JULY 2015 • Volume 26 • Issue 319 • SLUGMAG.COM • ALWAYS FREE

SaltLakeUnderGround • Vol. 26 • Issue #319 • July 2015 • slugmag.com

Publisher: Eighteen Percent Gray Gilbert Cisneros, Gilbert Garcia, Jake Froelich, Bryer Wharton, Christian CONTRIBUTOR LIMELIGHT: Editor: Angela H. Brown Vivori, Jessica Bundy, John Barkiple, Schultz, Cody Kirkland, Dean O Hillis, Managing Editor: Johnny Cowan, Logan Sorenson, Eric U. Norris, Gavin Hoffman, Gavin Julia Sachs Alexander Ortega Martín Rivero, Matt Brunk, Matthew Sheehan, Henry Glasheen, James Senior Staff Writer, Copy Editor, Junior Editor: Christian Schultz Windsor, Megan Kennedy, Melissa Bennett, James Orme, Jimmy Martin, Digital Intern, Distro Office Coordinator: Cohn, Michael Lehmann, Michael John Ford, Jordan Deveraux, Julia Gavin Sheehan Portanda, Russel Daniels, Scott Sachs, Justin Gallegos, Kia McGinnis, Digital Content Coordinator: Frederick, Talyn Sherer, Lauren Ashley, Mariah Mann Mellus, Henry Glasheen Weston Colton Megan Kennedy, Mike Brown, Mike Fact Checker: Nic Smith Videographers: Andrew Riedel, Peter Fryer, Ricky Vigil, Ryan Copy Editing Team: Alex Cragun, Schummer, Brock Grossl, Lexie Floor, Hall, Scott Farley, Sean Zimmerman- Alexander Ortega, Allison Shephard, Perry Layne Decker-Tate, Ryan Dearth, Wall, Shawn Mayer, Stakerized!, Christian Schultz, Henry Glasheen, Slugger Steve Goemaat, Steve Richardson, John Ford, Jordan Deveraux, Julia Community Development Thomas Winkley Sachs, Kathy Zhou, Laikwan Waigwa- Executives/Advertising Sales: Monkeys with Computers: Stone, Maria Valenzuela, Mary E. John Ford: [email protected] Adam Fratto, Alex Coulombe, Duncan, Nic Smith, Nick Kuzmack, Angela H. Brown: [email protected] Alex Blackburn, Alex Cragun, Shawn Soward, Traci Grant SLUG HQ: 801.487.9221 Alex Gilvarry, Ali Shimkus, Andrea Editorial Intern: Kathy Zhou Action Sports Sponsorship Silva, Ashley Lippert, Ben Tilton, Digital Interns: Allyson Larcom, Development: Steve Goemaat Blake Leszczynski, Brian Udall, Julia Sachs joined the SLUG team in 2013, and Davis Pope, Dylan Evans, Events Coordinator: Carl Acheson, CJ Morgan, Connor since then, she’s lent her keen eye to SLUG’s Izzy Fernandez McKenna Gunderson Brady, Dan Vesper, Darcy Mimms, Copy Editing Team, delved into the ancient SLUG Content Consultants: Marketing Interns: Ben Juell, Davis Pope, Dylan Evans, Erin archives as a Digital Intern and penned her fair Jon Christiansen, Matt Hoenes Paige Emond Moore, Gregory Gerulat, Jamie share of features as a Senior Staff Writer. Check Cover Illustration: Mike Murdock Marketing Team: Alex Topolewski, Stott, Jeanine Carmichael, Jeremy out her piece on New World Presents (pg. Lead Graphic Designer: Ashley Kinser, Ben Juell, Carl Cardenas, Jesse Hawlish, Kamryn 36)! Sachs has profiled local electronic artists Acheson, Cassandra Loveless, Cassie Feigel, Kathy Zhou, Kendal Gillett, Joshua Joye like VCR-5 and Hel Audio founder Karl Jør- Anderson, Janie Greenberg, Jono Kenny Tadrzynski, Kristal Starr, Graphic Design Team: gensen, and she’s covered the BUKU Music + Martinez, Kolton Smith, Lindsay Clark, Kristyn Porter, Laurent Backman, Chad Pinckney, Nick Ketterer, Art Project for two years in a row. Legend has Paul Mason Paige Emond, Rachel Roller, Rosemary LeAundra Jeffs, Lizz Corrigan, Madi it that, on the first Friday of every month, you Ad Designers: Brad Barker, Saycich, Sabi Lowder, Skye Galley, Smith, Mame Wallace, Matt Brunk, can even catch her delivering SLUG Magazine Brighton Metz, Christian Broadbent, Zac Freeman Michael Sanchez, Nancy Perkins, “anyplace cool” in the west end of Sugarhouse Devin Wakefield, Dianna Totland, KJ Social Media Coordinator: Nate Housley, Nic Smith, Nick Moe Jackett, Maggie Zukowski, Nicholas Catie Weimer Kuzmack, Nicole Stephenson, Rachel alongside , her trusted pug advisor and co- Dowd, Nick Ketterer, Sumerset Bivens Distribution Manager: Jensen, Randy Dankievitch, RGB pilot. Whether we’re laughing at her sassy style Website Developer: Kate Colgan Eric Granato Robb, Rheanna Sonnichsen, Ryan or listening to her crazy Burning Man stories, we Illustrators: Brighton Metz, Distro: Andrea Silva, Daniel Michael Painter, Sara Bezdjian, Seeth at SLUG dig Sachs’ “vibey vibes.” Brooklyn Ottens, D. Bradford Alexander, Davis Pope, Eric Granato, McGavien, Some Cop Dude, Taylor Gambles, Eleora Nelson, Lenny Eric Norris, Jesse Hawlish, John Hoffman, Timo H., Trevor Hale, Trey ABOUT THE COVER: Mike Murdock Riccardi, Maggie Zukowski, Manuel Ford, Julia Sachs, Manuel Aguilar, Sanders, Tyson Call, Xkot Toxsik has been a longtime SLC skate- and art-culture Aguilar, Natalie Edwards, Paul Megan Kennedy, Michael Sanchez, SLUG Magazine’s Official mainstay. We at SLUG commissioned Murdock Podcast: SLUG Soundwaves Frame, Phil Cannon, Robin Banks, Nancy Burkhart, Nancy Perkins, Sam for one of his colorfully illustrated characters to Feinman, Tommy Dolph, Tony Bassett, Producer: Gavin Sheehan Ryan Perkins, Sean Hennefer, Steve lure readers in with its many arms. View more of Wesley Peterson, Xkot Toxsik Executive Producer: Thueson, Timm Paxton Murdock’s urban-style fine art at ultrasnazzy.com. Photographers: Andy Fitzgerrell, Senior Staff Writers: Angela H. Brown Alex Springer, Alexander Ortega, Associate Producers: Ben Melini, Bob Plumb, Chad DISCLAIMER: SLUG Magazine does not Allison Shephard, Amanda Rock, Ben Alexander Ortega, Christian Schultz, Kirkland, Chris Gariety, Chris Kiernan, necessarily maintain the same opinions as Trentelman, Brian Kubarycz, Brinley Henry Glasheen, John Ford those found in our content. Content is property youtube.com/user/SLUGMagazine of SLUG Magazine—please do not use without @SLUGMag written permission.

4 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 5 Larusso is a name that has been floating around the “The sound we emulate has become less and less is a certain charm to songs like “Set Phasers to Fun,” local scene for years, to the point where they have mainstream.” Condrat adds, “We like it that way, an acoustic piece that involves all of Larusso singing, become almost synonymous with Salt Lake City. Since though.” While they were once one of many alt-rock “Take a step back / I’ve got too much to say / check- their inception in 2004, Larusso have maintained a bands on the scene, their steadfastness in that genre ing off, checking out / far and away.” Larusso have lighthearted yet earnest pop punk sound, reminiscent has paid off, as there are not many bands left who a positive energy and catchy, infectious sound that is of Bleed American–era Jimmy Eat World. While are creating the sound that Larusso have perfected sure to have you singing along after the first listen. other similar bands have faded from the scene, Larus- and made their trademark. so have consistently maintained their sound. “We nev- Though Larusso are a well-known band in Salt Lake er really stop writing,” says vocalist/guitarist Aaron Being one of the longest-running and more locally re- City, there are no overblown egos for the band who Condrat, saying that the reason Larusso have been spected bands of Salt Lake, Larusso maintain a rather describes themselves as “the garage band next door.” going strong after such a long time is “refusing to give large, loyal fanbase. “What’s been cool is that we Sasich says, “We don’t take ourselves too seriously”— up, refusing to play it safe.” The band’s most recent haven’t seen a drop off in attendance to our shows,” for them, being a part of the Salt Lake local scene release, Life in Static, does just that, mixing upbeat says Sasich, “but as a genre, I think we’re one of very is about supporting all local music, and not just one melodies with fervidly profound lyrics, nostalgically few who still can do that here.” Condrat considers genre. Though they’ve shared stages with bigger acts recalling bands that reigned supreme on both pop this success as a testament to each member’s dedica- such as Neon Trees and The Almost in the past, and alt rock radio in the ’00s, such as Yellowcard tion to making music and to keep Larusso a priority: they’re more interested in playing shows simply to and The Ataris. “It’s taken me a long time to find the guys who I feel have fun rather than to accumulate a large audience. confident about … that are as invested in this as I One show they played in Olympia, Washington, still In what can only be described as a Dread Pirate am,” he says. “That only just fuels me more so that I’m sticks out to them. After all of the other bands bailed, (L–R) Chase Griffis (vocals), Tylor Black- Roberts–style takeover, Larusso are devoid of all of not letting them down.” Sasich describes the songwrit- Larusso was left to play a set with only one home- burn (bass), Bryan Lee (drums), Sean their founding members—Condrat joined the band ing process as “democratic,” saying, “For someone less person and one dog in the audience. However, soon after it started, as his brother was a member at who knows us really well, I think you can probably Jurewicz (guitar) and Matt Mascarenas the crowd quickly grew to about 30 people, most of the time, and kept the name going after most of the hear a little bit of each of us in [the album].” The col- them homeless: “They were all just rocking out to the (guitar) comprise Salt Lake’s post-hard- founding members left to pursue other interests. Gui- laborative process in which each musician has equal music—two of them sang Green Day with me,” says core heartthrobs, Heartless Breakers. tarist Nick Sasich joined shortly thereafter, teaming weight in how each song sounds has produced Life in Grundstrom. Condrat adds,“It was a powerful mo- up with Condrat for acoustic shows. Self-professed Static—one of Larusso’s best and most well-received ment for me personally. We didn’t make any money, “Larusso fan boy” and bassist Tyler “Fizzy” Gr- albums to date. but it’s one of the best memories I have of that tour.” undstrom followed with drummer/production wiz- ard Justin Trombetti joining as the most recent Life in Static is an album in which any of the songs Larusso are currently promoting Life in Static, which addition over two years ago, creating what Cond- could easily be played on the radio and no one can be found on larussorock.com. Their aim is to rat calls his “most solid lineup.” Through the many would ever suspect that the creators were locally keep touring and to reach out to local artists of all reincarnations of Larusso, the band has noticed a grown. Condrat’s voice is effortlessly melodic, and he genres—as Sasich says, “Give the local music scene HEARTLESS BREAKERS change in the local scene. “You see this movement sounds upbeat despite some of the more emotionally a chance … Go out and see shows and support lo- away from the alternative rock of the 2000s and that charged lyrics, while Trombetti’s crisp yet artfully pres- cal.” What better way to do that than to catch them pop punk sound, moving into that indie direc- ent drumming supports but does not overwhelm Con- at Urban Lounge on July 16! the opportunity to experiment with softer yet equally tively involved in other musical endeavors. tion or harder direction,” Grunderstrom says. drat’s vocals or the persistent guitar melodies. There intricate songs such as “Exit” and “An Aching Kind However, Heartless Breakers have Localized of Groaning”—these songs are just as quintessentially gained the most notice by signing onto Anaheim- By Ali Shimkus Heartless Breakers as their faster, head-bang inspiring based Animal-Style Records and earning a spot pieces. With the chance to experiment with different on this year’s Fest in Gainesville, Florida, alongside [email protected] styles for the full-length, there is plenty of space for bands such as Mewithoutyou and Defiance, Photos: Russel Daniels venting—“I’m the kind of guy who keeps stuff in, and Ohio, which will take place in late October. I’m glad I have some sort of outlet for it,” says Griffis. Additionally, their cinematic music video for “Car- This month’s Localized will feature the heavy-hitting, Having just returned from a tour promoting The Great bon Copy” is demanding a lot of attention. It starts poetic antics of Sights, followed by the addictive Give Back, the members of Heartless Breakers are with a rich, dark guitar melody and Griffis’ clean LARUSSO melodies of Larusso and Heartless Breakers dealing with readjusting to the Salt Lake scene from voice creeping in with “Young and starving / pock- headlining the show. If you miss the angsty days of life on the road. “I feel like we’re a lot more comfort- ets empty / abandoned on a doorstep / on a dark the mid ’00s when Brand New and Taking Back able out of town,” Mascarenas says. Playing shows Chicago street.” His voice is evocative and emotive, Sunday dominated the airwaves, you better be at within the tight-knit scene in Salt Lake is intimate, playing to the dynamic, almost brutal nature of Lee’s Urban Lounge on Thursday, July 16 at 9 p.m.—the but Heartless Breakers have found freedom in being drumming. The intricacy of the instrumentals is bal- show is free and sponsored by Uinta Brewing Co., somewhat anonymous while on the road. They have anced—Heartless Breakers have a good sense of KRCL 90.9 FM and Spilt Ink SLC. also found musical soulmates in Phoenix-based punk when to highlight Griffis’ lyrical sincerity with slow- band Sundressed. “I’ve never felt like I was going er, suspended moments and when to lay down the Heartless Breakers have erupted into the local through a breakup after a tour but leaving that band heavy instrumentals and turn up the intensity. Since post-hardcore scene with the release of their first was a very big bummer” says Blackburn, but with all the music video’s release, the band is garnering full-length album, The Great Give Back, in March. things considered, he adds, “I think the most standout comparisons to Thursday and At the Drive In, The product of founding members Chase Griffis moment of the tour was that it ended well.” which they are both flattered and annoyed by. “It’s a (vocals), Matt Mascarenas (guitar) and Bryan cool comparison—it’s what I grew up listening to and Lee (drums), Heartless Breakers have had a chang- Though it seems that the Heartless Breakers prefer tour- still listen to, but now it’s getting fucking annoying,” ing lineup of local musicians playing live shows and ing, they have definitely found their niche locally. “Salt Griffis says. While Heartless Breakers certainly hold traveling on tour, with friends Sean Jurewicz and Lake is so nice to us,” says Mascarenas, who played those bands as influences, they insist that they are Tylor Blackburn currently filling in on guitar and in New York–based Daytrader before moving back not trying to emulate any specific sound. “The idea is bass, respectively. to Salt Lake to form Heartless Breakers with Griffis and writing what came naturally, and it makes sense that Lee. “When we play here, it just feels like we’re hang- those bands are included, even though that wasn’t Though the creative process for Heartless Breakers is ing out with our friends” he says. The band prefers the goal,” says Blackburn. mostly collaborative, Griffis is the sole lyricist, refus- the intimacy of playing smaller local shows where ing to shy away from intensely personal lyrics and everyone is “drinking beers with friends,” to the for- There is something infectious about the raw hon- (L–R) Nick Sasich (guitar), Justin Trombet- belting them out with honest ferocity. Griffis explains mality of being on a stage in front of an established esty and frankness of Heartless Breakers. Though ti (drums), Tyler Grundstrom (bass) and that his lyricism, as well as his own personal experi- “audience.” The touring members of Heartless Break- they maintain that they are just a “rock band,” their Aaron Condrat (vocals, guitar) make up ence, have changed since the last EP: “I’m not bitch- ers (including Blackburn) have often been friends from exhilarating sound attests that they are capable of Utah’s pop punk mainstay, Larusso. ing about stuff as much as I did on our EP,” he says. different bands and projects along the Wasatch Front. putting on one hell of a show. Check out The Great “I’m more like, ‘What can I do to resolve this problem Even the founding members of Heartless Breakers Give Back on Heartless Breakers’ Bandcamp page, that I’m in?’” Because The Great Give Back is Heart- have a stake in different local projects—Griffis and heartlessbreakers.bandcamp.com and catch them less Breakers’ first full-length album, the band has had Lee were once part of The Lionelle and Lee is ac- live at Localized on July 16. 6 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 7 8 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 9 By Nick Kuzmack • [email protected]

July 5, Diabolical Records celebrates ON its second-year anniversary. Their existence in Salt Lake City has made a remark- able impact on the music scene—both as a re- cord shop and the hottest new all-ages music venue. Diabolical Records first opened its doors at Granary Row in 2013 and quickly attracted a following, and after Granary Row ceased op- erating for the winter, Diabolical Records moved to its current location at 238 S. Edison Street. There, Adam Tye and Alana Boscan began infecting the public with solid and infectious grooves. Photo: Gilbert Cisneros

Diabolical Records is located in the most visited alleyway in Salt Lake City. Inside, one can find a stellar collection of records, and at night, some brilliantly intimate gigs. The rapid growth in popularity of Diabolical Records as a venue has been striking. “I think it’s been a really good location for a lot of our customers that do reside Downtown,” says Boscan. “It’s really accessible—it’s really close to a bunch of other activities like bars and restaurants.”

