September 2008

Picked to Click winners so far: 1991-2008

Picked to Click Winners 1991-2008:

1991

Walt Mink (31)
The Loose Rails (24)
God's Favorite Band (19)
The Willie Wisely Trio (16), the Mighty Mofos (tie)
Draghounds (14)
Monster Zero (13), Rifle Sport (13)
Snapperhead (12)
T.V.B.C. (11)
Arcwelder (10), Cows (tie)
Mother's Day (9)
Jonestown, Pseudonymphs, the Mings, Dylan Hicks & Three Pesos, Dutch Oven, Superball '63, Vertigo (8)

1992

Hammerhead (38)
The Carpetbaggers (37)
Muskellunge (34)
Gneissmaker (18)
Mickey Finn (17)
Salbando, Cows (13)
The Pidgeonholes, Superball '63, the Loose Rails, Jonestown (12)
Walt Mink, Skeleton Ed (11)
Mint Condition, the Sycamores (10)

1993

Guzzard (27)
Rex Daisy (24)
The Spectors (21)
Balloon Guy, John's Black Dirt (16)
Saucer (15)
Hovercraft (13)
Dogfight (12)
Tim O'Reagan and Jim/Dave Boquist, Somethin' Smooth, Ten Cent Fun, Andromeda Strain (9)

1994

Lily Liver (41.5)
Low (26)
Smattering (19.5)
John Casey and the Old Pussums, Lefty Lucy (19)
Pleasure, Small Engine City (17)
Balloon Guy (16)
Bean Girl (14)
Hot Date (12.5)
Karen Therese and Jai Cafe (12)
Fauna (11.5)
Delilahs, Grows Like Topsy, the Sea, Venison, Vibro Champs (10)

1995

Tribe of Millions (36)
Polara (31.5)
Phull Surkle and Casino Royale (22)
February (19)
Honeydogs, National Dynamite (16.5)
Strawdogs (14)
Rhea Valentine, Push on Junior (13)
John Ewing (12)
Vena Cava (11)
T.H.R.U.S.H. (10)
Dust Bunnies, Run Westy Run, Speedway, Interstate Judy (9)
Flipp (8.5)
Freddie Fresh [a.k.a. Freddy Fresh], G.I.V.E., Beangirl [a.k.a. Bean Girl], The Blue Up? (8)
Better off Airport (7.5)
[Other low-ranking 1995 notables: Deformo (7) and Abstract Pack (7)]

1996

12 Rods (43)
Semisonic (23.5)
National Dynamite (16)
Who Are Those Guys, Hot Karl (15)
The Kelley Deal 6000, Medium (13)
The Joint Chiefs [a.k.a. the Sensational Joint Chiefs], the Pins, Superman Curl (11)
Detroit (10.5)
Ether Bunny, Mountain Singers (9)
Dwindle (8.5)

1997

Brother Sun Sister Moon (49)
Sukpatch (30)
The Beatifics (25)
The Sensational Joint Chiefs (23)
Happy Apple (17)
Druel, Wheelo (14)
Accident Clearinghouse, The Short Fuses (13)
Mike Merz & the Can o' Worms (12.5)
Lifter Puller, Ninotchka, Magnatone (12)
Vaz (11)
Think Tank (10)
Dave King (et al.), Plain Jane (9)
The Sandwiches (8.5)
The Big Wu, The Buck-Fifty Boys (8)
Baby Grant Johnson, MMF (7)
Atmosphere, DJ Jesus Juice (Henry Mhoon), Terry Eason, Freedom Fighters,
The Great Depression, Lady & the Katz, The Siren Six (6)

1998

The Odd (20)
Love-cars (19)
So-So (18)
American Paint (17.5)
Ana Voog, The Autumn Leaves, Ousia (16)
The Minx (15)
Autonomous, Mary Nail (13)
Brits Out of America, Lunar 9, Rhyme Sayers Collective (12)
Florida (10)
Bobby Llama, Freedom Fighters (9)

