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Scottsdale, Ariz. — Lita Ford and her band performed their last show of 2017 in Scottsdale at BLK Live on Saturday, December 16. Closing out the night after two opening acts, Dead West and Shadow and the Thrill.
Dressed to impress and complement her polished red guitar, Ford took the stage like a rock and roll queen of hearts in her silver studded, red and white ensemble. Ford sported a red velour coat with ruffled bell sleeves and a glorious train. Underneath was a red and white bustier with studs and matching flare jeans. The ruffles and bows were a gorgeous juxtaposition to her aggressively shredding metal guitar riffs in her opening song, “Gotta Let Go.”
Ford and her band followed with songs; “Larger Than Life,” “Relentless,” “Living like a Runaway,” “The Bitch is Back” (written by Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin), “Hungry for Your Sex,” and “Play with Fire” from her Dangerous Curves album.
To amp up the energy on stage, Ford invited Micki Free, a friend of Ford’s since age 18, onstage to play guest guitar for “Can’t Catch Me”, a song co-written by the late Lemmy Kilmister from Motörhead. During this song, Ford’s drummer, Bobby Rock, relished being the center of attention; pausing to take a video of the crowd, and take a selfie from the stage during his drum solo. Bass player Marty O’Brien and lead guitarist Patrick Kennison, not wanting to be outdone, stood back-to-back playing their instruments above their heads.
Ford followed up the intensity that was “Can’t Catch Me” with two slower-paced metal ballads, “Falling In and Out of Love,” co-written by Nikki Six of Mötley Crüe, and the somberly romantic “If I Close My Eyes Forever,” originally performed by Ozzy Osbourne, in which Kennison performed in his stead.
To bring the energy back, Ford played the title track “Out for Blood” off her first album. This album was her first release after The Runaways disbanded, and the song speaks to how Ford’s personal style developed in the 80s glam metal scene.
Ford went out with a bang, playing two great hits, “Cherry Bomb” on the original guitar she used when performing with The Runaways; and “Kiss Me Deadly” off her 1988 album Lita, using a pearl white, multi-neck guitar.
Dead West is an Arizona local band formed in 2014 that performs in a mash-up style of what can only be described as cowboy metal and blues-rock. They played a lineup of original songs, and debut their newest song “Helldorado!”
Shadow and the Thrill played original songs with a mix of classic to modern covers such as “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals and “Crazy” by Cee Lo Green. Their sound is a mash-up of blues, metal, and classic rock.
The lead singer, Tony Cardenas-Montana, has roots in Arizona. He talked fondly of visiting his grandparents who resided in Bisbee. He then played his original song, “Tombstone Shuffle” as homage to the Wild West town he would visit as a child.
All three bands performed a high-energy show from start to finish. Ford said she plans to perform another show in Arizona come 2018. No dates have been announced, but our guess is she will be back sooner rather than later!
PHOENIX — In the brisk evening air of December 1st, fans waited outside the Marquee Theatre in eager anticipation. It was Friday night and fans were ready to throw their weekday woes away and get ready to listen to the raw sounds awaiting them. On tonight’s agenda: long established metal bands Arch Enemy and Trivium.
The night opened with New Jersey’s Fit for an Autopsy whose bass lines seemed to tremble right through the floor into your very breath. The stage splashed with red and blue light as they worked up the crowd. Next up was While She Sleeps, all the way from Sheffield, England. Lead vocalist Lawrence Taylor was a whirlwind of energy headbanging and even crowd surfing. Calling to the audience, he challenged them to “meet him” by crowd surfing all the way to the pit. Needless to say, many met his challenge. Taylor was all over the stage, even standing atop the drum set. After their set, the crowd was definitely ready for Arch Enemy.
As equipment was set up and sound checks were made, more and more people crowded into the room, shouldering and squeezing into their own perfect spot. A backdrop reflecting hell itself stared back at the audience, with twisted demons and a red glowing reflection. As the music started, a laser show of lights flooded the stage and members of the Swedish band Arch Enemy descended. Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz dominated the stage with her powerful voice and energy. She was a force to behold in her skeletal ripped bodysuit and wild blue hair. Alongside her, guitarists Michael Amott and Jeff Loomis did amazing fingerwork and left the crowd screaming after their amazing guitar duo.
Arch Enemy promoted their new album Will to Power, showcasing some amazing songs such as “The World is Yours” and “The Eagle Flies Alone.” In one moment, Alissa called to the audience, before the song “Will to Power”, to shine a light – and her will was done as the audience swayed their phones in the air. She closed off the set with one of her favorite songs, “Payday.” It’s safe to assume many who came to see Trivium that night left an Arch Enemy fan as well.
After a short break for set changes, Trivium was about to take the stage. In the dim lights, the audience got so excitedly impatient that they started chanting the band’s name: “Trivium!… Trivium!…” Their chants were met with red and white flashing lights, and Trivium took the stage. The backdrop was the same as the cover of their new album, The Sin and the Sentence. Blanketing the wall was solid black with clean gold lines and iconic images, a great reflection of the band.
Lead vocalist Matt Heafy’s passionate and clean vocals were accented by the raw enraged voices of guitarist Corey Beaulieu and bassist Paolo Gregoletto. While Trivium’s sound has changed over the years, the audience was in full agreement that they sounded amazing! Many fans sang along with the lyrics, Heafy’s clear and thought provoking words making this an easy task. Songs like “The Heart from Your Hate” and “The Sin and the Sentence” are surprisingly addictive, with their fast paced melodies and powerful lyrics.
The show was five straight hours of metal. There is something about metal that is cathartic, raw, and enticing; this show was no exception. Arch Enemy and Trivium helped take the week’s stress, ball it up, grind it into the ground and just let loose in the music, allowing everyone to start their weekend refreshed.
Photo Gallery
Photographer: Dale Hurt
Trivium, Arch Enemy, & More – Marquee Theatre 12-1-17
PHOENIX — Visibly and audibly enthusiastic for their homecoming, and impressed by the new The Van Buren music venue, The Maine put on a show that was both charged and endearing for their close-knit fans. They are a great example of a local band that made it big, not changing who they are and their beliefs in the ever-evolving industry. The five-piece band native to Tempe, consisting of John O’Callaghan (Lead Vocalist/Guitarist), Kennedy Brock (Guitarist), Pat Kirch (Drummer), Jared Monaco (Guitarist), and Garrett Nickelsen (Bassist), rocked out with a packed crowd Wednesday night. Following opening bands Night Riots and DREAMERS, they tore it up with their two newest albums Lovely Little Lonely (2017) and American Candy (2015) in full, back-to-back.
The show began with alternative rock band Night Riots, who got the crowd excited with the powerful voice of lead singer Travis Hawley. During their set, the band played “Free Fallin” as a tribute to the late Tom Petty. Hawley said, “Holy sh*t that sounds good,” after the crowd sang the words “free fallin”.
