DESERT STORIES

As Pride Weekend arrives in Flagstaff, DJ Quick Kay reflects on the music that shaped our queer journeys—from Lady Gaga’s empowering anthem to riot grrrl rage and QTPOC trailblazers who made space for us all. Local LGBTQ+ artists share the songs that move them, heal them, and make them dance. Celebrate Pride through the playlists of resistance, love, and joy with live events and heartfelt stories from our community.

ANCHIKO's long-lost EP D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L, once discovered on 4chan, led to their cult revival and a packed live show in Tempe, AZ. Joined by ALISON’S HALO and viral act FLYINGFISH, the Marquee Theatre show featured surreal visuals, nostalgic shoegaze, and emotional fan energy. From thrift store CD to viral fame, PANCHIKO’s journey proves the internet can resurrect forgotten music.

An investigation into the cannabis brand "Pressure" reveals glaring regulatory failures in Arizona's legal market. With no visible testing records, questionable branding, and a suspicious online presence, Pressure's launch exposes how easy it is to bypass compliance. Despite lacking verification, major dispensaries like The Mint and events like Budsapalooza and The Errl Cup promote them.

Punk Rock Bowling 2025 brings more women, queer, and nonbinary bands to the stage—but men still headline every main slot. From The Interrupters to Laura Jane Grace, Upchuck, Lambrini Girls, and Bridge City Sinners, this year’s lineup proves the scene is evolving. Dive into this guide by Flagstaff's very own DJ Quick Kay spotlighting the fiercest non-male acts worth your time—and why punk still has a long way to go toward true equality.

We review the best concentrates, vapes and cartridges from Budsapalooza, featuring standout brands like Electric Honey, Trip, Sauce, and Gelato. From smooth hits to bold terpene profiles, discover how each brand performed in flavor, potency, and overall experience. Whether you're hunting for top-tier carts or just vape-curious, this roundup highlights the best products of the festival and what makes them worth trying in today’s competitive cannabis market.

Final Destination: Bloodlines delivers brutal, inventive kills and non-stop tension in a thrilling return to the cult horror franchise. With top-tier CGI, twisted death traps, and unexpected plot twists, it embraces its campy roots while feeling fresh and unpredictable. Fans of macabre horror won’t be disappointed—this is a fierce, fun, and blood-soaked ride that proves the series still has deadly momentum.

Bring Me The Horizon's Lee Malia offered rare candid insights at a Guitar Center Q&A, covering his Fender signature guitar, production techniques, and BMTH's 21-year evolution. He revealed how they create their hyper pop sound, advised beginners to learn songs they love, and reflected on their journey from being booed offstage to headlining festivals. Despite success, Malia stays grounded, still enjoying METALLICA riffs and gaming with bandmates after shows.

Usually, when brands use words to invoke a feeling of being premium, the product falls short. Caviar Gold blows that stereotype away, delivering easily one of the most premium experiences we've inhaled.

Phoenix got dragged through the mud when NAPALM DEATH, THE MELVINS, WEEDEATER, and DARK SKY BURIAL stormed The Van Buren on the "Savage Imperial Death March" tour. WEEDEATER’s dirty sludge riffs, THE MELVINS’ chaotic swagger, and NAPALM DEATH’s raw grind left the crowd bruised but hungry. Even as the pit thinned out and the politics fell flat, the night was a heavy, sweaty mess of riffs, rage, and wreckage.

Movie poster for “Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie” at Desert Ridge in Phoenix, AZ for the world premiere on 4/20 at 4:20pm. Photographed by...

Bands perform at Budsapalooza in Phoenix, AZ on April 11, 2025 while attendees wait in line to get cannabis goodies from vendors....

Refreshed your pre-roll stash at Budsapalooza 2025 but don't know where to start for the best high? Our in-depth reviews of brands like Cigaweeds, i.o. Extracts and People's Cannabis Co. are here to help!

Dave Blunts brought his no-filter attitude to Phoenix's Crescent Ballroom, kicking off his tour with DJ Jozier and Pablo Skywalkin to a packed house. Chilling on his custom purple loveseat, Blunts previewed tracks from "You Can't Say That" while creating buzz by stopping the show to demand everyone recite his lyrics uncensored. Despite the crowd's wild energy, signs, and mosh pits, the rapper teased but skipped his promised crowdsurfing moment. His slur-filled new album drops

Alton Brown, beloved culinary icon behind Good Eats and Cutthroat Kitchen, made two unforgettable farewell tour stops in Mesa on April 6, 2025. The show mixed science, chaos, AI recipe satire, and live cooking with Brown’s signature wit. Fans enjoyed nostalgic storytelling, absurd culinary demos, and a “Cutthroat Kitchen”-style wiener challenge. A wild, hilarious send-off only Alton could deliver.

"Going Postal" is a bold, unfiltered gaming doc exploring controversy, creativity & cult fandom. A nuanced and unforgettable must-see film.

Warbringer’s “Vortex of Violence Tour” crushed Phoenix with savage sets from Skeletal Remains, Allegaeon, and Summoning the Lich. A night of thrash, death, and fantasy-fueled fury lit up Last Exit Live as metal fans moshed to relentless riffs, brutal vocals, and otherworldly solos.

GOYA dropped death-fuzz previews, Green Druid crushed slow riffs, and AZ bands brought doom fury to Pub Rock’s metal altar.

The famed foodist reflects on his decades in food media, presents his favorite culinary mega-hacks, and sings some of his funny food songs.

Eternal kicks off their tour with a night of metal mayhem in Tempe, joined by Dogyard, High on Formaldehyde, and High Castle.

SkaterCon 10 took over Goodyear Skatepark with pro skaters, punk bands, wild tricks, vendors, and a skate hurricane with an epic afterparty.