1999

The Mason Jennings Band (57)
Selby Tigers (33)
Plastic Constellations (29)
Jake Mandell (27)
Abstract Pack (23)
Bellwether, UberScenester (21)
Mark Mallman (and the Heat) (20)
Sixth Sense (18 1/3)
Tangletown (18)
Indigenous (16)
Hawaii (15 1/2)
Moveable Feast, Ouija Radio (14)
Walter Kong and the Dangermakers, American Head Charge (12)
Radar Threat, The Misfires (11)
The Hot (10 1/2)
The Dames, Escape Mechanism (10)
Landing Gear (9 1/3)
Lunar 9 (8 1/2)
Arkology, Fizzy Lifter, Truth Maze (8)
Bobby Llama, Prosthetica, Debi 7, Sliver, Dixie and the Cannibals, Salamander (7)
DJ Ts, Ninian Hawick, Drunk Drivers (6)
Olo (5 1/2)

2000

Astronaut Wife (44)
decembers architects (38)
The Busy Signals, Tulip Sweet & Her Trail of Tears (29)
Valet (26)
Jan (25)
Triangle (tie)
Sean Na Na/Har Mar Superstar (23)
Hidden Chord, Manplanet (16)
Capital! Capital (15)
Iffy (14)
Raw Villa, Smattering (12)
The Sure Shot Brothers, Touchy Feely (9)
Flapjack, Kaos (8)
Katie Spoden, Dred I Dread, Flim Flam Man, Skye Klad, Superhopper (8)
Keller Brothers, Arson Welles, Houston (7)
Inside Straight Blues Band, Vaz, Terraplane, End Transmission, Heiruspecs, The Hot (6)

2001

Faux Jean (43)
Work of Saws (35)
Alva Star (31)
The Fog (26)
Cropduster, Kid Dakota, Song of Zarathustra (20)
Poor Line Condition (18)
The Dames (17)
American Monsters, Black Eyed Snakes (14)
Jonas (13)
Suki Takahashi (11)
Iffy (10)
Buss, Jan, Sandman, Oddjobs, Ol' Yeller, the Waves (9)
The Psychedelicates (8)
The Crush, Tin Porter (7.5)
Animals Expert at Hankering, Heiruspecs, Howlin' Andy Hound, the Mike Brady Trio, Jamie Ness, Satan on the Loose (7)
Silent Iris (6.5)
Grickle Grass, If Thousands, the Malachi Constant, Nationale, Sweet J.A.P., Volante (6)

2002

The Soviettes (35)
Dosh (31)
Ashtray Hearts, Sweet J.A.P. (22)
Fog (21)
The C.O.R.E. (17)
Signal to Trust, Vicious Vicious, A Whisper in the Noise (15)
Divorcee, Redstart (14)
Askeleton, Michael Yonkers (12)
Kentucky Gag Order, Ourmine, The Psychedelicates (11)
Exercise, Falcon Crest, Honeymoon Shockers, The Owls, Tiki Obmar (10)

2003

Monarques (69)
Haley Bonar (49)
Revolver Modele (37)
Brother Ali (36)
Mike Gunther (35)
So Fox (24.5)
Bridge Club (20)
Ice-Rod (19)
Big Ditch Road, First Prize Killers, Tiki Obmar (17)
Luke's Angels (16)

2004

Olympic Hopefuls (90)
P.O.S./Doomtree (49)
Melodious Owl (48)
Spaghetti Wester, Thunder in the Valley (39)
Die Electric, Zebulon Pike (34)
Romantica (27)
Big Quarters, Halloween, Alaska (23)
Missing Number (18)
The Belles of Skin City (17)
Traditional Methods (16)

2005

STNNNG (66)
The Deaths (51)
Kill the Vultures (45)
Chariots (36.5)
Brother and Sister (34)
Duplomacy (32)
Chris Koza (31)
The Get Up Johns (26)
The Blind Shake, Fort Wilson Riot (25)

[sorry, info on runners-up not available for this year]

2006

The Alarmists (73)
Black Blondie/Sarah White (72)
The God Damn Doo Wop Band (62)
Chooglin' (60)
Maria Isa (35)
White Light Riot (31)
Gay Beast (28)
The Awesome Snakes (25)
Birthday Suits (25)
One for the Team, Vampire Hands (23)