The band engaged the crowd and hyped them up for the rest of the show. At one point in the band’s set, a person in the crowd was seen clapping with their shoe, which had neon lights at the bottom. Such innovation! It really added to the unique atmosphere of the show, which seemed to say that for one night, surrounded by strangers, everyone could be themselves and not care what anyone thinks. (View Photo Album)
Rock trio DREAMERS came on next, and the crowd exuded excitement as they danced and sang along. The band brought their name to life on stage as Nick Wold (Vocalist/Guitarist), had a dream catcher hung on his mic stand. They performed their hits “Painkiller” and “Sweet Disaster” to an eager crowd that danced and sang along. They also covered “Zombie” by the Cranberries, which segued into their own song “Drugs”.
Night Riots and DREAMERS were the perfect opening acts. Their energy and the way they commanded the stage, captivated the audience, making it an all-around solid line-up. They amped up the crowd and proved that you never want to miss the openers at shows. Night Riots’ stage presence showcased a seasoned band, while DREAMERS proved a rock trio can be just as compelling on stage as a traditional band setup. (View Photo Album)
The Van Buren did not seem full at the beginning of the show. However, as The Maine’s set approached, the venue began to fill up and one could feel the anticipation for the hometown success-story.
The Maine
The Maine started off with “Don’t Come Down” from their latest album Lovely Little Lonely, and their all white suits fit the aesthetic of the album. Hit singles “Bad Behavior” and “Black Butterflies and DéJà Vu” were played with immense reactions from the crowd.
This album portrays a sense of “oneness,” and that was felt in the room. It came off as if The Maine put everything they had into making that album for anyone who has felt different or alone. For a period of time, while they played through every track of the album, it appeared that everyone in the room felt the words being sung as if they were sung for them.
During “How Do You Feel,” the line, “You are alive, but are you living?,” was met with the crowd singing back passionately as they jumped along to the beat of the song.
Amidst the first half of the set, O’Callaghan said, “Thanks for letting us make this album right here.” Passion exuded from the band, and it was evident how much The Maine cares about their music and fans.
After finishing Lovely Little Lonely, there was a brief intermission, and before the band came back on, a man in a Christmas suit came out to declare that American Candy was next. When the band came back on stage, they surprised fans by having changed into dark blue jackets to fit the aesthetic of American Candy.
“24 Floors” and “(Un)Lost” have a similar vibe to the songs off of Lovely Little Lonely. The lyrics seemed to be aimed at those going through a tough time. They give off a feeling that in the end, everything will turn out fine.
During this portion of the set, the band’s heavier sound became prominent, with songs such as the album’s title track “American Candy,” as well as the song “Diet Soda Society.”
While gazing out into the crowd in the beginning half of the second album O’Callaghan proclaimed to the audience, “I want to remember this one, I don’t want to remember Anaheim.”
This show had a special feeling to it, where the fans and the band had a connection that could be felt. The Maine and their fans have a one-of-a-kind relationship, and every lyric sung, felt personal, as if directed to everyone individually and collectively.
O’Callaghan reminded the crowd, “Remember to tell the people that you love, that you f****ing love them.” He also thanked the fans on behalf of the band for, “making us feel less lonely.”
A highlight for the show was during “Am I Pretty” when O’Callaghan got the crowd to crouch to the floor. The crowd was together in this moment and listened carefully to O’Callaghan’s words. It’s moving to watch as a band can get a room full of strangers to bond with their words and music.
The show ended perfectly with the ever-nostalgic “Another Night On Mars”. The lyrics, “this one goes out to my closest friends, the ones who make me feel less alien,” showcase the importance of friendship and how friends allow us to be ourselves.
“With friends like ours, anywhere is home,” insinuates that everyone in the room that night, was each other’s friends, and that you don’t physically have to be at home to feel “home”.
The Maine is one of those bands that if you listen to them live, it sounds just like the album. They truly are a talented band, with a unique relationship with their fans. After each show, they make the effort to meet their fans and give them the meet-and-greet experience for FREE.
The Maine has been a band for 10 years now, and in that decade, they have grown, and made sure their fans were on the journey alongside with them. With this special relationship with their supporters, and their devotion to their music, it seems The Maine will definitely be around for a long time – and Burning Hot Events is proud to call them part of Phoenix’s artistic community! Check out our interview with them to find out about their Modern Nostalgia Tour, growing up in the band, their band culture and MORE!
Miss Krystle recently released her new EP Inevitable earlier this fall. As Arizona cools down from a particularly “Cruel Summer,” and as the US at large continues to struggle with obstacles across the board, Inevitable is a breath of fresh air ready to bring a second wind to all who listen. The Inevitable EP will be “on your mind and in your dreams… burning in your memory,” as it is truly “Unforgettable.”
Photo Credit: Tony Mandarich Creatives
Ever the inspiration, Miss Krystle continues utilizing all her passions and talents to their fullest potentials in all 6 tracks on the EP. She is a humanitarian, a philanthropist, an intellectual juggernaut, and a phenomenally talented musician; not only is the EP immensely entertaining, it is also incredibly uplifting and nurturing. Miss Krystle had this to say about her new EP: “It was my mission to be impactful. We were going for in-your-face, this is how it is. We also wanted it to be empowering. I wanted to tell my fans that despite everything that has been going on socially and politically this year, you can find your power and your voice. I want them to remember to never give up. Lastly, I wanted to showcase my own vulnerability.” Throughout the entire album, these words certainly do ring true.
The Inevitable EP is a wild journey through many of the emotions, passions, experiences, and darkest thoughts that the human mind is capable of. The energy levels of the album are like a rollercoaster, with some songs pumping the listener up and getting them ready for a night on the town and others making the listener wonder if they should curl up on the couch with a comfortable blanket and a pint of their favorite ice cream. Miss Krystle has a one-of-a-kind style in her approach to music, but it fits in perfectly with other contemporary pop artists. Some of her new songs also seem like they’d easily find a place on a Dance Dance Revolution playlist, as they would be delightfully fun to dance along to. Others still would be perfect for someone’s first pick at karaoke.
Photo Credit: Shot by Jonny
Generally, pop music and similar genres are not known for their depth or insight, yet Miss Krystle easily marries popular culture, philosophy, and deep introspection in her musical work. During a preliminary listen, her songs sound as if they’d easily find a home in any club or on one’s favorite Top 40 radio station. Don’t be fooled, however—upon further inspection, the lyrics peel away, layer by layer, revealing a deep exploration into the human condition and how it impacts contemporary society.
Inevitable
From anthemic, affirmational title-track “Inevitable”, Miss Krystle explores themes of fitting in, watching the world around us, learning from our experiences, seeing the horrors of humanity and the world around us, yet still keeping calm and carrying on.
