Sammies 2012 nominees are here

SN&R’s annual Sammies awards highlight local music’s vitality

This article was published on 08.30.12

Random Abiladeze took home the Sammies award for outstanding emcee the past three years. So, this year, it’s time to retire the young talent into SN&R’s Sammies Hall of Fame (speech, speech!).
Photo By wes davis

Voting for the 2012 Sammies begins next Thursday, September 6, at www.sammies.com.

It may not be as bouncy, sexy or celebrated as in the past. But the Sacramento music scene in 2012 sure has verve.

I can’t help but grin, for instance, every time I see that zigzagging queue of kids and adults donning hard-rock T-shirts outside Ace of Spades. There’s a line that sometimes extends an entire downtown block, fans so damn anxious to be up in the front at the evening’s show, they’re willing to sit around for hours beforehand. That’s awesome.

And it speaks to a revived passion for live music all over town. Witness the late-night crowds glugging cocktails and head-nodding to touring bands at Harlow’s. Or the sweaty 20-somethings pinballing in humid Davis living rooms during underground house shows. They’re back.

Perhaps it’s just audiences responding to a growth spurt by local talent? Because it sure feels like there are more Sacramento singer-songwriters than ever, baring it all at venues such as Naked Lounge Downtown or Shine coffeehouse. Or local hip-hop troupes, such as Tribe of Levi and Live Manikins, rolling the dice on new albums and special one-off record-release gigs.

Or maybe I’m just seeing things in a new light. For instance, I had no clue Sacto boasted such a lively, if bruising, metal scene. That is, until I spent the last week glued to YouTube watching dozens of videos by area metal acts. Sacramento boasts its share of emphatic emcees and clunky indie bands. But, I swear, it’s a metal town.

Ten of the best local metal bands are nominated in this year’s SN&R’s Sacramento Area Music Awards, which celebrates its 21st anniversary. We probably could have nominated 21 metal acts, though, which speaks volumes about a Sacramentan’s penchant for volume.

Hundreds more local artists are nominated in categories for this year’s Sammies. SN&R came up with its list after generous input from readers, who began nominating their favorite bands and musicians in July. Voting on the 2012 finalists kicks off at www.sammies.com next Thursday, September 6. And winners will bring home the hardware on Friday, October 12. It’s all happening.

There’s been a lot of chat this past year about the state of the Sacramento music scene. And, unfortunately, the cream of the conversation was complaints, and those quibbles rose to the top.

Sure, the scene could use a little CPR. It’d be great to see more new faces forging bands or making music, for example. Or for some of the elder faces in the scene earning more at gigs—although it’s reassuring that the proverbial $5 show has now inched up to a $6 or $7 cover charge.

Yet, there’s no denying Sacto has its struggles. Even deejays have to battle for gigs, since nightclubs too have been hit by the recession, and their owners now book mix masters based on how many partiers they can bring in, not on the quality of their dance tunes.

But that’s splitting hairs: Sacto has more clubs with dance nights than ever, more all-ages venues than in the past five years, and more reasons to DVR Breaking Bad and instead catch a gig, even on a Sunday night.

And so, enter the 2012 Sammies nominees: Find a band, check its website or Facebook page for an upcoming live gig—and enjoy.

Hall of Fame 2012

Arden Park Roots, www.facebook.com/ardenparkroots

Random Abiladeze, www.randomab.com

Ross Hammond, www.rosshammond.com

Sol Peligro, www.facebook.com/sol.peligro

Tha Fruitbat, www.facebook.com/thafruitbat

Americana/Alt-Country

The Alkali Flats, www.thealkaliflats.com

The Carly DuHain Band, www.facebook.com/thecarlyduhainband

Dry County Drinkers, www.drycountydrinkers.com

Forever Goldrush, www.forevergoldrush.com