational step that is hopefully leading to a the normative assignments of female (va- of Transgender Awareness Month, SLUG spoke with with being female and relating to womanhood that’s The language isn’t reserved only for the trans* com- new and better path. The Internet has provided a veri- gina) and male (penis). four members of Salt Lake City’s trans* and gender- specifically the issue in a lot of ways.” The existence of munity, as anyone who has heard the term “cisgen- table stargate to once-isolated members of the com- queer community, who are in their early 20s, to find the trans* community in and of itself levels significant der” knows. It is a brilliant equalizing term that erases munity, as well as an unprecedented sphere of con- Agender: out about their experiences and extend knowledge damage to the artificial constructs of gender roles and, the straight, default mode of non-gender-questioning trol of identity. “I’ve liked computers a lot more since “Nebulous” identification with gender, through dialogue. while trans* people typically identify in infinite and people, putting qualifiers on their identity in much transitioning, ’cause all of a sudden, the outside world defined mostly by its fluidity and rejection unique ways with regard to gender expression, their the same way other marginalized groups have been got way more scary,” says DelPorto. “But [online], you of binary tags. The trans* community is often linked with the gay and willingness to bluntly kick down the walls of the status saddled with labels by the mainstream in order to sig- can put your best face forward that’s consistent. You can lesbian communities, but in reality, their struggles are quo offers a sense of freedom to cis and trans* people nify them as “Other.” “You run into really interesting be perceived exactly how you want to be perceived. Most Genderqueer: not quite parallel. Most significantly, the trans* com- alike. Adhering to paradigms of strict gender roles is a arguments when people get opposed to being called social networking includes some ability to talk about pronouns A person who does not identify with male munity is about internal gender identification, not sex- cause of many societal ills, and the trans* community cis,” says Karin. DelPorto reports people occasionally and identity, so people aren’t going to be basing things around or female genders. ual attraction—the two are unrelated. Trans* people demonstrates how rejecting that structure can make taking the term as a slur, but the point of it is not disre- getting a random look at you or noticing your beard shadow.” n Kari Non-binary: are also frequently confused with drag queens, but gender expression a liberating, individualizing expe- spect, but to rattle the status quo and point out the in- Spector’s Queer Cyborg Collective was built as a safe space for As opposed to “binary identification,” this is also a misidentification, as drag is a perfor- rience. Add in the weight of the unique experiences visible privilege that cisgendered people experience. community members who, per Spector, remain outsiders. “Even mance art, and trans* people who may also dress of many trans* people, and it quickly becomes obvi- within the weird outsider group [of the trans* community], we which recognizes male OR female exclu- “outside their gender” are instead expressing their ous how beneficial the trans* community really is for The hostility toward this community stems from a lack felt like we didn’t quite fit in,” she says. The group discusses sively, and conforms to the mainstream most authentic selves, not putting on a show. What proponents of gender and sexual equality. “I feel like, of open-mindedness, and from sociological pressure issues, ideology, vocabulary, philosophy, and exchanges gender roles thereof. these communities do have in common is their refusal for feminism, hearing from the experiences of a woman for all people—cis and trans*, straight and gay—to creative work, much of which serves as an outlet for the Trans Exclusive Radical to be tied to rigid social norms that dictate how they who was raised and socialized male and, throughout conform to rigid gender standards. And, until they first powerful emotions endured through transitioning. relate to themselves and others. education and whatnot, benefited from male privilege, meet a trans* person, most cis people have no reason Feminist (TERF): you’d imagine [feminists and allies would] acknowl- to question their binary system. For that cis person, The trans* community is a melting pot of intelligence, An aggressive segment of the feminist Christian Roybal is genderqueer/gender neutral edge experiences from someone able to grow up in correct word usage can seem irrelevant, but that is a experience, creativity and insight into the wide spec- movement characterized by transphobia and works for a left-wing organization supporting that situation,” says Karin. privileged position. “A trans woman will go through trum of human experience. We live in a time where and transmisogyny, claiming gender as various causes. Aisling Spector, who identifies as a lot of time and effort to look really feminine,” says feminism and other tolerance initiatives are gaining an oppressive system and thus attacking agender and femme, is a writer who runs an online Outsiders are inundated with a new language when DelPorto. “We take hormones and laser hair removal more ground and attention, of unprecedented commu- trans* people for their “focus” on gender, support community, the Queer Cyborg Collective, for encountering the trans* community. This cultural prac- that’s really fucking painful—there’s a lot involved. nication technologies—together, these advancements or claiming trans* women have no biolog- members of the trans* community, and is preparing tice can seem daunting, particularly the reclamation of So, when people don’t respect your pronouns, they are helping to chip away at the dry clay of traditional ical claim to feminism. Its most infamous to pursue writing school in Oregon. Karin is a trans pronouns. For example, Spector prefers the pronouns haven’t built a space in their head to think about, like, Western social structures. There may be no greater members have outed and attacked trans* woman/MAAB, who also considers herself asexual. “she/her/hers,” whereas Roybal prefers “they/theirs.” ‘Oh just ’cause that person was born a male doesn’t ally to this evolution than the trans* community, whose women, leading some to suicide. She is a model and sex worker. Madisyn DelPorto It’s a fascinating way that this disenfranchised culture mean that’s how I think of them.’ They never really members venture into uncharted territory every day. The to previously identified as genderqueer, but currently, has found to subvert power structures that can other- break down the walls to think that someone could be boundaries they continually expand offer a freedom for cis r Cisgender: she has embraced the identity of a trans woman. wise be impenetrable; they are literally building their another gender.” The best practice for those not in the and trans* alike, and challenge all to cast a truly universal net— Po Can also be used as “cisfemale/cismale”; She is an independent artist and works in the mental identity and their reality through language. This can know is to simply ask how an individual wishes to be one that recognizes only “human”—when we push for compas- el an equalizing term to distinguish people health field at the University of Utah. For all four of become tricky for both community members and out- identified, and keeping respect for the person behind sion and tolerance. Madisyn D who are heterosexual and identify with them, securing the necessities of life—a job, a place siders alike. Every one of the interviewees expressed the pronouns to craft their identity how they wish. their assigned gender.
36 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 37 PHOTO FEATURE noticed skating the double set out back. out, Friday nights are busy enough to not get other ideas. As it turns Friday night for some all-you-can-eat shrimp, Levi had particular While most people were heading down to the Red Lobster on this By Weston Colton • westoncolton.com
Levi Faust – Pop Shove It – SLC, Utah
38 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 39 Blue Boar Inn Left Fork Grill 1235 Warm Springs Rd., 68 W. 3900 S., SLC, Midway T. 801.266.4322 T. 888.650.1400 Holiday hours: Breakfast, Holiday hours: 6 a.m. - 11 a.m.; dinner, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. One of the best things about Thanksgiv- An excellent destination for diners ing is having pie for dessert, and Left Fork who want to be transported to another Grill has built a solid reputation as one world for dinner, The Blue Boar Inn’s of Utah’s premier pie destinations. Look hunting-lodge feel and top-notch menu for traditional favorites like pumpkin and are sure to create a unique experi- pecan, but don’t feel limited—they’ll ence. For residents of Salt Lake City, have a wide variety to choose from. it’s tough to beat a drive through the Before the dessert course, however, Left autumnal fireworks of the Wasatch Fork Grill will be serving Meatloaf, Bone- Mountains to some seriously gratifying in Ham Steak and Turkey with Stuffing. food as a well-spent Thanksgiving. Log Haven Faustina 6451 E. Millcreek Canyon 454 E. 300 S., SLC Rd., SLC T. 801.746.4441 T. 801.272.8255 Holiday hours: Holiday hours: 1 p.m. – 5:30 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. p.m. (reservations required) One of my more memorable Thanksgiv- Not only is Log Haven situated in one of ing experiences was spent at Faustina the most beautiful locations around, but with my wife. They offer a five-course they’ve been priding themselves on their meal that consists of traditional holiday cuisine for upward of 80 years. Diners at fare that has been prepared with a so- Log Haven can enjoy a four-course meal phisticated eye. It was just the right mix on Thanksgiving, and to get in touch of familiar flavors mixed with the great with the holiday’s rustic origins, I recom- atmosphere of a consistently impressive mend dining outside among the trees of Wasatch National Forest. restaurant. Their meal typically comes with an optional wine tasting, which is one of the restaurant’s trademarks.
Illustration: Chris Bodily Oasis Café 151 S. 500 E., SLC Franck’s T. 801.322.0404 Thanksgiving is synonymous with gathering friends and family for 6263 S. Holladay Blvd., Holiday hours: Holladay a glorious feast that inevitably becomes the motivation of New 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. T. 801.274.6264 Year’s resolutions nationwide. If you’re anything like me, you tend to postpone the consequent cleanup of said feast until you’re Diners at Oasis Café have been enjoying Holiday hours: shooing stray cats out of the kitchen with a broom. For those its Mediterranean cuisine for years, and 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. the menu offers several options for veg- looking to enjoy all the feasting without accumulating piles of etarians and vegans. They’re open for If you’re looking to get a bit spendy this dirty dishes, here are 10 local restaurants that have you covered. brunch this Thanksgiving, which could holiday season, Franck’s is well worth Seats fill up quickly, so be sure to make a reservation in advance. facilitate an early start on some Black it. Offering some of the finest French- Friday shopping. inspired cuisine in the state, Franck’s features several options for those seek- ing haute cuisine for Thanksgiving. Their tion is The Grand Brunch, which offers Tucano’s Meatloaf, which consists of braised a ramped-up turkey dinner, along with Ho Mei BBQ pulled pork, chicken and beef, has be- other dishes from all over the world. 3370 S. State St. Brazilian Grill come a comfort food legend at the res- Lastly, for those after a romantic dinner, T. 801.486.8800 162 S. 400 W., SLC taurant—and that’s just the beginning. The Grand America will also feature a T. 801.456.2550 Holiday hours: Prix Fixe Dinner in The Grand America 4801 N. University Ave., Ballroom. The menu includes dishes like 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Provo, 84604 The Garden Café Lobster Pot Pie and Slow-Roasted Prime Rib, with a dessert buffet to boot. If you’re in the mood for something less T. 801.224.4774 at The Grand traditional this year, Ho Mei BBQ is the Holiday hours: place to go. Boasting a huge menu of America Glitretind at Stein Chinese favorites—including a few items 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. 555 S. Main St., SLC that will daunt even the most adventur- For those who view Thanksgiving as an ex- T. 801.258.6807 Eriksen Lodge ous diners—Ho Mei is perfect for a large cuse to ingest as much meat as possible, 7700 Stein Way, Park City group seeking a unique culinary experi- Tucano’s is a perfect holiday destination. Holiday hours: 11 a.m. – 4 ence for the holidays. All of their food is T. 435.645.6455 As is the tradition with Brazilian grills, their p.m. (reservations required) served family-style, so my recommenda- churrasco dinner selection offers diners a Holiday hours: 11 a.m. – 7 tion is to try a little bit of everything— continuous supply of grilled delights. The The Grand America offers one of the and if you’re absolutely dying for some draw of Tucano’s on Thanksgiving is for cus- most sumptuous Thanksgiving dining op- p.m. (reservations required) poultry this year, their Roasted Duck is tomers to try familiar holiday entrées that tions in town. For those after a holiday The Glitretind offers a beautiful Thanks- more than enough to satisfy. have been prepared with some Brazilian breakfast, The Garden Café offers a fully giving buffet, and its location at the Stein flair. For example, their Bacon-Wrapped stocked breakfast buffet from 6:30 a.m. Eriksen Lodge at Deer Valley offers some Turkey and Sugar-Glazed Ham are great to 10 a.m. Perhaps the most popular op- spectacular Fall ambience. ways to mix tradition with diversity. 40 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 41 Beard Guys By Mike Brown Instagram: @Fagatron
t’s official: I’m now a beard guy. I realized this that sometimes, there’s not enough loot in the trust fund beard goes well with sandals and not knowing what a while I was at work the other day. Another man to afford a gym membership or a razor. This beard rent check or a 401K is. Let this one grow long enough I with a beard commented on my beard, then gave goes well with shitty haircuts, black-rimmed glasses, and it’s one step away from the next beard. me a compliment for it. I didn’t realize it until after the overly colorful, ironic tattoos and apathy. encounter, but he was expecting some sort of positive The Bum Beard: To me, this is the most honest and reciprocation about his beard. The whole thing just The Business Beard: This was an actual category at noble beard of them all. I seriously won’t believe that made me feel awkward—like, now me and that guy a beard competition I attended once. I’m not sure what you are really a homeless bum unless you have a rag- are in some sort of brotherhood together because we it really entails, since I’m a shitty businessman, other ing, filthy beard. I’m not saying that you can’t be home- are both too lazy to shave? than it’s gotta be well kept to keep Lumbergh off your less and clean-shaven, but getting some spare change ass. This beard is also popular with the evil super-villain out of me is much easier if I see that there are pigeons It just didn’t feel the same as when I was a kid and types and the asshole billionaires of the world. and rats shitting on your face. there weren’t very many skaters, and if you saw an- other kid on a skateboard, you were instantly kin. The “I Care too Much about My Beard” Beard: The Gimli: Named after my favorite guy in The Lord of That’s what this guy was going for. It got me thinking You know how annoying it is when people try too hard the Rings, The Gimli is the unicorn of beards. You don’t about what having a beard actually means these days. at anything? And you have to be like, “Dude, tone it see these too often, but these beards are real head- Beards seem to have different meanings throughout down a notch,” like your friend who is way too into his turners for men and women alike. Not just anyone can the course of history. For example, Brigham Young shitty band. It’s like that, but for beards. You wanna be pull off The Gimli, let alone grow one. They take years had a magnificent pussy pusher, as evidenced by his all, “Dude, you don’t need that much mustache wax in and years of not giving a shit, only to blossom into a many wives. Yet, the campus he’s named after won’t your beard—it looks like jizz.” This beard goes well pristine swan of facial majesticness. Mead and ale spill allow its students who are capable of sprouting a fine with top hats and World of Warcraft aficionados. lavishly upon this face drape. It’s bushy, long and firm, womb-broom the luxury of doing so. Oh well, not my and not too soft—the kind of beard you could take a problem—I dropped out of college a long time ago. The Weird Beard: You ever see a beard on a guy, nap in and sleep for days, as if you were hooked up to and it just looks weird? Like a guy with a tiny head an IV full of NyQuil and codeine. So, please allow me to break down the different types and a giant beard? I’ll put the goatee in this category of “beard guys” the best I can. There’s no scientific because those always have looked weird to me. Or, I’m sure that there are many other categories of beards method to back up any of this shit—just some stupid this can be the guy that braids his beard. Just give up and beard guys out there, like the Ultimate Flavor observations from yours truly, now that I have a beard already on ever getting laid again and dreadlock that Saver and the “I’m a Really Shitty Rap Art- and beard vision. shit—less maintenance and the same effect. ist” Chin Strap. As for myself, I consider mine the “I Gave Up on Life” Beard. Like, when someone The “Skinny Guy Compensating for Being The Hippie Beard, aka The Jesus: Speaking of asks me how long I’ve been growing my beard, I ei- Skinny by Having a Beard” Beard: This style putting dreadlocks where they don’t belong (personal- ther have to think back to the date of my last court seems to be particularly popular with those pesky hip- ly, I don’t think dreadlocks belong on any white person appearance, or I just stroke it and say, “I gave up on sters. I’m no Arnold Schwarzenegger, but I guess to begin with), the hippie beard speaks for itself. This life this long ago.”