She tackles the concept of how “they tell us how to fit in… tell us how to get by,” while still struggling to find our own identities in this mad world. While the song could be about so many different topics, from love to revolution, it instantly becomes a bright beacon in the night, guiding all who may feel lost.
Photo Credit: That Orko
In fact, out of all the songs on this EP, “Inevitable” itself may be the most exceptional and singularly profound track. Coming out at a time when many of us may feel utterly lost and hopeless, Miss Krystle reminds us to “rise for what matters, lasting until the end.” She needs us standing with her, united. This is a call to arms, not to fight what is wrong in this world, but rather to fight for the ability to support one another, to remind ourselves that we are all in this together. “We are, none of us, alone,” as ancient Chinese philosopher Fushumongu stated long ago.
As we’ve seen, time and again across this country, people are “taking it to the streets, not afraid to take a stand.” We do have strength in numbers, and we will fight. We have had enough. We’ve all woken up to this new day, and we “can’t give up on what we love.” Victory truly is inevitable. This song, like a mantra, shall inspire countless others to greatness in the coming days.
On top of any newfound courage in the realms of love and activism, Miss Krystle also calls us to come “together, woman and man.” This is truer now more than ever before. None of us can ignore the future, no matter how hard we try. Now, let’s get ready to “spark it up.”
Wild Like Fire
While the more insightful songs and verses from Miss Krystle’s new EP are absolutely striking, the album has a great mix of fun and fiery tracks as well. When “Wild Like Fire” comes on, it’s difficult to not instantly get pumped up. This song is a true energy boost, from the lyrics to the beat. “Welcome to the show.” Miss Krystle “can’t control it,” because she really is a pro. This song is great to drive to with the volume up, but it would also find a home in any club or, perhaps, bedroom. While Miss Krystle certainly has her own, unique style, fans of Kylie Minogue and similar artists may really enjoy “Wild Like Fire” and other songs off this EP.
Photo Credit: Tony Mandarich Creatives
Better Than You Think
On top of Miss Krystle’s self-assuredness and self-knowledge of her more primal urges and experiences, she also covers those more intimate feelings that often accompany physical connections between lovers. “Better Than You Think” is a love ballad of sorts, reminiscent of a modern Shakespearean sonnet in its lyrics. The symbolism and imagery in this song are quite powerful, from “collecting stars like fireflies, I’ve never felt this much alive, living the life before we die, and we return back to the sky,” to “baby the altitude is fine, on this journey, you and I, watching auroras hypnotize, getting lost deeper in your eyes.” The romantic notions in this song would melt even the coldest of hearts.
Photo Credit: Larry Alan
As much as many of us know that the only person we can truly rely on in this universe is ourselves, Miss Krystle explores feelings most of us have felt before. She shows a serene vulnerability, acknowledging the dangers but also the securities that can come out of relying on another beautiful soul for sustenance. Someone else to share this journey, and the wonders of the universe, with, as she serenades us with “and if I burn up on reentry, I knew you’d want to be here with me, you knew that one last kiss could save me, floating with you for eternity… everything’s good as long as you’re here with me.” Miss Krystle takes us on an odyssey to space, giving us “galactic goosebumps everyplace” as we cruise “on highway milky way.”
Just as Miss Krystle explores these elements of our humanness, she also explores how the best intimate relationships involve two souls coming together, knowing more about each other than they may let on. Indeed, Miss Krystle shows that she knows us better than we think that she knows us, as our human experiences are similar to one another despite their singularity. In fact, through her work, Miss Krystle may also reveal how she may know herself better than she thinks that she knows herself.
Erase You
While many of us can relate to the feelings Miss Krystle explores in “Better Than You Think”, some of us may have unfortunately experienced some emotions and experiences that are quite antithetical to that beauty. “Erase You” is a song that explores the darker side of love, when we find ourselves in a relationship that ends up being something we were not quite expecting. Still, Miss Krystle’s penchant for self-examination and metacognition still shines through brightly in the lyrics. “I never understood your distance, I thought I got it right, but now you’re gone and I’m alone.” Anyone who has been through something like this can empathize with how painful this situation is.
Miss Krystle counters this betrayal with self-empowerment, starting the song with a vigorous mantra: “You’re in the presence of a Goddess, but you forgot to bow, and now I got my eyes up on the blade I’ll use to take you out.” She continues with some conflicting lines later in the song, showing the sort of infighting and uncertainty our spirits must endure in terrible times such as this treachery of love. As she struggles with these feelings, she shares her efforts to forget: “You can hand it over, no more staying sober, I drink it away to erase you. I need to escape what you put me through. I drink it away to erase you.”
Photo Credit: Tony Mandarich Creatives
While coming to terms with reality and coping mechanisms, Miss Krystle also explains some positive strategies for her situation: “So you thought you’d be a martyr, and leave me with your sin, but little did you know, I gave it up before your words began… I’m glad you’re gone and I’m alone, so I can go and live my life.” While all is fair and love and war, this war takes no prisoners, and the cost is high.
Despite Miss Krystle’s best efforts, she is only human, and the song ends with more of this battle still to be fought. “If I could just wake up with you next to me, everything would be just how I need it to be. I don’t want to feel all this pain, don’t want to be alone. I need you to feel the same, and get your arms back around me.” These heart-wrenching lyrics make it apparent that there are no happy endings in the real world, but we all have the power to make it through as stronger versions of who we used to be.
Anything
From the second “Anything” begins playing, it is difficult to not imagine it being played while a model walks down the runway, or while a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race lip syncs for her life. The beat really gets the blood flowing, and it is great to drive or work out to. It’s nearly impossible to not feel sexy and powerful while “Anything” plays, so “why you actin’ so shy?” Miss Krystle shows us something that will make our hearts bleed, so we “best be getting ready” because she’s gonna get us rockin’ steady. While it may be hard to focus, Miss Krystle helps us learn to “live it up.”
Relevant
The song “Relevant” was saved for the end of the EP, and for good reason. “Relevant” is rife with self-awareness and introspection, and it is clear this song is very personal for Miss Krystle. However, it also serves as a reminder to the rest of us to let go of where we began “and be reborn in the wake of it.” These lyrics are quite relevant to the theme of symbolic rebirth, and it is also quite fitting for Phoenix, Arizona.
Photo Credit: Tony Mandarich Creatives
Miss Krystle also reminds us to “feel at home in the place” we’re in, and to “never mind the storm.” Our dreams will keep us warm. We all struggle to become relevant while traversing our own paths through this life, and “we constantly test our innocence.” Likely pulling from her own experiences, she reminds us of the ultimate cost of giving parts of ourselves away in order to reach our goals: “May our broken halos serve as evidence; pieces of our souls for percentages.” As she states proudly, “I’m holding on to me.” We all may get a little lost on the way, but we must always remember who we are and where we came from.
