2029's best Phoenix bands

Sure, we have plenty of area bands to dig right now, along with a deep well of past musical activity. Still, it's fun to ditch the here-and-now sometimes and think about what awaits.

Here's who is rocking the town, and how, on the eve of 2030.

Claustrophilia

It’s hard to believe that someone would start a band to honor their love of being in small dark places, but that’s exactly what Jeff DeNader (ex-Soothlier) has done here. Peoria, AZ’s champion of all things synth-driven gore slam is back. His band Claustrophilia sizzles through 9 songs on their impressive first LP “Brackish Lung”. Many of the songs are memorable; however, it’s the title song that is my personal favorite. Opening with DeNader’s moaning & growling style vocals and the line “Do you feel the black pushing? Can you tell that I’m wishing” followed by the kind of distorted intricate synth riffs we’ve come to expect from him. It’s time to get uncomfortable and love it. Definitely worth the listen.

Touch That Boat

Well, there is sunshine pop, and then there is Touch That Boat. These Springfield, Illinois, transplants have taken root ever so gently in Tempe, AZ. Consisting of sisters Allva and Violet Johnasson, these gals make The Association sound like Slayer. Taking breathy vocal harmonies to new heights, all the while floating on a tranquil sea of Violet’s tasteful piano riffs and Allva’s hypnotic harp playing. These songs are not short, but they are sweet. Most of these precious audio dandelions clock in at over 6 minutes of wonderful, colorful bliss. A couple of the standouts on their first full-length offering, which is entitled “One Not Two”, include “Pretty in Green”, “I’m Often Invisible”, and an eight-minute cover of the song “Never My Love” by who other than The Association themselves.

Marchibroda

Named after an ex-Baltimore Colts head coach and nobody is exactly sure why, Tucson’s Marchibroda is, simply put, smart power. If you harken back to a time when Jesus was a lizard, and amphetamines were reptiles, then you probably need to get some Marchibroda in your life. If you know, you know, and these guys (and one girl) definitely know. Dueling Rickenbacker basses and Jim Mitchell’s angular guitar attack are the perfect foundation for T. Ward's semi-self-mutilating live performances and uncontrollable vocal antics. This is a band best served live, and, smartly, their first record was recorded mostly live. It is called “Not Falling.” Check 'em out!

Photo by Marlon Schmeiski

And You Shall Wake The Day

My guilty pleasure has always been Midwest emo, and I'm not going to apologize for that. Although A.Y.S.W.D. hail from Scottsdale, you wouldn’t know it by listening to them. This record is what modern emo should be. Technical, honest, and just fucking great music. Sometimes political, these songs are about empathy and understanding. A cry for change and a new kind of curated pain. Tim Devonshire’s signing is second to none, best displayed on the short yet important song “My Time.” The record is called “Now is How,” and you should put the judgment aside and listen. You won’t be sorry either.

Pinch Point

“Do you skate, do you tempt fate?”

I just love that lyric, and needless to say, I love Chandler, AZ’s newest session by the band Pinch Point. Hard to believe the oldest member is 19 and drummer Brian Bollert can’t even legally drive yet. But damn, can he beat those skins, and I hear he’s no slouch on a board either. Somewhere along the way, these guys found out that the road to great skate rock is not paved with guitar distortion.

Pinch Point keeps the guitar clean in the tradition of The Minutemen, and the songs are almost as short. These dudes are well beyond their years and even have some pretty adult takes on social issues as well as frontside Smith grinds.

This is my favorite record of all the new local bands I reviewed. It is called “Aaagrolicious.” How sick is that?