BUISNESS Illustrations: Paul Frame HIPPIE JESUS
MIKE BROWN GIMLI BEARD MIKE BROWN WEIRD American paper-doll style, fold the tabs around his head. Cut outCut clean-shaven Mike Brown and all desired beards. In the true
We recommendWe the “Gave On Up Life” style make to Mike Brown complete. GAVE UP ON LIFE BUM SKINNY HIPSTER CARE TOO MUCH 42 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 43 By Mike Riedel a roasty mouthfeel with a medium to [email protected] light body.
As craft beer becomes an even more Vienna Style Märzen influential player in the eyes of the Brewery/Brand: state’s alcohol consumers, breweries Squatters Craft Beers are looking to set themselves apart to compete in a beer market in which ABV: 4.0% their percentages dwindle due to Serving Style: 12 oz bottle an increase of outside competition. Description: This lager pours a When Wasatch and Squatters (Utah’s clear, light-bronze color with a sturdy two original craft breweries) started foam cap. The nose has a nice hop producing beer in the late ’80s, spiciness with hints of sweet Munich there were only about 150 breweries grain. The taste starts biscuity with around the country—now that number lots of vanilla-esque malt flavors. rests in the neighborhood of 3,000. In an effort to keep their brands fresh Spicy and floral hops come next, bal- and innovative, Wasatch/Squatters ancing out the malt sweetness. The underwent a huge rebranding cam- finish is bready with a bit of linger- paign that not only changed their ing, earthy hops. It’s light in body but look on the shelves, but added new, smooth on the tongue. higher-alcohol interpretations of some Overall: The vanilla notes are a per- of their old standards while concoct- ing new, never-before-made recipes fect complement to autumn cuisine. for the expanding breweries. If you’ve frequented Squatters over the past Wee Peat Scottish 15 years, you’ve likely come across many of these award-winning, low- Ale alcohol beers. They now have new Brewery/Brand: life as original, true-to-style beers that Squatters Craft Beers will find themselves at home here in ABV: 5.6% Utah—or any city in North America. Serving Style: 12 oz bottle Description: This beer is molas- Black Forest ses in color with subtle smoke in the Schwarzbier nose with some rich toffee and raisin Brewery/Brand: notes. The taste starts out malty with Squatters Craft Beers a big roasted-grain flavor and some ABV: 6.0% toffee sweetness. Chocolate and cof- Serving Style: 12 oz bottle fee notes come next, rounding out the malt sweetness. Some minor smoky flavor brings up the rear. Overall: Don’t let the smoke scare you—it’s very subtle and comple- ments the maltiness like BBQ.
Bumper Crop Honey Ale Brewery/Brand: Squatters Craft Beers ABV: 5.5% Serving Style: 12 oz bottle Description: The Bumper Crop is pale yellow in color, with a nice, fizzy, white head. The nose is slightly malty, with some pungent lavender Description: This schwarzbier pours notes. The taste starts malty and a near-black color with a dense, tan- yeasty with lavender and lemon colored head. The nose is of roasted tartness. The end has a solid honey malt, ash and semi-sweet chocolate. sweetness. It finishes with an herbal The taste follows the aroma with nice, and flowery bitterness. roasted malt, followed by coffee and chocolate flavors with a slight metal- Overall: This beer relies on the lic dryness. The finish has a light malt lavender for its balance, which is bitterness. different than most hopped beers. Overall: It only looks heavy. It has Cheers! 44 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 45 You can fnd mid-century furniture and unique art on display at Mod a-go-go, such as this illustration by Rob France.
Work Up That Appetite less. “We don’t want the artwork on our walls,” says Morely. “We want it By Mariah Mann Mellus in people’s homes, being talked about, [email protected] forcing the artists to make more art.” For this show, expect new works from Lee- Poor November. Despite the presence sa Vellinga, Heather Ackley, Vita of a historically wonderful and glutton- Kobylkina, Dave Styer and hot ous dinner, this month typically doesn’t newcomer Bacee Bedard, to name a have much going on, which makes it a few. The show opens Nov. 21 and con- great month to get out and Gallery Stroll. tinues through the month of December. Easy on the wallet, this free event allows Since the Holiday Stroll takes place just you to explore the local art scene and two weeks later on Dec. 5 and 6, the connect with the community while perus- small works show will be joined by a ing local wares. This month’s stroll takes toy-themed show—just in time for the place on Friday, Nov. 21 from 6–9 p.m. holidays. For more information on these For an official list of participating galler- and any other upcoming events at Mod ies, visit gallerystroll.org, or, in my expert a-go-go, visit modagogo.com. opinion, here is where you should go. Gallery Stroll ends at 9 p.m.—bed- Mod a-go-go, located at 242 E. South time for Grandma, but for the rest of Temple, has been a go-to of mine for us, the party’s just getting started. Gallery Stroll since its opening in June My recommendation is to take your of 2013. Owners Eric Morely and crew to Utah’s largest, most elaborate Marcus Gibby’s discerning busi- Gallery Stroll after party, Beast, put ness skills and exquisite eye make their on by Sketch Cabaret and hosted home décor store and gallery a har- at the Metro Bar on 540 W. 200 S. monious and welcoming space for all. A locally grown organization with Using a group-show formula, the duo over 160 contributing artist members, hosts a myriad of talented local artists Sketch Cabaret is the brainchild of each month. Typically, the artists select artist, visionary and community orga- a theme that they are interested in, and nizer extraordinaire Veronica Lynn everyone creates their interpretation Harper. Harper believes in creating a of that theme. “We show everything space for everyone at the artistic table, from comic fan art to contemporary from visual artists and professional fig- abstracts,” says Morely. “This gives us urative models to performance artists, a broad customer base, which appeals musicians and DJs. The evening is fo- to artists.” Morely speculated that cused on a main cause or theme each about 90 percent of his artists return month—November’s theme is “Beast,” throughout the year to join in the group which “explores the qualities and pas- shows. This retention could be credited sions that drive you and awaken your to the stimulating themes or creative inner spirit,” explains Harper. The flexibility, but it doesn’t hurt that the event is 21+ and open to the public openings are more like swanky house with a minimal cover charge (discounts parties than formal gallery events. for students available). Visit Sketch Cabaret on Facebook for more infor- November is Mod a-go-go’s small mation on supporting, attending and works show—smaller in scale and more getting involved in this dynamic event. affordable, as all items are $250 or 46 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 47 Illustration: Steve Thueson
Dear Cop, SLC that could have recorded There’s been a lot of cop bashing lately the event. If it happened as de- and I used to think corrupt cops and scribed, the cops would no lon- excessive use of force was something ger be cops. Honestly, cops don’t that only happened in other places. go to work to beat down bums But the other day my friend witnessed or the homeless—that’s just more something horrific right in our own cop bashing. Cops have a job to city. Apparently, if you are taking a do, which does include dealing nap in the shade as a homeless person with street people who appear and the cops ask you to leave, while homeless but are just there to you are leaving peacefully, they can prey on you, your friends, your knock your bag of groceries out of your girlfriend (see recent letter about hands, tackle you so hard one of your a girl trying to navigate Down- shoes flies off, wrap their arms around town) or to sell drugs. The street your neck and slam your face into the people and dealers battle the pavement, and twist your legs into un- cops every day and night—be- naturally awkward positions, all while cause that’s what they do. They you aren’t resisting and haven’t been block crosswalks to give their visibly hostile for the entire altercation. pigeons more time to hit turning My friend filed a report with Salt Lake cars for money—they aggres- PD, who denied there were any stops or sively force money from passive, arrests in that area, and suggested that innocent folks, and drug dealers that uniforms who kicked this guys ass prey on the fragile. These are the were most likely federal officers. So my people the cops don’t mind going question is: in what possible situation is to work to deal with each day. it ok to beat on a random homeless guy, and what are we, as citizens, supposed The other option you didn’t con- to do when we witness these things, es- sider is private security. They’re pecially if we report them and the peo- uniformed and operate for orga- ple who are supposed to be keeping us nizations that don’t have policy safe deny that anything happened? and procedure that must be fol- lowed, and they generally have Concerned Citizen no problem cracking the heads of the homeless. Their actions Dear Concerned Citizen, were also most likely captured on a camera somewhere. That No, it wasn’t the Feds, unless always gets out. People don’t the perp was on federal prop- understand that the addition of erty—which has numerous rules body cameras onto cops is most- and such about loitering or tres- ly going to vindicate cops, not the passing because of terrorism is- other way around. It documents sues—and the random dude put the good work most street cops up a fight about leaving. That’s do, and if there’s a bad one out doubtful, but then again, I have there, it makes sure that he’s no no idea where this occurred. longer a cop. There’s also your phone, which you can use as a If it was SLCPD coppers—and surveillance tool! it happened as your friend de- –Cop scribed—they’re walking, talking surveillance platforms and the Have a question for the Cop? story would be corroborated by Email him at their cameras. Also, numerous [email protected] fixed surveillance cameras ex- ist, public and private, all over 48 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 49 Afro-Vegan: Farm- Ploughmen fresh African, Kim Zupan Henry Holt and Co. Caribbean and Street: 09.30 Southern Flavors With praise ranging from Larry Mc- Remixed Murty (Lonesome Dove) to William Kittredge (Hole in the Sky), Kim Zu- Bryant Terry pan’s Ploughmen stands strong among Ten Speed Press the herd of western novels. The story Street: 04.08 features the classic pairing of an old Activist/chef Bryant Terry’s latest cook- bad guy and a young sheriff whose book is impressive. Terry is at the fore- paths get crossed, establishing their front of the food justice movement, fo- relationship. The tale is presented in cusing on plant-based food that is not a deadpan voice, which helps when only good for you, but deliciously dif- it gets to the more grisly moments. The ferent than other vegan fare. Stories of bad guy, John Gload, has not come to building community accompany each his reputation by accident, and is the recipe, so the book makes for good catalyst behind some fairly disturbing reading. There are also suggested content. This is balanced in the story songs to listen to for each recipe. How by the nobility of the young sheriff, Val- cool is that?! Recipes include tradition- entine Millmaki, but the two eventually al ingredients of African food prepared learn to work with each other despite in a wholly different way. Afro-Vegan is their differences. For a debut novel, a must for the cookbook collector and Zupan displays a promising amount of even better if you actually make the control over the story and never lets it food. –Amanda Rock slide too far from its central plot. This keeps the pacing interesting and far One Way Out: The from boring. I recommend this to any- Inside History of one—especially fans of westerns. The only thing missing would be a campfire the Allman Brothers to read it by. –Benjamin Tilton Band Alan Paul The Woods Vol. 1: St. Martin’s Press The Arrow Street: 02.18 James Tynion IV & I’ve never been a big Allman Brothers Michael Dialynas fan—I blame it on my aunt playing them BOOM! Studios while I spent my summers as a young Street: 09.23 teen landscaping and gardening. The If you’ve ever wondered what the cast same goes for The Eagles. When I of The Breakfast Club would do if their picked up this book, I promised myself school was suddenly transported to a that I wouldn’t let that taint my experi- dimension filled with hostile creatures, ence. One Way Out is similar to most you might have landed on something modern rock history books—it’s an oral similar to The Woods. Though the prem- history stringed together by a handful of ise is engaging enough on its own, narrative paragraphs. The book starts it’s Tynion’s exploration of high school out prior to the band’s formation with politics that sets the story apart. Not the brothers growing up together, jam- only do we have a wily group of out- ming in various bands, separating and casts who overcome their social strati to subsequently reuniting to form a leg- focus on figuring out where they have endary band with a sound described ended up, but we also have an inter- as a mix of country, folk, jazz and esting perspective on the hierarchy that blues. This book encapsulates the beer- exists among the teachers. The result scummed croons of Duane Allman, is a decent mix of Lost and The Faculty, the jazz-centric drums of Jaimoe and with a dash of Lord of the Flies thrown Gregg Allman’s psychedelic-tinged in for good measure. Dilynas’s illustra- musicianship. While sometimes the tions are perfect for the frenetic envi- oral accounts get repetitive, it doesn’t ronment, and each new creature that take away from the intimate feelings the heroes encounter is more horrible rendered by reading their accounts. If than the last. Though a few character you’re a fan of Southern rock or want clichés bubble to the surface through- to know what it was like to be an inter- out the narrative, Tynion gives his main racial band from the South in the ’60s, characters enough room to demonstrate I suggest you pick this up. –Alex Cragun the complexity of the modern teenager. –Alex Springer 50 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 51 “You’re really becoming a pain in the neck. Get it? Oh, just “Darunia SMASH!” fall to the ground already!”