On the record store side of things, Diabolical Records boasts an impressive display of re- (Center) Alana Boscan and Adam Tye run Diabolical Records as customers cords. It is a collection that has grown consider- Kamryn Feigel (L) and Brinley Froelich (R) peruse the vinyl selection. ably over the last two years. They have main- tained relationships with distributors like Red Eye and Forced Exposure, and when possible, Tye and Boscan book most of the shows, portunity for Salt Lake to show off the talent like to work directly through bands’ labels. Dia- which are prospective gigs that they per- that exists here,” says Boscan. “Everybody bolical Records carries all sorts of genres for all sonally like. Tye says, “It’s us that books the that played was from Salt Lake and have sorts of record enthusiasts. “It’s just a matter of shows, and we have certain people that we different bands. They were able to come up knowing our audience,” says Tye. “If it’s an El- know that if they come to us with a show, we’ll with these amazing sets in two weeks. They ton John record, we’re going to end up sitting help them set it up.” There is an ever-increas- were short sets, but they were really creative on that for a while. If it’s a Ty Segall record, ing network of bands who have an interest in and really unique … It just goes to show how it won’t make it out of the new arrival bin.” playing the shop. Diabolical Records acts like much talent we have here.” Diabolical also has an impressive local artists a sort of oasis for groups going through Salt rack, and according to Tye, Bat Manors’ and Lake who have not been able to get booked With loads of bands traveling through Salt Baby Ghosts’ records have sold pretty well. at venues like Kilby Court or who are not as Lake City on their way to festivals like Treefort He also points out that most local records sell to well known and fill a special niche. Bands Music Festival or Austin Psych Fest, Tye had an out-of-towners rather than to local Salt Lakers. will usually contact Tye and Boscan through idea: Take advantage of the increased band Facebook and email, or sometimes Tye will traffic through the state and hold a local festi- Pushing the record stacks aside at night and check touring bands’ schedules to see if they val. Thus, Diabolical Daze was born. “We ba- welcoming in Salt Lake’s diverse array of twist- have a gap that can be filled. Tye says, “I’ll sically just ripped off Treefort’s model because ing-and-shouting hip weirdo types, Diabolical hit them up, and just be like, ‘Hey, I see that Treefort started [realizing] that all these bands Records has hosted numerous gigs over the you’re coming through,’ and give them the were leaving Austin and going up to the last year and a half. These gigs are intimate whole pitch and try and set up a show.” To Northwest,” says Tye. “Now to get to Boise for experiences that put show-goers on the same support touring acts, Tye has emphasized a Treefort, all those bands have to come through level as the band they have come to see. Dia- minimum of a $5 donation. Salt Lake, so I’ve been cherry picking all those bolical Records has been a favorite for local bands that we like.” groups like Koala Temple, Swamp Ra- In addition to hosting gigs several nights a vens, Chalk and Foster Body—who will week, Diabolical Records has hosted a couple Diabolical Records attracts a wide variety of be producing a record on Diabolical’s label. of “festivals.” In December 2014, Tye and people looking for new and upcoming un- Apart from these revered Salt Lake darlings, Boscan set up Bandemonium by inviting in- derground local and touring acts. Once one Diabolical Records has also welcomed notable dividuals—many already in established goes to a few gigs, it is very easy to be swept touring acts through their doors, such as Mr. groups—to put their names in a hat to be in among the regulars who hang around the Elevator and the Brain Hotel, Shiv- randomly drawn and organized into one-off shop. So, dig Diabolical Records, as this shop ery Shakes, The Harms, Kepi Ghoulie, bands. Those participating then practiced for represents the changing face of Salt Lake’s Pookie & the Poodlez, Radioactivity, a couple weeks for the Bandemonium show Downtown—you won’t regret it. Los Cripis and Ex-Cult. on Dec. 26. “I think it was really a good op- 10 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 11 Photo: LmSorenson.net

GOD HATES ROBOTS Enters the SLC Gallery Landscape

By Kathy Zhou [email protected] Shon Taylor has birthed the God Hates Robots space into the SLC gallery landscape with business partner Ray GOD HATES ROBOTS Childs (not pictured). has been a mission in the making for 10 years. Officially open since mid-May, this local experimental art gallery is one of the newest additions to the Broadway Dis- large chalkboard, along with several T-shirts “We aren’t qualified to choose trict. Founded by business partners Shon and pint glasses that chorus, “BUY ART,” greet works for an exhibition,” says Taylor and Ray Childs, the art space sets incomers. On one end of the room are wide Childs, as their good friend, local artist itself apart with three core principles: All of windows; at the other are prints and zines, the Trent Call, curated The Inaugural Show. the artists must be local, no pieces can be gallery desk and a turntable. In between are “So, we’re working on defining a public-sub- over $400, and 80 percent of sales go di- the works on the walls and, within a nook, a missions and panel-review process that will rectly to the artists. Karate Champ arcade machine. provide a fair channel to offering exposure and tools to less-established artists.” The gallery is the third of Taylor and Childs’ Upon entering, the space immediately feels less impressive endeavors—they also run Bot- esoteric and more approachable than other gal- God Hates Robots’ efforts to uplift emerging tlerocket Manufacturing, a software develop- leries or museums might, but Taylor and Childs artists go hand-in-hand with its goal of cata- ment and technical-consulting company, and aren’t looking to respond to the current Salt Lake lyzing first-time art purchases. Both Taylor and 24tix, an online ticketing platform for Utah gallery landscape. Rather, they’re seeking to be- Childs maintain that a background or educa- events. God Hates Robots then presented an come a contributing player by exposing emerg- tion in art isn’t necessary when buying art— avenue for the pair to act on their apprecia- ing artists, facilitating bodies of work, boosting it’s all about what resonates with the viewer. tion for art—Childs references his “all geek artist profitability and encouraging first-time art “I saw this screenprint on wood, and I loved background,” and Taylor is a self-described purchases. Taylor and Childs’ two other enter- it,” says Taylor of one of his most memorable “art school dropout and armchair collector of prises lend God Hates Robots a different fiscal purchases. “I wanted to look at it over and art”—as well as a chance to interact directly dynamic compared to traditional gallery busi- over again—in different light, in different with the community. “It’s a hearkening back ness models. “A show doesn’t have to be so moods. I love the beautiful things that people to the community we were always part of much financially sound as it is compelling to create: how it comes together, what’s being growing up—going to shows, having friends our mission,” says Childs. “We leveraged what expressed, the confidence of the strokes, these with local businesses that they’ve started, the we already had to build this space, maintain a variant avenues for expression. It’s magical.” gamut,” says Childs. “We’re trying to come lower price point and cater to starting artists.” up with ideas to foster a similar community, Taylor and Childs’ personal commitments to and this is what it looks like.” The gallery name, God Hates Robots, is catchy, local art and culture help to cultivate a sense but it’s meant to be ambiguous and a bit tongue- of kinship and creativity at God Hates Robots. The original concept for God Hates Robots, in-cheek. Their forthright slogan, however, is “This connection to the community—and be- formulated a decade ago, was an online the opposite: “Buy art.” As Taylor says, “That’s ing able to facilitate a part of that community, analog of the gallery space. Taylor and what we want to have happen. It’s our goal to not just as a passive participant—is fulfilling,” Childs made stickers, created a website and get people to buy art. It’s a call to action.” It’s says Childs. That exposure and connection acquired a business license. There were a a praiseworthy ambition, and the gallery does extend well to the artists and gallery visitors, few obstacles, though: “We realized that art well in presenting a welcoming space and a di- too: to appreciate and encourage local art, involves a much more personal interaction gestible setup, all means by which to push the lo- to enjoy the physicality of the space, to be than what an online experience could offer,” cal arts scene to become more affordable, inclu- a part of Salt Lake City. “God Hates Robots says Taylor. When a feasible space opened sive and self-facilitating. “There’s a point where brings us such a tangible level of excitement,” up last December, however, the rest of the you want to start supporting your peers, to foster says Taylor. “We want this space, the shows, gallery fell into place, and Taylor and Childs that community and to foster the next generation to feel good to the people who come here, were able to set God Hates Robots’ direction of that community,” says Taylor. too. Buy art!” for the following few months. Looking forward, Taylor and Childs are further- To learn more about the gallery, exhibitions The gallery is intimate. Bottlerocket and ing their gallery’s emphasis on community-cen- and art purchases, sign up for the God Hates 24tix stickers lead visitors upstairs from the tric accessibility with monthly exhibition open- Robots’ mailing list at godhatesrobots.com. street-side entrance to God Hates Robots. A ings that line up with Salt Lake Gallery Stroll.

12 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 13 (L–R) City of Dis founders Conrad and Sam are certainly no phonies when it comes to Salt Lake City’s powerviolence, grindcore, D-beat and punk community.

CITY OF DIS JUST SAYS NO TO MUSIC

By Gavin Hoffman [email protected] Photo: Madi Smith

I’ve known Sam and Conrad for almost five years—well before they delved into the abyss of recording and releasing music (theirs and others’) the label and Sam and Conrad personally are trying certainly have a good time poking fun at celebrities via their somewhat understated label, City of Dis. to achieve, which is making and releasing as much while producing interesting stuff under each tag. As Sam explains, “‘City of Dis is a reference to noise as possible. They have worked with bands Dante’s Inferno ... and the fact that we like ‘Dis’ aside from their own in the past, but they haven’t According to both Sam and Conrad, they don’t re- music.” For the unfamiliar, “Dis” music is generally worked out for the best, according to the duo. “We ally “have anything” here in Salt Lake—no family, no D-beat, uptempo punk, often crossing over to metal, just decided that, since we were sitting on a bunch of friends, no future—your standard punk ethos. How- for which many credit the band Discharge with stupid ideas,” says Sam, “we should go ahead and ever, the two are quite serious about this. “Since we starting, hence the “Dis.” The label’s output is im- start a stupid label to release our stupid ideas on.” really don’t have anything here, in addition to the la- pressive, if for no other reason than the sheer vol- bel, all we do is start new projects and book shows ume of ideas these two end up releasing. From the “We started out just releasing stuff on the Internet,” for bands we want to see that generally wouldn’t stop beginning, Sam is adamant about the fact that the says Conrad, “but then we got a spool of CD-Rs and here,” says Sam—not that they experience huge turn- two did not want to start a label because, accord- released a bunch of stuff that way.” After the spool outs or garner new followers. “It’s a good feeling, ing to him, “It’s a giant pain in the ass. You gotta of CD-Rs disappeared, the two jumped to cassette you know?” says Sam. “We like releasing our stuff work on stuff, schedule stuff, put stuff together. ... releases. “We dub the cassettes one by one, by our- because we like to listen to our projects, and we like It’s pretty terrible.” selves,” says Sam, “and we do all the inlay cards up booking shows because the bands we get to come at Kinko’s ... They hate me.” here are bands we want to see, even if nobody else Before Sam and Conrad had even the first thought cares.” about starting a label, they started playing music, if The recording techniques are what have progressed “music” is really the correct term. “We just started the most, according to Sam. “The releases have start- Additionally, the two have made a decent amount of out playing fast and noisy,” says Conrad. “Sam ed to at least sound better over time,” he says, “even out-of-state contacts since they began the label and couldn’t even play a bass when we first started, but if the music still turns people off.” Not only do they started booking shows, but neither will cop to the la- it was all about playing as fast and making as much combine new-school release methods (the Internet) bel growing or attendance at shows being anything noise as we possibly could.” Both have progressed with old-school release formats (cassettes), but Sam more than minimal. In Utah, there is a noticeable, al- at playing music, and both are multi-instrumental- generally does all of the artwork; the two combine beit somewhat small, group of people who support ists, if one can refer to them in that manner, but input on layouts; and they limit the hell out of physical City of Dis, and it’s not uncommon to see a shirt of one they have remained true to playing stuff they want releases—not necessarily by choice, though. “Some- of the City of Dis–related bands floating around the to play—stuff they want to hear. times we just dub cassettes off for people that ask city on the back of a fan on any given day. for them,” says Conrad. Sam expands on Conrad’s Thus far, City of Dis has mainly released music from thought: “For the DRTGRBZ release, there are 22 At the end of the day, the two aren’t trying to be poster Sam and Conrad’s own projects, including Discoid copies,” he says. “I’d do more, but nobody has hit me children for the D.I.Y. ethic—they’re simply doing what A and Nelson Muntz, and they both seem to start up for them.” Their most grandiose goal is to release they want to do, how they want to do it. They don’t new projects almost daily. “We try to get as many a Nelson Muntz 7” at some point, and they have just make money, they don’t care about “scene status” or people involved with the label as possible,” says released a Nelson Muntz demo: not exactly the “Big who they know, and they don’t limit themselves in what Sam, “but nobody wants to be involved.” His rea- Time,” if you will. They’re also working on releasing they play, what they release or the bands they book. soning is that nobody really fits with what it is that a Demos cassette, compiling earlier releases from “We’re not doing anything else with our lives,” says bands such as Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel, Sam, “so we may as well make terrible noise, put out Oroku Saki and Jennifer Connelly—the two terrible stuff, and book terrible shows.”

14 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 15 The TASTE of SUMMER: JOHNNIEBEEFS By James Bennett • [email protected]

6913 S. 1300 E. Cottonwood Heights, Utah 801.352.0372 Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday: Closed

As long as I can remember, my summers have been punctuated by outdoor cookouts—and this has usually meant sausages and hotdogs. As such, I’ve got a soft spot for a well-prepared dog, even if it isn’t coming straight from the grill. Having heard great things about a Chicago dog restaurant in Cottonwood Heights, I figured that it was time to make a pilgrimage before I blinked and the summer had gotten away from me.

When I entered Johnniebeefs, I quickly understood that it would take several visits to properly sample their menu. The selection is vast. Most dogs are available in a regular or big size, and there’s also a good selection of sides and Chicago-inspired sandwiches. For my first round, I went with the Cubby Bear combo: a selection of two regular-size dogs from the list with fries or chips and a fountain drink for $10.19.

Since the place prides itself on its Chicago pedigree, the Chicago Dog ($4.49 Regular / $6.29 Big) was my choice for the first half of the combo. If they were going for authentic, they hit the nail right on the head. The Chicago Dog is the best I’ve had outside of the Windy City. Johnniebeefs uses a pure-beef Red Hot Chicago dog served on a pleasantly steamed poppyseed bun that they ship from Chicago. The toppings are exactly what you’d expect— yellow mustard, chopped onions, nuclear-green Johnniebeefs do their relish, cucumbers, tomatoes, tiny sport peppers, Chicago Dog right, with Sherer Photo: Talyn a pickle spear and a sprinkling of celery salt. Holy hell, this was a pleasurable mouthful, and fries and soda to match! it almost seems wrong to even call it a hot dog. The beef dog’s inherent richness was softened by the soft bread, and its flavor was magnified by the mound of awesome piled on top. The peppers added a little kick; the pickle spear and relish brought in the sweetness; and the onions My next choice, of the more-than-20 options on the menu board, was the Maxwell Street Polish made sure the memory of the meal remained ($6.59)—a polish sausage that was passed through the deep fryer and topped with yellow mustard, long after you’d finished. grilled onions and sport peppers. What a gem! Frying the sausage adds a crunch to the natural casing, causing it to snap as you bite into it. The sautéed onions and peppers are a mellow and sweet addition and I rounded out the Cubby Bear combo with a balance the spice and heaviness of the sausage. I also sampled a “Slaw Dog,” topped with homemade New Yorkie Dog ($4.49/$6.29) and a pile of coleslaw, mustard, onions and celery salt ($4.49/$6.29), which reminded me the most of the flavors of a French fries. Johnniebeefs also makes The New summer cookout. Yorkie with a pure-beef dog and a steamed poppyseed bun, but the toppings are turned If you’re not one to eat hot dogs, Johnniebeefs also does burgers and sandwiches. The star of their sandwich down a bit, limited to sauerkraut, mustard, menu would have to be the Italian Beef Sandwich (half – $5.19/full – $7.49). They make this one with thinly chopped onions, a pickle spear and celery salt. sliced, seasoned roast beef piled onto a French roll with sweet peppers, and either hot or mild giardiniera. If you’re a fan of sauerkraut and if the Chicago Depending on your love for au jus gravy, you can order it with just a little sauce or completely dipped in Dog seems a little intimidating to you, the New the gravy pot. If you forget to specify, they’ll make it extra wet and spicy. Good thing, too, because if you’re Yorkie is a good choice. The addition of the going to order the Italian Beef Sandwich, spicy and wet is the way you should do it. kraut adds a certain tanginess to the dog, and the absence of the sport peppers lowers the I am so glad that I found Johnniebeefs. The selection is immense and reasonably priced, the staff is cheerful spice level considerably, making the dog a and patient with the uninitiated, and the food is of the highest quality available for a 1950s-themed hot solid choice on its own or as part of a combo. dog joint. Sure, eating a Chicago dog overloaded with toppings can feel and look a little sloppy at first, but when you realize how good it tastes, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

16 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 17 By Bryer Wharton • [email protected]

rowing up and listening to folk music on my family’s long camp- G ing trips, I remember never getting bored because my imagination would be blown up by artists like Pete Seeger, Si- mon and Garfunkel and Peter, Paul and Mary. Now, Orlando, Florida’s Amigo the Devil weaves his brand of story- telling with his macabre and twisted tales from the cheesy funny to the brink of dark- ness. His recordings meld the banjo and acoustic guitar—one listen to a song, and it’s stuck in your head.

