Ever since I first heard Hospitality on the radio months ago, and most recently on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, I’ve become increasingly fond of their pop sound, especially with the distinct voice of Amber Papini. With that said, the fact that Here We Go Magic were headlining this show was an added bonus, since I haven’t seen them live before but heard they put on good show.

On May 18, at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Ballet West opened Innovations, the final installment of its 2011/2012 season. The show was a mixed lot, offering something to delight and dismay almost anyone. This was no surprise, considering Ballet West’s effort to reach greater audiences, both locally and internationally.

The 25th Anniversary

Lords of SLUG Magazine

Welcome to this week's edition of Napalm Flesh! We have exclusive reviews of new albums from The Agonist, Outcast, Psuedogod, Six Feet Under, West of Hell and Witchtrap, reissues from Church of Misery and Wormed, and a live CD/DVD from Terror. And, as always, we have your rundown of this week's metal events in Salt Lake and beyond.

 On May 21 Copper Palate Press put on a screen printing class for the Craft Lake City Artist Workshop Series. Photos by Brent Rowland.

Presented by the Bicycle Collective

Why is it so hard for Utah filmmakers and actors to catch a break? Local producer/actor Jack Diamond had this same question. Along with Chase Weston, Diamond created the Who Likes Short Shorts? Film Festival in 2010.

Join SLUG Magazine on Friday, June 8 for the latest installment of Localized!

Welcome to Napalm Flesh! This week, we have an interview with the mighty Teutonic Thrash Titans, Destruction! Even though their show in Salt Lake on May 7 was canceled, we caught up with bassist/vocalist Schmier and talked about the early years that shaped Destruction into the iconic band so many longed to see in Salt Lake.

As I walked into the Derby Depot last Saturday afternoon, I was stoked to see all of the different skaters from around the valley, warming up on the track. A little bit of everyone from all the teams and leagues, including Uinta Madness, Wasatch, Red Rockettes, Salt City, Happy Valley and even the girls from Moab. For some, BBQ and fishnets may be an odd combination, but for the true fans and family of these derby skaters, it is pure bliss.

Sex, drag and rock 'n' roll.  The anatomically in-correct, glam-rock musical returns to Zion.

Upon arriving at Social Distortion’s second sold out Salt Lake City show of the weekend, I quickly made my way to the upstairs bar. While night one had been a strictly 21+ show, the second night of the weekend featured an all-ages section on the main level of the venue. The bar was packed and it was immediately clear that the all-ages night hadn’t deterred any of the 21+ crowd from coming out.

Brian Jonestown Massacre takes the stage. All nine, ten or eleven of them. It's loud. Heavenly, but loud nonetheless. Three guitarists are bound to make them ears ring. Somehow, it's hard to make sense of everything happening on the stage. Gill-stuffed with musicians, slumped, draped and/or crouched over their instruments with varying levels of concentration etched into their faces—it's like some otherwordly ritual we're interrupting.

The intense, raspy voice of Deer Tick’s John McCauley is a good analogy for Thursday night’s show at the Urban Lounge. At times, it’s a bit rough and you wonder how long before his vocal chords finally give out and the shit hits the fan. But, for the most part, it never did. Even though McCauley seemed a little unhappy with his guitar at times, calling it an asshole at one point, Deer Tick delivered a memorable set in all its ragged glory.

As surreal as it was to watch All Systems Fail shred in the park on a sunny day, in the midst Earth Jam, a pro-environment and pro-paisley festival, I could still pound my foot against the grass and get into the pure political spite of those years long past. All Systems Fail takes all the best things from the DIY ethic … With short, fast songs, it's easy to bob your head along with the beat, take a swig of ginger ale, and keep on bobbing.