Continuing this philosophical journey through personal trials and tribulations, Miss Krystle explores how “we all wanna be somebody,” but in the end, “all we really need is somebody… down to make us feel we’re relevant now.” Perhaps that somebody is a lover, a family member, or a friend; that somebody may even be ourselves, especially when the path becomes increasingly treacherous, or when the storm becomes too tempestuous. To quote Miss Krystle, “At the end of the day, all we are really looking for is someone to make us feel like we matter. My message is that the only person who should make you feel relevant and loved is ultimately you.”
Closing Thoughts
Don’t forget, “we make our own strength, we make our own peace,” and we really are so strong. “We can do this.” We are all a part of history, but Miss Krystle and her new EP Inevitable have certainly found a comfortable home in modern popular culture. As we all enjoy these 6 sublime songs, we also wait with bated breath for future releases from Miss Krystle. Hers is a flame we do not want to go out, as she brings a lot of light to this oft dark world.
Since Burning Hot Events reviewed Jane N’ The Jungle’s“Shake Me Out” music video in June 2016, immediately following our photo shoot of their music video premiere show, the band has grown by leaps and bounds. It is evident that Jane N’ The Jungle has tenaciously pursued the growth of their visibility, and the quality of their media and productions shows they are not cutting corners. The band is standing out both in image, and in sound, and they just recently released their latest music video, for the track “Wild Side”.
Our interview with Jordan White taps into not only what has helped her band Jane N’ The Jungle to transcend the boundaries of Arizona, but also the personal experiences and growth process for White and her bandmates…
Jane N’ The Jungle has certainly become a recognizable name and sound in the Phoenix music market. Yet, some fans may not realize your growing base outside of your hometown. What do you think has been key for your reach outside of your local area?
Social media has been the biggest part of our growing fanbase outside of our hometown. We’ve been getting radio spins nationally, and our music videos featured on music television channels in the US and Canada that have also helped with our growing fanbase. Spotify is another great way fans have been able to listen to our music and connect through related artists they like.
This current music video “Wild Side” was partially filmed at the Whiskey A Go Go. Was that the first time you had played there?
I played at the Whisky A Go Go twice before with another band I formed out in LA. This was the first time Jane N’ The Junkgle has taken the stage at the legendary venue and opened for The Iron Maidens. It was a blast!!
Was the vision for its charm and neon character of humor thought about as the song was written, or did the vision come about afterwards for the video?
The humor came after writing the song trying to lighten the vibe and keep it fun. We released “Killed Someone” a few months before that, [which] has a very heavy message relating to sexual abuse before the #metoo went viral. We wanted the next video to be lighthearted.
Where does inspiration come from for your songwriting? How personal is it?
Songwriting is my therapy. The words spill out of my mind like a journal and it’s very personal. I appreciate Brian for all his patience during the writing process. I have song melodies constantly going through my head pretty much all the time, so it’s nice trying to focus and narrow down on one thought and theme. I oftentimes don’t even notice I’m singing and humming at work, or at the store, or even when I speak with people; I have songs running in my head it’s hard to shut it out. Maybe one day that will stop, but for now it’s always been my musical inspiration for songwriting with words spilling from my gut at the very moment. Brian has his own inspirations, and with that combined, [it] has formed our music.
Every band has a ‘formula’, so to speak, that they follow in creating their music. Is Jane N The Jungle’s songwriting process lyrics-first, or second?
Our writing process is very organic, and lyrics typically happen the same time as the music, both inspired by the story we are trying to tell musically and lyrically. We have songs that have been written [in] all different ways. When there’s an idea or a spark, you go with it.
The band seems very comfortable on stage and with performing. Was it always that way for each band member, or has being up front in the spotlight taken time to adjust to?
I had horrible stage fright as a child. It took me years to not freeze up and turn ghostly white. I was extremely shy. Overcoming that obstacle inspired my passion for performance. It takes time developing chemistry with each musician on stage. Performance is a very personal space, and the more connected you are with each other and the music the easier it becomes.
The directive the band has taken is really key to success nowadays in the industry – releasing singles with a music video. How many have you done so in 2017, and how has the pace been to keep up with?
We’ve released 4 music videos this year. It’s been a lot of fun working on each one. If you make the work about the music, it quickly doesn’t feel like work, and that has helped with the quick pace of our videos. Music is number one.
Can you give us a glimpse into Jane N The Jungle and 2018?
We are currently working on preproduction for our upcoming EP and can’t wait to share some of the details soon!
It takes a great deal of tenacity, creativity, business savviness, drive and vision in today’s world of entrepreneurship. The music industry is well acquainted with these core elements being a must for artists to obtain their goals.
The fascinating thing, though, is the variety of paths musicians/artists/bands take along the way to find the groove that fits them best. As Randell Swindell moved along his journey, it seems to have brought him full circle to his creative project, his band Swindy.
Musician Randall Swindell tells us about Swindy in a Q & A with Burning Hot Events…
Talk a bit about Swindy and how this idea came about, as the Arizona scene knows your name Randall Swindell for the band Ensphere.
Swindy spontaneously spawned out of ENSPHERE. When ENSPHERE got back together after a few years’ break, we were preparing our old material to perform again. I had a ton of new material that I was bringing to the table – complete songs and a whole bunch of seeds – and my new sound had a much heavier pop influence than the rest of the band was used to hearing from me. I wanted to steer ENSPHERE in a more mainstream and pop-influenced direction, and I gathered that other members of the band had different ideas of where ENSPHERE should go.
The very moment Swindy began was when ENSPHERE was offered an opening slot for Lethal Injektion at the Rialto theater in Tucson. I wanted to say yes to that show, but the rest of the band differed. I decided to say yes to the show offer and throw together a solo act. While I had originally intended on performing ENSPHERE music live with backing tracks, I just went full on with all of my new music. My plan was to go out there solo with my laptop, play my backing tracks, and sing and play guitar by myself. When asked what name I would be performing under, I thought quickly… Swindy, Just call me Swindy.
When I started practicing for this show, I was hanging out with Jeff Sargent of 51 Peg. I convinced him to learn some of the guitar parts and perform with me. He suggested that I reach out to Mike Jenney from Alter Der Ruine and pull him in as a live drummer – and that’s just what I did. We were all excited about the project, and before I knew it we had assembled a new band. From there, we kept getting show offers, and I kept saying yes to them. It felt really good to move at the speed I wanted to. With all the catching up I had to do, it felt good to just say yes.
It has been cited that pop music came heavily into play between the two bands you are affiliated with. How did that influence come about?
When ENSPHERE broke up in 2012, I was devastated. I tried to keep the project going by myself but I could not. Emotionally hurt and feeling a little lost, I stopped caring about what my goals were with ENSPHERE. I was hanging out with different people and I began allowing myself to just listen to the pop music that they were listening to. I opened up to a whole new world of sound, and it felt good – I started singing along with Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Kesha, Lady Gaga, and David Guetta on the radio. These songs sounded so rich and uplifting… I guess I just needed that music in my life at the time. It told me that everything doesn’t always have to be doom and gloom.