Fairy Fencer F a thin, silly plot—a crazy sorceress the game definitely capitalizes on the tion to make the game handle the fancy is obsessed with Link and owning his success of the aforementioned fran- combo magic while you button-mash. Compile Heart/NIS soul. The boss battles aren’t engaging, chises, it’s the enemy AI that makes This is not an easy game to master, but America but it’s not a Zelda adventure where the world of Mordor come to life. Tak- it feels a lot more fast and fluid this time Reviewed on: PS3 you think about stuff—just smashy- ing control of Talion the Dark Ranger, around. P4AU offers staggering com- (exclusive) smashy. The combat is basically button players will slice their way through plexity to those who seek it out and a mashing—sure there are combos, but plenty of orcish henchmen, but the fun, casual fighter for the rest of us. Street: 09.16 they’re not really worth knowing. The orc captains and warchiefs have been –Henry Glasheen In Fairy Fencer F, you go on a quest special moves, though, are beautiful, fully fleshed-out—complete with their to collect some very special weapons and there’s still something satisfying own witty taunts, strengths and weak- Professor Layton vs. known as furies. These furies are left and rhythmic about the combat. There nesses. These members of Mordor’s over from a glorious battle between a are also other modes that prolong upper management do evolve and Phoenix Wright: Ace vile god and a goddess and contain Hyrule’s life that are pretty cool—ad- get stronger by killing Talion, but also Attorney the life force of a fairy. You start off as venture, challenge and free mode. through their own power struggles and Level-5, Capcom/ Fang, who just wants to eat delicious Adventure mode is probably my fa- duels. Despite the graphics and game- food all day. In pursuit of that end, he vorite—the map you explore is 8-bit, play, which are all top notch, it’s the Nintendo pulls one of the mythical furies from its reminiscent of the first Zelda game. near-personal relationship that Talion Reviewed on: 3DS pedestal and meets the fairy inside, They’ve added ways to upgrade your develops with his orcish adversaries (exclusive) Eryn. She informs the lazy Fang that he weapons and your character by us- that make Shadow of Mordor a gaming Street: 08.29 is now a Fencer, and must collect the ing the materials dropped by your milestone. –Alex Springer furies scattered throughout the world. enemies. It didn’t seem to make that Professor Layton and his apprentice, The characters are odd: Fang is bru- much of a difference, though—I still Persona 4 Arena Luke Triton, are back for another tally honest about how he feels, and blew through the campaign without mystery, and this time, it manages to their interactions with each other are many upgrades. Give it some time to Ultimax snag Phoenix Wright and his spunky a fun read. The graphics aren’t any- go down in price—it’s not quite worth Arc System Works/ assistant, Maya Fey, into the intricate thing special, but they’re not horrible. $60. –Ashley Lippert web of magic and intrigue. It all starts There’s a lot of customization for your Atlus on the stereotypical dark and stormy characters—some affect your battle Middle-earth: Shadow Reviewed On: PS3 night—a young woman, Espella, is stats and others are just to look pretty. Also on: Xbox 360, Arcade running for her life from witches and The combat is turn-based, with a bunch of Mordor Street: 09.30 gets herself to Professor Layton’s door, of different options, including “Fair- Monolith/Warner asking for his help. Layton naturally Designed to appeal to a much broader offers his expertise, and things get ize”—combining the fairy’s power with audience than your average fighting your own to get a boost to your stats. Bros. Interactive weird, fast. The story then pulls in the Reviewed on: PS4 game, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax tries Ace Attorney team, and they fit with It all sounds silly, but it’s a JRPG, so valiantly to span the gap between the that comes with the territory. Combat Also on: Xbox One, PS3, the Layton duo well. The trials are an 2D Fighter and RPG genres. Continu- interesting twist to the puzzle play and characters considered, it’s a game Xbox 360, PC ing where Persona 4 Arena left off in that the Layton folks are used to. You worth checking out. –Ashley Lippert Street: 09.30 2012, this updated version adds eight switch between Layton gameplay, In my experience with past LOTR new characters, a new “shadow type” full of exploring and puzzles, and Hyrule Warriors games, it’s painfully obvious that the option for more hardcore players and Wright gameplay, consisting of one Omega Force, developers simply cobbled together a a few general improvements to the complete trial. It has the same decent hack-slash job, pasted it with the title game’s back end—not too shabby, graphics as the other games, with the Team Ninja/Nintendo of a Tolkien book, and watched as even for the same $60 price tag. Fans same beautiful cut-scenes—there was Reviewed on: Wii U fantasy geeks with expendable cash of the Persona RPGs will still find these a parade with cherry blossom petals (exclusive) snatched it up. Monolith’s take on the games to be relatively faithful to the floating everywhere that was stun- Street: 09.26 world of Middle-earth feels more like source material—especially the story ning in 3D. The banter between the a gauntlet being thrown down, as if mode, which plays out similarly to the characters is well written, and I have The first thing that needs to be said it’s daring you to enjoy it for any rea- original games’ lengthy conversations. to say, it was awesome to see Layton about Hyrule Warriors is that it is NOT son other than the fact that it perfectly However, as a fighting game, it’s still and Wright do the “objection” pose the next Zelda adventure—it’s a Dynas- combines the fluid exploration of As- got the solid combo-centric style that together. They definitely played to ty Warriors game with a Zelda theme sassin’s Creed with the intuitive combat Arc System Works is rightly known for. both sets of fans, and it works out well. to it. The whole campaign isn’t very of the Batman: Arkham games. Though Even if you’re not the biggest fan of –Ashley Lippert long, only 10 hours or so, and there’s fighting games, you can select the op- 52 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 53 Brunton All Day High Capacity Power Supply brunton.com The All Day battery pack for the Go-Pro Hero 3+, made by Brunton, is an absolute powerhouse for all of your electronic needs. The All Day attaches easily to the back of your camera and provides nearly four times the power of a normal Go-Pro battery, as well as a 3-in-1 adapter to power a micro USB, lightning jack and 30-pin to USB. Basically, Apple and Windows smart phone users alike can keep their charge going, so you can easily upload your sick vids to all of your social media outlets in a flash. One thing to keep in mind with the All Day is that it is weatherproof but not waterproof. Some rain or mud will not affect the battery, but it is not made to be submerged or absolutely doused in water. The pack is most useful for long and intricate time lapses, all day skate sessions and extended battery life in the cold temperatures of the Wasatch. A handy and highly useful accessory for the Go Pro aficionado as well as a reliable power source, the All Day battery pack is a great buy at $49.99. Don’t get caught with another dead battery again! –Steve Goemaat
Recoil Automatic Cord Winder Combo Pack recoilwinders.com One of my biggest pet peeves is tangled cords. I turn into Rain Man if I see one—I have to untangle and coil it properly. Right out of the package, the Recoil spooled up three of my most used cords in seconds. This little gem was invented and perfected right in our backyard. That’s right—not only is the product useful as all hell, but it comes from Park City, Utah. Recoil is also another Kickstarter success story that raised $141,000 in 30 days from almost 3,000 backers. You simply fold your cord in half, slip the loop into the winder, pull downward, release, and the Recoil swiftly winds the cord up. You can score these lifesavers individually for about $10, or $28 for a combo pack of three. The combo pack is the way to go. It comes with each size of Recoil and a stand for them. Keep your headphones, iPad sync cord and phone cord ready for use. Your laptop cord is on its own, however. The large winder cannot handle my MacBook power cord completely. It tried, but the winder needs to be just a tad bigger. The Recoil has stylish color options—choose from white housing and colored winders or solid primary colors. In a perfect world, every electronic you buy would come with a Recoil. –Granato
54 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 55 Dracula Untold Filmage: The Story of McKenna) enlists the aid of an investi- project work. It may only be the begin- gative journalist named Cyrus (Randy ning of November, but unless there Universal Descendents/ALL Wayne). Cyrus strikes up a shaky are five superior performances within Director: Gary Shore FilmBuff alliance with Detective Weed (Sean the next two months, a nomination or In Theaters: 10.10 Directors: Matt Riggle, Astin)—who also executive-produced two may be on the horizon for Duvall. Deedle Lacour the film—in order to crack a case that –Jimmy Martin In Theaters: 09.30 delves deeply into the realm of Free- masonry. The film makes good use of The thing about Descendents that The Overnighters Utah’s wealth of film locations—most always appealed to me was that they Drafthouse Films notably shooting several scenes within played loud, fast, angry music, but Director: Jesse Moss Utah’s own Masonic Temple—while they were also really funny and occa- In Theaters: 10.10 Astin and Wayne maintain a reluctant- sionally wrote songs about how they ly chummy chemistry. The Freemason Due to the process of fracking in the liked girls who didn’t like them. So, for struggles a bit with pacing—I thought Bakken formation of Western North a nerd in high school, they were the the first half of the movie did a good Dakota, oil drilling has exploded and perfect band. Obviously, the band job of populating the board with po- garnered the attention of desperate (and their later incarnation, ALL) ap- tential killers and shedding an objec- men across the country who are seek- peal to a lot of people, leading to a tive light on the world of Freemasonry. ing work in an economy that is not string of reunion shows over the past The final third of the film felt rushed, offering much. In the small town of five years and Filmage, a documentary and was complete with the inclusion Williston, N.D., Pastor Jay Reinke chronicling the history of the band. of a deus ex machina that forged an of the Concordia Lutheran Church has Featuring interviews with every single uncomfortably convenient relationship opened the doors of his facility to new member of the band (minus original between Cyrus and the Freemasons. arrivals who have nowhere to sleep— guitarist Frank Navetta, who died –Alex Springer with the “Overnighters” program. in 2008), the real heart and soul of While this act of kindness appears to Filmage—and the band itself—is drum- be the product of his religion, he did so mer Bill Stevenson. He is the sole The Judge without the approval of his congrega- consistent member of the band and Warner Bros. After Vlad the Impaler (Luke Evans) tion or community, and not everyone is serves as the focal point of the narra- Director: David Dobkin decides to stop murdering thousands pleased with the results. Director Jes- tive as Milo goes to college, the band In Theaters: 10.10 for the Turks and start a life of family se Moss focuses his lens on a humble relocates from California to Colorado, and peace, he is confronted by their Hotshot Chicago defense attorney act of kindness that sparks hatred and and various singers come and go from leader, Mehmed (Dominic Cooper), Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.) debate within the city limits. Men who ALL. Later in the movie, Stevenson’s bat- and given an order to send 1,000 chil- must return home