[plus previously unpublished runners-up]

Tapes 'N Tapes (22)
The Retainers (20)
The Brass Kings, I Self Devine, Mictlan/Sims of Doomtree, Skoal Kodiak (18)
ZibraZibra (17)
Digitata (16)
The New Congress (15)
In Defence, Story of the Sea (14)
Beight, FIC (a.k.a. Fiction), MC/VL, Solid Gold (13)
The Dad in Common, Duplomacy, The Evening Rig, Formaldehyde Junkies, Mazta I (12)
The Chambermaids, Community Gardens, The Deaf, Mel Gibson and the Pants, Prof and Rahzwell, Synchrocyclotron, The Maps of Norway (11)
Belles of Skin City, The Chosen Few, Dance Band (10)

2007

Mouthful of Bees (68)
Gay Witch Abortion (34)
First Communion Afterparty (29.5)
Skoal Kodiak (28)
Roma di Luna (27)
Dance Band (26)
MC/VL (23)
Baby Guts (20.5)
M.anifest (18)
His Mischief (17.5)

[plus online-only runners-up:]

Weaver at the Loom (17)
Black Audience (16)
City on the Make, Jeremy Messersmith, Private Dancer (15)
Big Quarters, Pandemonium (13)
Mystery Palace; Now, Now Every Children (12)
A Night in the Box, Dark Dark Dark, Switzerlind (11)
Bastard Saint, The Evening Rig (10)
Beatrix Jar (9)
Dessa, France Has the Bomb, Ghost in the Water, Joanna James, To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie (8)

2008

Lucy Michelle & the Velvet Lapelles (74)
Gospel Gossip (72)
France Has the Bomb (39)
The Wars of 1812 (35)
Lookbook, Private Dancer (32)
The Dynamiters, Voyager (31)
Bouncer Fighter (30)
Muja Messiah (24)
Yer Cronies (22)
Black Audience, the 757s (21)

Plus runners-up (complete ballots here):

The Evening Rig, Slapping Purses, The Sleaze (20)
Kitten Forever (18)
Double Bird, Hayduke Lives! (17)
Cell Phone (16)
HeatdeatH; Knife World; Magic Castles; Now, Now Every Children; Unicorn Basement (15)
Ghost in the Water, Mystery Palace (14)
Jayber Crow, Themes, Whitesand/Badlands (13)
Aby Wolf, Chickadee Mountain Martyrs, Fuck Knights, Greycoats, Les Deux Magots, The Millionth Word, Sick of Sarah, Solid Gold (12)
Condo$, Crescent Moon is in Big Trouble, Strut & Shock, The Absent Arch, Yoleus (11)
City on the Make, Jim & the French Vanilla, Lambs, Small White, The Small Cities, Vampire Hands (10)
Bella Koshka, Cortez the Killer, Dark Dark Dark, Strange Lights (9)
Big Trouble, Daughters of the Sun, Off With Their Heads, Terracide, The Shortcuts, Visions of Christ (8)
A Night in the Box, The Usual Suspects (7)
Bon Iver, Military Special, Nancy Drew Crew, Red Pens, Rope Trick, Spiritual Mansions, The Brass Kings, The Sinks, The Vignettes (6)
Cat Attack, Cataldo, Crossing Guards, Jaspar Lepak, Metzger/Linz/Bates, Mother Banjo, Nobot, Plastic Chord, Soaking Rasps, The Golden Bubbles, The Manix, The Parlour Suite, Togetherness, Totally Harsh, Zoo Animal (5)

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 10, 2008 12:10 PM | Comments (0)

Vote today

Just the primaries, but still, it's a contested Democratic Senate nominee, and you should always vote for judges (if you need a guide, check out the League of Women Voters site). Me, I'll vote for any judge who'll rule fairly for gay and lesbian equal rights under the law, including the right to marry legally. Still figuring out whom that would be.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 9, 2008 5:55 PM | Comments (0)

Nas at First Avenue tonight

I've got no mixtape, no additional commentary, just wanted to plug a great rapper at a great Minneapolis venue: Nas's First Avenue debut, which I previewed here for City Pages. Hope some of our friends from out of town will come by.