It was by luck or happenstance that Ami- go the Devil even exists. The man behind the project, Danny Kiranos, found him- self playing in a grindcore and hardcore band in a younger, different life. In an interview for SLUG, Kiranos talked about how, one day, he purchased a banjo be- cause it was cheap, and he found it funny. Photo: Karen Jerzyk He said it sat in his room for years, and one day, he decided to pick it up and start Amigo The messing around. Devil plays “When I started, I had no context of country macabre yet or folk or that genre at all,” he says. “I didn’t tongue-in- grow up with it—I wasn’t surrounded by it cheek folk at all ... It was after I realized that I liked the Amigo the Devil’s body of work consists of the venue didn’t know he was playing and songs with banjo that I started going back and being three EP releases: Manimals, Diggers and where only two people showed up, and his pipes like, ‘All right, what are the roots of this, and the newly released Decompositions. Each how he had the greatest time with those and a banjo. how can I actually learn to play this?’” has songs that range from tongue-in-cheek two people nonetheless. Amigo the Devil dark humor to the completely morbid—a was welcomed to the Southwest Terror He learned to write folk music through his fictional tale of Jeffrey Dahmer going Fest, which had him playing impromptu first song, “Perfect Wife,” which tells the to Hollywood to become a man/monster shows around the festival, including a set story of a husband removing body parts who eats children; a man hoping a woman in the men’s bathroom, which he packed from his spouse to make her a more per- he’s fond of wishes that her husband dies; to the brim but also took the time to let fect wife—it’s all done in a more humor- a fun song about how the only thing that folks relieve themselves when necessary. ous way than you’d think. Hence arose the people do is die; stories of Ed Gein want- self-coined term for what Amigo the Devil ing to be comfortable in his own skin, but Decompositions marks the end of the cur- has created: murderfolk. Kiranos felt that really liking the one you’re living in. The rent chapter of Kiranos’ songwriting style the murderfolk name fit, even though a lot dyad of humor and morbidity go seamless- of Amigo the Devil. This stylistic ending of folk music is already dark in subject mat- ly together. “I was always really curious marks a release of all of Amigo’s work, ter in the way of drinking issues or losing about the morbid aspects of things—not which will be combined into one digital/ people. He didn’t think people would take so much the bad ones, [and] not so much, CD release, including some B-sides that “I was to murderfolk the way they did. ‘Oh, I love evil things,’ but just the curiosity show the upstarts and what’s to come in always of the gore,” Kiranos says. the future, including a special double-LP Kiranos found his lyrical influence from version to be released tentatively in August really true-crime phenomena—mainly serial kill- Amigo the Devil is a self-promoted and (depending on when the pressing plant fin- ers or just his love for the macabre. Re- self-funded project—the band doesn’t ex- ishes). Kiranos admits that the songwriting curious garding his interest in writing songs about ist on a label. The DIY sensibility contrib- he has done felt like he was writing to ap- about the serial killers, “The part that really interests utes to the fact that his partner, Hayley peal to what he thought people would ex- me about it is the internal process—the Miller, is listed as a band member—Ki- pect or want to hear. “From now on, we’re morbid thoughts behind doing it, the leading up to ranos says that Amigo the Devil would not going to go back to being a little more it and deciding to do it and the internal fac- exist without her efforts. Kiranos is also off-the-beaten-path—a little less expected aspects tors,” says Kiranos. “That’s the really dark humbled and impressed that his curiosity in instrumentation and all that, a little part to it.” Horror films and true-life gore in something different has gained so much stranger, a little more of what I feel I am,” of things and murder videos fueled his curiosity and interest. “It’s slow growth, but it’s—as I says Kiranos. “It will be more coherent in ... the fascination—watching gore and violence like to call it—honest growth,” he says. songwriting, but I wanted to have more of was about testing himself to find the worst He likes that he still gets to connect with that eerie feel to it—the get-under-your-skin curiosity of thing he could see, which, he admits, was his audience, and mentions showing up in kind of thing.” Watch out for an upcoming a challenge for him. Olympia, Washington, for a show where Amigo the Devil show in SLC this fall. the gore.”

slugmag.com 19 THE DIRTY RAT MOTO CYCO SHOP By Darcy Mimms [email protected]

DIRTY RAT MOTO CYCO is a shop packed with Harleys Their customers are their family, and support from Rick says they “don’t see a lot of new, shiny bikes,” of every generation in varying degrees of dissection, the local (and loco) moto community has devel- but he is not opposed to working on newer models. countless tool chests, guitars and amps and two oped a strong cult following, allowing them to live Rick has watched pop culture influence bike culture, friendly shop dogs, Natas and Cooter, who play with the American Dream. Ashlyn quickly corrects me: from “the bigger the tire the better” to the Sons of An- a cannonball as a toy. Rick and Ashlyn White have “A lot of people say it’s a dream,” she says, “but we archy chopper trend and ‘70s rat bikes. “Kids are even both owned and operated the shop at its current location call it the American Nightmare—our fun nightmare.” dressing like they’re from the ‘70s,” Ashlyn says, also for over nine years. With a combined 60-plus years of pointing out that they’re riding bikes that were never experience working on motorcycles, Rick and mechanics As I’m shooting the shit with Rick, Nick and Ashlyn, intended to be ridden. Rick can fix them all, though. Nick Kennedy and Wolf make up the Dirty Rat crew. I have the privilege of seeing Rick, “The Chopfather,” “Rick fixed our bike on a trip with an earplug and a nail From oil changes to engine rebuilds, the Dirty Rats of- in action. A longtime customer and friend rolls in the other day,” Ashlyn says of Rick’s superior mechan- fer a wide range of services at a competitive price. after an incident on I-15 involving some poorly ic skills. “Dig something out of the dirt and Rick can planned construction. I watch as Rick fixed the issue figure it out.” He’s the McGyver of bikes—once, on a trip The Dirty Rats are advocates of the “buy local first” in less than five minutes, sending the customer to Wendover, he even fixed a bike with a gum wrapper. mentality, and foster an environment of DIY badassery. safely on his way. “Laid-back professionalism” “Keep the money in Utah,” says Rick, after he and is how Rick and Ashlyn describe the atmosphere As a co-owner of the shop and a wife and mother, Ashlyn give me a tour of their impressive home and around their shop. It becomes more apparent the lon- Ashlyn, who is incredibly supportive of Rick and motorcycle repair shop, located on 1515 South Ma- ger I hang out how much of a family dynamic they dedicated to the shop, says, “It has got to be one jor Street in Salt Lake City, which they have painstak- have with their customers. “I don’t have a sign on the of the hardest things I’ve ever done.” But they ingly built themselves. They don’t care about compe- front of the building for a reason,” Rick says. “We wouldn’t have it any other way. “My job in this tition with other local mechanics: They stay true to don’t need it—we’ve got really good customers who shop is to support [Rick],” she says. “The hard part their punk rock roots with the “FTF” motto—”fuck the help us out as much as we help them out.” Referred to is him working 24/7 and how much time, blood, factory”—which Ashlyn says they live by. “Especially as “The Motherfucking Spa” by a regular, the shop sweat and tears [the crew] put in to make each cus- with the smaller shops in town,” she says, “to help often turns into a place of refuge where every- tomer happy, but that’s what they’re known for.” each other out does nothing but benefit everybody.” one is welcome and encouraged to ask questions. Rick loves seeing people wear out their tires and put miles on their bikes—and the often comical and some- times tragic stories that come with those miles. As with all families, tragedy will eventually strike, and within the motorcycle community, unfortunately, tragedy seems to strike more frequently. “There’s two types of riders,” Rick says, “those who have crashed and those who will.” Rick admits to at least six different colli- sions he’s been involved in. Ashlyn tears up when she talks about the friends they’ve lost over the years, and Nick shows me the “burnout” tires on the shop wall that they’ve collected in memoriam of friends lost. “It’s always those left-hand turns,” Ashlyn says, refer- ring to the most common type of car-versus-motorcycle collision, where the car driver either doesn’t see you Photo : Russel Daniels over their Snapchat or judges your speed incorrectly, introducing their hood to your face. Proper safety gear is never guaranteed to save your life, but your odds sure as hell increase—helmets are a great way to keep your meathead on your tattooed shoulders.

Rick calls motorcycling the tie that binds. “You can have a Mormon next to a murderer and it won’t matter,” he says. Stop by the shop or check out dirtyratmotocyco.com to see some of their (L–R) Dirty Rats Mike Negley, Teagan and Devin White, Nick Kennedy and Ashlyn and work, or just to meet some really cool people. Rick White are the tight-knit moto family of the Dirty Rat Moto Cyco shop.

20 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 21 A VERY BEAUTIFUL THING: WORDS WITH Caleb Orton, dumptruck. CALEB WestonColton.com

ORTON Photo: By Jordan Deveraux • [email protected]

P

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o t o :

W e s to n C Caleb Orton, no-comply shove-it, tuck knee off roof. ol ton .com Caleb Orton, switch frontside boardslide pop out.

was ordering tea and a dainty little slice of raspberry crème cake when Caleb Orton swaggered into the Salt I Lake Roasting Co. With his son, Otto, in the crook of his arm, he rushed into the bathroom to change a dirty diaper, WestonColton.com asking for a stiff cup of coffee. For a guy that juggles parent- Niels Jensen hood, double-shifts at the Porcupine Pub & Grill and a skating acumen that’s almost without parallel, he seems to do it all with little effort. Photo: Photo:

In case you don’t know him, Orton is a giant in the Skate of

Utah. He may have possibly been spawned from the blood Niels Jensen and cum of the god of the sky—he’s got skills. He has been She raised kids hobbling around on her knees on in Weast: Better than Some, Worse than Most and hooked up by some big names in skateboarding, including a dirt floor. As to whether she wore shoes on her Four Down—some of his best skating. He told me stints with Element as well as Tum Yeto–related flowships. nubs, he says, “I don’t believe so, man. I think she about some of his early years skateboarding in the Photo: Orton can boast of video appearances in the double digits— was just that hard.” Maybe his own indestructible valley and nearby areas, and he remembers skat- I’ve seen a lot of them, and they’re all killer. He’s the type knees have Grammy to thank. ing Wednesday Night Jams at Classic Skating. “You Caleb Orton, acid drop to street. of guy with a big enough bag of flip tricks to string a line could see all the dope skateboarders from back in without having to jump down anything—I counted 10 heelflip Some years back, Orton took his passion for skate- the day, like those dirty Hessian dudes,” he says. and kickflip variations in a line he filmed for Weast Infec- boarding to the Golden State to try his luck. Like “It was before I knew who any of them were, but tion—and the line between his switch and regular tricks gets so many other talented skateboarders from Utah, it was cool, man, to go and see some people just blurry. But he can jump down sets—see the nollie laser flip “skateboarding side” of skateboarding. Recently, he Of all of the stuff he’s done and all of the stuff he’s At the close of the interview, we smoked a cigarette the curse of Southern California befell him, and he ripping.” He also remembers when parks like the down the seven-stair for his banger in the same video. has helped Mark Judd, owner and operator of Af- going to do, nothing seems to matter as much as the outside the café and watched a train of people in broke his wrist. He was unable to work the job he Farmington Skatepark, an abomination of janky ter Dark Skateboards, get the company going, time he looks forward to spending with his son, Otto. splashy clothes and resplendent accessories wave had out there, but he still managed to keep skating rails and cement, was one of the few on the map. With all that’s on his plate, Orton has only Sundays to really occasionally lending a hand in the shop and manag- Among their favorite pastimes are watching Teenage signs pronouncing their individuality. It was the be- until the well dried up, cutting the L-cast from his go out and skate, but his intensity is still in the red. Regarding ing the budding skate team. “Whoever’s interested in Mutant Ninja Turtles and going into the mountains. ginning of the Pride festivities. Most of the best minds arm with a butter knife. “I’m sure it’ll be jacked Orton has seen the local skateboarding commu- what’s been on his mind skate-wise: “I’ve been watching a lot skating the best boards out there, hit up Mark,” he “Me and Otto go up the canyon all the time—we like agree that individuality is one of the most important when I’m older, but so will every other bone in my nity change a lot from its humble beginnings. “Lots of Aaron Homoki, so I’ve been trying to jump off shit,” he says. He tells me that After Dark will also be working to get our toes wet in the river,” he says. “Hopefully, things to possess. When I asked Orton what he likes body,” Orton says. of spots have come and gone,” he says. “It’s a says. “I wanna look for rooftops. … My knees aren’t broken on a video in which Orton will have a part. In addition when he gets a little bigger, we’ll get him a little back- most about skateboarding, he told me this: “No one’s canvas. It’s cool to get out of town and go skate yet.” His vigor—and, dare I say, luck—could be genetic, af- to the AD video, Orton plans to film a part for the new pack setup and we can go up to the Uintas and just [style] is gonna look like anyone else’s. It makes skate- He returned to Salt Lake after living in San Di- other stuff, but I definitely dig Salt Lake…. A spot ter all. Orton comes from a hardy stock of Mormon Pioneers, Weast video. In the meantime, you can catch Orton on walk off into nothing for the weekend.” boarding an aesthetic, a very beautiful thing.” With ego for around eight months from 2006 to ‘07. dies [and] a new spot gets made.” Over the years, one of whom—a grandmother of his—got frostbite in both Sundays, possibly skating the Public Safety Building the great minds, then, Orton agrees. Since being back home, he has put out full parts Orton has been involved in more than just the legs and had to get them amputated with a meat cleaver. on 300 East (a new favorite of his). 22 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 23 By Ricky Vigil [email protected]

“Humans hate change—they don’t accept it even 10 how visceral that music is kind of makes it temporary, the band, and I’ve learned a lot more about what I years later,” Coliseum guitarist and vocalist Ryan and I don’t think that’s bad—those blasts of energy want to do and what I want to represent, what I want to Patterson says. For nearly 20 years, Patterson has are best executed in a quick manner,” Patterson says. hear in music and how to approach my instrument and been making various forms of punk rock with the likes “That’s why Goddamage is so well loved—it’s only 15 songwriting and my voice.” of National Acrobat, Breather Resist, Black minutes. If we had been trying to replicate those 15 Cross and Black God among others, but it’s the minutes for 10 years, it would’ve been really sad. You Anxiety’s Kiss displays Coliseum as more comfortable early Motörhead-meets-Discharge material of Coli- can have those 15 minutes—we’re moving on.” with their sound than ever before, deeply indebted to seum—who play Kilby Court July 26—that he seems to bands like Killing Joke and on the same plane as be most remembered for. “The history of the band is Beginning with 2010’s House With a Curse, Patterson like-minded contemporary post-punk punks Ceremony kind of a ball and chain that you drag around,” Patter- and Coliseum ditched the breakneck speed of their and Cold Cave. Subtle synthesizers provide a constant son says. “Sometimes it feels like a legacy, and you’re early material in favor of dark, moody post-punk. The fuzz under Patterson’s stabbing guitar, and Wilson and treated with a certain reverence because you’ve been grit, heavy riffs and Patterson’s gruff voice remained Vaziri create solid, tense rhythms for Patterson’s vocals around so long, and that feels great, but other times, intact, but the addition of drummer Carter Wilson to work over—J. Robbins even provides guitar on one you’re like, ‘Jesus, I wish we could just be accepted on gave Coliseum a groove it never had before, allowing track. Even the cover artwork is a step away from the [our] own merits.’” Patterson to explore the esoteric aspects of the band’s traditional Coliseum aesthetic of Patterson’s blown-out sound. After years of a revolving-door lineup, the addi- digital collages, featuring a stark, creepy photo of the The band’s new album, Anxiety’s Kiss, is receiving loads tion of Kayhan Vaziri on bass for 2013’s Sister Faith, band. “You wouldn’t expect us to have a photo of our- of positive press—partly because it is so disparate from as well as the guidance of legendary producer J. Rob- selves on a record cover, and that’s why we wanted to the band’s early material, even if Coliseum haven’t writ- bins, further cemented the current sound of Coliseum. do it,” Patterson says. “I wanted it to be odd and myste- ten a D-beat song for more than five years. “Most hard- “Having this steady lineup of these guys is amazing,” rious. I felt that there’s a timelessness to it—the photog- core bands break up after a couple years, and most Patterson says. “It’s not a struggle like it was for a lot of raphy doesn’t really look modern. It helps to push myself probably should,” Patterson says. “Something about years. There is a lot more conceptually going on with as a person who struggles with my own insecurities, so to have yourself on the cover of a record is a challenge.”

Even with all this forward momentum, Coliseum has also been known to pay homage to their past, first by re-releasing their landmark EP Goddamage in 2012 via Temporary Residence Limited and reissuing their classic debut album last year on Deathwish. Patterson is a longtime friend of Deathwish head hon- cho Jacob Bannon, booking his band Converge on various Louisville shows over the past 15 years and releasing a Coliseum 7” on Deathwish in 2009. Much like Deathwish, Coliseum is a forward-thinking entity, pushing the boundaries of punk and shaping into something greater than where it started. “Deathwish is known for having a deep connection to the hardcore (L–R) Kilby Court, July 26, is your arena for post-punk punks scene, but they’ve grown outward from there, so the re- Carter Wilson (drums), Ryan Patterson (vocals, guitar) and issue was kind of a celebration of our own history and Kayhan Vaziri (bass) of Louisville, Kentucky’s Coliseum. also moving forward with Deathwish,” Patterson says.

In addition to reissuing their first album via Deathwish last year, Coliseum played a 10th-anniversary show featuring previous members of the band and alsore- leased a special 12” remix version of “Black Magic Punks” from the Sister Faith album, featuring remixes by Cold Cave, and members of Boris and Cave In,

Photo : Mickie Winters among others. All the while, the band was hard at work on Anxiety’s Kiss. “We did a lot of stuff under the guise of a 10th anniversary, including a 10th-anniversary show with a lot of the old members of the band, but when it was all over, I was so fucking tired of it,” Pat- terson says. “I didn’t really want to just talk about the old days, so when it was over I was happy.”

With Anxiety’s Kiss, Coliseum finally seems to have broken away from the specter of their early days. After years of being compared to their first two al- bums, the world finally seems to realize that the band has grown beyond their crusty roots. Coliseum will perform at Kilby Court July 26 with Arctic Flowers and locals La Verkin. 24 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 25 B sa y Ba ban rnabas rab. [email protected]

“Mystic” Mike Ginsburg steadily prepares the main stage for his upcoming Mystic Hot Springs Music Festival, which takes place July 23 through 26 at Mystic Hot

Springs in Monroe, Utah. A gaggle of geese watch Photo courtesy of Mike Ginsburg him with apprehensive eyes; Mystic Hot Springs guests splosh in their bathtubs as they cool themselves from the overhead sun; old Deadhead busses sit quietly as Mystic Hot Springs will hold the first Mystic Hot Springs Music Festival July 23–26. weeds overtake their steel axles.