to his small-town In- have left their loved ones and live thou- tle with a brain tumor is detailed and dren from his kingdom to the Turkish diana home to bury his mother. During sands of miles away spill their hearts serves as the catalyst for Descendents army. Unwilling to give in and knowing his visit, his estranged and disappoint- out to Pastor Reinke and the audience, and ALL to reunite for their recent fes- the fate of his palace, Vlad seeks aid ed father, Judge Joseph Palmer (Rob- claiming to have nothing. While oil ty- tival gigs. Without Stevenson’s gentle, from a ferocious vampire, as one does, ert Duvall), gets into an automobile coons fly into town in their private jets farting giant of a personality, the movie and makes a deal to receive his pow- accident, killing another man. What and stay in cobblestoned mansions, wouldn’t be nearly as interesting—he’s ers for three days to fight off his enemy. the judge claims is an unfortunate thousands sleep on cots or in cars on However, if Vlad drinks the blood of one of the most engaging personalities event, the presiding prosecutor (Billy the church’s property. There is a bal- another human, he will remain a vam- in the many punk documentaries made Bob Thornton) calls first-degree mur- ance of charity and greed that Moss pire for all of eternity. Well, folks, the in recent years. It’s hard to recommend der, and Hank must rekindle his broken examines as men look for work and the name of the film is “Dracula Untold,” films like this to non-fans of the band in relationship with his father to salvage community seeks to pass laws to deem so it’s pretty obvious what Vlad’s future question, but for those who are already his legacy and life. The highlight of this it illegal to live in an RV for a certain holds. The movie suffers from prequel converted, Filmage is everything you’ll film is the acting. Watching Downey Jr. period of time. The tension escalates syndrome where nothing is suspense- want. –Ricky Vigil ful, and the entire production presents take the Tony Stark character into the when a reporter discovers that the pas- tor has had multiple sex offenders live situations where audiences already The Freemason courtroom is a thing of snarky beauty, know the outcome. SPOILER ALERT: but it’s Duvall who puts himself out in his house with his wife and children. The film concludes in modern times, Joseph James Films there, disregarding his age and deliv- It’s astonishing how quickly the tides which is exactly where I’d rather see Director: Sohrab Mirmont ering every trick in his portfolio. While can turn when speculations and alle- it begin. The action is the only piece Released: 12.07.13 the film does have a strong ensemble gations run amok in a tiny population, of entertainment, but is subdued with cast that includes Thornton, Vera especially without all the facts. Moss As one of the most decorated films poor camera angles and rapid edits, Farmiga and Vincent D’Onofrio, shows us the core of human beings, coming out of this year’s Salt Lake making it difficult to focus on anything this is where the unpleasantness of the both positive and negative. Sure, there Comic Con Film Festival, Sohrab Mir- of value. Universal Studios decided to film lies. With a running time of 141 can be a limit to one’s generosity, but mont’s The Freemason has been gain- make this production the launch pad minutes, the side stories, while cast where is the line drawn and for what ing some positive buzz in Utah’s indie for a Marvel-esque cinematic universe wonderfully and performed exquisitely, reason? –Jimmy Martin film community. The story follows a nar- that connects all their iconic classic are essentially unnecessary and drag rative that appears to be inspired by monsters (i.e. The Mummy, Wolfman, the primary tale off the beaten path. the novels of Dan Brown and Stieg Read more reviews at etc.), but much revamping (pun intend- With that said, the performers and ed) is required to make their endeavor Larsson. When a wealthy Freemason their performances are what make this nearly as successful. –Jimmy Martin is murdered, his daughter Rana (Alex slugmag.com 56 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 57 he’s great. When he’s not, I want to The Strange Boys with a potency that makes multiple WE huck it across the room. –Dan Vesper listens a pleasure with an approach- After listening to Blue Milk for the WE-E.T.’s VOL. II ing release as something to look second or third time, I can safely say Self-Released forward to. Starting with “Crooked Grass that Koala Temple gave me a tonic- Street: 09.26 Path,” looped samples and a ma- like restoration of fondness for local WE = Joey Bada$$ + Naysayer jestic voice lured me in immediately psych rock. They had the wit to open 1995 Raekwon Self-Released and continued to hook throughout with a song that pithily showcases Street: 06.17 the EP. While it’s likely that Pyper I don’t get to say this often enough their style’s shuffled deck of recip- Grass = Minus the Bear has been classically trained, the about local rap albums, especially rocates—noise and melody, jangle songs flow effortlessly through ones inspired by Dragon Ball Z, and crunch, bong rips and sober melodies that leave a chilling effect but this one is awesome. Piccolo’s grunts. The band waxes their frenetic with their simple beauty, avoiding world-class production takes a cue revivalist element in “King Ruby” and from RZA’s early lo-fi work and sound enough that it could easily ac- and I thoroughly recommend it. the rigidness of similar orchestral Atomic 45 “Raindrop,” right before they lock improves it with the crate-digging Benjamin Tilton works. Through only three songs, Wake Up Dead company a commercial for a brand – you into a K-hole with the Can-rem- prowess of J Dilla. For most of the of tough trucks. There is a glimmer of Pyper has earned a spot on my ra- Self-Released iniscent “Und Wir Stoppen.” They album, it’s difficult to know who’s uniqueness for a brief moment dur- dar as a local artist to look out for. Street: 06.13 Don’t Trust Anybody then reverse this formula for the lat- rapping because no feature art- ing “Deuses Wild.” A vocal harmo- –Brinley Froelich Atomic 45 = ter half of the record, ending every- ists are listed. But on songs like ny is noticeable in the beginning of The 5 Degrees of System of a Down + thing with the tranquil fanfare “Boy “Crusin’” and “Snakes,” I’m left with each verse that sounds like a group Separation of Stone.” Blue Milk’s quaint 10-track The Salt, The Sea, and Rise Against + Anthrax one thought: These Dine Krew of female back-up gospel singers Self-Released listing leaves me wanting more. If The Sun God motherfuckers have something few I hate to be such a typical punk rock Street: 07.08 accompanying the masculine trio. It that means I have to start compli- It’s All For You MCs in town possess—soul. My fan, but Atomic 45 are substantially makes for a riveting sound. The ad- Don’t Trust Anybody = menting black light posters and do Self-Released biggest quibble is the shortage of better when they pick up the tempo dition is all too brief, but that’s fine, Sick of It All + Speak Out + those semi-hugs dudes give that end Street: 08.30 memorable choruses, and they do and hit a little harder. “War Ma- considering CRH are plenty good at Warzone with a snap, I’ll at least heavily con- tend to emulate their idols more than chine” is a standout tune on Wake The Salt, The Sea, and The playing the traditional sound they Borders, religion, race, politics and sider it. –Gregory Gerulat they need to—at one point trying to Up Dead and comes at you decisive- Abraham Lincoln is quoted as Sun God = Zorch + prefer to boast. –Justin Gallegos money—according to these SLC rhyme “sarcophagus” in a question- ly while hitting all the right places. diverse, especially considering to- saying, “Whatever you are, be a And So I Watch You from hardcore icons, these are the five rea- able nod to Kanye. Luckily, their That’s not to say that they should lose day’s domain of local metal bands, good one,” and I think Grass fully live Little Barefoot Afar + early Bright Eyes Cub Country sons (degrees) why there is no unity shortcomings are easy to forgive the emotion they so proudly demon- most of which are boilerplate and up to President Lincoln’s advice. Not A Hundred Different People left on this planet. Through Greg with beats this righteous and a flow strate throughout the record—in fact, Repeat Until Death repurpose the same structures over necessarily because they are a good Self-Released Lefler’s punk-like vocals, Tyrone this tight. Most impressive, though, is I think it makes them unique when it’s Self-Released and over. However, the double- band—they are—but there is more Street: 09.12.13 Koury’s blast beats and a homage that they’ve proven that vital hip-hop juxtaposed with their more forceful Street: 08.18 edged sword with having too many to it than that. Listening to Naysayer, Little Barefoot = Stars + to hardcore legends like Sick of It All is possible in Utah. –Dan Vesper moments. I get the feeling that there Cub Country = Me Like Bees variables is coming off as a jack of it’s pretty obvious that these guys lis- Colour Revolt + Cracker + PT Walkley and Cause For Alarm, their sound all trades yet master of none. Even ten to, and would like to be, Minus are a lot of influences fighting for at- Little Barefoot are really cute. Their gives the illusion that the album was though this album is thoroughly the Bear. If you follow music criti- Zombie Cock tention in this group. While the band orchestral-indie-folk-rock thing works recorded in 1988. DTA rip apart so- good, I’m more interested to see cism long enough, you’ll more than Zombies Love Punk Rock works together, they are still figuring really well and probably plays well ciety’s inhumanity by attaching these where Dustbloom’s stylistic prefer- likely see bands get ripped apart for Self-Released out how to edit themselves to get to the twee sensibilities of late high 14 tracks to each of the five degrees. ences will head once the band fully sounding too much like some other Street: 05.29 where they want to be musically. school/early college hipster kids. The tracks that do so are “Red,” “We matures. –Gregory Gerulat popular acts—Muse sounding like Zombie Cock = Bad Religion “Take” is another standout track that That sounded like it’s probably sup- Want Blood” and Cause for Alarm’s Radiohead comes to mind—but I + Bracket + The Generators knows exactly what it wants to be, posed to be a dig on the band, but “United Races”—with lyrics like “Go don’t think that’s always fair. Grass and the melody play between cho- Frankie Smooches I swear it’s a compliment. A Hun- Let’s just get this out of the way—I to school, get a job, work like a dog. sound pretty much exactly like Minus rus and verse is very well-done. In All Honesty dred Different People is a compila- hate this band’s name. It gave a Go to church, pray to god. Cast the Bear, but that shouldn’t be count- –James Orme Glorious Records tion made of two albums, Part 1 & The minute-and-a-half instrumental pre-conceived notion that I was in your vote, support a war. We want ed against them. Naysayer is like Street: 11.01 Part 2, that were released in Janu- intro to It’s All For You possesses all for something inane and dense, but blood!” how can you not get caught the musical version of a fan fiction, Candy’s River House Frankie Smooches = ary and September of 2013 and the embryonic brilliance contained I couldn’t have been more wrong. up in wanting to watch the world and the source material is Menos el Radio-era LL Cool J – put together to make this sprawling in this whale of an album. It is some- Zombies Love Punk Rock is so good, Stolen in the Middle of the burn?! –Eric U. Norris Oso. Only unlike, say, 50 Shades Rick Rubin behemoth of an album. There are thing: tremolo-picked, overwrought I’d say it’s one of the best punk rock of Grey, they pull it off really well. Night quality tracks throughout the entire guitar sounds, unhinged drumming, releases to ever come out of Salt Midnight Records Remember “Summertime” by Will –Alex Gilvarry Dustbloom album, but I kind of wish Little Bare- tight bass