The Echo

Former ASU wrestler Cain Velasquez is the next in line to face Brock Lesnar, pictured, with the UFC Heavyweight Championship up for grabs. (MCT)

GamrCred offers gamers competitive social media

The State Press looks into GamrCred, a new social media site in beta that lets gamers compare their gaming prowess against each other.

By Travis McKnight | August 27, 2012

Star-studded cast stands out in 'Political Animals' miniseries

Walking a line between soap opera and procedural drama, 'Political Animals' seemed to draw polarized responses. However, the greatest fault of the miniseries was that it was too short.

By Stephanie Habib | August 26, 2012

Children attending a flashlight tour at the Desert Botanical Garden stop at a station to visit a desert tortoise. (Photo courtesy of Desert Botanical Garden)

Garden night tours ignite curiosities of nature

Desert Botanical Garden holds educational Garden Flashlight Tours that enhances appreciation for the desert.

By Taylor Costello | August 26, 2012

Musicians pose support for Russian punk band Pussy Riot

Russian punk band Pussy Riot’s two-year jail sentence for “hooliganism” is inspiring protests in Europe and the U.S. and causing fellow musicians to speak out in solidarity.

By Justine Pallas | August 23, 2012

WiiU offers last hope for Nintendo fans

Nintendo seeks redemption in its new WiiU console to be released this year.

By Jeremy Conigliari | August 23, 2012

Music club at ASU presents alternative to Greek Life

The Underground Foundation, known simply as TUF, prepares for its third year on campus as one of Tempe's foremost supporters of the independent art and music scene.

By Mitchell Bobman | August 22, 2012

B.o.B and Far East Movement perform for students at the 2012 Fall Welcome Concert hosted by the Programming and Activities Board and Undergraduate Student Government on Tuesday at Wells Fargo Arena. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Welcome back concert excites students for new semester

ASU students were welcomed to the fall semester with excellent performances by B.o.B. and Far East Movement in ASU’s annual Fall Welcome Concert.

By Lana Rogoff | August 22, 2012

Summer concerts shake the Valley

There were many note-worthy summer concerts that helped Arizona residents beat the heat.

By Olivia Khiel | August 22, 2012

British artists invade US summer charts

Popular U.K. musicians infiltrated the Billboard Hot 100 list this summer.

By Stephanie Habib | August 22, 2012

Video Game Review: Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs offers a great action oriented open world game with a decent story and well over 70 hours of enjoyable content, but it falls short in a few crucial areas.

By Travis McKnight | August 21, 2012

Passion Pit album a dense labyrinth of productions and lyrics

All 11 tracks possess a singular identity, in regards to arrangement, even if mainly the singles are standouts.

By Taylor Costello | July 22, 2012

'The Dark Knight Rises' is a powerful trilogy finale

Through wonderful interplay between characters, coupled with Hans Zimmer’s stupendous score, the movie achieves a dramatic and touching height not seen in Nolan’s two previous Batman films.

By Travis McKnight | July 19, 2012

Nick Hippa of As I Lay Dying strums metalcore guitar riffs at the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival on July 6. (Photo by Michelle Tabatabai-Shahab)

As I Lay Dying’s expected CD release: Sept. 25

As I Lay Dying's lead guitarist, Nick Hipa, talks about what fans can expect from their latest album, Awakened, set to be released in the U.S. on Sept. 25.

By Michelle Tabatabai-Shahab | July 15, 2012

‘Covert Affairs’ premiere embraces ambiguity of spies

“(Annie) Walker’s reassignment holds some promise for the series. ... If the showrunners were smart, they would have the character continue to flirt with the grey zone of her new position, free of accountability.”

By Taylor Costello | July 15, 2012

The Old Republic aims to please fans’ demands

BioWare is gaining a reputation for being a company willing to submit to the whims of its consumers and alter its products to meet popular demand. This can be dangerous ground to tread in terms of innovation, but in the case of Star Wars: The Old Republic, changes are definitely creating a positive outcome.

By Travis McKnight | July 15, 2012