From an early age, Ginsburg, a Denver native, was en- thralled with music and the idea of self-sustainability. These posed bathtubs for soaking, and refurbished Grateful Dead busses already played at two interests led him to the Grateful Dead. Throughout the and old cabins—which are now rented out for guests. The once Ginsburg’s property to earlier stages of his life, he traveled in a bus, following the discarded bathtubs were found slowly eroding on his property, audiences that range band. One day 19 years ago, as he was returning from a while the buses are a mix between a collection from his travels anywhere from just him Dead show in Las Vegas, his van broke down just outside and Craigslist purchases. Ginsburg is also installing passive solar to a couple hundred of Monroe, Utah. “I was driving home, going past St. energy cabins, using large windows, heat-absorbing rocks and people. Ginsburg’s George, and my tire blew out,” Ginsburg says. “Then geographical placement. “When I first started this project, I YouTube channel has after that was fixed, my engine broke down and we thought people from all over would help me,” says Ginsburg. over 1,000 concert videos were right next to this little red dot on the map I’d “Everything I’ve done here has been on my own.” and about 1 million views—all never seen before.” Ginsburg immediately fell recorded and shot in his small onsite in love with the property. Within the same These changes have not been cheap, and Ginsburg has living room. The festival is centered week, he bought the springs, and two realized that he needed an alternative source of income. around enjoying music, enjoying one months later, he quit his job and moved “My father always taught me two things about business,” another’s company and enjoying oneself. Gins- his family. says Ginsburg. “One, never invest more capital than burg wants to be able to give an experience that you have, and two, never get emotionally attached. I’ve will impact lives. The acts at the Mystic Festival, as well When Ginsburg took over the done both here.” Combining his love of music, traveling as the workshops and artists, are all handpicked. All of 150-acre estate, there was an over- and the springs, Ginsburg decided that the best way he these forces converge together to make a grand, cohesive whelming amount of work to be could sustain himself was through a music festival. event that is applicable to a wide variety of people. done. Trucks full of locals would come in the dead of night, drink- This is the first year of the Mystic Hot Springs Music Festi- Ginsburg stands tall as he poses for a picture between his once- ing and completely ransacking val. There is one main stage and smaller acoustic stages new Deadhead bus and Nissan Leaf. He makes a comment about the property. Old appliances that will be scattered throughout the springs. Artists the contrast of his visible evolution. His demeanor is soft and subtle, sat peacefully, sunbathing in adept in glass blowing, wood carving and painting will yet there is a driving force that can be easily misunderstood at first the surrounding fields, and create works onsite. Local and national figures will also glance. “Out here, there are no distractions,” he says. “The work late–19th Century cabins— be in attendance to give workshops on sustainable and silence either free you or crush you.” Through his evolution and whose wood bears memories businesses, tai chi, yoga and permaculture. Visitors having to face himself, Ginsburg has learned a lot. “I just feel that I of pioneer times past—leaned can lodge in the busses and cabins, and can also have gotten to the point where I can start teaching,” he says. “Being more and more to one side each camp with their own trailers and tents. out here, you figure out how to listen and learn. Now I want to share day. Since his arrival, Ginsburg that.” His knowledge, whether it will be in gardening, music, film or has added a greenhouse—which Many of the festival’s headliners, such as business, coupled with his understanding and patience, are grand utilizes steam from the naturally oc- Hot Buttered Rum, Animal Liberation things to share. “Whether 10 or 5,000 people come,” Ginsburg curring geothermal waters—repur Orchestra and Head for the Hills, have says, “either way, I’m going to have fun.” 26 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 27 By Allison Shephard [email protected]

When it comes to tattooing the community, or being thirsty for knowledge is the day that I industry and simultaneously giving life to their GoodTimes Tattoo has not only been around for stop tattooing—because at that point, I can no clients’ ideas. “We all really love tattooing, 15 years—making it one of Salt Lake’s more longer see a point in doing it,” says Burleson. and we all want to see the best in it, and that’s seasoned tattoo shops—but it has also continu- what’s so awesome about our shop. When we ally produced high-quality tattoos throughout The guys at GoodTimes constantly strive to be love it, our clients know we love it, and they its existence. With a brand-new location on the best that they can be, and they remain open want to love it too,” says Hinton. 1249 S. 900 E., the folks at GoodTimes are to inspiration from the outside world and clients hoping to continue to provide great tattoos to alike. The general consensus seemed to be that The new location offers the guys at GoodTimes Salt Lakers and beyond. the best source for inspiration and creativity the opportunity to connect not only with their was from each other. “The guys I work with in- clientele, but also with surrounding local busi- Owner Colby Burleson describes the shop’s spire me daily, and I’ve been doing this for 20 nesses. “We’re next to businesses that we’ve beginnings simply as a manifestation of his de- years. They probably have as much influence supported for a really long time. We don’t do sire to work for himself while also contributing over me as anybody,” says Burleson. piercings, and Koi doesn’t do tattoos, so it’s art to the city. “I wanted to create an environ- been really great,” says Hinton. The outside of ment that I would’ve wanted to work in,” he The move from their previous Downtown loca- the shop includes a community bulletin board says. “That part hasn’t changed. That’s some- tion—one that they had resided in for over 10 where citizens can post flyers or other informa- thing that from Day One to now, 15 years later, years—to the Sugarhouse area has been a ma- tion about local events. has stayed the same.” jor move on their part in regard to growing their business. With such a big move comes an even At the end of the day, the fellas at GoodTimes The core values of GoodTimes are to make an bigger sense of motivation and urge to excel just love their clients as well as the opportunity enjoyable environment part of the experience. within their craft. “We all work so hard,” says to make visions come to life and treat each tat- With “front-guy” Alex Mecham greeting pa- Hinton. “That’s what keeps our shop moving. too as a chance to learn more about their trade. trons, the shop also features a varied roster of We’ve got a lot of self-motivated people here, artists, including Al Martinez, Alex Guy, and everyone aspires to be the best they can Be sure to check out the shop’s Instagram, Alex Hinton, Alexander Jay Martinez, be. That’s one of the things that really makes @goodtimes_tattoo, or stop by their new loca- Ben Martinez, Clint Marvin, Danny our shop special.” It is this dedication to the tion in Sugarhouse. They will have an open Madsen and Kyle Olsen, each of whom add art and to their clients that has allowed Good- house on July 19—it starts at noon and goes all a different style to the shop. “The same idea ap- Times to prosper for such a long time—they day—to celebrate their 15 years of tattooing proached by two different artists is going to be have weathered an unpredictable economy Salt Lake City. executed in two different ways,” says Al Marti- and a well-saturated industry, all while increas- nez. “The diversity in this shop is really cool.” ing their already expansive knowledge of the The crew at GoodTimes Tattoo has been contributing quality body art Passion and a multifaceted approach are rec- curring themes that are visible in each member to SLC for over 15 years. of the shop. They take pride in dedicating them- selves to each tattoo that they do, regardless of style. “I do think that is one of the things from GoodTimes that people, hopefully, have come to know: the shop as a place that they can get a little bit of any style,” says Burleson. Committed to versatility, the artists are always looking for opportunities to try new ideas and work with complicated concepts. “When someone asks us, ‘Which artist would be good for this?’ it’s super hard because we’d all be disappointed to miss out on an opportunity to do a killer tattoo,” says Hinton.

Part of what has allowed GoodTimes’ continued growth is their conscious effort to stay current in the industry. “We’ve seen tattooing evolve and progress,” says Burleson. “The tattooing atmo- sphere and the tattoo scenes in Utah are really good. There are a lot of really talented people here doing tattoos, and it’s elevated the overall tattoo culture in Utah. We’ve been able to stay current and continue to work on our craft. It’s a never-ending process” In fact, the artists strive

to continually better themselves, which allows Photo: Matthew Windsor them to grow as artists and as people. “The day that I don’t care or the day that I stop improving 28 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 29 (L–R) Michael Sanders and Kate Wheadon raise a kitschy mug for the occasion of the Urban Flea Market’s five-year anniversary. Photo: John Barkiple

By Kia McGinnis • [email protected]

If you’re guilty of spending glaze-eyed hours perusing an authentic searching experience where one could ket, which goes directly to paying for the space. The Etsy and Pinterest, the time has come to attend the stumble into any number of handmade or vintage market is also free of admission, which is another way real-life, local version of online shopping—and you goods—whether it be sock monkeys or spoon rings. of supporting vendors and providing a valuable com- won’t even have to hashtag vintage. The Urban Flea munity event for Salt Lake City. Market—held one Sunday a month, May through Oc- The atmosphere of the Urban Flea is more intimate tober from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.—has everything from than a larger craft fair or farmers market but with just “We started the market because we love it,” says antique goods to bohemian clothing, all provided by as much exciting energy. It is held in a tree-lined park- Wheadon. “We don’t do it to make money; we do it Salt Lake artists, makers and thrifters. Curated by Kate ing lot and is just the right size to browse. “People like to provide resources for people. It is an opportunity Wheadon of KRCL 90.9 FM and Michael Sanders to be there enjoying the experience, searching for that for people to support their families, their hobbies and of Now & Again, the market is in its fifth season and thing, finding it, picking it up and being wowed by it,” their art.” As they’ve reached their ideal capacity of has hit a sweet spot. “It’s not too big, and it’s not too says Wheadon. Walking through the market, you will vendors, the hope is that the growth and momentum of small,” says Wheadon. As longtime friends and now likely come across irresistible vendors such as Luna the market will continue in terms of community. business partners, the duo combines their individual Dust—who features a dreamy collection of vintage tastes to create a well-rounded market. Sanders says, Western and desert-inspired clothing, furniture and One way that Urban Flea has connected to Salt Lake laughing, “Everyone and their sister-in-law comes out knick-knacks. It doesn’t so much matter which booths on a larger scale is by featuring a different animal and sells a bunch of junk. It’s really awesome, and we you end up exploring, as each one has something rescue with each market. Wheadon has worked with have a great time.” worth taking a look at. these organizations for many years and says, “I just want to highlight some of the rescues we have in our Influenced by the New York and L.A. style of inner-city Wheadon and Sanders work hard to create an envi- community.” Market-goers are invited to bring gently parking lot markets, the Urban Flea is held Downtown ronment that is fun and fulfilling, providing amenities used, clean sheets and towels to be donated to the on 600 South and Main Street. “When I moved to Salt such as food trucks and music DJed by KRCL’s Bad Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah and can Lake [from NYC], I asked, ‘Where are the flea mar- Brad Wheeler in addition to the wide variety of also look forward to being able to gander at cute pets kets?’ and realized there weren’t any,” Sanders says. shopping. The most recent market did so well that while getting their thrifting in. Likewise, Wheadon found that she missed the markets the Chow Truck ran completely out of food, and the of California and wanted to bring flea to Salt Lake: “I nearest coffee shop to the venue was depleted of their With that in mind, there’s no reason to mope about thought it would be a great way for people to come entire stock of coffee. This success is welcome as it is wondering what to do on a Sunday in Salt Lake City together,” she says. With nearly 80 vendors partici- boosting local businesses, creating healthy relation- any longer. Whether you’re in the market for some- pating in the most recent Urban Flea and an ever- ships and ensuring that each booth is able to make thing specific or just enjoy the search, you won’t leave growing crowd of market-goers, it certainly facilitates a profit. “We like our vendors to be happy,” Sanders empty-handed. Check out fleamarketslc.com for more a meeting ground for both those selling treasures and says. As curators, Wheadon and Sanders do every- information about the event and vendors, and be sure those hunting for them. The vendors are not organized thing in their power to make Urban Flea affordable to check out this year’s markets on July 12, Aug. 9, into categories so that browsing through the market is for vendors, charging an extremely low fee per mar- Sept. 13 and Oct. 11. 30 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 31 32 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 33 Lucifer’s Grasp Clutches SLC Photo: Ester Segarra By Madi Smith • [email protected]

Johanna Sadonis channels her spiritual essence into a rising beast—one that thrives on the creative brainwaves and talents of fellow musicians Gaz Jennings, Dino Gollnick and Andrew Prestidge. The combined efforts summon a formative master that shall soon take the world by a storm of hellfire— the doom metal master, Lucifer. The band’s Salt Lake City debut will rattle the walls of The Complex on Aug. 7.

Sadonis’ musical journey originated in the realm of black metal, and as the sands of time gradually eroded Lucifer’s shadow looms on away the rough edges, she came to embrace the smoother the horizon: Dino Gollnick sounds of heavy metal. Her previous brainchild, the New (bass), Johanna Sadonis Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) band The Oath, (vocals) and Andrew met an early demise in 2014. In only a few months’ time, her Prestidge (drums) love for creating music inspired the formation of a beast of a will make their slightly different nature. “My concept for Lucifer was to put more Utah debut at weight onto my influences of heavy rock music from the 1970s and The Complex doom,” Sadonis says. “I wanted Lucifer to be more eclectic, defined on Aug. 7 I knew what a killer drummer he is, and the same goes for Dino, who and deeper—less raw.” actually was in the talks to become the bassist of The Oath back then,” Sadonis says. Although Sadonis opened the gates with a clear vision of Lucifer combine the power of Jennings’ memorable, crushing doom riffs with Lucifer’s sound in mind, Jennings, formerly of doom stalwarts Cathedral Sadonis’ unmistakably powerful, pristine voice. Sadonis seldom uses gruff and current guitarist for heavy metallers Death Penalty, loaned his unique delivery and focuses instead on interlacing harmonies that carry the listener style of playing to elevate Sadonis’ initial concept to a higher plane. Sadonis through each song. She takes advantage of her range and varies her melodies says their debut full-length album, Lucifer I, would never be what it is without him. verse to verse to ensure an intriguing listening experience. Lucifer’s lyrics relate to magic, death and other occult themes, and Sadonis reflects her spirituality and Released by Rise Above Records on May 25, Lucifer I was conceived in both belief in duality through imagery and metaphors. “The inspiration comes from Jennings’ London home and Sadonis’ home city of Berlin. “Gaz and I wrote the within,” she says. “The lyrics are very personal. Certain episodes and key figures entire album by sending files back and forth between each other’s little home of my life are represented by images, metaphors and symbolic figures.” studios until we had finished demos of the songs,” Sadonis says. A week before recording the album, the full band met up in Berlin to spend a few days rehears- The band’s logo is strikingly reminiscent of that of Rush, and their sound is stylisti- ing prior to entering the studio. The band routinely convenes in either London or cally founded on sounds from classic acts such as Black Sabbath and Deep Berlin for both recording and show rehearsals. Purple—influences similar to The Oath. However, that’s not to say that Lucifer are a re-imagination of Sadonis’ past endeavor. “From the beginning, Lucifer Vinyl pressings and packages are soon to come. “We will have several different was meant to be an entity of its own,” Sadonis says. “The music you hear is what versions of the album released on vinyl,” Sadonis says, “including two different naturally flows out of us as musicians. Sure, certain elements and influences shine diehard editions that come with extra 7”s, including two bonus tracks plus a few through, but they remain just that—influences that are channeled through you. extra gimmicks: an Angel Witch and a Rattles cover.” You should always find your own language as a musician.” The band showcased their new material in Berlin when opening for Pentagram When Lucifer’s talents are united, they forge a refreshing blast from the past. in the end of May, and Sadonis says supporting the U.S. doom metal pioneers Jennings deviates from the melodically barren landscape of other modern stoner was amazing. “They are one of our big influences. Bobby [Liebling] watched doom guitarists, combining ripping guitar solos with pounding rhythms. Gollnick’s our show standing first row, and our bands ended up hanging out until 6 in the meaty bass tone fills out the sound and almost makes you forget there’s only one morning. It was a memorable night!” Lucifer looks forward to spreading their guitar. Prestridge’s drum fills beef up a song, especially accented by his mighty shadowy grasp on the road. The heat of July will accompany the searing hellfire use of crash cymbals. “Music runs in our blood,” Sadonis says, “and you can tell, that Lucifer is set to unleash on America with High on Fire and Pallbearer on when we are in a room together playing, that this is where all of us want to be.” a month-long tour. They will take Salt Lake City by storm at The Complex on Aug. 7, followed by their first London gig. In the early stages of Lucifer’s creations, Sadonis had both Gollnick and Pres- tidge—the current drummer for the legendary NWOBHM band Angel Witch Keep a steady eye on the horizon and beware the lurking evil. Magicks shall and former throne sitter for the fantastic NWOBHM ensemble Tytan—in mind soon fill the air, preceded by Sadonis’ soaring vocals dancing on the furious for Lucifer’s rhythm section. “Andy played with me in The Oath already, so wind. The time has come—master Lucifer has arrived.

34 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 35 CREATING A NEW WORLD By Julia Sachs [email protected]

About a year ago, a friend of mine invited me to a new party at Photo Collective Studios called Deep Space, hosted by a group of friends who called themselves New World Presents—college- age burners with a vision to create a fulfilling and inspiring environment for Photo: Michael Portanda themselves and their peers to enjoy. What I arrived at was a perfect combination (Top, L–R) Cody Layton, Trevor Wil- of everything I wanted in an liams, Ether Stern, Jes Stobaugh, organized party: creative (Bottom, L–R) Camille Overmoe, Chad people coming together to Wing and Bobby Ward comprise some present futuristic deep house paired with all-original community. “I feel like we target a lot of different art, intricate lighting features and a laid-back envi- people,” says Ether Stern, a contributing artist of the New World Presents team. ronment where yoga and techno met in the middle. with New World who has also worked with local Sage burned as massive dreamcatchers or glowing gender performance group The Bad Kids Collec- planets hung from the ceiling while people mingled, tive. Each event attracts new and different people. inspired by festivals like Lightning In A Bottle and Burn- danced and hung out. This wasn’t a club scene any- In their “cuddle puddle,” an area of the party filled ing Man—they’re merging both local and national one was used to, but people were genuinely excited with couches and mattresses that are adorned in Bali- acts. “The music you hear [at our warehouse shows] about the event they were at. With local vendors, art- nese tapestries, you’ll see people from different social will be a majority of what you’ll hear at [Lunar Tran- ists, musicians and proud weirdos stomping around, scenes mingling and dancing together. “New World sit],” says Wing. “We’re bringing a top-tier Funktion- each New World event is more of a catalyst for cre- is a canvas on which people project whatever they One sound system, the kind you would hear at big, ative thinking than an average night out. Now, New want to express creatively,” says resident visual artist high-quality music festivals with great musical acts,” World is preparing for their first desert music festival and musician Jes “Crystalrœs” Stobaugh. Cody says Wing, who designs and builds the stage for both to be held in early August in Beaver, Utah: Lunar “Red Spectral” Layton, another resident DJ, con- the parties and festival appearances. This year, the Transit Festival. siders New World a sanctuary for those who don’t group participated in Building Man, Element-11 and, identify with the norms of what’s considered “sacred” in collaboration with the Jenkstars, Electric Forest, After Deep Space, New World permanently moved in Utah. “If we’re being honest, we live in a theoc- which is held annually by Insomniac, the same group their parties to The Fallout—a warehouse art space racy here in Salt Lake, and I find that environments responsible for Electric Daisy Carnival. on 600 W. 625 S.—where they would become like that create a very vibrant counterculture,” he says. monthly events. The echoing but relaxed sounds of Lunar Transit will offer activities like yoga, art and the techno and deep house that their DJs spin follow Over the last few parties, New World has been bring- spirituality workshops, and mountain biking at the the theme of space exploration and aliens, creating ing in musicians from around the country to perform at Eagle Point Resort near Beaver, Utah. Wing says, “We a futuristic and mysterious vibe that is still mellow their shows. Bobby Ward is responsible for book- wanted to build the momentum in Salt Lake of getting enough to enjoy from the couch. The parties last from ing, creating visual content and securing venues and people to come out over a weekend and learn with 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and cost between $10 and $15, promotions, with Wing also helping to manifest the each other and have a real community be established depending on what time you arrive (the earlier the vision for what they want to present. Their last Fallout rather than a six- or seven-hour party where the music cheaper). “I think the initial spark [of the New World event featured the Los Angeles–based DJ Sabo, who is so loud, all you can really do is dance.” parties] was the weekend hitting, and us turning to is involved with international collectives like Robot each other and going, ‘There is nothing fun or cool Heart, a deep house and techno production com- The Lunar Transit Festival will be held Aug. 7–9 in Bea- to do this weekend—why don’t we just start our own pany with large ties to events like Burning Man. “We ver, Utah, and tickets are now on sale at eventbrite.com [parties]?’” says Chad Wing, one of the production were [initially] just kind of channeling our favorite mu- starting at $60 for general admission and an additional designers and DJs involved in New World. “It turned sic from these big artists, but now that we’re [also] $35 for camping. To find out about upcoming shows, out a lot of people were waiting for something fresh getting the opportunity to book artists that we respect check out newworldpresents.com or peep facebook. like that to come around, too.” and we think people in Salt Lake should be exposed com/newworldpresents for information. If you’re inter- to, we’re all for it,” says Wing. ested in collaborating with New World, contact them at It wasn’t just music and a refreshing environment [email protected]. “If you’re passionate and want to that took New World to the level it’s reached, For New World’s upcoming Lunar Transit Festival—the get involved, then please do contact us,” says resident though—it was the sense of a radically inclusive first outdoor camping festival put on by New World, DJ Trevor “Eights Everywhere” Williams.