line. This sounds like Pro- Lake. Horror punk that has enormous Street: 01.07 Smith? It’s aged better than you Relaxing afternoons have a com- Keeping the Black Dog at foot had followed Robyn’s lead vo’s answer to Sargent House’s sound with lush, juicy guitar tones is Candy’s River House = think it has. DJ Jazzy Jeff was/ panion with Cub Country’s newest Bay Koala Temple when she released the best tracks mathy pop. Unfortunately for us, played at breakneck speeds. The Lynyrd Skynyrd + ZZ Top is a brilliant beatmaker and Smith, album, Repeat Until Death. The polite from her Body Talk releases as one TSTS&TSG don’t know a good thing songs are playfully macabre, and I Self-Released even though he was the world’s Blue Milk country alt-rock softly wanders from full-length album. There isn’t much to when they’ve got it. When Dako- can’t tell you how much I appreciate Street: 07.08 safest MC, knew how to lay down Self-Released song to song only to break form with dislike about this album, but being ta Miller’s “raw” voice fills in for a horror punk band that isn’t a Mis- Dustbloom = a hook. In any case, that’s what Street: 05.12 searing guitar solos and an occa- more selective about which songs the cathartic racket that the group fits rip-off and, more importantly, The Dillinger Escape Plan + Frankie Smooches reminds me of— Koala Temple = sional heartfelt jam out. The cheeky made it onto the final product could makes as a unit of equally sweaty, a lead singer that’s not a Danzig Meshuggah Fresh Prince but without a decent DJ. Tame Impala + lyrics complement this sound, which have made for a more concise and yearning, achieving humans, it does impersonation. In fact, the lead and Dustbloom are a hodgepodge of There’s some good stuff here. “How generates a solid album that is a joy enjoyable listening experience. not serve the truly righteous noise backing vocals are some of the best pieces and tokens from all over To Make It” (feat. Remdizzle) is a to listen to. These Utah locals display –Alex Gilvarry achieved on and contained in the al- I’ve heard. There’s so much fun to be lighthearted, Motown-influenced af- proper musical confidence, and their metal’s map of subgenres. Sure, bum’s instrumental tracks. It certainly had on this record, and I can’t think fair that bounces along quite nicely. talent is heard in every track. Tracks they’re primarily punk-infused met- works in yelped addendums and of a better recent horror punk exam- Then there are tracks like “Treated Night Wings like “Amsterdam” and “You’re Never alcore, but they occasionally toss in place-holders, but as a vehicle, it is ple to hold up to show just how good Myself” (feat. Remdizzle), which Lonely When You Have A Plan” are a few prog-metal elements on “By- night wings too steeped in histrionics not usually this genre can be. –James Orme samples Booker T. & the M.G.’s’ catchy enough to earn the feel of stander,” a couple of blaring doom Self-Released associated with this ace-ly executed “Sunny” to the point of plagiarism pop, but the album as a whole sug- metal rhythms on “Vowelphabet” Street: 09.14 math-rock. Especially on “Wander- and comes off like it’s trying to gests much more mature themes. I and “Empty Deck,” with the vocal- Night Wings = Owen Pallett ing Wonder,” missteps included, this Are you in a local band? make fun of ’60s soul music—one suggest listening to it with your hand ist constantly trading off hardcore + Emily Wells is a document of beautiful potential. Send us your album, and screaming with quiet, Deftones- of the richest traditions in American This is true-blue, road-dog-fashion out the window driving nowhere Although this short release clocks –Ryan Hall styled compressed vocals on most music—so what the fuck, dude? we’ll review it in print: bar rock. It’s nothing progressive, in particular. Overall, Repeat Until out after around 20 minutes, solo- of the tracks. The advantage that Smooches’ strong personality is his [email protected] but they’ve certainly polished their Death is a highly satisfying album, ist Alyssa Pyper has it packed this album has is that it is incredibly greatest asset, and when he’s on, 58 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 59 Aidan Baker / term “hypnagogic pop.” Ferraro, a Ballou–produced, D-beat, metallic Caribou contemporary of Ariel Pink’s, once hardcore record, Baptists have writ- thisquietarmy described his music as, “pop in a pop ten it. I can’t help but feel that such a Our Love Hypnodrone Ensemble art kind of way.” This would typically short time between albums is partially Merge Consouling Sounds be a fine description for most of Ariel at fault. Playing more closely to genre Street: 10.07 Street: 09.15 Pink’s work, but none of it has ever expectation and dropping the elements Caribou = Hot Chip / Aidan Baker / been harder to pin down than pom that made pieces of their debut stand SBTRKT thisquietarmy = Caudal + pom. In fact, Ariel Pink almost has me out has neutered their potential, mak- Caribou has long been considered at Noveller + several bands on convinced that he’s the Brian Wilson ing an angry hardcore record that only the forefront of progressive synth mu- Rocket Recordings of our generation. I know that’s an warrants a shrug. Hopefully, Baptists sic, although his advances on this al- overstatement, but listen to the cartoon take more time before they release bum bear strong similarities to the work I recently became aware of thisqui- fantasia of “Plastic Raincoats In The number three. –Peter Fryer of his contemporaries. But, when your etarmy (Eric Quach) through Rever- Pig Parade,” or the animated surf rock peers (SBTRKT and Jai Paul) are at ies, a highly-recommended collabora- of “Nude Beach A Go-Go,” and you Bee vs. Moth the forefront of creating groundbreak- tive project with brilliant experimental just might be inspired to revisit Smile. ing electronic music, you can’t really guitarist Sarah Lipstate/Noveller, Shelter in Place This is easily one of the most fascinat- Aggraveire Music go wrong. Our Love consists of me- whose album No Dreams is one of ing and entertaining releases of 2014. ticulously crafted love songs that are my favorites from last year. Reveries Street: 09.09 –Justin Gallegos Bee vs. Moth = The Thing far more accessible than the tracks had the beautifully spacious and hyp- Swim + The Ex (instrumentally) + on , Caribou’s 2010 release. notically explorative sounds heard Arrica Rose & the …’s These songs are more straightforward here, but not the heavy percussive Blues Control and confident without the chattering element—performed by three drum- WAVEFUNCTION rhythms of his previous work. By mixing mers—placing this music in a realm pOprOck records elements of dub and house, Caribou similar to that inhabited by bands such Street: 11.04 has created smoothed-out jams that as White Hills. I’d say “psych” if the Arrica Rose & the ...’s = hook me with their looped vocals and reference had much meaning left. This La Sera + Elysian Fields hypnotic vibes. The album’s title track has seductively wrapped me up in its record features one 42-minute journey Poppy, soulful, longing and safe is caress since I first played it, but it’s Our of a track, “Hypnodrone Ensemble,” what goes through my mind when I Love’s last two tracks that channel the mastered by James Plotkin, whose switch this album on. In vain, I keep space funk of Jai Paul and really high- name you are likely to see on many a waiting for that hook that will electrify credits list. I loved listening to this music my blood circulation, pumping through light the album. –Justin Gallegos and hope to see an LP release in the my veins and into my heart. Alas, I am near future. –T.H. left wanting. The exception to this rath- Cory Branan er dormant state of being comes from The No-Hit Wonder Ariel Pink the soul-like number, “Love You Like Bloodshot That.” However, it is clear this is not Street: 08.19 pom pom something to dance to. Rather, consid- 4AD er this wine-and-dine music. Break out I first listened to Shelter in Place on a Cory Branan = Street: 11.17 the cheese and chardonnay—please drive to Ogden and, while it served Justin Townes Earle + Lucero + Todd Snider Ariel Pink = John Maus / shock me with something else. as a decent soundtrack for that trip, James Ferraro –Nick Kuzmack It takes a unique blend of talent and ex- it took a few tracks before I actually perience to write the high-quality coun- Baptists became more than casually interested in what was happening. The musician- try-folk songs that seem to float and flow out of Cory Branan and his guitar. Bloodlines ship is impressive—I just haven’t been He’s been mostly known for his song- Southern Lord in the mood to listen to anything “jam- Street: 10.14 writing, but with this release, Branan is my” lately, which is how the first track Baptists = Converge + marrying his writing proficiency to the initially registered. There are some Disfear + All Pigs Must Die most accomplished record production surprising moments throughout, such of any of his releases. While there’s Baptists are back with their sophomore as when the band goes from smooth, not a big difference content-wise here, release, which follows their debut by dirty-detective-on-holiday with a dash everything seems brighter and more less than two years. The current album of skronk (“The Buffet of Knowledge”), textured. Branan gracefully glides cycle for bands seems to be acceler- to mid-tempo country swing, as in from folk to country—I do wish that he ated and can unfortunately cause oth- would lean a little harder toward coun- “Your Dime Ain’t Worth a Nickel (In the erwise solid bands to drop mediocre try, especially if songs like the honky Jukebox of my Heart).” “Machine Room albums. While not a genre buster, tonk “All the Rivers in Colorado” are Baptists’ 2013 debut Bushcraft was a Reverie” is led by a rather lovely violin. the result, but even the folkier tunes blazing slab of D-beat hardcore that “Prints & Photographs” isn’t any kind of are captivating. Until now, Branan has Try to understand two things before had some ear-grabbing drumming example of how the rest of Shelter in been a sort of kept secret in the alterna- trying to put your finger on who and guitar work. It’s unfortunate, then, Place sounds, but it has a vibraphone, tive country scene, but records like this and what Ariel Pink is: James Fer- that Bloodlines is so ordinary. If there is will ensure that that will no longer be raro—particularly his Night Dolls and that’s nice. –T.H. such a thing as a by-the-numbers, Kurt the case. –James Orme With Hairspray album—and the 60 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 61 Deejay Deer as there was a lot to listen to, but the from Rammstein guitarist Richard This record requires constant repeti- first track, “Ghost Town,” had too many Kruspe, released in 2007. I enjoyed tion, as this is quite simply one of the Natur sounds that didn’t match up with one the record—it was catchy and had a most brilliant albums to blast through Numbers beat and made the track sound awk- Rammstein bite to it, except it was sung my sound system to date. This one is Street: 10.06 ward. The intro sounded like a shitty re- in English. Being just a bit too similar smooth and fast, so pay attention. Deejay Deer = (Jamie xx + mix of the Rugrats theme song—to add was also a bit of a flaw for the album, This will make your heart bleed, knock Pearson Sound) / to that, the song transitioned halfway however. With Rammstein on hiatus, you down and electrify the inspiration Joy Orbison through into a more ethereal electronic Kruspe has returned and offers a for some healthy, sporadic, volatile beat from its original heavy rap sound, True to its name, Natur is a natural and hugely dynamic album—not only sepa- jumping about. It blends 1970s punk making me wonder why the artist didn’t rating itself from its predecessor, but attitude found in ”Don’t Wanna Lose” fluid EP with a mysterious background. make this into two separate songs. The On this two-track release, Deejay Deer further separating from the Rammstein with the rocker-underdog spirit found highlight on the three-track album was style. The songs are still catchy, but on “New Kid.” There’s also a