Bands (including but not limited to) like What Laura Says, Kinch, Gospel Claws, Black Carl, St. Ranger and now Mergence are the reason that I have not moved away from this place. Well that and my wife and kids. Mostly my wife and kids, but having great bands is certainly something to put in the "pros" column right above 120 degree weather and shit tons of traffic!*
Even though their newest album Those Vibrant Young People Are Dead came out on Jan 1st. I didn't get around to listening to it till the last few days. I have to say that it's spot on good. Really good in fact. I even stopped listening to YUCK for a couple days, that is how good it is.
The whole thing is available for purchase at all the usual places and I highly suggest picking it up. Check out my favorite song from the album below... It's called "Me & My Family vs. the Robots", it's about regular everyday stuff like fighting robots n' such. They are playing a slew of shows in the next few weeks, including tomorrow night (4/1) at Teakwoods.
If you are interested in learning even more about Mergence check out
03 Me & My Family vs. the Robots by mergence
*Just kidding, I love Phoenix and everything in and around it, including traffic.