Eventually, as I started writing music again, I wanted to see if I could create pop and Electronic dance music – and so I started teaching myself how with my computer. I trained myself to create pop music for a few years from 2012 to 2015. Ultimately what ended up happening was sort of a fusion with my pop attempts and my rock/industrial ROOTS coming together. I just really wanted to broadcast a positive message. I feel strongly that this world needs as much positive energy as possible.
With Swindy coming together and your first music video, “Reflection,” really creating quite a storm nationally in the press – what role has your good friend Mike Jenney (Assemblage 23) played in Swindy?
Mike was there with me from the beginning of Swindy‘s live debut. He is a musician/producer who I have always admired. Our bands played together in the past, and I think there is a mutual respect for one another. Once we started jamming together, we felt the synergy. He began advising me on how to program my live shows, he taught me a lot about electronic music, he showed me the ropes of how to successfully combine backing tracks with live musicians. I learned a ton from him very quickly. We played about 20 shows together and then started writing new music. As it turns out, he and I have a symbiotic relationship when it comes to writing. We complement each other’s strengths, and we developed a process that allows us to quickly generate new songs.
There is a great flow when the two of us are in the studio together. Mike Jenney is a very gifted producer. He will play a beat he came up with, I play guitar for 20 minutes, then we listen back. He cuts up all my guitar lines and starts looping different things in different places. All of the sudden this whole song structure starts coming out. He has a great sense of arrangement and some incredible tools in his bag. Once we realized the chemistry we had together in the studio, we prioritized the writing process. We are currently working together to write as much music as possible. And it is flowing big time – there is just this explosion of new songs coming out right now. And thankfully we have a great process in place to capture it all. At this point, Swindy has evolved into less of a solo project and more of a band. Mike Jenney is absolutely an equal part co-writer in the new music we have coming out in 2018.
Moving forward will there be a building of a relationship between you and Mike?
Yes, we are conceptualizing many different possibilities right now. I will continue with Swindy always. I am super thankful to have started the project, but we may be needing to launch yet another band in the near future! I say that with utter excitement! I will still release solo music as Swindy. I have a ton of unreleased music in my own repertoire. But We are all on to something that needs to come out.
How about other musicians who have become a part of your sound for Swindy?
Jeff Sargent was the original guitarist for Swindy. As momentum picked up, Jeff realized that he was not going to be able to commit full-time, as he is the lead singer of 51 Peg, East Coast industrial band. I brought in Jonathan Russell as a second guitarist for a few shows, but mostly I have just been playing guitar on every song when it comes to the live performances. Mike Jenney started out as a drummer in the band, but he has moved over to the synthesizer position, and he is kicking ass there. Matt Lundgren joined the band as a live drummer early on as well. He performed many of our first shows with us. Matt is a great drummer, and he is still considered part of the band. Steven Escalante joined the band in spring of 2017 and has performed every show with us since his first show. Steven’s hip-hop and drum and bass roots are perfect for the sound I am going for. And he has locked in with everybody in the band. The live band has always had an open policy, and a rotating lineup strategy and members have come and gone frequently. Everybody is invited, nobody is excluded. We had our first live bass player, Matt, join us for a few shows recently.
Last but not least, I met Alyson Precie at a Swindy show in August of 2016. She was singing songs from The Fifth Element. I immediately recognized that she was a talented vocalist. Soon thereafter, Alyson joined me in the recording studio while I was laying down vocals for a cover song we do, “I See Right Through to You” by DJ Encore. She started singing harmonies with me, and the engineer and I were both like “wow! You need to get in the vocal booth right now and lay those vocals down!” She did without hesitation and she nailed it. I got chills listening to her, and I invited her to perform that song with us on stage for the next show. She did and got a great audience response. From that point on Alyson has been a live vocalist with the band, and eventually learned every song. She has such a strong voice and a great live presence on stage. She has expanded Swindy when it comes to the live performances. She also writes her own music, what I would call Goth Folk. Needless to say, Alyson was so amazing I fell in love with her immediately, and now we are married. She continues to assist me with vocal melodies and lyrics. Mike, Steven, Alyson, and I are the core of Swindy right now. We are looking for that perfect bass player.
“Reflection” certainly has a strong emotive side to it. Lyrically and video wise we can relate. Do you like creating strong emotions for fans to interpret or do you like to draw them a clear picture of what you create?
Mostly I like to leave things open to interpretation. For whatever reason with Reflection, it seemed like a really clear picture. When I wrote it, it was just one of those songs that came through on its own. I was trying to put words to my feelings, and the song just wrote itself as I did that. That happens from time to time. Otherwise I mostly just enjoy writing lyrics that kind of describe the feeling of the music, and trying to interpret what it means. Sometimes I bring the lyrics through a refinement process and they tell a story eventually. Sometimes I apply already written lyrics to a new song. Most of the time I want to leave things open to interpretation. I like creating universal music; I like creating things that everybody can interpret and relate to.
Where was “Reflection” filmed?
“Reflection” was filmed in several locations – Texas Canyon, Dragoon AZ; Sweetwater Trail Tucson AZ; “A mountain” in Tucson; and at the Originate Designs studio.
A little comparison if you would from the Tucson music market to the Phoenix market. How are they the same/different?
Tucson and Phoenix are the two biggest cities in Arizona, they both have fairly thriving music scenes. Tucson is the underdog as I see it – less industry, a bit more culture, some cool underground clubs and a hugely eclectic sound that comes from the city. There’s all kinds of music in Tucson – rock, metal, hip-hop, Folk, Avant-garde, Indie, orchestral, electronic, industrial, etc. etc. Tucson is a great place to incubate your musical seeds and a great place to test out projects for larger markets.
When it comes to Phoenix, I see it as the way out of Arizona. Phoenix has the industry, Phoenix has a ton of talent and the connections that musicians need to thrive in the music industry – something that Tucson lacks a little bit. Phoenix is a great city to take those seeds that have been incubating in Tucson and put them full-fledged in the garden where they can grow to their full potential. Phoenix sprouts and grows its own seeds as well, and there is a movement of music coming out of Phoenix that is pretty cool. I see a lot of industrial, metal, rock, and punk rock coming out of Phoenix lately, as well as some more eclectic stuff. Phoenix has some really cool clubs and great theaters and amphitheaters, a much more up-to-date arena, and stadiums. Phoenix is where you need to go if you want to make it out of Arizona.