Farts Before Fiction

“You cannot be serious.” The infamous John McEnroe line is the first thing you hear when you put on this record by Phoenix, AZ’s newest weird weirdness. In fact, this record is full of classic samples that morph into and out of some strange-ass dance music. I find this project hard to define. When I called them up to interview them, they first demanded that we do it only by fax. (I am being serious) But soon settled on a meeting that they insisted be at the old Darga site for Hair. Apparently, this was a new-wave hair salon on Apache Blvd in the 80’s. Whatever it takes, I guess. So these fellas are way older than you’d think: 52, 58, and 61. They go by the names Rhetorical Question, Jimmy Dunes, and Fredrick Fiction, who I’m guessing is the leader and main vocalist. After arriving at what is now an apartment complex, they handed me three books: “The Complete Angler” by Izaak Walton. “Go Into Your Dance” by Bradford Ropes and “Blast Off” by Suzanne Slade. When I asked them to describe their music, Fredrick said a lot of people call them a cross between Pearl S. Buck and Noel Toy with gassier beats. I don’t know who these people are describing or what the fuck any of this means. Although some of the beats are solid and the samples that they pull out are somewhat clever, I don’t get this band or this record. Maybe you will, best of luck.

It’s called, “So you’ve been waiting for an ocean, but all you received was another kidnapped jaguar.” Of course it is.

Photo by Jonathan Cooper

Thunder Climber

When it comes to heavy rock with a late 70’s flair, Thunder Climber has it down. Following a short four-song demo, “Never Enter, Never Leave” is Prescott, AZ’s first full-length record. Think of a more prog-rock and, quite frankly, a more instrumentally talented Greta Van Fleet who, at times, play with an almost Thin Lizzy-type energy, and you have Thunder Climber. Fans of standard classic rock as well as the heavier stuff will not be disappointed. On a second and third listen, the record gets even better, and the songs are actually quite catchy. The high points on this polished record include the songs “Rundown,” a wild-ride instrumental that leads into a quite thoughtful song about class divisions, and the epic power ballad “Will We Together,” which I could easily see being played on mainstream radio. Of all the new AZ bands that I reviewed, I think Thunder Climber has the best chance to be a household name.

baccate

I must confess, I had to Google this word to see what it means. Actually, to see if it was even a real word. It is, and it means “pulpy throughout like a berry.” Strangely, I get it, this is a fitting name for this Indie Rock band from Glendale, AZ. John Server and Andi Bleshards' vocals are at times as masculine and femininely entwined as the acoustic and electric guitar are on their new, beautifully designed and colored vinyl LP entitled “Flying is Easy.” If you are a fan of textured and pop-forward songs that border on a Florence and the Machine-type lyrical approach, you may enjoy this record. I felt this record was somewhat inconsistent. Songs like “Bloody yet Bored” and “Welcoming Tomorrow” are when baccate (still can’t get used to that name) are at their best. Doubling vocal approaches to thoughtfully arranged Indie rock gems, but songs like “Helping the Helper” and “Butterfly Downer” fall short for me personally. This could have been a really good 7-inch or limited online debut; instead, this freshman release is a gorgeous-looking LP that is 4 or 5 songs too long.

The Lunch Lenders

Man, give me a gummy and pop this bad boy on. I have always had a soft spot for jam bands. There is just something about an 8-piece band jamming on a sunny day that gets the booty shaking and the hummus flowing. Flagstaff, AZ, is, of course, the homeland of The Lunch Lenders. Where else did you expect them to be from? Although these peaceful folks have been close friends for over a decade, “Hungry for Lunch?” is their first real record. The free people of Flagstaff have been passing around some live cassette recordings in the pine trees up north for years, but now we've got them right where we want them, on vinyl. Man, I can’t say anything bad about this record. Steely Dan covers, 11-minute jams that devolve into almost-psychedelic bluegrass cookouts, and even some group-style spoken word. Because why not? It’s The Lunch Lenders, and they’re here to feed us all a tasty selection of jams.

Jim Everett

Jim Everett is a songwriter, and he does it well. Jim didn’t hold anything back on his debut album entitled “Intentional Accidents.” Like a hedge trimmer ripping through a dictionary, he tackles any and all subjects: dishonesty, growing old, regretful career choices, and even the occasional drive-thru fast food restaurant. Take the song “Never a Weaver,” where a crisp snare drum and almost jazzy chord progression build up to Jim belting out the almost confessional lines. “I’ve never been accused of being lewd, confused maybe, save me, tried and true. Only slightly approved by the socially infused, a dull and dirty cleaver, deceiver, you say, and that might be true, but I’m never a weaver.” You see what I mean? Songwriter, wordsmith, and world-wise. Jim Everett has staked his claim as Phoenix, AZ’s pen on paper guy.