hint of emphasizes everything that is mysti- “Six Days (Machinedrum remix).” The they carry their own styles with them, glam—see “Everywhere.” This all-girl cal and holy about house music. It’s album is streaming at djshadow.com. with good heaps of different guitar trio gives you an essential dose of the minimal and almost pastoral, with soft –Julia Sachs vocals that drift throughout each of the styles from Kruspe. The record show- lethal concoction of rock n’ roll strych- cases some guest vocalists—Peach- nine to make life worthwhile. This was two tracks. Deejay Deer skillfully deliv- Dirty Beaches ers gentle builds, but ones that leave es, Jonathan Davis, Frank Delle made for listening with the volume dial an impact. The two tracks are not out- Stateless and the mighty Lemmy, who handles on your stereo pushing the limits of rageously different from one another, Zoo Music vocal duties on one of the album’s best what it can handle. Get it, put it on, but something really stands out to me Street: 11.04 tracks, “Rock City.” Silent So Long is a turn it up and tune in. –Nick Kuzmack in the “Unnatural” mix and marks it Dirty Beaches = damn-good modern rock offering for as my favorite. Maybe it’s the youthful Colin Stetson / Zomes any listener of any musical tastes. Foxygen use of synthesizers, or the killer percus- –Bryer Wharton ...And Star Power sion break or just the effortlessly cool, Jagjaguwar laid-back vibe. Whatever it is, it’s mas- Ensemble Economique Street: 10.14 sive—I’m hooked and I’ve got Natur Melt Into Nothing Foxygen = stuck on repeat. –Kamryn Feigel Denovali Records The Rolling Stones / MGMT Street: 06.27 When I began listening to Foxygen’s The Devin Townsend Ensemble Economique = debut album, I got a feeling of what Project Starving Weirdos + it might’ve been like to hear a band Z2 Slowdive + HTRK as free and powerful as The Kinks HevyDevy The second time I listened to Melt Into for the first time, which felt incredible. Street: 10.28 Nothing was during a very late drive Foxygen lost some of that original and The Devin Townsend Project through Emigration Canyon—full raw power on their second album, but = Ocean Machine + moon, few streetlights. It just happened it’s back in full effect on Star Power. Strapping Young Lad + to be what was in the CD player when This 24-track album could easily play Gojira I got into the car and turned out to be off as a tape of lost bedroom sessions quite fitting for that particular ride. from the ‘60s, but Foxygen is recording Stateless is the instrumental follow-up Devin Townsend has been busy. Z2, Dreamy, haze–ridden dronescapes them in our very day. By taking blues to Alex Zhang Hungtai’s impres- a double album, is the second double with vocals to match (when they ap- influences and sending them to the sive double LP last year, released as album from the metal-prog dude this pear), minimal guitar lines and simple, moon with psychedelic energy, many Dirty Beaches. It consists of four songs year. The first part of Z2 is a full-on mid-tempo drum patterns make up the of Star Powers’ songs are indicative of and spans 40 minutes with no drastic DTP album. The sound traverses a majority of the tracks—“Hey Baby” is early Stones-era rock n’ roll. Whether changes in mood, but with a lingering hefty amount of musical territory. It’s a good example. The press release they’re crafting flawless verse-chorus feeling of nothingness. Stateless takes loud at times, soft and ethereal oth- refers to this album as “Ensemble songs like “How Can You Really” or me to a place that is free of associations ers, and there’s a bigger emphasis on Economique’s most lucid seance to running wild with ideas on “Cosmic Vi- and obligations, and it’s free of them electronic elements. The DTP portion, date.” There is a haunting character brations,” Foxygen gives us reason to by law, not by way of ignorance or though, seems overshadowed by the to this music, but it’s more tonal and believe that, although they’ve already dissatisfaction. Terms like “drifter” and Ziltoid Part 2 disc—a continuation of a spectral, rather than something tense touched greatness, we’ve yet to hear “lost in translation” perfectly describe concept Devin came up with in 2007. or horrific. I’d go for another moonlit their best work. –Justin Gallegos Hungtai’s cinematic instrumental style. It’s centered around an evil, “sort of drive with a sense of quiet drama while Horn instruments resemble distant fog- good” alien, Ziltoid, who lusts after listening to Melt Into Nothing. –T.H. Goatwhore Z2 horns blowing through wet ocean air, Earth’s coffee. is a nice riff on ’50s- Constricting Rage of the era radio plays. The story is a blast, and synthesizers are used to the effect EX Hex and its music is nothing short of awe- that they don’t register as electronic Merciless inspiring. Heavy, epic, silly—it’s more sounds, but more like organic noise be- Rips Metal Blade than massive. Z2 is another fantastic ing passed through the wind. Stateless Merge Records Street: 07.08 package from Townsend. Fan or not, reflects the collective feeling of those Street: 10.07 Goatwhore = Soilent Green this achievement is some of the best mu- who don’t feel bound to any one place EX Hex = Suzi Quatro + + Skeletonwitch sic he’s created in the last few years. and seek the permanent freedom of a The Runaways + Giuda –Bryer Wharton place called nowhere. Get the album, Goatwhore have come back with yet and I’ll meet you there. –Justin Gallegos another album, breaking their previous DJ Shadow “every three years” pattern. This time around, they’ve tried out some new The Liquid Amber EP Emigrate tricks. While they’ve essentially stuck Liquid Amber Silent So Long to their thrashed-out, sludgy panache, Street: 08.12 they’ve added some bluesier thematic Spinefarm DJ Shadow = Flux Pavilion elements—check out “tBS.” Almost the + Caspa + Girl Talk – Street: 10.21 entire album is more sped-up than their pop music Emigrate = Nine Inch Nails previous works, with some blast beats + Rammstein + on “Unravelling Paradise,” invoking a Though his discography may be im- Stabbing Westward palpable, cognitive tempest of wrath. pressive, the latest EP release from Constricting Rage is the band’s most DJ Shadow was a bit disappointing. Being a Rammstein fanboy, I was versatile album thus far, and poetic The production quality was decent, excited to hear the first output 62 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 63 growls shine throughout its entirety. If jazz rock was only dumbed-down cov- Borrowing their name from an old Goatwhore continue on this path of ers played at your friend’s wedding Daniel Johnston tune, longtime flexibility, the simplicity of their music reception/corporate event, Mattson 2 friends Pat Mahoney (a founding won’t grow wearisome or played out. will make you seriously reconsider the member of LCD Soundsystem) and –LeAundra Jeffs endless possibilities between those two Dennis McNany (Jee Day), having worlds. –Ryan Hall previously collaborated on a great re- Groundislava mix of Battles/Gary Numan’s “My Frozen Throne Meatbodies Machines,” present their eponymous debut. With McNany taking most of WeDidIt Self-Titled the music credit and Mahoney the Street: 09.23 In The Red lyrics, the pair’s initial offerings (staid Street: 10.14 Groundislava = Shlohmo + debut “Down South,” followed by the Jerome LOL Meatbodies = Ty Segall + more accessible “Monotronic”) are a Nobunny tad underwhelming. Fortunately, the Let’s get the obvious out of the way: first “proper” album single, “In Infan- shallow water since they reunited in the Chad Ubovich, auteur of the solo- cy,” possesses an arresting beat and early 2000s. Maybe Inked in Blood will project-turned-band Meatbodies, is filtered vocals. Speaking of which, Ma- stir up some new, fancy buzz, because the bassist in Ty Segall’s band Fuzz, honey has a passable, mostly pleasant it’s the best-sounding album that the and it shows. A lot. Most of the time, instrument (his voice), but at times, it band has released since they reunited. it sounds just like Fuzz or Segall’s solo borders on affecting a slightly blasé It’s also probably the most crisply pro- material. You should still buy it—even delivery, making the band sound—es- duced album. For Obituary, one of at its most derivative, this debut album pecially in the overcrowded electroni- the trademark qualities of the band is rips. “Mountain” and “Off” show the ca genre—generic. While “FATHERS” having a nasty guitar tone and some band’s own unique groove, and the and “The Who’s Who of Who Cares” blaaargh vocals. Those trademarks addition of screamin’-eagle ‘70s guitar are great, “Horizontalator” is woefully are not lost with the production sound, shredding in the classic garage-psych abrupt. The duo should have focused just made clearer. The ugly guitar tone “HIM” (and most other tracks) make on making a stellar EP rather than just a exists, but it’s complemented by more this record just different enough for so-so full length. –Dean O Hillis clarity in the guitar leads and solos. Meatbodies to stand out among their The clarity improves the experience of Groundislava’s latest release, Frozen Sabbath-worshipping psych contem- Never Sol listening to the record—I heard little Throne didn’t immediately grab my at- poraries. This isn’t that paisley-and- Under Quiet bits and sounds from the band that tention. It actually took several listens flowers shit—it’s the kind of psych you Denovali Records are new. That new sound improves the before it didn’t rub me the wrong way. headbang to. –Cody Kirkland Street: 05.30 whole quality of the new album ver- Originally, I felt that the sound was Never Sol = Fiona Apple – sus the past—where the band mostly a bit too cliché and juvenile, but, the MOA Cat Power + sounded like they were rehashing the more open I was, the more I came to Maverick classics. –Bryer Wharton like those aspects of the album. Take Ennio Morricone Wild Child Music “Feel The Heat,” for example: Its beat From a vocal stance, Czech singer/ Street: 09.23 OOIOO isn’t anything new or provocative, but songwriter Sára Vondrášková MOA = Big Gigantic + it’s uplifting in a way that gets your sounds like she could be Fiona Apple’s Gamel body moving. At times, I felt that the The Glitch Mob sister, if not her twin. With the same Thrill Jockey vocals were overpowering, and I wish Let me just start off by preaching the im- throaty vocal dynamics (not to men- Street: 07.01 that more of an emphasis had been portance of having an artist name that tion dramatic delivery) in play, the OOIOO = Boredoms + placed on the meat of the track. “A shows up easily in a Google search. difference between the two is that Animal Collective + Enon Way Out” (featuring Rare Times) was “Did you mean: BYU Museum of Art?” Vondrášková’s music is completely Japanese band OOIOO’s music gen- also decent and had some particularly You know, Google, I didn’t. Despite drenched in influence from the classical erally seems born of the holy union mellow vibes. It doesn’t rank in my top that, the debut album released by world where she was schooled. There of twitchy ADHD indie punk, 30 floor for 2014, but this album has a few contemporary jazz saxophone player are flourishes of electronica here and toms and a whole lot of cocaine—or tracks that are worth giving a listen. turned electronic producer (I hope this there on her impressive debut, which— something. However, for their latest –Kamryn Feigel is his MySpace bio) Max Wild deliv- after a digital release last fall—has offering, they have decided to go a ers personality and variety. In the first been remastered for its commercial different direction and incorporate The Mattson 2 few minutes of listening to this album, I CD/vinyl arrival outside of the Czech traditional Indonesian Gamelan music Agar wasn’t surprised to learn that the artist Republic with new artwork and bonus into their sound. The result is a some- Um Yeah Arts had a strong background in jazz, and tracks. Included in those is the acous- times fun and playful, sometimes ir- tic version of the striking “Hands.” Street: 09.16 the sound of the album was a refresh- ritating record that really pushes the ing twist on what most electronic pro- Equally