I don’t necessarily think Phoenix is the best city to live in – it’s a lot of new construction and a lot of cars, but it’s definitely a place to get great work done! Tucson is a great place to be creative. I think those two cities go hand in hand when it comes to the state of Arizona. Phoenix and Tucson work together. Tucson should feed Phoenix, and Phoenix should eat Tucson. Tucson has great food and probably tastes delicious.
What is Swindy looking to create as you drive this sound/movement towards and on into 2018?
We are going to an industrial dance-rock fusion sound – you know, pop, rock, and EDM all in one. Our live set up is definitely specified for festivals right now. We want to hit the festival circuit, to continue building our following – we want to be part of the future. “The future sound of America”. What will that be? Look at what has happened in music over the last hundred years, and look at where it is headed… We are going that way. And it looks really exciting! Technology is continuing to push the envelope in the music industry. We are a part of that, our sound is a reflection of that, our fans are a product of that. We just want to create the best art we possibly can and be as authentic as we can. We are artists, and art and technology have always gone hand-in-hand. I can tell you exactly what our live show would look like if we had a $200 million budget! But that is a conversation for another interview. We work towards that vision every day.
EVENT POSTPONED: “FermataMediaGroupLLC are all about Giving Back to our community of musicians and creators. If we can’t give you value, we’ll adjust and make whatever effort is needed to make it better.
We had an event scheduled for December 3rd in Phoenix, AZ. The Musicians Mastermind Workshop. Sadly due to some issues along with some scheduling conflicts from some of our presenters, we are going to have to reschedule the workshop. We’ll have an announcement later this week on the new date and Phoenix location.
We apologize to all those who planned to attend. We want to make sure that the event would be the experience we had all hoped. We promise that the rescheduled date will give you all that and more.
An email has been sent to all those who purchased tickets. Please check your inbox and contact us with any questions.
Thank you for your support and understanding. We’ll keep everyone updated on the new workshop date as soon as possible.”
Ricardo Luis Cañez, Fermata Media Group
There is a very unique event happening in Phoenix on December 3rd for all musicians. The Musicians Mastermind Sessions Program is coming to the Sheraton downtown, bringing professionals from the music industry to collaborate and personally advise a select 25 musicians. This is a great opportunity, especially for those starting out who don’t know where to begin in this age of self-promotion in a digital market. Burning Hot Events was able to learn all the details from Ricardo Luis Cañez, one of the creators of MMS, in the Q & A below…
Tell me a little about yourself and how Musicians Mastermind Workshops got started…
I’ve been involved in music, entertainment since 1980. First as a musician, then DJ. Also during that time, we produced and promoted concerts in the Phoenix area. Other musicians would hire me to create their promotional material and consult on their career path. I’ve also handled event production, have been a keynote speaker on music and marketing, and have helped others with their event businesses.
In 2015, I started Fermata Media Group as an agency whose mission is to help musicians and creators achieve a career that will sustain them artistically and financially. Fermata started as more of a digital marketing company, creating websites and managing social media for our clients. We also connected clients to those in the industry that could help them, as well as offering career advice.
Wow, you’ve been all over the industry. In your opinion, who would benefit most from attending an event like this?
The Musicians Mastermind Sessions Program has been something that we’ve been developing for about three years. We’ve taken 37 years of observing, learning and experiencing both the good and bad, researched the music industry and talked to a ton of musicians in all genres of music to see what was missing for them to succeed. It’s our passion to give back from what we’ve learned. The industry changes practically every day and if musicians don’t understand how to navigate and keep up with the latest music creation technology and marketing techniques, they’re going to be left behind.
Our goal with MMS is to give them a different perspective on how to succeed in an industry that is not receptive to the needs of all musicians; just the ones that they can control to make the most money. It’s time musicians control their own brand, dictate how their music is created, who they’re trying to reach and what steps need to be taken to have a long career and be respected as artists. Indie musicians and Hip Hop artists get it. Be a music entrepreneur, build your support system and control your career.
Any musician, songwriter, producer should attend the workshop. It doesn’t matter what genre, level of experience or age they are. We can all learn from each other. That’s the beauty of a Mastermind. We all share our knowledge and experience so that we all come away better musicians and people. If music is your life and you’re unsure of what the next steps should be, this is for you.
High school and college students should attend to get a better understanding from established musicians and experts on what to expect as they enter the industry. They’ll gain a different perspective that is not taught in schools.
So this is definitely a great place to start. Who are the professionals scheduled to be at this event?
We’ve put together a great set of presenters for this session.
Rene Camacho and JV Collier are professional bassists from Los Angeles with over 25 years of touring and recording experience each. See their bios on the site for the impressive list of artists they’ve performed with. They’ll have stories what it takes to be a musician on the road and the studio and still have a real life.
Jenn Kaye is a communications coach who will get everyone to discover their true “why”. To dig deep and understand why they do what they do. To set a foundation for their career.
Krystle Delgado is an Entertainment Attorney and is also a singer, composer, producer who is a rising star in pop music as “Miss Krystle”. She’ll talk about the legal issues all musicians need to know. Copyrights, trademarks, contracts, etc. She’ll also talk about her experiences as a performer.
Angelina Greer is the owner of NThreeQ Media, a full service marketing agency. She’ll share her knowledge on “Disruptive Innovation”. How to start getting noticed and continuing to move up and create your brand. She’ll give information on how to utilize digital marketing.
Ed Baker has over 20 years in the industry having worked with Linkin Park, matchbox 20, Regina Spektor and many others. Ed will talk about career paths and how to work with a management agency.
Bjorgvin Benediktsson is a musician and audio engineer who has written books on studio techniques. He’ll share his thoughts on setting up a home studio to give your music a polished professional sound.
That is an amazing group with so much experience to share. Can you give us some examples of what will be happening in this busy one day session?
This is a great team to learn from. There will be Q & A throughout the sessions. It will be interactive and fun, without being intimidating. Everyone will leave informed and more confident about the course of their career. The networking alone among the attendees and the presenters is something you can’t get through online courses or just by Googling. This is why we feel that this live setting is best. There’s accountability and support from everyone.
Sounds like a great environment to learn in. What should attendees know before purchasing tickets? Limits or rules?
We’d like to have artists who are serious about learning and advancing their careers attend. Those who value their talent, fellow musicians and audience. Those that want to see music and musicians get the respect and rewards they deserve. Those willing to share and learn.
We don’t want those who think they know it all or don’t respect themselves or their audience. If you can’t share or take advice from others, this is not for you. It’s too bad, because they might learn something. This is our opportunity to give back to the music community. For attendees to learn from our experiences and to motivate young and aspiring musicians and creators.
We are only taking the first 25 musicians who sign up for this workshop. We want to keep it small so that everyone gets the most value from the workshop.
You must come in with an open mind, be ready to engage with all who are there, be willing to learn and then take action on what you experience. Students can get a discount on this session because we want to encourage them to learn from the best. They can bring one parent or guardian with them at no extra cost to sit in on the sessions. We start at 9:00 AM and end at 5:30 PM on Sunday, December 3rd at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel in Phoenix. All the registration details are on the site.
