So, we’re not sure if everybody’s crazy from the heat, but there’s a full-fledged hep-cat fur fight going on. Yes, the music reviewer from the New Times is brawling with AZ Central‘s nightlife guru over a snarky write-up on this weekend’s Silversun Pickups show. Meanwhile, another Arizona Republic reporter is jumping in the fray, probably still pissed about the Middle-Aged, Bloated New Times calling him a sex toy for Mayor Phil Gordon. (Seriously!) Can’t we all just get along, people, and leave the fighting to the advertising sales staffs?
It all started when the New Times‘ music dude, Martin Cizmar, was offended that he had to wait in a hot, sweaty line to catch some cooler-than-thou band, all because said band was opening for the latest hipster obsession, Silversun Pickups. In response, Cizmar devoted his ‘review’ to calling the SP’s a poor Smashing Pumpkins knock-off.
Next, AZ Central’s entertainment editrix, Megan Finnerty blasted back on Twitter, “Insightful review of Silversun Pickups from @crumbler-http://irk.com/VcL Then there’s this awkwardness @phxmusicdotcomhttp://bit.ly/anjcSG“ In short, she just bagged on Cizmar’s review while leading readers to check out a competing review by Casey Newton, a Republic beat reporter who moonlights as a blogger.
Still following? Good ’cause now the fur’s about to start flying. Following the New Times usual MO of responding to the slightest provocation with insane rage, name calling and ungodly word counts, Cizmar left a blistering post on Casey Newton’s blog then Tweeted that he called out Newton and his #1 fan, Finnerty.
Now you would think that would be that, right? Not by a long shot. At last check, Finnerty responded by calling Cizmar, ”a bitter, angry young man.” While Cizmar retorted, “If there are two things you don’t know anything about, Megan, they are writing and music.”
Me-ow! While we don’t really have an opinion either way (I went to said show, enjoyed it, moved on with life), we can’t leave without shedding a little light on why this feud might have escalated so quickly. A little Google searching reveals that the New Times‘ professional hitman, arsonist political reporter, Stephen Lemons likes to call Casey Newton, Lil’ Casey, as in this charming headline: “Lil’ Casey Newton pulls out kneepads for Mayor Phil Gordon.”
Aye, aye, aye! Where are the EATERAZ boys when we need ‘em?
Image by Martin Cizmar
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