[ Music Index | Metro | Metroactive Central | Archives ]

Beat Street
By Todd S. Inoue

Ghetto Jam: San Jose shut out of NorCal BAMMIE awards LOTS OF PARTY crashers but no Soy Bombs--that was the scene at last Thursday's Northern California Bay Area Music Awards, a.k.a. the Ghetto BAMMIES (my term, not theirs) at the Transmission Theater in San Francisco. The real BAMMIES, where John Lee Hooker, Santana and Eddie Money collect their awards in tuxedoes and party dresses, takes place Saturday (March 7) at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. The Ghetto Bammies were held to hand out statuettes to Northern California (sort of) artists. The BAMMIES began as a local feel-good/rah-rah event. It has expanded to encompass all California acts. Does that mean that BAM is discovering talent in faraway places like Redding, Fresno and Weed? More likely, it is a way to curry music-industry favor in Southern California. Pavement, which formed in Stockton, has more (birth)right to win something than Oregon transplant Meredith Brooks. All of the San Jose bands got shut out of gold statuettes. Korea Girl lost to the Mr. T. Experience. Crack and Salmon lost to the Deftones. Premiere got aced by Jocelyn Enriquez. Monkey and Slow Gherkin lost to the Dance Hall Crashers. Santa Cruz resident Sista Monica did win the best Blues Artist, so props to her. But don't get me wrong; the Ghetto BAMMIES were still a good time. The bands were especially at ease in this environment, chilling with each other, drinking up, handing out tapes and fliers. Remember, there are no losers. Everyone's a winner. Outstanding Independent Album: Revenge Is Sweet and So Are You, The Mr. T. Experience Outstanding Rock/Pop Artist: Kinetics Outstanding Hard Rock Artist: Deftones Outstanding Punk Artist: Groovie Ghoulies Outstanding Ska Artist: Dance Hall Crashers Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Artist: Invizibl Skratch Piklz Outstanding R&B Artist: Jocelyn Enriquez Outstanding Dance/Electronic Artist: Tipsy Outstanding Blues Artist: Sista Monica Outstanding Jazz Artist: Junk Outstanding World Beat/Reggae Artist: Strictly Roots Outstanding Rock En Español Artist: Los Super Elegantes Outstanding Lounge/Swing/Cabaret Artist: Lee Press-on and the Nails Outstanding Americana/Roots Artist: Liar Beasties Are Go The Invizibl Skratch Piklz were in a good mood after winning their award for Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Artist. News is that Mixmaster Mike is now an honorary Beastie Boy; he will be featured on the group's upcoming album and will be taking Hurricane's place as the Beasties' touring DJ. ISP will be releasing a new album of cuts and scratches on its own Furious Ostrich Tracks label in May. An ISP tour with the Beasties is also imminent. ... Salmon gave me a freshly burned CD of four new tracks: "Livermore," "Points," "Screwfaces Bind" and "Ban the Neg." I'd go into what they sound like, if the CD would play. Hey, guys, hope you kept that receipt! Salmon performs at the Cactus Club on March 13. On and On SFMX4 Alert: The date of the multivenue Metro Foundation benefit concert is April 9. Confirmed thus far: Hi-Fives, the Orange Peels, the Bomb Bassets, Korea Girl, Tribal Disco Noise, Concerning Eye, Slow Gherkin, IBOPA, Dub Nation, Monkey, Soda, Tom Dick and Harry and New Sun Born. ... All-ages shows rule! Thursday (March 5), the Campbell Gaslighter hosts Slow Gherkin, the Hippos and Animal Chin. ... On March 13, Betty's Love Child, 78 RPMs, Soda Pop Fuck You play at the Camden Teen Center. ... Don't forget about the KFJC Record Swap on Sunday (March 8), at Foothill Junior College. Oh, and apologies to Dove, who was pictured in last week's Duster photograph instead of Clay. [ Santa Cruz | Metroactive Central | Archives ]