impressive are “Lay Down,” The Mattson 2 = Popol Vuh limits of what is considered an indie- ducers are making these days. With and “Femme Fatale,” both of which + Niagara Falls + Dungen rock album. Rather than a collection of a good mix of traditional EDM drops, sound slightly foreboding. It isn’t until distinct songs, this record feels like a Jazz rock, amiright? The Mattson 2’s like in “My Name is MOA,” a little mix “The Dive” that a playfulness emerges. whacked-out sound collage of drums, latest album provides enough latitude, of chiptune in “Take Me Higher,” and Credit producer Jan P. Muchow’s bells, yelping and noisy guitars. Gamel enough shape-shifting musical identi- a little spritz of an Afro drum beat in background as a soundtrack composer feels less like something you enjoy and ties and go-for-the-throat thrill to snatch “Dance Tonight” (featuring Chiwoni- for influencing the more cinematic more like a curiosity to show your uni- the term back from the terribly stilted so), this album has something for just sound to these compositions. versity World Music 101 class. Maybe ghetto of quasi-jam/easy-listening about everyone to enjoy. Get this al- –Dean O Hillis I just don’t “get it,” but despite how fun bands for retired hippy dads and lo- bum. –Julia Sachs it probably was to make, this album cal band leaders who like to rip off Obituary isn’t very fun to listen to. –Alex Gilvarry their players. Comprising a drummer Museum Of Love Inked in Blood playing a mix of hard bop, decidedly Self-Titled Relapse The Pop Group Eastern rhythms and a guitarist with DFA Records Street: 10.28 We Are Time/Cabinet Of more pedals than a roving, pedestrian- Street: 10.14 Obituary = Asphyx + Death Curiosities powered bar, this duo moves effortless- Freaks R Us Museum Of Love = + Malevolent Creation ly from raga-inspired, quadruple-time Street: 10.21 burners to sliding, looping ambient Roxy Music – The legendary Tampa, Fla., ’90s-era The Pop Group = passages that turn on a dime. This is LCD Soundsystem death metal band Obituary seems like Gang of Four + The Fall – some inspired stuff. If you thought that they’ve been treading in a little bit of Joy Division 64 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 65 When punk rock first emerged in the “America” is playful, “Trouble’s La- late 1970s, it was largely a mish- ment” is pure bliss and, like “Wedding mash of roughly hewn noise by mis- Day,” boasts a blues-infused acoustic creants who couldn’t really play an groove. The message of the Cézanne- instrument, crossed with a struggle to inspired “16 Shades Of Blue” is ar- breathe new life into elemental rock restingly about female aging, which riffs. British Bands like The Fall, Gang comes up again to a lesser degree Of Four and The Pop Group added in the beautiful duet with her teenage artsy touches like leftist poetic rants, daughter Natasha Hawley called dance rhythms—which, at times, were “Promise.” The serious spying themes downright funky—and punched-up of the FBI and NSA are balanced with jazz-influenced guitar, but also more Amos’ ever-playful use of female char- experimental touches like atonalism. acters (I always love how she enunci- The Freaks R Us label re-released The ates her choices) on the whimsical “Giant’s Rolling Pin.” Ballads—always Pop Group’s 1980 studio set We Are lacerating wail. This aural bombard- fits. If there were ever a post-rock re- an Amos strength—make a big return Time and the rarities collection Cabinet ment is laid over drums and bass to cord that could be considered “pop,” here, especially “Weatherman,” “Oys- Of Curiosities. With their rambling bass complete this grind/noise beast. The it might be this one. However, there is ters,” “Selkie” and the gorgeous “Invis- lines, astringent guitars and acerbic vo- album, albeit briefer than brief, cov- no way that this could ever get played ible Boy.” –Dean O Hillis cals, they influenced a number of bands ers more territory than you would on the radio with how subtly it moves who also stretched the boundaries, like expect, with tracks like “Oils Of Your from one idea to the next. I usually lis- Minutemen and Bad Brains. They Eyes” playing out in the vein of Phar- ten to this genre for the big release, but Various Artists were one of the first bands to treat punk makon—an interesting detour from the Another Language never quite delivers Peru Bravo: Funk, Soul & rock like an art form, and these discs constant barrage of blast beats that are in the way Sigur Rós might, and I’m Psych From Peru’s Radical still sound as brilliant and daring now. the trade of the other 10 tracks. You’ll glad for it. These consistently changing –Stakerized! either get this album or you won’t. It’s songs might not necessarily be break- Decade noisy, difficult and could seem comical ing new ground, but the quality and Tiger’s Milk Records Punch if not for its sheer intensity. The only movement here is enough to keep me Street: 10.06 They Don’t Have to Believe complaint: The drumstick clicks at the coming back for more. –Alex Gilvarry Peru Bravo = Jimi Hendrix + Deathwish Inc. beginning of each track are distract- Los Shain’s + Steppenwolf + Street: 08.19 ing. A pause or some feedback would Tomorrows Tulips The Meters Punch = Vitamin X + be a better delineation between songs. When Peru Bravo is a perfect compilation What Happens Next? + –Peter Fryer Burger Records Suspect Street: 10.07 Sonny Vincent & Spite There could be no better name for this Tomorrows Tulips = band. Punch plays fastcore with amps Spiteful The Velvet Underground / pegged as high as they will go, and Ultramafic Records Nirvana Street: 11.17 singer Meghan O’Neil returns the When plays like a window into the hollow descriptor of throat-shredding Sonny Vincent & Spite = lifestyle of Tomorrows Tulips, which back to its original intent. This album is Barrence Whitfield & the is probably very similar to the bands lean and intense—apparently record- Savages + Testors they’re inspired by. TT’s principal mem- ed live straight to tape, which is the ide- Blasting out with an all-star cast con- bers, Alex Knost and Ford Arch- al way for something this visceral to be sisting of Sonny Vincent (Testors), bold, are professional surfers and captured. With feminism, the war on Rat Scabies (The Damned), Steve songwriters, which means that they women and rape culture in the national Mackay (The Stooges) and Glen live life through waves, beautiful bohe- dialogue, O’Neil’s enraged hardcore Matlock (Sex Pistols), Spiteful is mian women and guitars. Every track perspective is an essential part of the an album that can be described as on When is memorable, but there’s conversation. The refrain in “Worth being a bit rough around the edges. definitely a few standouts. “I Lay In More than Your Opinion” saying, Instrumentally, this has the making for My Bed” has the burned-out feel of a demonstrating the raw reflection of “Your unwanted opinion is worthless, something great, as it is fast, wild and record spinning endless vibes on the the beat, garage and rock n’ roll influ- but not harmless” is an impeccable hard—just as any punk album should beach while a sunset leaks light direct- ence from the United States and Great distillation of everything wrong with be. Unfortunately, while these legends ly on top of it. “Glued To You” is the Britain on South American culture. The the male gaze, and is sorely needed can still knock out a solid sound, lyri- fruition of “G-rated grunge,” which is a clear effect of western hegemony is in aggressive music. Musically, Punch cally, it’s less than inspiring and leaves term TT coined to describe their sound, beautifully reproduced through covers plays fast and hard with the expected much to be desired. If you see it on the and “Down Turned Self Pity” is an out- from classic tunes like Los Holy’s’ breakdowns and sing-a-longs. The al- shelf, don’t be too impulsive—there sider music classic. One must be ex- “Cissy Strut” (The Meters) and Jeriko’s bum can bleed together during its brief might be something else behind it. tremely true to their self to make music version of “Hey Joe” (Jimi Hendrix). 20 minutes, but that’s a minor gripe in –Nick Kuzmack that sounds this good. Simply put, this Unfortunately, the wonders produced contrast to how fierce it is. –Peter Fryer record is tapped in. –Justin Gallegos from Peru’s underground scene were This Will Destroy You short-lived, after another Junta led by Sissy Spacek Tori Amos General Juan Velasco Alvarado— Another Language who took power in 1967—truncated Lead Their Exit Suicide Squeeze Unrepentant Geraldines Dais Records Mercury Classics this burst of western-influenced cre- Street: 09.12 ativity. This collection of essential arti- Street: 09.24 Street: 05.09 This Will Destroy You = facts from the underground funk, soul Sissy Spacek = The Locust + Tori Amos = Mogwai + Tortoise and psych sound from Peru’s “radical Wolf Eyes + Pharmakon Rufus Wainwright + decade” is a must-own for any hip In a genre that’s not exactly known ‘70s-era Elton John weirdo out there. Now, go dig this. My iPod says this album clocks in at for its immediacy, Another Language –Nick Kuzmack five and a half minutes—for 11 tracks! takes its time. At the same time, with After successfully dabbling in a more Avant-garde noise grind is what you songs clocking in around the 4.5-min- traditional “classical” world for two al- get here, as opposed to the straight ute mark, these dudes get to the point bums, it only takes one listen to Amos’ noise of past releases. Sissy Spacek new song cycle—especially her de- much quicker than many of their more Read more reviews at have had some lineup changes for this famous contemporaries. That doesn’t liciously rousing title track—to know release with Sara Taylor of Youth really seem to make sense, but it totally she has returned to her indie-pop/rock slugmag.com Code taking over vocal duties with a musical roots. And what a welcome— 66 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 67 Bonanza Town - Hog Wallow AK1200, Johnny Law, Merryl Tera Melos - Murray Theater - Shred Shed Attila, Crown The Empire, Drew Holcomb & The & Juliette, Clearkut - Urban Paper Diamond - Park City Live Sallie Ford & The Sound Like Moths To Flames, Sworn Neighbors, Penny & Sparrow RDT: The Mitch Show Outside, Strong Words - Urban In - In The Venue - Kilby Wednesday, - Rose Wagner Lil Debbie, Caskey, GODZ, Porch Lights, Lara Ruggles November 19 Goliath, Beneath The Veil, Tuesday, November 25 Chi City, Swell Merchants, - Muse Music Trans Siberian Orchestra Cries of The Captive Happy Birthday, Ashley The AstroKnots, Pookiie Good Time Boys, - EnergySolutions - Shred Shed Lippert! - Loading Dock Vain and Valor, Wearing Thin Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Melissa Hughston Seizures, Curseworship, Apathy Cycle, Ulteriors, - Shred Shed The Christmas Attic - Silverschmidt Design Studio Fever Dreams - Shred Shed Flak Jackets - Shred Shed KIDS Jewelry - Mom Necklace - EnergySolutions Shook Twins, Zach Heckendorf Mimosa, Swindle - Urban The Manorlands Project, - Silverschmidt Design Studio The Chronicle Trio, Racecar - State Room Heartless Breakers - Urban Third Saturday for Families: Racecar, Aaron Vera, Showdown Fights Wednesday, Printmaking - UMFA Ricky Cisneros - Kilby - UCCU Events Center November 26 Wednesday, December 3 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. Ambiguity in Photography Modern Baseball, Knuckle Vance Joy, James Young Royal Bliss, American Hitmen, Bassjackers X Dyro - Depot Workshop - UMOCA Puck, Foxing, Crying, SoMoS - Urban October Rage, Otherwise, Stray From The Path, Friday, November 7 The Femme Medea, MiNX, Heaps N Heaps, Big Wild Dos Hombres - Metro NA-G, Date Night, MartyParty, DIRTFIRST, - Loading Dock Salt Lake Gallery Stroll Bobaflex - Depot Kublai Khan, Fit For A King GoldBoot, Static Waves Oh! Be Clever - Woodshed Wings, Streets Of Laredo, All Them Witches, Dwellers, King Darius - Velour Grimblee, Mr. Vandal, As We Speak - Metro - Various Galleries The Green, J Boog, Eli-Mac - In The Venue - ABG’s Strong Words - Urban Oxcross, The Well Hoodoo - Why Sound Gravytron - Urban Jewelry Making Class -Water The Brocks, Isaac Russell, - Park City Live Evening