36 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 37 th Annual Skate Contest

SLUG held the first contest of the 16th annual Sum- mer of Death skate series on Saturday, June 20, at Banzai Skatepark in Lindon, Utah. Congratulations to Summer of Death 1st Place champion Parley Southworth! Visit slugmag.com for a recap and an exclusive photo gallery, and stay tuned for details about Summer of Death: Roughside, which happens Sept. 12.

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(1) Jack Massey (3rd Place), wallride on the tombstone. (2) Parley Southworth (1st Place), nose blunt bomb drop from the railing. (3) Josh Meyer (2nd Place), blunt stall shove-it. (4) Elijah Schmidt (4th Place), backside boneless. Thanks to this contest’s sponsors: Banzai Skatepark, The Blue Plate Diner, Board of Provo, iNi Cooperative, Milos- port, Monster Energy, Saga Outerwear and Salty Peaks. Photos: WestonColton.com 38 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 39 Midsummer 2007, I received a phone call from Harv Hallas, tour manager for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, asking me to jump on to the last leg of the band’s monumental Baby 81 tour. It was a baptism by fire as I attempted to manage merch sales and act as ambas- sador to the increasing number of fans who followed the band throughout stretches of the tour. Two months soon stretched into eight months. These were some of the most reward- ing and challenging times—not only in my life but also in the life of the band. Crew and lineup changes were the tip of the iceberg; the road yet traveled would bring greater challenges and losses. By Ryan Michael Painter • Twitter: @ryanMpainter

The band will return to Utah for the Twilight Concert Series at Pioneer Park on July 23. I’ve kept in touch with them over the years, pri- marily with bassist/guitarist/vocalist Robert Been. In time, our talk shifts from how the recent horrors of the world are conveyed in such a way that we might as well be talking about last night’s episode of Game of Thrones, to the influence of politics in his writing.

In Been’s teens, however, those feelings didn’t tend to be very political. “When I first started playing guitar, I was just in love with the feel- ing,” he says. “It was innocently stumbling into something that was an artistic expression of all the different feelings that were going on inside of me.” At that time, there wasn’t a war turning young men into cadavers. As Been grew older, his interests inevitably changed.

“In my early 20s, I started writing angsty, youthful, idealistic [songs] about this and that,” he says, “drunk on the power of youth- ful, anarchistic music, thinking we could change anything.” Been still thinks music can change the world—he’s just disheartened with the generation he’d be preaching to. “I don’t know whether it’s needed or wanted Photo: James Minchin [or] whether I give a shit at all about what anyone else thinks,” he says. (L–R) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s Peter Hayes, Robert Been and Leah Shapiro return to Salt Lake Experience naturally changes the focus of an artist’s work, and Been is leery of artists who City for the Twilight Concert Series on July 23. don’t evolve. “I don’t trust artists that only write political songs or ones that never really say a fucking thing that is political or dangerous,” he says. “It’s all about the things that ebb and about the BRMC curse, that every album has if the acoustic change, just like anyone growing up.” to have its own tragedy or hardship. “The tracks should best thing about curses is that you start get- be rearranged as Though the topics may change, Been isn’t cer- ting used to them,” Been says. “You start to full-band productions tain that writing has become easier. He only laugh a bit more than cry when they happen.” with a drum kit added knows that the process is always evolving after the fact, or if they and that the expectations he puts on himself Been points out that without the difficulties, should remain the way they have heightened. “We’re throwing in some the various albums would inevitably have are. older, older songs, and there are a lot of formed differently. Each experience has, in its elements that I’m in awe of,” he says. “They own way, defined what the band is: being Black Rebel Motorcycle Club play came so naturally without any interference of forced to record Howl without original drum- the Twilight Concert Series on July 23. thought, but then there are other parts that I mer Nick Jago; or recording with Shapiro, Been says that, unlike in the past, the would never be able to live with anymore. If who influenced a change in the way the band won’t be playing the bulk of the new I could write them again, I would definitely group wrote the music; or the impact of the material at upcoming shows. He’s consid- write them better.” death of Been’s father on Specter at the Feast; ering performing one track acoustically, or Shapiro’s brain surgery during the latest knowing that the album version will prob- This sort of thought might be somewhat shock- writing sessions. “I don’t cash in as soon as ably be a radically different, full-band ar- ing to those who consider the band’s first two something bad happens because I’m start- rangement. As for the new album, Been albums to be the pinnacle of their career. ing to learn that those unexpected turns can suggests it’s a year away. “Some people might just want it to be simple, [result] in some of the best things that we’ve dumb rock n’ roll, which is great, but we need done,” he says. Dusk threatens as the conversation shifts. But more to get off lyrically now,” Been says. before he goes, Been, like the wise older With Shapiro sidelined, Been and guitarist/ brother he’s always been, offers a bit of ad- Last October, drummer Leah Shapiro an- vocalist Peter Hayes have used a com- vice: “Keep the fires burning,” he says, “and nounced that she needed brain surgery to pletely different approach to writing material if you haven’t seen The Kills, you should re- treat a Chiari malformation and that the re- for the next record. “Rather than making the ally check out their Salt Lake show.” The Kills covery would require her to stop playing the studio the last step in the process, we made will play the Twilight Concert Series on Aug. 6. drums for several months. We’ve often joked it the first,” says Been. With numerous tracks Keep up to date with Black Rebel Motorcycle already written, the band now has to decide Club at blackrebelmotorcycle.com. 40 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 41 I was lucky enough to shoot with Ryan Lay while he was in Utah a couple of months back. He has an eye for unique spots and a nollie reminiscent of Paulo Diaz. This is my favorite shot I got with him: keeping it classic with an Anthony Pappalardo– esque backside 50-50 in SLC.

By Weston Colton WestonColton.com SKATE

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42 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 43 By Mike Riedel The Kimmie, The [email protected] Yink & The Holy Miss Utah!!! July beers are all about drinkability. Gose Ale Sure, have a big, malty barleywine on By Mike Brown • Instagram: @jetpackrules Brewery/Brand: occasion, but when the heat is on, your body will quickly split with your mind, Anderson Valley few weeks ago, I had the distinct her about which year Utah was declared an official state. BYU. A man in a suit and earpiece politely kicked us out of and it’s gonna want something a bit Brewing Co. pleasure of interviewing the current Honestly, I forgot the answer but knew it was postponed the “Space Jesus Room.” So, I tried to finish the interview by more drinkable and hydrating. Damn ABV: 4.2% A Miss Utah. The last time I interacted because the early Mormon legislature liked their multiple- a flower patch by The Temple. Apparently, this wasn’t OK near every beer style out there has a Serving Style: 12 oz. can with a pageant queen was when I was asked wives thing that was going on, so the rest of the U.S. wasn’t either, and we were asked to leave Temple Square—yes, lighter, quenchable subcategory that This beer pours a somewhat hazy gold- to show a former Miss Utah how to skate- cool with granting us Beehivers statehood. Coggins wasn’t Miss Utah and I got kicked out of Temple Square. I thought will keep your body and mind in sync en/yellow color with a head that quick- board on the live morning local newscast. too sure either, so we just agreed to go ahead and say that about the irony of the situation and felt a little proud. as the summer heat takes hold. Here is ly fades to a foamy film. The nose is Needless to say, she ended up eating street it was 1888 or something. a great trio of very different but pleasing mellow with hints of lemon rind and dry on live TV after it looks like I pushed her into I wanted to finish up the interview with Miss Utah with a summertime beers that are just what the wood. The taste starts tart but not overly the shallow bowl at Guthrie Skate Park. To this I then asked some generic questions about pageantry, be- surprise, on-the-fly pageant-style question. As I’d recently proverbial doctor ordered. sour with a nice, lemony punch that is day, I maintain my innocence, but if you look cause I know nothing about it. I asked Coggins how she been the victim of a cyber-bullying attack, I asked Cog- drying and lingering. Next comes a up “Local Skater Ruins Morning Newscast,” got into it. Turns out she got into it the same way I got into gins how she would prevent this issue that Dr. Phil and Grand Bavarian hint of what is best described as toasted you can judge for yourself. smoking and skateboarding—a friend turned her on to it in Oprah both agree is one of the biggest threats to the wood along with some herbal British or seventh grade. She walked me through some of the stereo- self-esteem of youth today. European hops. The end is what makes Weissbier I decided to keep this interview much tamer types about how pageantry is seen as degrading toward Brewery/Brand: this beer unique. There is a low to mod- erate sodium bite that balances out the and safer. I figured that since I was getting to women, but explained that in her personal experience, it’s I told her to pretend it was a real pageant question. Cog- Red Rock Brewing Co. lemony tartness from the beginning of interview the current Miss Utah, Rylee Cog- been quite the opposite—mostly because it drove her to be gins remained poised, confident and articulate in her an- ABV: 5.0% the palate. It has an almost sea salt gins, I wanted to make it an interview about a better person and take care of herself. This actually made swer, and explained that we all need to take a step back Serving Style: 500 ml. bottle quality. The finish is tart, slick and dry. all things Utah. I consider myself a true Utahn, a lot of sense. Coggins said that pageantry makes for a from social media from time to time and that parents need and I’m proud of this. Whenever I leave the well-rounded person—you have to know what’s going on to be more aware of what their children are doing with Overview: I find the Gose beer style state, I tell people that I had to shave my horns in the world, and you have to be nice. We stopped the in- their social media. I’d dealt with my cyber bullies by simply to be a very refreshing summer option. I think it will work well with a fruity vin- and lock my nine wives up before the Mor- terview a couple of times so that Coggins could graciously turning off my phone, which worked. aigrette salad or saucey barbeque. If mons would allow me to cross the state lines. pose for cell phone photos, and it was totes adorbs. you find yourself to be an active person It gets believed half of the time and gets me a Overall, the interview was delightful, and even though we and need a post-beer quencher, I think free drink the other half. The interview was going great. Coggins was naturally got booted, Coggins let me wear her sash and crown. I you’ll find that its low alcohol content charming and delightful, and then the Mormon Secret Ser- looked damn good in it. Wish Coggins luck on becoming and added electrolytes will be a wel- Obviously, Miss Utah would be a true Utahn vice had to break up the fun. Apparently, media coverage the next Miss International by visiting her website, ryleekier. come hydrating alternative. Plus, you through and through as well, but I wanted to of any sort on Temple Square is as forbidden as a beard at com, or go there to learn all things pageantry. gotta love the name! know just how Utahn Coggins is. So, I decided that we should do the interview at a quintes- New Zealand sential Utah landmark, such as Gilgal Sculp- (L–R) Mike Brown and Miss Utah Rylee Coggins talked Utah trivia during their outing at Temple Square. ture Garden or Temple Square. We decided Draught on Temple Square and met up at the reflecting Brewery/Brand: pond, where I told her I would be adorned Hoppers Grill & Brewing Co. head-to-toe in Utah Jazz gear. Coggins was ABV: 4.0% radiant in her sash and crown. Serving Style: Draft This beer pours a dark orange/amber I asked her if we could conduct the interview in color with a fluffy two fingers of foam my favorite part of Temple Square, the “Space Jesus Room.” Coggins politely obliged, and Poured from the bottle, this hazy, gold- on top. The nose is flowery with spicy en-honey beer looks to have a heart of malts and a hint of melon. The taste off we went to sit under the fake stars in front copper in the middle of it as it sits in starts with a bit of toffee malts and of the gigantic Space Jesus. its hefeweizen-style glassware. There’s toasted bread. Grassy hops begin to an impossibly large and puffy crown of take over mid-palate. Beneath the bit- To keep in line with the all-Utah theme, I gave foam on top that shows no sign of giving ter grass, there is a bit of ripe-berry Coggins a little quiz on Utah. She was a bit flavors and a touch of melon, creating up its perch as well. It’s a beauty of a nervous, but I assured her she wouldn’t lose a nicely complex hop profile. The end beer to behold. The nose is loaded with her crown over this. First question: What is our is pleasantly dry with just a touch of all the clove and banana esters—some state capital? Coggins replied Salt Lake City, wheat and bubblegum as well. The lingering malt creaminess. The finish is crisp on the tongue. passing with flying colors. I needed tougher taste starts with big clove smack with questions. So I asked her, “What is our state some chewy banana drawn out from Overview: It’s the rarely used (in bird?” Again, Coggins answered correctly: the traditional German yeast strain. A North America) Rakau hops that really the California Seagull, and she even knew the hint of indefinable citrus creeps in next, make this beer shine. The variety hails amid loads of doughy wheat bread. from New Zealand and is full of pine backstory of the cricket infestation. She even The end has a nice bit of grass and hay and berry flavors. This seasonal beer knew about Lake Bonneville. Coggins was bitterness that keeps the beer from be- has become so popular at Hoppers proving to be a true Utahn indeed, or proving coming overly sweet. The finish is spicy, that it is now a full-time tap option. It’s that she paid excellent attention in a seventh chewy and doughy. definitely worth stopping in to try this grade Utah history class. Overview: This is a very good repre- unique take on a “Kiwi” pale ale. sentation of what a Bavarian weissbier Now time for an even tougher question: What should be. Brewmaster Kevin Tem- Prost! is our state tree? Coggins knew it was a Christ- plin and his crew have created an au- Read more reviews at mas tree of sorts, but not exactly sure. I gave thentic and respectful interpretation to her a pass because it’s the blue spruce pine

this uniquely German beer. slugmag.com tree, and she was super close. Then I asked Photo: Andy Fitzgerrell 44 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 45 SLC, Utah Wasatch Bike Park, Wasatch Kurt Perkins – Unturndown/NacNac

SLUG • • ByBy: Andy Andrew Fitzgerrell Fitzgerrell P E

[email protected] H

R

Wasatch Bike Park opened up in 2014, providing riders with a As BMX continues to progress and challenge the limits of O

sanctuary from the cold and wet months here in Utah. With their what is possible, there is one thing that is constant and will T

focus on the riding community and its many facets, Wasatch has never change: style. You learn style by watching videos or by U O

created several “rooms“ within their building that provide a va- riding foam pit jumps. Style naturally develops over time. Kurt is T A • E riety of terrain—the most popular of which is the (aptly named) one of the truly gifted riders here in SLC, and his style is coveted F “Jump Room,” which features a series of box jumps for riders by many. Kurt was blasting effortless tricks all evening, but this one to go through. is something of his own creation—a hybrid, really, of two tricks com- bined into some serious eye candy. 46 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 47 ARCANIA SYM