Once registered, musicians can email us a sample of their music, which we’ll play that day to get them more visibility. There are other perks that are on the website. We’ll also be a networking happy hour after the sessions so they can interact with everyone who attends
Our promise to all the attendees is: We won’t waste your time!
I know everyone will appreciate that promise. Lastly, where, when, and how much are tickets? Are there any discounts for students?
Early registration tickets are $595.00 per attendee until November 27th.
After the 27th they are at the regular cost of $695.00.
Student tickets are $495.00, including one adult. A copy of their school ID is required to purchase the ticket.
Again, we are limiting attendance to the first 25 who register. The Sheraton Crescent has special room rates for this workshop.
If you were to work with the presenters individually, it would cost you between $5,000 – $6,000 for their services. We wanted to keep cost down so that everyone benefits from the workshop. We are passionate about creating value to all musicians and creators.
That’s a terrific deal! Anything else you want to mention about the event?
We’re here to help. We’re here to inspire and motivate. We’re here to make an impact. We’re here for all musicians, songwriters and producers who want more control. We are especially here for students who need to know what to expect as they continue on their musical journey. We want to give you a head start, a push, a “lightbulb” moment or two. Details and registration: HungerFeedsTheDream.com/Phoenix
You can reserve your seat to
The Musicians Mastermind & Workshop Sessions (Phoenix)
on theirwebsite.
And make sure to contribute to our Patreon to ensure that Burning Hot Events and Kataklizmic Design can continue to bring you more amazing content!
PHOENIX — Pop recording artist Miss Krystle has just released the six-song EP Inevitable as the follow up to her successful Woman In Motion CD. This night was a showcase of the new songs along with an offering of music from her first three studio CDs. The intimate VIP party was held in a controlled private studio called the Premier Room at Premier Studios on Indian School Road. Guests arrived in anticipation of the live show and explored the venue and the well-stocked merchandise booth while networking with friends and industry associates.
Miss Krystle lit up the room at 8:30pm when she hit the stage dressed all in black; a dramatic contrast to her signature fiery red mane. The set started with “Right Movement” a collaboration with KJ Swaka (Pendulum and Destroit) and “Take Me Home” which was produced by Zion Brock. The hard-hitting electronica tracks are brought to life by the solid rhythm section of That Orko on bass and Brent Hensley on drums. This music transcends labels of pop or electronic dance music. It is edgy and in-your-face, but it is uniquely Miss Krystle. With lyrics like, “I’m a wolf, not a sheep,” she has no regrets in blazing new trails forging her own sound.
Miss Krystle commands the stage and pours her soul into each line. The fans in the audience are under her spell and sing along with the next two songs from Woman In Motion; “Dukes Up” and “Pressure”. The high energy has been non-stop and her performance has been an aerobic workout, but still the vocals are spot on. From assertive lines of angst to soft soaring notes she is matching the studio versions of the songs note for note.
At the end of this introductory frenzy, there is a catharsis. The band exits the stage and Miss Krystle is left alone with keyboard and a spotlight. This is where we learn that Miss Krystle is more than a pretty face with rock star vocals as she demonstrates her classical training on piano and delivers some of her original songwriting. The three-song solo “acoustic” set starts off with her song “I Don’t Cry” from the Run CD. This song has a beautiful music video where she performs in elegant body paint and has over 200,000 views. The crowd cheers as she begins singing. Next up is “Relevant”; the first song played from the new EP. In an interview with The Arizona Republic, Miss Krystle described the message of this song saying “The only person who should make you feel relevant and loved is ultimately you.” The studio version of the song has a sonically big production that conveys the emotional message, but ironically this stripped down piano/vocal version may have emoted even more heartfelt emotion. The third song in the set was a totally unexpected cover of “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys. This brought a smile to everyone’s face and it seemed to be a true expression of love to some lucky person in the room.
The band returned to the stage and the energy again cranked up for two more songs from the new EP, “Inevitable” and “Wild Like Fire.” Miss Krystle has been very prolific at self-producing high quality music videos and her latest is for the song “Inevitable.” In an industry where record deals seem to have lost their teeth, she has been successfully gaining celebrity through self-promotion and a lot of hard work. Her new songs are collaborations with her musical partner, That Orko, who has helped to elevate her production sound and inspired her to write songs that she says are some of her “best music to date.”
Miss Krystle isn’t relying on sex appeal to connect with her audience, but she definitely isn’t trying to hide it either. There is a seductiveness to her moves that matches the message in “Focused All Night” from Woman In Motion. She strips one layer of black and eventually focuses on each person in the room, one at a time, making eye contact and making a personal connection. One can envision her doing this same performance on a national stage with backup dancers, lights and pyrotechnics, a 10-piece band, and a stadium crowd. Although her surroundings were much more reserved, her performance proved that she is ready for prime time.
The 14-song set culminated in trio of covers that kept in sync with the high energy of the evening with “Lap Dance” by NERD, “Breath” by The Prodigy, and an homage to Beyonce with “Crazy In Love” that had everyone moving. Lastly, it was back to an original for the final song of the night which was “Unforgettable”…literally and figuratively. This song’s haunting melody is addictive and complements the lyrical intent to never fade into anonymity, “Burning in your memory you know I’m unforgettable…On your mind and in your dreams I’m a part of history.” The band left it all on the stage and there was no holding back to put on a fantastic show.
This was a VIP experience so everyone had their chance to meet the band, take selfies, and get their CDs, prints, and t-shirts autographed. The venue was a perfect place for a band showcase and the sound was appropriately loud while remaining clear. The only annoyance was the automated lighting chase that wasn’t synched to the music and each scene was monochromatic. Other than that, the space was a perfect venue to promote the new EP from Miss Krystle. Look out for her next music video release for the song “Relevant” coming soon to her bustling Youtube channel.
TEMPE, Ariz. — On November 5th the Marquee Theatre was bustling with life as fans waited outside its doors. Originally the Thrice and Circa Survive co-headlining show was to be at Mesa Amphitheatre, but a few weeks prior the show was moved to the Marquee. Due to the venue change, there was some chaos in the beginning. There were long lines at the box office as everything was sorted out after hopping venues, and fans were worried they weren’t going to make it inside on time.
The two openers took the stage to entertain fans and help wash away their frustration. The first band was Balance and Composure, who are an American alternative rock band from Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The second band was Chon, an American rock band from San Diego, California. People were calming down and enjoying some beers with friends. As house music played between sets, people happily chatted about how excited they were. Some reflected on past Thrice shows.
Circa Survive, an American rock band also from Doylestown, Philadelphia, took the stage and they were greeted with cheers. Anthony Green led the band with their first song of the night, “Lustration.” For an hour they serenaded the crowd with a sixteen song setlist.