for Educators: Bartók’s Concerto for Saturday, November 8 The Coin In The Sea, - Shred Shed Bat Manors, Salazar, The Casting Chris Bennion, Quiet House Transforming the Everyday Orchestra - Abravanel Bartók’s Concerto for Grizzly Goat, Woodward Alejandro Escovedo & Peter Friday, November 14 Circulars, Diatom - Velour - Silverschmidt Design Studio - Velour Thursday, November 27 Object - UMFA The Rajasthani Gypsy Orchestra - Abravanel Avenue - Velour Buck - State Room Jack Pines, The 2:13s - ABG’s The Red Light Commandos, Todd Rundgren - State Room James Shepard - Why Sound Happy Thanksgiving! My Brightest Diamond, Caravan Tour, Juana Ghani, Hypernova Holocaust, Ching Vegan Thanksgiving Sohn, Wet - Urban Mahler’s Symphony No.2 Someonce - Why Sound Creativity in Focus Mark Chaney & The Garage Flash & Flare - Urban Triple Moon Tribe, Moon of Delirium, Towards Dinner - Abravanel - Monk with a Camera - UMFA Saturday, November 22 Allstars - Garage Mallory Trunnell - Velour Davina Tribal Belly Dancers Chaos - Bar Deluxe - Wasatch Presbyterian Church Wednesday, Uzala, Eagle Twin, Sunday, November 16 Mr. Gnome, Young Tongue, Happy Birthday, Jordan Young - Hog Wallow - Bar Deluxe DJ Linus, DJ Battleship Go For Broke, Truth Of Fiction, November 12 Making Fuck - Bar Deluxe Hemlock, Riksha, L.H.A.W. Big Wild Wings - Urban Robin Banks! Thursday, December 4 The Hot Club of Zion - Bar X - Brewskis Premiere Meltdown Hobbs Angel Of Death, Hot Club of Zion - Bar X - 5 Monkeys John Schultz - Velour Happy Birthday, Friday, November 28 Joe McQueen Quartet Irony Man - Brewskis Lights - Complex - Why Sound Oduim Totus, Curseworship Max Pain & The Groovies Head Injuries, The Hung Ups, Chris Bodily! The Maxies, Sturgeon - Garage Kim Schoenstadt Simple Treasures Holiday - Bar Deluxe - Brewskis Problem Daughter, Thursday, November 20 Dvorak’s Symphony No. 7 General, The Beam Me Up Lindsay Saunders, - BYU Museum of Art Boutique - Davis Fairgrounds Sunday, November 9 Yellowcard, Memphis May Loving Devotion: Visions of Moneypenny - Bar Deluxe 36 Crazyfists, Skinlab, Incite, - Abravanel Ska-Ts - Bar Deluxe Claire Grayson - Muse Music Ballet West: Giselle RJD2, Blueprint, Daedelus The Quick & Easy Boys, Green Fire, Emarosa - Complex Vishnu - BYU Museum of Art NOVA Chamber Music Series All Hail The Yeti, Exes Tupelo Moan, Folk Hogan The Hot Club of Zion - Bar X Michael Radford, Lindsey - Capitol Theatre - Depot River Blues - Bar Deluxe Josh Hoyer Shadow Boxers The Kin, Sophie & The Bom Presents: Beethoven Violin - Bar Deluxe - Bar Deluxe Marinade - Hog Wallow Saunders - Muse Music Mary Lambert, Jillette Johnson WRD: UMWRD Men’s WRD: UMWRD Men’s - Hog Wallow Boms - Complex Sonatas, Part III - Finch Lane Art 21 - BYU Museum of Art Sounds Like Teen Spirit Olde Worlde Erntadank- Sigma Nu Benefit Concert - Complex Tournament - Derby Tournament Melanie Martinez - Kilby Citizen Cope - Depot OBN III’s - Kilby Transgender Day of Remem- - Brewskis fest - Mestizo - Shred Shed Simple Treasures Holiday Depot - Derby Depot Veara, Second To Last, The Tony Holiday, Loren Walker Along Came A Spider, brance - First Baptist Church G-Eazy, E-40, Jay Ant Disngaged - Shred Shed Marinade, Boutique - Davis Fairgrounds Pure Prairie League Dan Buehner - Garage Last Gatsby, The Mailbox Madsen - Garage Solomon, Away At Lakeside, Flosstradamus - In The Venue - Complex KIDS Jewelry - Mom Necklace Six Feet In The Pine, Tony Paul Trainer, Quincy Weigert - Egyptian Theatre Lorin Walker Madsen, Sam Order, I Call Captain Saluting Our Heroes Dezecration, Vicious Souls The Soil & The Sun, Fox, The Alex Clare - Depot - Silverschmidt Design Studio Holiday & The Velvetones, - Downstairs Water Liars, Kiiing Tiger, Lee - Kilby - Loading Dock - Grand America - Metro Ars Nova, Archeopteryx- Kilby Hard Girls, Problem Daughter, Sturgill Simpson, Lucette Jordan Younge - Urban Pure Prairie League Dan Buehner - Garage Alexz Johnson, Jared & The Big Shiny Geek Show Pub Stonefed - Hog Wallow TTNG, Mylets, Emma Ruth Issues, I Killed The Prom Shivery Shakes - Diabolical - State Room Active Strand, Tri-Polar Bear, - Egyptian Theatre Back Wash - Hog Wallow Mill, Patrick Droney Quiz - Lucky 13 Night Terrors Of 1927 - Kilby Rundle, Great Interstate Queen, Ghost Town, Wovenhand, Pontiak - Garage Iceburn, La Verkin, Baby Gurl - Velour Wampire, Color Animal, Belly Dance & Burlesque - Loading Dock The Black Keys, Jake Bugg Dungeons & Comedy - Shred Shed Marmozets, Nightmares Twin Peaks, Criminal Hygiene, - Urban 90s Television - Garage Workshops with Lisa Zahiya The Changing Face of - Maverik Center - Muse Music Jel, Youth In Eyes, - Murray Theater Koala Temple - Kilby Park City’s Last Friday Gallery Friday, December 5 Marifed-Stoneaid - I Studio Feminism - Salt Lake Acting Co. SpyHop Presents: 801 ATB - Park City Live Scenic Byway - Urban Die Off, Storms, Star Grazer, Sea Swallowed Us Whole, Stroll - Various Galleries Pick up the new issue of - Hog Wallow Metal Mayhem, Of Ivy & Sessions - Shred Shed Mars-Venus - Rose Wagner Indian Warlord - Shred Shed We the Equinox, Amorous, Shake Shot - Woodshed SLUG - Anyplace cool! Mayday Parade, Tonight Ashes, Entomb The Wicked, Monday, November 10 Jewelry Making - Toggle Clasp The Bots, Archeoptryx Monday, November 17 JJ Grey, Marc Broussard, Ex Era - Muse Music Jack & Jill - ABG’s Alive, Major League, PVRIS Away At Lakeside, The Happy Birthday, Jon Necklace - Shred Shed First Aid Kit, Samantha Crain Anders Osborn, RDT: The Mitch Show; Surprise Saturday, November 29 Beethoven’s Ode to Joy - In The Venue Stigmata Massacre, Ossatura, Christiansen! - Silverschmidt Design Studio Mokie - State Room - Complex Luther Dickinson - State Room Packages - Rose Wagner Messiah Sing-In - Abravanel - Abravanel Zak Waters, Mimi Knowles Below Fiction, Soul Rot Lord Dying, Castle, New Narratives - UMFA SteelFist Fight Night 29 Dads, Tiny Moving Parts, Birthquake, Koala Temple, Unleash The Archers, Disforia, Fetish Ball - Area 51 The Hot Club of Zion - Bar X - Kilby - In The Venue Moon of Delirium, Towards Holy Ghost Tent Revival, - The Rail Choir Vandals - Kilby High Counsel, Stag Hare Sonic Prophecy, Berlin Breaks The Family Gallows CUT! Costume and the Drowning Pool, Like A Storm, Barcelona, Team*, As We Chaos - Bar Deluxe The Bully, Coyote Vision Buckcherry, Shamens Harvest, loveDANCEmore: Mudson - Urban - Shred Shed - Bar Deluxe Cinema - BYU Museum of Art A Breach Of Silence, Red Tide Speak - Kilby Hiromi: The Trio Project Group, Terracotta - Urban Perish Lane, Par For The Curse - Masonic Temple David Rythm, Natural Roots, Jewelry Making - Forging The Breakfast Klub - Brewskis Carrie Snow, Sandy Hackett Rising - Murray Theater The Nearly Deads, The Animal - Capitol Theatre Suit Up Soldier, Dreamcatcher - The Royal Biz Markie, Connection, Sione Toki & Makisi, Workshop Incredibly Strange Movie - Egyptian Theatre Baby Ghosts, Nora Dates, In Me, It Lives It Breathes, Black Veil Brides, Falling In - Velour SLUG Localized: Bronco, Better Taste Bureau, Kelly The Connection - Velour - Silverschmidt Design Studio Night - Brewvies Voodoo Glow Skulls Pop Warner - Muse Music Charlatan, Seven Second Reverse, Set It Off, Drama Super 78, Green River Packer, Leo Cody - Metro Orgone, Jelly Bread Son Of Ian - Hog Wallow - In The Venue Double Down - Outlaw Saloon Memory, The Berriers Club - Complex Thursday, November 13 Blues - Urban The Moms, Everything Ever Friday, November 21 - State Room Suicide Girls - Infinity Worlds Collide, Riksha, Alienate - Rose Wagner - Loading Dock Deltron 3030, Kid Koala Champagne Charlie, Sugar House Art Walk - Shred Shed Glimpse Trio, Temples - ABG’s Ambiguity in Photography Made In Movember L.H.A.W. - Liquid Joe’s The Stigmata Massacre, New Politics, Bad Suns, - Depot Folk Hogan, Hectic Hobo - Various Galleries David Bazan, Passenger String Dvorak’s Symphony No. 7 Workshop - UMOCA - Poplar Street Heartless Breakers, Charlatan, Element Nine, Delusions of Some Kind Of Wonderful Save Our Banksy - Bar Deluxe Mad Max & The Wild Ones, Quartet, David Dondero - Abravanel Jamestown Revival, Life In Color - Saltair Broken Silence, Godhood, Thalgara, You’ll Die - Murray Theater - Egyptian Theatre Gabriel Dawe Queenadilla, Jack Pines - State Room The Hot Club of Zion - Bar X Hollow Wood, The North Bastard Feast, Plague Widow Change To Fire, Mathew Knowing - Shred Shed Silver Fortune, Mercy Music, Allison Weiss, Jeff Dillon - BYU Museum of Art - Velour Run The Jewels, Ratking, Quinn Brown Band - Brewskis Valley - Urban - Shred Shed Lanier, Nick Johnson - Metro Poor Man’s Whiskey Secret Abilities, - Loading Dock Guest Writer’s Series: Horacio Driver Out - Why Sound Despot - Urban Flying Lotus, Thundercat Westward the Tide, Seve vs Flash & Flare, Gravy.Tron Intra-Venus & The Cosmonauts, - State Room Less Than Three - Muse Music Sleepwalker, The Goodnight, Castellanos Moya - Finch Lane - Complex Evan, Timmy The Teeth, - Urban Magda-Vega - Muse Music American Hitmen, Brother Emily Merrill - MusicGarage My New Mistress, Green River Talia Keys, Gemini Mind Saturday, November 15 Tuesday, November 18 Apolo Ohno Invitational Deadtooth - Velour A Year With Frog & Toad Grey, Murrietta, Double Down - Outlaw Saloon Blues, Said The Head - Metro - Hog Wallow Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 Yelawolf, Rittz, Big Henry, - EnergySolutions The Immodest Socks Sunday, November 30 - Salt Lake Acting Co. Citizen Hypocracy - The Royal Ring Around The Rose Bull Shark Attack The Wytches, Max Pain & The - Abravanel DJ Klever - Complex Utah Humane Society Charity - Why Sound Messiah Sing-In - Abravanel Old Port & The Religious Fluid Art - UMOCA - Rose Wagner - Salt Lake Acting Co. Groovies - Kilby Bedlam Follies: A Taste of the Dance Gavin Dance, Secrets, Exhibition - Evergreen Gallery Geek Show Movie Night Enforcers - Shred Shed DJ MADD, illom, Juliette, GWAR, Decapitated - Saltair A Distant Calm, Siddartha, Gaelic Storm - Kingsburry Exotic - Area 51 Alive Like Me, Defeat The Low Candy’s River House, Sunday, November 23 - Brewvies Desarae Lee Lowpass - Urban Lee Corey Oswald, No Sun, Tera Vega, The Perished, Scott Devine, Shannon The Cliterinas - Bar Deluxe November - In The Venue Highway Thieves - Garage Artifex Pereo, Breaux, - Silverschmidt Design Studio Provo Gallery Stroll Chalk, Problem Daughter Ten Plagues - Shred Shed Murray, Jarin Eastman, Metal Dogs - Brewskis The World Is a Beautiful Place Bad Feather - Hog Wallow Dustbloom - Metro Monday, December 1 Provo Gallery Stroll - Various Galleries - Shred Shed JD McPherson, The Cactus Branson Anderson FKF Boxing: Return Of The & I Am No Longer Afraid To The Ghost Inside, Every Time I Snot, He Is Legend, Anew - Various Galleries Ogden’s First Friday Art Stroll Brandon Santini, Blossoms - State Room - Muse Music Heat - Complex Die, The Hotelier, Rozwell Kid, Die, Architects, Hundredth, Monday, November 24 Revolution, Zombiecock Ogden’s First Friday Art Stroll - Various Galleries Tony Holiday, Roby Kap Grand Banks, The Echo Era Costaki Economopoulos, Posture & The Grizzly, Backtrack - In The Venue Watsky, Kyle, - In The Venue - Various Galleries VanLadyLove, RKDN, - State Room Tuesday, November 11 - Shred Shed Chick McGee, Drew Hastings, Nora Dates - Kilby Maer, Rich Girls, Beachmen Anderson.Paak - Complex Pageantry - Kilby Salt Lake Holiday Stroll Garret Williams - Velour Leggy Meggys Birthday Hive Mind: Horacio Heal Utah’s Eighth Annual Fall Tim Cavanagh - Depot Judas Priest, Steel Panther - Kilby Chrissie Hynde, The Rails Kurt Travis, Hotel Books, - Various Galleries Piranhas BC, The Rompstomp- Bash - Totems Castellanos Moya - Mestizo Party - State Room Improv Extravaganza - Maverik Center Ortega The Omega Xperience - Depot Tommy Boys - Shred Shed The Three Suns - Why Sound ers, Tainted Halos Family Art Saturday: Sun Prints The Bastard Suns, Folk Hogan, Dorothy, The Features, - Egyptian Theatre Gates, Pears - Shred Shed - Liquid Joe’s Sol Cat - Kilby Bombshell Academy, MiNX, - Why Sound - UMOCA Babylon, Tainted Halos, Chappo, Tristen - Urban Daniel Day Trio - Garage Yoga at the UMFA - UMFA Circa Survive, Title Fight, Edhoculi, Wounds of Valor Tuesday, December 2 Show Me Island - Woodshed 68 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 69 70 SaltLakeUnderGround