Photo courtesy of Utah Arts Alliance Standing here, I wonder why the hell On July 18, the Urban Arts Festival, presented by the Utah Arts things couldn’t have been different. Here I rule over eyes and black-and-white blocks! Alliance, will heat up the city with a full lineup of artists, musicians and performers. Arcania: The Complete Tale in this direction—a side-scrolling action game that gameplay mechanics. The problem is that the game actually emphasizes visual flair and stealth, the two doesn’t do much to set itself apart from its more ac- Nordic Games oft forgotten components of recent Assassin’s Creed claimed brethren. Taking the role of protagonist is Hot City, Sizzling Art skaters taking advantage of the indoor Reviewed on: PS4 games. Plus, it’s the first game in the series to feature a blond, square-jawed princely type named Doug skate ramp, music thumping and Also on: Xbox 360, PS3, PC a female protagonist. That’s not to say it’s a great McGrave (get it?), who is tasked with entering a By Mariah Mann Mellus models posing for sketches, all while Street: 05.29 game—while the controls and general atmosphere monster-filled dungeon, dying and doing it all over sporting the wildest urban clothing. are greatly improved, the actual level design and sto- again. Once in the dungeon, Doug is pitted against [email protected] In an ever evolving RPG landscape, where one game Everyone is invited to attend and rytelling is quite flat, but there’s a blueprint for a great all kinds of enemies, from tommy-gun toting gangsters borrows from another, perfecting age-old, tried-and- encouraged to participate, whether companion series underneath the too-familiar surface to bullwhip brandishing lions. Each enemy drops a I am far from a scientist—I never have true mechanics, upgrading graphics, expanding open you’re professional artists who just of Chronicles: China. Intrigue carried me through this specific weapon that Doug can equip in his quest to and probably never will be able to worlds, adding consequence to every interaction, want to branch out and explore new brief experience and has me mildly intrigued at the collect green ooze that can be spent on upgrades. recite the periodic table. Instead, I tend etc., Arcania: The Complete Tale seems to be the baby art mediums or novice artists wanting planned sequels to follow. –Randy Dankievitch The game’s focus on each weapon’s strengths and to focus my inquisitiveness on human boomer to the millennial. Instead of trying to do any- to make connections and be around weaknesses is solid, but the character animations and nature and the study of sociology. I find thing new, it’s stuck in the ways of old. With repeti- combat feel like they’d be more at home on your fa- it particularly interesting how people creative types. Put the inspiration that tive combat, limited (not to mention extremely buggy) Sym Gallery Stroll vorite mobile device. The Weaponographist is mildly react to summer. All day, the sun beats charges you up with to traversal, brainless practice dummies for enemies and Atrax Games / Mastertronic entertaining right up until the first boss fight, but it goes down, transferring its energy in the soil good use and create some art yourself. an inventory that is as unintuitive as it is a cluttered Reviewed on: PC (Exclusive) downhill from there. The increased frequency and dif- for the plants and grass to grow, but in mess, the question that needs to be asked is: Why Street: 05.07 ficulty of the random enemies becomes aggravating the city of asphalt and concrete, where Utah is home to many notorious and is this game being released for a third time? Most as Doug’s slow-as-molasses attack speed desperately does all that heat and energy go? I honored urban arts—aka street artists. RPGs shouldn’t get any sort of re-release treatment. The fear of interacting with people can be crippling tries to keep up. –Alex Springer propose that energy pulses through The Urban Arts Festival was created The most memorable, albeit classic games in the genre for those with Social Anxiety Disorder—Sym is about our streets and bubbles up in urban five years ago in hopes of bringing have never had a re-release outside of porting them to Josh, a boy suffering with this disorder. The whole art forms across the city. No other time this particular group of artists out of consoles. Why the hell would this gaming generation game feels like you’re walking through Josh’s sketch- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt of year does art sizzle the way it does the shadows and into the limelight. want—let alone, need—an RPG that in no way stands book—the graphics look hand drawn, some things are CD Projekt RED during these hot summer nights. To The annual festival takes place the up to its counterparts? If this were the year 2010 and constantly moving and there are words everywhere. Reviewed on: PS4 Saturday after Gallery Stroll on July You play as two different versions of Josh—a black, prove my theory of heat transfer, let’s games like The Witcher 2, Fallout: New Vegas, or even Also on: Xbox One, PC 18 in the Gateway Shopping District of stick-like figure that runs around in the world, and a look at the art offerings for July. Mass Effect 2 weren’t out around the same time, then Street: 05.19 Salt Lake City. The Urban Arts Festival maybe Arcania: The Complete Tale would be a fun, white, cocooned version of himself that delves into the Gallery Stroll hits it hard on the third showcases nearly 200 artists, plus fill-the-void RPG experience, but even that would be a ground, hidden from the world. It’s a great metaphor The fine folks over at CD Projekt RED claim that those Friday of the month. From 6 to 9 p.m., dancers, musicians and skateboarders stretch. –Trey Sanders that happens to make this platformer one of the most who pick up The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt need not have dozens of Salt Lake’s art galleries on three stages. This year, the stages interesting games I’ve played—and a little disconcert- played the previous two to enjoy the third installment, host public artist receptions for will be broken up into a “Hip-Hop Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: ing at the same time. The gameplay is simple, but which is music to my ears, considering I’ve never even their incoming shows. The full list of Stage,” “Festival Stage” and “Gallery it’s far from easy. You have to be very precise to get heard of the game up until four months ago. Having participating galleries can be found Stage.” Hands-on kids art activities China through all of the levels—one wrong step, and you’re played a good chunk of it (prying myself away to at gallerystroll.org. But what do you will be held in partnership with the Ubisoft done. My computer is a little too expensive to throw write this review), I can honestly say that The Witcher do after 9 p.m.? With longer days, Discovery Gateway. Skaters and skate Reviewed on: PS4 against the wall, but believe me, swear words were 3 has lived up to the surrounding hype. With over it seems a shame to end the party so enthusiasts will enjoy a quarter-pipe Also on: Xbox One, PC yelled. Once you manage to beat the main game, 200 hours of gameplay and graphics so detailed skate competition along with open there’s a level editor so you can create your own lev- that it makes you call your friends into the room to early, so let’s head to an after-party. Street: 04.21 skate sessions and a skatedeck design els, share them with your steam peeps and play theirs. show them the mighty power of the PS4, I daresay that Sketch Cabaret is THE after party for competition. If the heat gets to you, duck I’ve never understood why the emphasis in Assassin’s It’s a great platformer for $8 that may open your eyes this is the game of the year. Concluding the story of Gallery Stroll. Taking over the Metro into the Voice Of The City Film Festival Creed games is less on historical assassinations and to a different perspective. –Ashley Lippert Geralt Of Rivia in The Witcher 3, Geralt must stop an Bar, Sketch Cabaret is a collective of featuring Shepherd Fairey’s new more on ridiculously trite “hunt and gather” missions, army known as the Wild Hunt as they leave mayhem artists and creative types that come film,Art As A Weapon. The list of events layered with the extremely superficial satisfaction of The Weaponographist and destruction throughout his kingdom. This massive together for a night of art, music, and activities is too robust to mention climbing and jumping off buildings into bushes. Be- Puuba / Mastertronic RPG is unlike any other. The story is spectacular, the it all, so please visit urbanartsfest.org. ing a yearly title, Ubisoft’s signature 3D action series graphics are unmatched, and the learning curve for performances and interactions. To Reviewed on: PC (Exclusive) Looking to support the local art scene? doesn’t often get a chance to step outside its populist new players is surprisingly easy. One moment, you’re support a cohesive event, a theme is Street: 04.29 selected for each month. No doubt due Consider volunteering; Urban Arts trappings. This, ironically, often saps the game of its playing a detective looking for clues; the next, you’re to the energy conversion I mentioned Festival and Craft Lake City are always greatest strengths—its ability to build immersive worlds It’s clear that The Weaponographist is hoping to insert fighting a giant Griffin. There you have it! Everybody earlier, the July 17 theme is street art. need volunteers, and it’s a great way and to get players lost in the game’s time period and itself as a new entry in the rapidly diversifying rogue- should own The Witcher 3. Can I get back to the game Assassin’s Imagine an evening of graffiti and to support the scene. Enjoy the summer cultural aesthetics. The first game in the 2D like genre. It’s got a town full of upgrade-peddlers, now? –Kenny Tadrzynski Creed Chronicles China mural artists working on a giant canvas, of art! series, , is an important step progressively difficult enemies and vaguely retro 48 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 49 a delicate situation and that it was had were rough and slow (either from highly comfortable design is combined a question of the intimacy, bound- the start or after a month), but the zipper with a worry free fit to keep the device aries and propriety common to us on the Ironwood is one of the smoothest from falling off your head while amid all, but he swiftly corrected me and I have ever used—it even sounds clean. some of the hardest workouts. Overall, said, “Oh, no, Bro! I crossed the Some of my favorite features on this this is a great product with minimal to no Blue Line, man!” pack are the five exterior lash points, downsides. –Joshua Joye top-mounted, reinforced haul handle and KeepCup lower accessory loop. The lash points W&P Design Come, now. For real? Is this a are perfect for clipping carabineers to, thing, too? I mean, is the “Blue KeepCup Brew or running paracords through for water Homemade Gin Kit Line” a THING, Cop Friend? If so, us.keepcup.com bottles, or any gear you need to get to homemadegin.com what is it? What are its basic lim- on the fly or larger items that wouldn’t Ever stare down a bottle of Beehive its? From whence it cometh (what fit in the main compartment. I have a Gin and wonder how many distinct hath God wrought!?)? And could feeling that this bag will last me many ingredients are at work in such a spirit? years of professional commuting and you hook me up with your sister? Or maybe you’ve thought to yourself, recreation. –Granato “Gee, could I ever make something that Sincerely, tasty for myself?” Well, with the help Laikwan Sony of W&P Design’s Homemade Gin Kit, Waterproof Walkman you can master the art of making your Mr. Laikwan, Headphones own gin—in 36 hours, no less. The kit sony.co.uk comes with two 375-ml glass bottles with My opinion is yes, most cops accompanying cork stoppers, a stainless These little headphones are not your steel strainer, a funnel and a tin each of (male and female) are Type average ear buds. They are a fully dried juniper berries and a botanical Hey, Copface (I say that with oh, so A. Lots of people probably water- and sweat-proof (for up to two blend containing bay leaves, fennel, rose much love), think it’s Type A–squared for meters) music playback device with up hips and a handful of other strong spices. What it is? “Arrogant Asshole,” but it’s to eight hours of rechargeable battery Essentially, this kit makes the seemingly a job where you mostly have lightweight and smooth, making it easy life. They have one hour of playback daunting process of making your own So I’ve heard it repeated, from time compound gin quick and easy. Simply to tell people what to do and to move around in when running, biking with a short, three-minute charge time, to time, that “cops tend to be/are hold up to 4GB or 8GB of memory and funnel your juniper berries into a 750 ml. not ask people what they’d or during any other activities. A zippered overwhelmingly Type-A person- chest pocket makes packing the light-as- an easy computer interface. When you bottle of vodka, infuse for 24 hours, add alities.” Those who say so are, of like to do. In my experience, a-feather jacket a breeze when traveling want to add or delete sound files, simply the botanicals for another 12, filter out course, complaining. I hope you Type A people are much bet- lightly is key. The adjustable hood is plug in the device then drag and drop and imbibe. Longer infusion will make for a more potent gin, but at $49.95, haven’t fielded this question before ter at giving direction assert- designed for full peripheral vision, which an array of sound files you want on the If you ever wanted to catch the eye of this kit will give any timid bootlegger and that I’ve missed it because I ively and not backing down was super helpful to me as someone who Walkman once it’s connected to your your favorite barista, get your coffee the encouragement to experiment. very much wonder and would like to adversity than Type B peo- or tea in one of KeepCup’s chic and also sports glasses. My only complaint is computer, and then you’re ready. The that the thing is so slick that my Chrome –Christian Schultz to pick your brain. I wonder two ple. I hope we’re thinking of ingenuous reusable cups. I took my things about this, actually: glass KeepCup Brew ($32) on daily Industries messenger bag was slippin’ the types as the same thing. treks to SLUG HQ’s favorite caffeine n’ slidin’ across my back during bicycle By the way, I’m Type B per 1) Is this in any way verifiably true? haunt, The Rose Establishment, where commutes if it wasn’t tightened down, my Minnesota Multiphasic it was the envy of each of their lovely but aside from that minor gripe, the Houdini is one of those staple items that 2) If it is, does it matter? In other Personality Inventory. employees. I’d previously been toting around a Hammertone Green Stanley every outdoor adventurer should own. words, do we make it a require- –Christian Schultz ment that the squeamish perform I’ve neither heard of nor ex- Vacuum Mug, which did keep beverages hotter for longer than the KeepCup surgeries or the timid be on the perienced the “Blue Line” but left a metallic taste to my daily Patagonia front lines of battle or that the dis- you’ve described. The ex cuppa—not to mention that it has a lid organized be the ones to draft a Ironwood Pack 20L of some cop is fair game to that’s difficult to clean thoroughly. The patagonia.com corporation’s weekly schedule? If anyone. I believe the Blue KeepCup, though, is made with durable Type-A personalities suit the job of The Ironwood Pack from Patagonia has Line saved Jeff from that ex- tempered glass, which keeps any drink “Constable on Patrol” (I’ve heard the simple and classic design of every wife. The Blue Line I know warm enough for quick consumption, that’s where we get the term “cop” has an easy-to-clean and securable backpack you have ever owned. What from--heyo!) and it is true, indeed, and have experienced refers polypropylene lid and comes in 8-oz. sets this pack apart from every other that such types predominate the to one of two things: first, the and 12-oz. sizes, and can either have one out there is its sturdy construction numbers of our boys and girls in inner workings of law en- a plastic or cork band around it for and superior padded Human Curve shoulder straps that make it feel like blue, then what would be the prob- forcement that’s not revealed safe handling. While it’s comparable I’m not hauling many pounds of gear lem with that? to outsiders. Cops go through to the JOCO cup, the classy-lookin’ cork band seals the deal … Next time on my back. Patagonia uses recycled life and death together, and you fill up, let KeepCup do the talking. polyester fabric that keeps the pack light DO Type-A personalities suit the job when Internal Affairs comes and durable enough for the mountains of constable on patrol in the first –Christian Schultz knocking, no one wants to or professional use. Not only is the body place? Do they not? rat out their partner. Second made of 100-percent post-consumer Patagonia material, it is treated with a polyurethane I guess I kind of have another ques- is the “Thin Blue Line” that Houdini Jacket coating and a durable water-repellent tion, also. My friend Jeff recently refers to the few sheepdogs patagonia.com finish, and the lining offers the same treatment to ensure that gear stays told me that he has a cousin who’s protecting sheep from the Intended as a shell for blocking out the dry. The inside offers a raised 15-inch a cop whose friend (a fellow cop) wolves. My sisters? Really? elements during runs and other active padded sleeve with an adjustable buckle recently got divorced from his wife. Hell no! conditions, Patagonia’s Houdini ($99) to keep your laptop in place. While After some time, Jeff actually be- has become my go-to light jacket. When the main compartment is huge, the came interested in this cop’s former a week’s worth of unusually wet weather –Cop secondary “stash” pocket is big enough hit the Wasatch Front, the Houdini kept wife and set about to start making to store all of the smaller necessities. me dry as a dad joke during my slick some moves. Cop Cousin Theresa The Ironwood Pack is available in nine Have a question for the cop? and drizzly commutes. Made with put the kebosh on that, sharpish. different colorways that look good Email him at 100-percent nylon ripstop fabric, the As Jeff related this story to me, I regardless if you’re running to class or jacket is weather-resistant and super immediately thought that it was just [email protected]. down a dusty trail. The last few packs I’ve 50 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 51 Branches and Twigs of water that will save her. Things pre- dictably go awry. However, there’s a … Kia McGinnis happy ending. The writing is straightfor- Self-Released ward like a ghost story—meant to be Street: 04.15 told around the campfire—but instead, we experience it through those classic red-and-blue 3D glasses. It’s headache- Entourage out mines and weapons caches, or that Sure, the effects are beautiful, and inducing because it’s a constant switch some could acquire PTSD like their hu- Paul Giamatti is a delight even when between the few pictures and the story Director: Doug Ellin man handlers. In Boaz Yakin’s family- he’s ducking under a desk half the time, every other page, but it’s still a fun ex- Warner Bros. friendly tale, we follow a Belgian Mali- but the plot is paper-thin and reeks of perience. The art has nice depth per- In Theaters: 06.03 nois named Max who loses his handler, ’Merica pride (see unnecessary flag ception, though it doesn’t add to the It’s been four years since Vinnie (Adri- Kyle Wincott (Robbie Amell), during waving in the wind just before credits). story as much as mimic what’s already an Grenier), E (Kevin Connolly), a firefight in Afghanistan and can no Johnson is a great lead and possesses been said, similar to the way children’s Turtle (Jerry Ferrara), Drama (Kev- longer perform his duties due to PTSD. the ability for far greater productions, books are set up. It’s akin to the Bud- in Dillon) and Ari (Jeremy Piven) Since Robby’s Law prohibits the mili- but sometimes you just go to the theater dhist Master Wonhyo’s story about left HBO and our lives, but, for some tary from simply euthanizing the ani- to watch iconic structures be demol- “drinking water from a skull,” which, odd reason, it has been decided that mals (thank Crom), Max is adopted by ished by skyscraper-sized tidal waves. in short, teaches us that even gross the tale of this Hollywood gang hasn’t his handler’s family, which consists of –Jimmy Martin things can be refreshing, just like this! been completely wrapped up. If you’ve Ray (Thomas Haden Church), Pa- If you’re a typical resident of Salt Lake –Taylor Hoffman never seen an episode of Entourage, mela (Lauren Graham) and Justin Spy City, or perhaps even just “The West,” you have absolutely no business watch- (Josh Wiggins), who already have their own issues. However, when Kyle’s Director: Paul Feig there’s a chance that your ancestors The Holy Automatic ing the movie adaptation. You will be 20th Century Fox aren’t very clear, mentally. Meaning, utterly lost and uninterested. Essentially, former friend and fellow soldier Tyler Various Authors (Luke Kleintank) returns home un- In Theaters: 06.05 you can’t say much about your great- BETEP International the film plays out like an extended epi- der questionable circumstances, Justin You can never judge a book by its cov- great-grandparents other than that you Street: 01.15 sode of the television show. Ari wants have a vague awareness that they be- Vinnie to star in his studio’s latest movie, begins to unravel the mystery of his er, and you can never judge a movie longed to the nomadic, proletariat mass Despite being a non-religious fellow, but Vinnie wants to direct. After Vinnie become a reality and Claire (Bryce brother’s death. Yakin’s script feels as by its trailer. Those are words to live though it’s been sitting around for de- of people who left their homes at some there have been a few times in my life goes $20 million over budget, Ari must Dallas Howard) is doing every- by, especially in the case of this next cades and no one thought to freshen it point for greener pastures. In her zine, when I really envy people who are seek additional funding from a Texas thing she can to run a successful theme coupling of Melissa McCarthy and up. His heart is in the right place, but McGinnis sets out to fill the void and tell well-versed in the Bible. Though, no oilman (Billy Bob Thornton) and his park, the notion of creating new dino- Paul Feig. Every time the pair has the execution is hindered with dated the story of her own wilderness-bred duh, shame on me for not being so. son (Haley Joel Osment). This may saur breeds by splicing various DNA been together, they have been an un- dialogue and unexplainable racism. heritage. Through