The changeover between headliners was thirty minutes, enough time to go to the patio for a smoke break or grab another drink. As it grew closer to showtime, people filled back inside. The crowd reached all the way to the back almost spilling into the lobby. The entire venue went dark as Thrice, an American rock band from Irvine, California, stepped on stage. They went straight into playing “The Earth Will Shake” from their fourth studio album Vheissu. The lights flooded the stage, red-then-blue, as Dustin Kensrue sang while strumming his guitar. The crowd cheered and put their arms up in the air, and all the chaos from before disappeared. Fans in the front of the stage were jumping up and down, and a guy with a blue Mohawk was the first to crowd surf. The rest of the crowd sang along and headbanged. One guy up in the balcony was full-on headbanging with everything he had.
The next song, “The Window” was calmer. As the blue lights filled the room, people swayed and put their phones up to record or take pictures. After the song finished, Kensrue spoke to the crowd, “Thank you so much. We are Thrice,” before going into “The Artist in the Ambulance”. Fans clapped along, the entire vibe of the place was pure excitement.
During “Hurricane”, the light on stage turned to a yellow hue. The song is from their latest studio album To Be Everywhere Is to Be Nowhere and peaked on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in August 2017 at number 24. The fans once again threw up their hands; the white lights on stage highlighted all the arms in the air. A woman next to me was crying; her boyfriend had his arms wrapped around her waist.
The whole night people were jumping and singing. In front of the stage, people continued to crowd surf and at one time people were throwing around a shoe. The bass and drums were so powerful it hit your body like a wave of sound, almost feeling like a second heartbeat.
Before starting “Firebreather”, Kensrue said, “Ten years ago we put out a four disc album representing the four elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. Super nerdy I know. We wanted to tour with vinyls, but didn’t get them out on time. They should be out soon.” Kensrue was referring to their fifth studio album The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II. As Kensrue sang, three girls next to me started their own little dance circle, one was even twerking. At the same time, a guy up by the front of the stage was crowd surfing with his crutches.
Kensrue mentioned they just added “Red Telephone” to their setlist from their seventh studio album Beggars. The lights bled to red as a mix of drums, guitars, and bass began the song. Before playing their final song of the night, “The Long Defeat”, Teppei Teranishi (Guitarist) addressed the screaming crowd, “We love you guys.” Kensure added, “This is our last song of the night. We will have no encore due to this show being a co-headline, makes it awkward.” In total, Thrice had a sixteen song setlist.
Even though the night started out a bit rocky, it ended on a high note. Everyone left happy and Tempe is ready to rock out with Thrice and Circa Survive again in the future.
PHOENIX — Nothing More put on an explosive performance in Phoenix Wednesday night at the city’s eye-catching new venue, The Van Buren; named in honor of the historic Martin Van Buren. Once inside, it was a pretty swanky setup: grandiose crystal chandeliers dripping from the ceiling, marble double-sided bars wrapping around the room and on the back wall, an enormous, technicolored mural of the Sonoran Desert surrounded the stage — a fitting theme considering the band was formed out of San Antonio, TX. Interestingly, Nothing More frontman Jonny Hawkins is actually an Arizona native. This is a fact he shares with drummer Ben Anderson who is known for his presence in local success story Digital Summer.
After stirring performances by Hell or Highwater, My Ticket Home, and Palisades, it was obvious the crowd’s anticipation was at its peak. All eyes were on the stage as the lights dimmed and the introduction to “Christ Copyright” rumbled out from beneath Anderson’s drum set. In a flash of white light, Hawkins entered the stage rocking his classic barefoot, shirtless style while yelling, “What’s up Phoenix?!”, as the remainder of the band stepped on stage behind him.A haze of blue and red light filled the room as the band moved right into meteoric performances of “Let ‘Em Burn”, “Mr. MTV”, “Don’t Stop”, and “Ripping Me Apart”; kicking things off with a mixture of heavy-handed tracks from Nothing More’s fourth and fifth studio albums, Nothing More and The Stories We Tell Ourselves.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves was an immediate favorite among fans after its release in mid-September of this year, coming in at 15 on the Billboard 200. And rightfully so, as the band’s live stage presence is both wildly unapologetic and deeply emotional.
Their set featured a variety of face-melting solos by each of the band’s highly talented members, but after their hit single “Go To War”, Hawkins and lead guitarist Mark Vollelunga decided to slow things down a bit. Midway through the night, the duo came together for a heart-wrenching acoustic performance of track “Just Say When”, which moved some neighboring fans and myself to tears. It’s a song that Hawkins said “almost didn’t make it onto the record” because they thought it might be “too sappy“. As is the case with many classic emo-toned favorites, the sad love story of the troubled rock star hit us right in the feels.
As “Just Say When” came to an impassioned end, the remaining members of Nothing More took the stage once again, throwing themselves into songs “I’ll Be Okay”, “Here’s To The Heartache”, and “Do You Really Want It”. Fans visibly rejoiced as bassist Daniel Oliver strapped his instrument into the infamous “Bassinator” while Vollelunga and Hawkins aggressively plucked and tapped along the fingerboard. They were, presumably, pumping up the audience for a prolific performance of profoundly personal track “Jenny”, the third single off Nothing More’s self-titled album which spotlights Hawkins’ sister’s struggle with mental illness — a topic that hits hard for many of the band’s listeners.
Just as we sang along to the closing lyrics of “This Is The Time”, Hawkins stepped forward to address the crowd for one of the last times that evening. “Well it’s that time of the night; it’s our last song. Who has seen us before? [Cheers] Who has never seen us before? [Cheers] We are a band that does not give encores because one: they’re fake, and two: they’re fake. We’re just going to play our last song instead, and give it all we’ve got.“
And just like that, Hawkins was back at it again, flinging his water bottle into the crowd and jumping all over the stage as he and his band mates poured their souls into iconic track “Salem – Burn The Witch”, standing atop their latest mega-futuristic, one-man-band machine – a 400-pound, 14-foot tall instrument. The members of Nothing More dubbed it as “The Scorpion Tail” in an interview with local radio station 98 KUPD earlier this week. The crowd went absolutely insane for it, cheering Hawkins on as he not only drummed with his feet, but sang as well. Even employees of the venue gathered to watch in awe, some with their fists thrust into the air.
To say this performance was “impressive” would be to sell it short. Nothing More swept us off our feet yet again, and Phoenix will absolutely be back for more.
, 
. 
(2017) 
(2015)
earlier this fall. As Arizona cools down from a particularly “Cruel Summer,” and as the US at large continues to struggle with obstacles across the board, Inevitable is a breath of fresh air ready to bring a second wind to all who listen. The Inevitable EP will be “on your mind and in your dreams… burning in your memory,” as it is truly “Unforgettable.”