Update: Nice review by Nate Patrin at cpculture.com. I saw Trama (with his painting) and Muja Messiah there, yelling every lyric. Nas asked the crowd if the president came to their hood this week during the RNC: "Did anyone come to your hood?" No, they answered. The only person I know to suggest such a tour was Congressman Keith Ellison.

Only complaints: Seeming low energy onstage (a few guest MCs does not a showman-ly spectacle make) and Nas's use of "faggots" as an epithet for the older cultural conservative Republicans that have attacked him--this from a guy who has thought so long about the use of language that he was going to title his album the N-word. Just saying.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 5, 2008 3:49 PM | Comments (0)

Rage, Anti-Flag, and riot cops at Target Center

Here's my account of last night's Rage Against the Machine show at the Target Center, and the showdown between police and protesters afterward, with more photos by Tony Nelson. And here's my interview with openers Anti-Flag, who headlined Tuesday's Ripple Effect concert where Rage was barred from taking the stage. Below is a photo I took with my cell phone of the protests on 1st Avenue after the Wednesday show:

Nice roundup of same event by Julie Hanus at UTNE. More here at cpculture.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 4, 2008 5:51 PM | Comments (0)

Folk, rap, and Rage on the RNC riverside

On Monday I took the bottom photo above, which you can click to enlarge, and described what's going on in it here. But like most people, I've been catching up with the clashes between police and breakaway "protesters" online, mostly via Elephants in the Room and the Minnesota Independent, though I'm now checking out the live-video-powered theuptake. Fried from two days of reporting and writing, I skipped the Ripple Effect concert Tuesday and watched Rage Against the Machine perform through a bullhorn on Fox 9 News. (There's excellent coverage of this here, here, and here at cpculture.com)

I did get a kick out of the Take Back Labor Day festival Monday on Harriet Island, where I was during most of that day's isolated mayhem, and where Tony Nelson took the top two photos above, of Mos Def and Atmosphere. Here's my account of that concert (with many more Nelson photos), and some more of my own photos from Monday are below.

The event was large enough that I didn't find out about the mass arrests within earshot during the Atmosphere set until Wednesday morning. Check out the video at theuptake for footage of arrests with Atmosphere performing "Always Coming Back Home to You" in the background:

I didn't even see Andrea Myers, who reviewed the show here Monday night. At the bottom of this here blog post is my photo of George Porter Jr. (of the Meters) from Monday night's private First Avenue RNC benefit for Friends of New Orleans. Like a lot of these things, the party would have been better if it had been open to the public.

But now, as I write on Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m., I'm watching more "protesters" on the news at the RNC barricades attempting... to do what exactly? Only kids play at fake revolution, especially when they know it brings down real repression on people other than themselves. I'd like to have an open debate with one of my friends among the breakaway groups--I know I have two, at least--and ask them why they're doing this. I mean, even if you're not violent, where's the ironic spectacle value in having an illegal protest blocks away from one of the highest security areas this side of the Green Zone? What does it prove, exactly? That predictable shit happens?

The biggest disappointment for me Monday was how low the turnout was for the legal protest. It was that much lower because a number of people decided to take it upon themselves to have fun at our expense.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 3, 2008 9:11 AM | Comments (0)

Fountains in Apple Valley

Taken Saturday on my cell phone (click for larger image). That's my nephew running through them.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 3, 2008 2:01 AM | Comments (0)

The party's over: Sammy Hagar and the RNC

Here's my account of the Southern Delegation Party at First Avenue last night for the Republican National Convention, which featured a concert by Sammy Hagar as Hurricane Gustav blew toward New Orleans. The night ended with an off-script plea from the stage by musician and wetlands activist Tab Benoit to restore man-destroyed coast land. Off the record, a Republican told me that the convention was effectively "over."

Now I'm headed for "the biggest protest in history" as water spills over the levees in New Orleans.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at September 1, 2008 10:58 AM | Comments (0)

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