a stylized version The shit’s canon. Regardless, this zine be easier said than done, however, strands together is the latest attraction. stoppable force of hilarity. First Brides- The inclusion of teenagers riding their of record-keeping, McGinnis offers us presents a brilliant concept on the com- when unwarranted creative differences Once the Indominus Rex breaks out— maids, then The Heat and now Spy. As bikes everywhere is much appreciated, faded photographs of her Idahoan fam- plicated relationship between poetry, on the production arise. The primary and of course she does, or else it’d the voice of navigation and information but that’s certainly not enough to claim ily during the golden age, a time long words and their relationship to “the reason to watch the show was Piven’s be a boring movie—Navy vet Owen inside the ear of CIA super spy Bradley victory. The overt use of patriotism is gone. And though the book is certainly truth.” Beginning with a statement from maniacal outbursts and unforgettable (Chris Pratt) must track down the Fine (Jude Law), Susan Cooper (Mc- enough to make you want to move to romanticizing, the content of her col- (whom I’m guessing is fictional, though tirades, and he continues to entertain beast before disaster strikes. Spoiler Carthy) lives a menial life of doubt and Canada. Max (aka Carlos) is ador- lection has wonderful personality and it’s wonderfully unclear) “Rev. Dr. Lee in that respect. The franchise’s ultimate alert: Disaster strikes. The greatest ac- regret, but when her partner is gunned able, and children will love him, but artfully evades the kitschy signifiers of Busch, D.D., Tri-County Youth Pastor,” problem, which continues to this day, is complishment of director Colin Trevor- down, it’s time for Susan to take a step most parents will be found asleep in cowboy-dom. In addition to the photos, the collection asks us to consider these that the viewers know without a doubt row’s vision is the solid foundation of into the spotlight and let her true colors the chair next to them. –Jimmy Martin McGinnis provides handwritten com- poems as modern stand-ins for bibli- that everything will work out in the end. the park’s establishment. From the VIP shine. McCarthy is one of the funniest mentary, which ranges from simply cal scripture. Busch explains, “You are There’s no hint at any real danger. As wristbands and petting zoo to the actresses working to date, and Feig told words of wisdom to the conflict- holding in your very hands the most a fan of the show that was ready for its spinning-egg ride and Jimmy Buf- San Andreas knows how to let her glow with mul- ing expectations of women’s gender recent divinations from the Lord.” And departure four years ago, I sat in the fett’s “Margaritaville,” it all feels too Director: Brad Peyton tiple improvisational scenes. Feig does suffer from Judd Apatow syndrome roles, the beauty of the mundane, and why not? Each poem in this text refer- theater with the question of “Why?” re- real. The venture is the epitome of a Warner Bros. and lets the running time get away her family’s enduring characteristic of ences specific biblical verses which peatedly running through my mind. To summer blockbuster. Turn your brain In Theaters: 05.29 from him, though. The film clocks in at hope. Email McGinnis at kiaginny@ are sometimes serious re-creations and give director/creator Doug Ellin some off and drool into your popcorn. The There’s not much to say about a film en- 120 minutes and definitely needs to be gmail.com, and, for just $3, you can sometimes outright parody. Whether credit, it certainly didn’t feel like that second you start picking away at the tirely about earthquakes, but let’s do it in the 90-minute region, and there are pick up Branches and Twigs for yourself or not you find the content offensive, much time had passed, but, when the impracticalities of a dinosaur theme anyway. I must admit, my theater expe- a handful of moments where the cast and smile along with her as she builds enlightening or hilarious, your reaction cameos start to outshine the cast (I’m park, you’ll lose your mind and forget rience tilted the judgment scale on this is trying much too hard to be funny a new tree. –Nic Smith is not really the point. The accomplish- looking at you, Ronda Rousey), one the purpose of the production. I do ap- one, since I witnessed this disaster-porn when it’s entirely unnecessary. With ment of The Holy Automatic is that any may need to recalculate the situation preciate the fact that Howard is not al- epic in 4DX. If you are unfamiliar with that said, Feig uses his R-rating to the poem in this text forces you to con- and wonder if it’s time for Vinnie and ways the damsel in distress, especially Kackle Issue 3D: the format, 4DX theaters have aggres- fullest extent and lets McCarthy off the front whether or not their re-creation the crew to go back to mom’s house for since she saves the leading man’s life Skull Water sively shifting seats, smoke machines, chain with lines of dialogue that would is an adequate replacement for the good. –Jimmy Martin on multiple occasions. While this chap- water sprayers, aroma emitters, strobe make sailors blush. Along with the Bruce Wilson original—which is impossible to decide ter may not live up to the original’s lights and tubes of air that spray the laughs, the fight sequences are noth- Self-Released without interpretational bias. Thus, the classic status, it certainly revived the Jurassic World back of your neck. It essentially con- ing to ignore, and McCarthy excels at Street: 01.28 book reveals the profound, centuries- franchise in a much-needed fashion. Director: verts any film into a ride at Disneyland. those as well. To add the cherry on top, long Judeo-Christian problem of try- –Jimmy Martin This little zine is rated R for Re-Animator Jason Statham ing to impose poetry onto reality. My Colin Trevorrow As I watched Dwayne “The Rock” delivers his best role Romance. In just 12 short pages, Bruce to date as a caricature version of every advice: Pick this up alongside a Bible Universal Johnson save the day as a rescue he- Wilson writes a twisted little love story Max action role he’s ever performed and and go back and forth. Who knows? In Theaters: 06.12 licopter pilot who attempts to salvage wrapped up in reimagined zombie- comes across as the biggest idiot on You might just get divinely inspired. Director: Boaz Yakin his marriage with Carla Gugino as tropes. The plot itself is humorous, just It’s hard to believe that it’s been exact- the screen. It’s brilliant. –Jimmy Martin –Nic Smith Warner Bros. their daughter, played by Alexandra a short story about a simple boy who ly 22 years since the original Jurassic In Theaters: 06.26 Daddario, tries not to fall into a mas- wants to bring his mother back to life Park attempted to open its doors, but sive crater, I could only imagine how Read more reviews at I honestly had no idea how long dogs Read more reviews at and the magical doctor who sends him that’s where Jurassic World begins. much less entertaining the film would had been used in the military to seek on a mission to find a skull with a drop slugmag.com Now that John Hammond’s idea has be without all the antics occurring. slugmag.com 52 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 53 the cover of Mark Kozelek’s “You course of the album, their drunken, Street: 03.13 ally brought them back together years Are Not My Blood,” wherein the band bawdy intensity shines through. Join Ossatura = down the road. They recorded their is joined by SubRosa members to the show and you can never leave. Motionless In White + five-track EP in December 2014, which showcase their range with this deep, Are you in the mood for a gamble? Iron Maiden sets the bar high for their full-length brooding dirge. Anthony Lucero’s –LeAundra Jeffs album. These locals jam with a kind dramatic, clean vox, in particular, Ossatura’s self-released, self-titled EP is of rawness (yes, on porches) with a were an enjoyable surprise. There is Kyler Slater the epitome of bad production wreck- guitar, fast banjo picks and plucks and ing an otherwise good album. Musi- a distinct, dark anger in Cult Leader’s The Winter EP a fiddling flavor, singing songs about music that I have honestly felt only on cally, with what they are trying to ac- drinking and good times. Vocally, ev- Self-Released a few records ever, and it’s that unique complish, they have all the trademarks eryone participates, adding fullness to Street: 03.02 adrenaline that keeps me coming needed to be a good representative of each song, but bassist Nick Harris’ back. My only complaint is this isn’t a Kyler Slater = The Fray + their sound, which is a somewhat me- voice is as low and awesome as the fucking full-length, and I’m still thirsty. First Aid Kit – lodically progressive metalcore unit. notes he plays. Throw in the harmoni- Replay. –Megan Kennedy Justin Townes Earle Their musicianship and songwriting ca, and we have the quintessential folk Then I went to their Facebook page in Provo, but this album is charming isn’t the issue here. It’s the fact that the 90s Television Lydia Lunch & Cypress The Winter is an appropriate title grass band. –Lizz Corrigan and saw that under “influences,” they and off-beat enough from the typically mix and production are off. One guitar Grove False Witness for this album. This is not a cheer- Bad 4 the Tooth list those two bands … and pizza. clean-cut music of Happy Valley to is barely audible, the bass comes in Down to the Styx is a rise and fall of ful, upbeat kind of album—this is a Soft Touch Self-Released Glad we agree! 100 Mile House is stand alone. It rubs into you nicely— Ascent To Chaos loud at times and then disappears into a drawn-out song—eroded down to rainy-day, stare-out-your-window-and- Street: 12.12.14 a different take on the emo revival like a good sweater from the D.I. Soft Self-Released the abyss, and the clean vocals are so Touch the twang of the guitar and redolent wonder-where-it-all-went-wrong kind 90s Television = that’s been taking place in the last few accordion is the threshold to intellec- Street: 03.28 loud that they sound out of place—I Self-Released of all psychedelic hearts longing for of album. The Winter plays beautifully Animal Collective + years. Instead of following the more tually stimulating lyrics that seem to False Witness = could go on, but why? Having seen Street: 03.26 the Southwestern desert. Kirk Da- and brushes over your head the way Devendra Banhart + ambient path like Great Interstate, unapologetically examine religion. Avenged Sevenfold + the band live previously—and know- Soft Touch = Shy Girls / th’s voice is soulful and sooty, like your mom’s hand would when you The Strokes these guys are embracing the pop- “Earnest Blood/Rapture,” declares, Mudvayne + Sepultura ing that when the mix is right and Lewis iron-crusted boots kicked around in were a child on the worst kind of bad pier side of emo and mixing it with a “There’s a spirit in my book and it’s dense, these guys have an extremely the sand until they’re tattered but still Upon first listen to False Witness and days. The tracks “On My Own” and When Prince introduced the world little bit of finger-tapping math rock. telling me lies / Tricked me into feeling heavy sound—and then listening to barely intact, elation and agony both their album Ascent To Chaos, I felt that “Losing My Mind” are patient and to his high-pitched funk ballads, the The production quality of this album guilty about things that naturally come the release where everything sounds held in the shreds. Purist blues and I was handed another generic melodic intimate songs that are reminiscent world became infatuated. Soft Touch occasionally leaves me wanting, but from an earnest heart that’s still pump- sterile is heartbreaking. Perhaps a live squealing harmonica—mixed with metalcore release within the “paint by of things you may have heard before might be hip to the “purple one” and overall, it’s a really solid introduction. ing blood.” While there are heavy release wouldn’t be a bad idea at this slithering, vintage rock n’ roll—sounds numbers” realm. After the fourth listen, but they serve more as a comfort than his influence, but they remind me more Hopefully, these kids stick around and lyrical moments, the overall texture of point. –R.G.B. Robb like Timothy Leary in the Wild West. I realized that I was completely wrong. a redundancy. Kyler Slater show a of Prince-influenced modern songs. keep making solid tunes—Provo needs Ekphrasis is bittersweet. “Sway With Check out “Devilish Deeds.” The qual- Although they are an extremely heavy maturity that is unique for bands just Beck’s “Debra” and “Idiot Boy- more good guitar rock. –Alex Gilvarry Me” brings a swirling, singalong light- panthermilk ity of recording and use of heavily band—incorporating intricate palm- starting out, and they are one of the friend” by Jimmy Fallon are refer- ness, while “Organic Computer” is a echoing reverb brings to mind a swel- muted chugging guitar patterns that few bands that can successfully pull Totem ence points for Soft Touch’s style, but tender denouement with fingerstyle gui- Artificial Flower tering twilight performance with sound are complemented by a talented off melody without succumbing to a Self-Released this four-piece delivers a bit slower, tar and a simple proclamation: “I need Company waves bouncing off hoodoos and up rhythm section, along with vocals hook. The Winter is a solid first step Street: 03.12 hazier and in lo-fi. Touch’s highlights the truth / So I can be less confused.” toward the stars. Tad Wilford’s licks sounding like a chorus of demons let from these local guys, and I’m honestly include the lead organ on “Never Creamium –Kia McGinnis panthermilk = Woods + Self-Released will bring out your most wicked fever out of hell—they don’t fall into the trap curious what they’ll come up with next. TOPS Ending Story Infinity Part 1” and the dreams, à la “Honey.” This gorgeous of using the heavy elements to define –Benjamin Tilton sax solo on “Touch Your Body,” which Street: 03.16 The second EP from Loganite Benton Black Jupiter and gritty album has already ranked them. Instead, they use fascinating riffs soothes like soda and crackers for a The Artificial Flower Wood’s solo project, panthermilk, re- Bad 4 the Tooth is a seven-track col- Salvation in a up on my summer time “trip” list ’cause and passages that allow the musical The Ladells sick tummy. Like soda and crackers, Company = 90s Television + minds me of those wholesome snack lection of burned-out, sleepy tunes this layer of downtempo grit reminds experience to rise to the forefront, and you can expect things to be a little flat Delicate Steve Self-Destructive World EP Vamp food commercials where the mom and that sway nicely across bizarre land- that we’re just animals inside. even though you can discerne their in- and bubbly all at once with Soft Touch. Self-Released Self-Released the kids are flipping their shit over their scapes. With a name like 90s Televi- TAFC are an experimental project out –LeAundra Jeffs fluences, they have crafted a sound all –Justin Gallegos Street: 01.16 Street: 05.15 healthy treats. It’s a vision of whole- sion, I’ll admit that I had nostalgically of Provo who give old and new pop their own. My only complaint is that the Black Jupiter = The Ladells = Giuda + someness. Though this association charged expectations. However, their influences unexpected flavors within clean vocals sometimes get off rhythm Whysir A Perfect Circle + Radiohead Cult Leader may seem negative, it’s not. This album style seems to be venturing into new a low-budget recording style. For at times, but with that being so minute, The Stooges + + Pink Floyd Useless Animal EP transcends what otherwise would be a Sigh Quests territory, and I admire their distorted me, most lo-fi music sounds endear- this is an album I must recommend. The Velvet Underground Deathwish Inc sappy indie sound to a tangibly emo- Self-Released re-creation of the past. 90s Television ing. However, TAFC have a certain It was so wonderful to listen to such –R.G.B. Robb In an explosion of heavy, fuzz-filled Street: 06.16 tional and thoroughly whole place. Streets: 03.12 have a purposefully unpolished sound, cabaret panache in this album that’s a calm and gripping strut through the riffs and prominent beats, The Ladells Cult Leader = Converge + Its concentration of youthful, sincere Whysir = Hopsin + which gives it a stylized feeling of VCR especially funny and nicely tempered melodic wanderings of Black Jupi- Folk Hogan have more than captured my atten- vocals (especially “Sun Lakes”), and MC Frontalot + Yelawolf fadedness. Songs like “Love Patient” by the sound quality. Opening up with ter’s EP, Salvation in a Self-Destructive Coalesce tion. The Ladells have a sound that The Show the sunshine feel that blinks off of war- and “Shoes” possess a fun but eerie “Creamium Overture” and “Demon In World. The heavily instrumental al- is a welcome ferocity of sultry angst Witty, clever, angry and thought-pro- Self-Released bling psychedelic effects keeps the quality that reminds me of the music the Sack,” the album sets a tone for bum takes me back to nights sitting at inspired by the greats of proto-punk voking—this is what comes to mind Street: 04.10 almost Western guitar feeling tangy found in misfit Saturday cartoons. I felt a kind of tongue-in-cheek listening lookout points, wondering where it all that is heard in numbers like “Velvet when listening to Whysir’s debut mix Folk Hogan = Oingo Boingo and fresh. This is achieved by a lovely swept up in the speed-breezy chorus experience. For the high-energy jam ends. With the entire world rushing to Wasteland,” and they have that deli- tape Sigh Quests. Whysir approached + Tom Waits + In Extremo mixture of melodic acoustics and a of “Alleycat Blues” (named after a “Cougar Town” with lyrics such as “ev- the next big catchy thing, it’s nice to cious, snotty attitude of late-1970s the layout of this mixtape in an amaz- little dose of body and warmth adding level from a classic Ninja Turtles SNES eryone loves a MILF,” no one should see a band confident enough to just Folk Hogan have chosen an entirely art punk in tracks like “I’m a Pilgrim, ingly creative way, played out as funk, seen in tracks like “Bare Feet.” It game), and danced to the killer solo of have high-brow expectations. Rather, be ... and this album dwells in itself to new direction. The Show is a concept I’m a Stranger” and “Night Trooper.” an intimate conversation between a is thorough and direct in its style but “Bug Girl.” 90s Television seem com- TAFC are clearly just having a good a wonderful extent. Very few times in album centered on a nightmarish al- Vamp is a much-needed jolt to the sys- madman and his iPhone’s Siri, almost so sweet at points that it’s almost too fortable and at ease throughout this al- time with this album. And there is no my listening career have I actually felt legory of a troupe of carnival work- tem and a swift kick to the balls. If I like some fucked-up version of Spike much for my lame, calloused heart. bum, and I dig its lack of pretension. If denying the catchiness of the beats in relief and peace after taking in a rock ers who feel trapped and resort to wasn’t before, Lord knows I’m now Jonze’s Her. “Intro (some concerns)” –Erin Moore you’re on the hunt for new styles, keep “Between A Rock and A Hard Place” album, so thank you, Black Jupiter, for mayhem. With their signature quirki- awake and am now very much turned is a beautiful and ambient track with spatial synths and Whysir asking un- these guys on your radar. –Nic Smith or the sudden sincerity of “The Small- relaxing shoulders and giving the mind ness marinated in heavy metal, Folk on to what’s coming out of the Land answerable questions about life itself. est Town.” Give this album a couple a place to explore. Local bands often Hogan have taken a turn from their of Zion—and I want more of it. This Porch to Porch Sigh Quests then explodes into an in- 100 Mile House listens and you’ll be flipping through trip over themselves fighting for at- previously folk punk ways. “Illusion- sweet, nine-track release hit shelves Self-Titled teresting analysis of the darker side their entire catalogue. –Nic Smith tention—it’s good to see some bands ist” mixes swooning melodies with in May, and while it may sometimes Self-Released Self-Titled of life and current culture, referencing haven’t forgotten that they’re simply On the heels of the acclaimed debut despairingly violent guitar breaks. The be difficult to make choices between Street: 03.24 Self-Released 3D-printed guns, Internet dependence, entertainers. –Benjamin Tilton Nothing For Us Here comes this tiny grinding heaviness of songs such as albums when perusing records, let me Street: 03.06 Batty Blue Porch to Porch = suicide, pleasure and depression. Sigh “Butcher” are offset by sweet and emo- cut out the bullshit of uncertainty and 100 Mile House = Ekphrasis but crushing EP to grind the lesser Hot Buttered Rum + Quests is an interestingly unique ap- tive pieces like “Said the Beast to the simply say that Vamp is the next album American Football + Self-Released Crook & the Bluff music out of your ears. Both “Useless Ugly Valley Boys proach to a debut mix tape, and its Animal” and “Gutter Gods” are short Bearded Lady.” To add to the album’s to pick up. –Nick Kuzmack Minus the Bear Street: 01.17 Down to the Styx Porch to Porch are an all-acoustic thought-provoking lyrics and delivery tracks, like brutal slashes with rusty versatility, Jared Hayes has been Batty Blue = Amelie Self-Released folk/bluegrass band that capture the make it worth the listen. –Connor Brady blades, but there is so much energy added as a main vocalist, launching Ossatura On my first listen through this EP, I soundtrack + Laura Marling Street: 01.13 quirky, Western vibes of Salt Lake City. and atmosphere in their frantic, ugly the album into a sinister, character- thought, “I bet these guys like Ameri- Crook & the Bluff = Self-Titled Read more reviews at There’s an oversaturation of folk bands centric, narrative realm. Even with The band members initially met each can Football and Minus the Bear.” rhythms. The stand-out track is easily Self-Released Those Poor Bastards + only one reference to alcohol over the other in high school, and music eventu- slugmag.com 54 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 55 The Mae Shi Street: 06.09 Quarters! isn’t the first concept album tween guitar solos. This is one of those King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard “sit down for the whole thing” kind of Post-hardcore is a difficult genre to Jenny Hval = have conceived, but it enters a realm albums, and you will absolutely enjoy penetrate for me. The genre dances Laurie Anderson + of psychedelic jazz that’s relatively it. (The Complex, 08.08) –Madi Smith around the edges, obscuring mean- Kate Bush + FKA Twigs new for the Australian seven-piece. ing with angular guitar riffs and vocals Apocalypse, girl is intimate, redolent King Gizzard are known for their face- that vacillate between lackadaisical Matrixxman of how an experimental documen- melting psych that can be unpredict- mumblings and bursts of energy. These Homesick tary art film might translate to sound. able yet groovy, but Quarters! finds guys from Bristol might bristle at be- Ghostly International Jenny Hval pervades her reality with the band hitting their stride by explor- ing lumped into the genre, but it was Street: 07.10 musings about her state of being in ing cosmic rhythms and toning down my point of departure. Falling Stacks the world—how she wants to live and the noise. This elevates the band from Matrixxman = French Fries bring these previously perturbing ele- how she’s supposed to live, regarding trippy to spiritual through four 10-min- + L-Vis 1990 ments—guitar riffs, Linklater slacker gender, sexuality and physicality. Her ute songs with plenty of breathing Matrixxman’s latest release is a stellar vocals that are buried in the mix and hallucinatory, fever-dream narratives room. “The River” features Santana- album that’s brimming with the darkest would be obnoxious cacophony—with are neatly contextualized by the po- Author & Punisher Bully can pick up the pace just as well as sic influences like the Wipers with a esque riffing and jazz drumming that techno sounds. I can’t get enough of a twinkle in the eye to No Wives. And eticized themes that course throughout they slow it down. The lead track ’90s lo-fi sound. Gold and Stone is the stimulate the mind right into the mel- this release. It’s beautiful and eerie and Melk En Honing Feels Like that’s why this works: It is an involved the speak-sing, art-pop album. In “That sounds like a Church song with those fourth full-length release that the band low launch pad that is “Infinite Rise.” filled with amazing percussion. I was Housecore Columbia listen, creating anticipation for the next Battle is Over,” Hval turns skyward soothingly deep vocals, yet it’s directly has had in their five-year history, and it And while “The River” features one hooked by the second track, “Augment- Street: 06.30 Street: 06.23 musical idea. Maybe they take them- with a singsong jab at capitalism and followed by a more groovy, upbeat is definitely a departure from its louder, of King Gizz’s better hooks, nothing ed,” which maintains a steady beat Author and Punisher = Bully = Japandroids + The Byrds selves seriously, maybe they don’t, but its utter ubiquity: “And feminism’s over tune—like something from ! faster predecessors. Tracks like “The compares to the brightness and ease overlaid with twinkling synths. The en- Iszoloscope + Aphex Twin + Best Coast + Yuck there is conviction in these tunes and / Socialism’s over … I can consume The album loosely follows that pattern Roses” trend into shoegaze/noise rock of “God Is In the Rhythm.” It’s their best tire album features a heavy ’90s acid Darko4 a sense of composition versus hurling what I want now.” Hval’s singing is throughout, constantly surprising with territory, and vocalist/guitarist Nicole song to date and a testament that these house influence. “Network Failure” is spaghetti at a wall. The second, more angelic, and her album—which is Tristan Shone has used his “Drone varying vibes in each track. “Some Yun has a delicately dreamy voice that scallywags just keep getting better. a frantic example of Charles Duff’s accessible half is less frantic than the superbly produced and touts visceral and Dub” machines to create a release Other Time” takes a soft approach to complements the noise. Tracks near the –Justin Gallegos affinity for the heavy ’90s acid house first and commands repeat listens. dreamscapes of fluttery tambourine full of harsh, droning metal and pound- crooning, backed with an upright bass end of the album sound a little repeti- sound with a perfect amount of hi-hats Post-whatever or avant-garde, Falling and astral synth—sounds honeyed until ing rhythms. The ingenuity of these and nothing else. The track precedes tive, but Gold and Stone is definitely on Linden and cymbals that crash throughout the Stacks are onto something. –Peter Fryer you tune in to the coy charm and cal- mechanical devices and how they play another Church-esque song—and I’m my summer playlist. –Ali Shimkus track. “False Pattern Recognition” is an- culated transgression of her language. Rest And Be Thankful their sounds simply astonishes me. It is all right with that. From soft ballads other one of my personal favorites with Institute –Kathy Zhou Slumberland audible art. The dreary track, “Dispa- to groovy licks, Cairo Gang’s got you EZTV Street: 06.23 its erratic beat and jarring chord pro- rate,” has a gritty, grinding guitar riff covered—I can tell you that. Catharsis gressions. The standout track on Home- –Dylan Evans Calling Out Linden = The Elected + and a drumbeat that would fit into any Sacred Bones Jon DeRosa sick is “Switchblade,” which features Captured Tracks Kurt Vile harsher metal song. As neither of these Street: 06.09 Black Halo some of the cleanest percussion work Doomsquad Street: 07.10 instruments are being used, the fasci- EZTV = The Only Ones + Institute = The Dead Boys + Rocket Girl Recorded in an old fisherman’s croft on the album. The album is a perfect nating part is the machines and their Pageantry Suite Twerps + Juan Wauters Gang of Four Street: 05.25 off the shores of Loch Fyne, Rest And example of the technological advance- interfaces he has created for them to Bella Union Jon DeRosa = Jens Lekman Be Thankful has an unmistakable, laid- ments in sound that our generation has sound this way. The whipping, slam- Street: 05.25 + The Magnetic Fields + back seaside quality about it that be- to look forward to, and you can rest ming sounds and screaming style vo- The first thing that came to my raised- Doomsquad = Odesza + Beat Happening comes more and more irresistible with assured that it’ll be on repeat in my cals in “Callous and Hoof” made me on-Disney brain upon hearing Bully AWOLNATION + each listen. With a vocal style that is ears for the next few months to come. When I listened through this record feel like slaughtering a cow, taking was that if Ashley Spinelli from Re- Grizzly Bear eerily reminiscent of Blake Bennett, –Kamryn Feigel a bath in its blood and then burning cess—9 and donning moto boots— a time or two, generally enjoying the Linden layers saccharine storylines down a church. This is a must add started a band, it would sound like What sounds like an updated and 1950s pop of Buddy Holly and Roy over straightforward, beachy guitar Michael Vidal less campy version of The B-52s is Orbison filtered through the skewed to my music collection, as everyone this. Overwhelming at first–maybe with harmonies to create a pleasant album Dream Center needs to feed their taste for power- the volume of rock-solid grindy guitar a Toronto-based, all-sibling group that lens of Stephin Merritt’s fey, minor- that moves seamlessly from start to fin- Couple Skate Records ful, dark sounds every now and then. and Alicia Bognanno’s ragged channels a #vibe à la Yoko Ono. The chord subversiveness, I had to double ish. The track “Broken Glass” is a pop- Street: 06.09 –Mistress Nancy scream-to-croon-to-holler vocals (“Try- opening track on the five-song EP be- check the name: Jon DeRosa … aka py, ear-pleasing melody that quickly ing,” especially)—Bully build up an gins with a slow, ethereal synth sound Aarktica? Under Aarktica, DeRosa became one of my favorite tracks on Michael Vidal = Morrissey + Bosse-de-Nage impenetrable wall of sound, sans any before turning into a faster-paced funk created some of my favorite guitar- the album. Completely nonchalant and Real Estate + The Drums beat and includes lyrics that read more based drone ever put to tape (In Sea). All Fours arbitrary-sounding fuzz. This crystal- dreamy, Rest And Be Thankful is the It is finally here, out of the realm of clear production hints at intense time like a psychedelic manifesto. “Here we Performing under his given name, DeR- ideal addition to any lazy summer day Profound Lore obscurity and irony. Former Abe Vi- and care that’s resulted in something are again, encountering each other osa proves to be a songwriter of great spent lakeside. –Kristyn Porter goda Street: 04.14 A thin-toned, catchy guitar riff begins guitarist Michael Vidal’s 2013 of an exemplary rock album. With through a two-way mirror / But you Sometimes, all one needs is the sweet, dynamic ability. Black Halo finds DeRo- Dream Center “Perpetual Ebb,” the first track on Ca- cassette-only release, , Bosse-de-Nage = the help of compelling and relatable can’t see me, only yourself and this fear simple sensation of tunes that represent sa’s perfect baritone commanding the tharsis, and it seems to set the BPM for Lucifer has been re-released by Couple Skate Deafheaven + Sannhet lyrics about life’s roughness (“When I you live in / Now I’ve got something the uplifting, positive nature of some- doo-wop-influenced “Fool’s Razor,” the the whole record. Like most good al- Lucifer I Records on a wider-media platform, A common theme in early press for was eight, I broke my own arm!” and over you,” the male vocalist shouts in a thing smooth and non-controversial. building, cathartic “Coyotes” and the bums swaying toward the punk genre, Rise Above Records and it is a beautiful DIY masterpiece. the new Bosse-de-Nage album is that “I remember my old habits / I remem- monotonous and echoing tone through- EZTV’s Calling Out has the sensibilities interchanging male-female vocals on the speed enables perpetual pogo- Street: 06.16 Vidal’s technique and dreamy guitar their last release was a split 12” with ber getting too fucked up”), not only out the song. The rest of the EP stays of calm 1960s pop, the soft punch of the pastoral and otherworldly “Danc- riffs, followed by bass-heavy backups, ing. The vocals, mixed low as if com- Lucifer = Laura Branigan + fellow Bay Area black metal band does this album contain the essence within a similar archetype of psychede- late-’70s power pop and something ing in a Dream.” These are absolutely ing through a small amp in the corner leave an immense impression on the Deafheaven, and not without reason. of attitude, it pulls at heartstrings like lia. The EP features three original tracks from the in-between. It’s fun and has perfect pop songs performed and re- Castle of a small practice space, tend to be seven-track album. The track “Correc- Deafheaven have significant crossover they’re shredded on guitar strings. and two remixes of the first two songs, a certain calm, groovy thing going on. corded with the painstaking attention less melodic than the distorted bass Johanna Sadonis’ vocals on the first tional” is a true contrast with its tropical appeal and have brought black metal –Erin Moore “Two Way Mirror” and “Apocalypso.” The consistency of this mix is present to tone and compositional balance that guitar, but the strings carry enough track off Lucifer I, “Abracadabra,” had sound paired with Vidal’s Morrissey- at least a little closer to the forefront This album is something worth check- throughout the entirety of this album comes from years of creating hushed, melody for me. The way lead vocalist me frozen in time. She’s unlike many esque voice and lyrics. “Sky Blue” of indie-rock consciousness. With The Cairo Gang ing out no matter what you normallly with no deviations from their sound. glacial movements of crushing guitar Moses Brown almost chants the lyr- metal vocalists in that her voice seldom keeps true to a more indie vibe with its their similar style, I imagine Bosse- listen to. –Julia Sachs Notable tracks to dig from this record sounds. It’s one of the most pleasantly Goes Missing ics works well in contrast with his mo- gets gritty—instead, her controlled upbeat tune and heavier use of drums. de-Nage are hoping to benefit from are the opening number, “Bury Your surprising records of 2015 so far. Dream Center God? ments of screaming, which sounds like melodies dance through the air with a finishes in a tremendous the association and, with this album, Eternal Summers Heart,” followed up with “Pretty Torn –Ryan Hall Street: 06.23 Darby Crash in some instances and powerful vibrato that is absent in the fashion with “(Your Song),” which clos- they definitely deserve it. Though the Gold and Stone Up” and “There Goes My Girl.” delivery of most modern female vocal- es in a mixture of distorted and spacy The Cairo Gang = –Nick Kuzmack Joe Strummer in others. Besides the music is darker and less melodic than King Gizzard & The ists. It’s as if the band merged together guitar and the sound of waves crash- The Brian Jonestown Kanine Records untitled noisy mess of the track split- Sunbather, All Fours brings the same Laura Branigan with Ann Wilson of ing on the shore. Dream Center evaded Massacre + The Church Street: 05.26 ting the album in half, I couldn’t find Lizard Wizard quality, clarity of sound and intensity Falling Stacks Eternal Summers = a displeasing moment in Catharsis. Quarters! Heart with a doom-infused, classic many ears due to its cassette-only re- of that album, which is no surprise, con- Where should I start? The Cairo heavy metal sound, and it’s a fantastic lease, but now there is no excuse not to Cold Beat + No Wives –Steve Richardson Castle Face sidering they have the same producer. Gang’s Goes Missing features a splen- Battle Worldwide combination. The reverb on Sadonis’ hear it. –Connor Brady Black Tambourine Street: 05.11 Bosse-de-Nage probably won’t blow did array of music. To start, the group’s Street: 06.08 vocals delivers a haunting element not Jenny Hval King Gizzard & The Lizard up like Deafheaven did—it’s not quite ever talented singer, Emmett Kelly, Even in their name, Eternal Summers Falling Stacks = Mclusky + unlike that of Castle. There is an abun- Part 1 evokes a kind of summertime nostalgia, Apocalypse, girl Wizard = Thee Oh Sees / that accessible—but they sure do de- has a vocal range similar to Micha- Burning Airlines + dance of tempo changes throughout Funeral Parade serve it. –Alex Gilvarry el Hutchence (INXS), and the band mixing a subtle punk attitude from clas- Sacred Bones The Murlocs each song and plenty of variation be- 56 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 57 Sacred Bones here—the production maintains this The Tallest Man on When I reviewed instrumental metal Street: 04.14 feeling and also bolsters a pleasant Earth group Tempel’s previous record last Part 1 = Rudimentary Peni + way of changing guitar tones and oth- year, I was surprised at the innova- Crass + Specimen er key sounds. This constantly changes Dark Bird is Home tive, creative heaviness they brought the feeling of the record. Also, amid the Dead Oceans to a sub-genre I generally steer clear In the midst of the London anarcho- howling screams, the band employs Street: 05.12 of. Somehow, they topped said album punk scene, Part 1 gained favorable some haunting, sung-type vocals. It’s The Tallest Man on Earth = and stomped mudholes in the asses of recognition in the brief time they spent a rare but great treat to get a record Bob Dylan + Bon Iver everyone who didn’t think they could as “England’s Ultimate Cult Deathrock filled with good songwriting—lots of improve on such an exponential scale band.” Scoping through morbidly at- Kristian Matsson goes by The Tall- different sounds and an aggressive, yet (mine is still healing, but I appreciate mospheric guitar riffs and anti-religious est Man on Earth and has released haunting atmosphere. –Bryer Wharton your concern … and I’m not referring lyrical themes, Part 1’s one and only re- four full-length albums and two EPs. to my exponential scale). The Moon lease—a 7” titled Funeral Parade—has Sick of Sarah He is typically grouped into American Lit Our Path is much more blackened been resurrected and digitally restored folk for his acoustic sets and steady and sinister than On The Steps Of The Dark Bird is Home in all its ominous, aesthetic glory. With Anthem E.P. drumming. is slightly Temple, yet just as vast and majestic. To echoing synthesizers similar to sound Self-Released less folkish, using more than acoustics summarize: Tempel have unleashed a effects you’d find in a gothic art-house Street: 06.30 alone. He adds the piano, french horn, jaw-dropping sophomore effort, which film mixed with heavy, distortion-fueled Sick Of Sarah = Blink 182 + frequent-yet-subtle synthesized effects has impressed me more than any fol- guitar work and ghastly lyrical enter- Josie and the Pussycats and a series of open-tuned chords. low-up album I’ve had the pleasure of prise, the result is a truly unnerving ex- Dark Bird is slower than the previously Anthem by Minnesota’s Sick of Sarah writing about before. If I only had three perience from start to finish. Rightfully distinguishable folk-stomping and is easily the most appropriately titled words with which to sum up this album, deserving of their cult following, Part strumming, but it still fits, instrumentally, album of the year so far. Every one of I’d choose “it,” “fucking” and “rules.” 1’s unrepentant delivery of their unset- into the folk-genre with raspy vocals their songs has an upbeat tempo with –Alex Coulombe tling mix of all things macabre makes and acoustic reverbs—its lyrics set him feel-good riffs that would have been Funeral Parade an anarcho/deathrock apart. Dark Bird is somber with songs HUGE in the late ’90s. Well ... this isn’t Thee Oh Sees marvel. –Eric U. Norris that reflect and look forward simulta- the ’90s, and to be honest, upbeat is neously. In “Little Nowhere Towns,” he Mutilator Defeated At Last the ONLY emotion you will get on this cries, “And I barely can remember little Castle Face Passion Pit album. Every track sounds like a deriv- Kindred feet on solid ground / And the drink- Street: 05.26 ative of every mediocre band putting ing part is useless when you bury away Thee Oh Sees = Ty Segall + Columbia out bland, safe rock tunes. The music from sounds / Carolina where are you The Go + Black Lips Street: 04.21 contains the anthemic choruses that sell ending up this time.” As this great al- Passion Pit = Owl City + and follows such a “paint-by-numbers” bum progresses, the tempo quickens Imagine Dragons formula that if the emotional content of while the timbre remains latent and the music were paint, then the complet- With Kindred, Passion Pit move into the searching for answers. –Lizz Corrigan ed artwork would be monochromatic. realm of cute lyrics and synthesized, Overall, this is an album that would radio-made computer beats. Just like Tau Cross work wonders for a spoiled teenager Gossamer, this album is another step who ran out of anti-depressants ... or Self-Titled in corny pop culture. It does show the those who are enamored by the ge- Relapse Records versatility of the band, but hints at the neric. –R.G.B. Robb Street: 05.19 overwhelming influences of its concep- Tau Cross = Motörhead + tion. The songs are quite similar to SOAK Amebix + Killing Joke one another, and at first listen, it was hard to really know if the first song had Before We Forgot How to In the age of super-groups—where ended at all. This album does have an Dream some have made pretty established element of uplifted hope and should be Rough Trade names for themselves—comes the a must for any diehard recreators of the Street: 06.02 question, Is Tau Cross a super-group? It really is astounding how John Dw- No, not just because it has Rob “The scene from The Perks of Being A Wall- SOAK = Beach House yer’s Thee Oh Sees are able to con- Barron” Miller of Amebix fame, the flowerof Charlie’s cathartic experience x Låpsley + Arctic Lake sistently turn out the amount of qual- Voivod while standing on the bed of a truck, drummer from and some other ity psych rock tunes that they have Let me start off by saying that this driving through a tunnel. –Barnabas dudes that aren’t in anything that hun- throughout the last decade. As one of album was made by a 19-year-old. dreds of people have actually heard. the key groups for the West Coast’s However, it would be unjust to brush Satanic Ripper But fuck, they are a “super” group psychedelic revival movement, I ex- it off as merely a coming-of-age album all the same—that’s for damn sure. pected no less from their latest release. Southern Black Spells composed by a teenager even if some The whole album reeks of music that In this album, Thee Oh Sees are up to Blood Harvest of the song titles do suggest a purely doesn’t sound like anything else. A their usual tricks (new band members Street: 06.22 juvenile approach (“B a noBody,” strong album needs a strong opening aside) with aggressive surf-garage Satanic Ripper = Sarcófago “Blud,” “SHUVELS,” etc.). Irish song- track, and “Lazarus” starts things rock- noise-psych jams that don’t quit. Tracks + Destroyer 666 + Sepultura writer Bridie Monds-Watson is ing that extra shit out of your bowels. It such as “Withered Hand” and “Turned (old) able to connect not only with those also falls far from the tree of what “The Out Light” possess a contagious en- her age, but also a wider audience of Ripping for Satan one song at a time, Baron” has done before, who exercises ergy that makes me prone to cruising all ages and backgrounds. Tackling these speed dealers from Chile have pipes he might not have used previous- around the city with my windows down. issues such as divorce, social anxiety created an engaging album—stay- ly. It’s ripping rock/metal/hardcore/ Additionally, though, the album has its and the vast influence of the everyday ing raw but not too much in the lo-fi punk and everything else that’s cool. moments of relief and contemplation. moments in one’s life, Monds-Watson realm—with songwriting that holds It’s an album of completely memorable “Holy Smoke” especially carries a creates an atmosphere that most can even the most fair-weather listener’s catchy songs that you need to hear. Kurt Vile–esque chord progression, relate to. Channeling the likes of the –Bryer Wharton attention. Southern Black Spells is not which somehow resists melancholia. Quin sisters (Tegan and Sara, that a new album—it was released on CD Whether or not you’ve heard much of is), the end result is one that is not only last year, but Blood Harvest has given Tempel their other music, it’s worth keeping emotive but aurally pleasing. Lyrical the album some new life and attention The Moon Lit Our Path up with these guys. They won’t let you mastery, superior vocal ability and with their vinyl release of the album. Prosthetic Records down. –Nic Smith simple orchestration create a home run Speed is the prevailing factor on the Street: 06.16 record, but there’s little bits of death, of musical virtuosity that reaches dizzy- ing heights. –Allison Shephard Tempel = Emperor + Read more reviews at black and thick atmosphere. There are Edge Of Sanity x Isis some huge successes as a metal album slugmag.com 58 SaltLakeUnderGround slugmag.com 59 Get your event listed for free in print and online! 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