Talk of the town
Our voters sound off on their fave raves among the local scene's also-rans, up-and-comers, and underrated treasures.
by Flyer Staff
Automusik
The only truly unique act on the Memphis scene right now. Sure, it's half performance art, but the songs are insightful. For all of the punk-rock posturing that goes on, no one has as clear a grasp on the politics and realities of corporate, consumer society as Scott Moss. -- Chris McCoy
Robert Belfour
Hearing the Wolfman's hypnotic electric country boogie performed live is one of the last authentic-feeling blues experiences left in Memphis. -- Eddie Hankins
The Bo-Keys
Holding on to what Memphis once was. Can't wait for a recording.
-- Andrew McCalla
Los Cantadores
Memphis' only Gypsy folk band is making a real impression on the local scene. Their sound is very infectious and is reaching people who have not been exposed to Latin music. Their vitality lies in the fact that they are opening doors to new sounds and the influence of Latin culture. -- Wayne Leeloy
Clenched Fist
Although they would hate to see their names [appear in] such mainstream media, this band has made a name for themselves outside Memphis. They are the ONLY real hardcore band in Memphis and they do it very well. Props need to be given now! -- Pat Mitchell
The Coach and Four
The Coach and Four get extra points for covering the Nerves' power-pop classic "When You Find Out." -- Andrew Earles
The Cool Jerks
Straight-up rock-and-roll, never a dull moment at their shows. These guys cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis.
-- Andrew McCalla
Crippled Nation
This band is young, dedicated, and excellent musicians -- the next band on the heavy scene to get national attention. -- Pat Mitchell
Dearest Darlin's
Quiet electroclash-like dance music, a new type of thing that is needed [locally]. -- Brian Venable
Effingham and Wheatstraw
White men can rap!
-- Jared McStay
Final Solutions
I voted for this band in an earlier poll for largely novel reasons. They were irreverent, messy, and, if you took away how they sounded, everything great about rock-and-roll. I'm too young to have seen the pre-Rollins incarnation of Black Flag, but at least I have this loose interpretation. -- Andrew Earles
The Gamble Brothers Band
Serious chops all around. Their music is a fusion of New Orleans funk and Memphis soul, performed with an energy and vitality that makes it special.
-- Jay Sheffield
Billy Gibson
One of the best harmonica players in Memphis. A true professional musician with talent oozing from every note.
-- Carson Lamm
The Glass
Brad Bailey is an excellent songwriter; John Argroves is one of the most sought-after drummers in Memphis; and Tommy Pappas is the most dedicated bassist I've ever played with. They are currently working on their new album at Easley-McCain Studio, and what I've heard sounds great. It's always exciting to watch a new project gain such positive momentum. -- Brad Postlethwaite
Andy Grooms
I believe that Andy Grooms writes some of the best songs I have ever heard. His band is amazing and their music is extremely original. He deserves credit for his work. -- Dave Green
Alvin Youngblood Hart
This guy is what it's all about. [Hart] has more talent and crossover appeal than should be allowed -- a real musician's musician. [He's] a creative songwriter with a great voice, and, man, can he play. He's the total package and will certainly be considered a legend in years to come. -- Brent Harding
Impala
Better than ever, a soundtrack band for the ages. -- Jared McStay
Tyler Keith &
The Preacher's Kids
Some nips of glam, a spot of fledgling Stones, a bit of the Clash, and a dash of the Ventures ah, the raunch of it all!
-- Lisa Lumb
Little Milton
Who else in the "Year of the Blues?" One of the true giants of the genre. Even [on] the rather formulaic Malaco stuff that sells a lot of records for him, his immense vocal talents are transcendent.
-- Jay Sheffield
The Lost Sounds
Noisy, volatile, mean, and extremely good. With a recent write-up in Magnet, loud-ass live shows, and a new album, these unique synth-punk screamers are our best chance to prove that Memphis rock musicians go beyond rehashed blues covers, mainstream puppetry, and exploited family history.
-- Kerry Vaughan
Susan Marshall
This woman is amazing. Best record has got to be Susan Marshall Is Honey Mouth -- stunningly beautiful.
-- Nancy Apple
Mouse Rocket
A fine lineup of local musicians including Alicja Trout and Robbie Grant, with the good sense and ability to cover (native Memphian) Arthur "Love" Lee's psychedelic classic "Alone Again, Or."
-- Dan Ball
The Porch Ghouls
Joe Perry's stamp of approval aside, this band is among Memphis' low-brow best. Catch their live show while you still can.
-- Dan Ball
Di Anne Price
Nothing against Norah Jones, but isn't Di Anne Price really the kind of piano-playing chanteuse that Blue Note should be signing? Her seductive, knowing, yet bruised singing, keyboard mastery, and smart song selection conjure ghosts of Memphis' blues past, from Alberta Hunter to Memphis Slim.
-- Eddie Hankins
The Reba Russell Band
Just about the tightest blues band there is and probably the most underrecognized.
-- Brent Harding
Sid Selvidge
Sid Selvidge is a Memphis treasure. He passes on to us the Delta blues traditions and musical craft that he learned straight from the masters: Furry Lewis, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and Mississippi John Hurt.
-- Dennis Brooks
Snowglobe
Snowglobe's Our Land Brains is one of the best self-released albums I have ever heard. You can hear the band's influences from emo and post-punk to the Elephant 6 bands, but this album is better than that I think -- more mature. The strings, keyboards, and sampling are tasteful. The horn arrangements are perfect. Snowglobe puts me more in the mind of the Kinks or even the Beatles than a modern rock band. -- James Manning
The Subteens
Instant rock party. Just add beer.
-- Steve Walker
Scott Sudbury
Independent release has sold over 19,000 copies worldwide to people who don't even know he plays Kiss covers!
-- Traci Brothers
Three 6 Mafia
The reason Memphis rappers can make it, and probably the reason I still have my job. Their inane but undeniably catchy music blew the roof off of Memphis rap, and they and their protÇgÇs are consistently our best sellers. -- Kerry Vaughan
Charlie Wood
I must confess to just discovering this great singer/songwriter/keyboardist -- who plays regularly on Beale Street, of all places! An out-of-town friend turned me on to him; unfortunately, this is a common scenario in our fair city -- outsiders spotting talent before we locals do. One of Memphis' many hidden musical treasures.
-- Lisa Lumb
Yo Gotti
Move over, Three 6 Mafia. With a long-awaited third album finally getting set to drop in May, Yo Gotti is poised to become the biggest-selling solo rapper in Memphis since Project Pat. And this time it's on a major national label (TVT).
-- Steve Walker
Thanks to all voters:
Nancy Apple
WEVL-FM 89.9
Dan Ball
freelance
photographer
Boogaloo Boyer
KXHT-FM 107.1
Dennis Brooks
independent
promoter
Traci Brothers
The Lounge
Gary Crump
SNAX Memphis
Kevin Cubbins
Cat's Music
Richard Cushing
NARAS
Chris Davis
The Memphis Flyer
Darin Dortin
Beale Street
Caravan
Todd Dudley
Young Avenue Deli
Andrew Earles
freelance writer
Julie Etheridge
Select-o-Hits
Eric Friedl
Goner Records
Michael Glenn
The New Daisy Theatre
Doug Golonka
WEVL-FM 89.9
David Green
The Hi-Tone Cafe
Jennifer Hall
The Memphis Flyer
Eddie Hankins
WEVL-FM 89.9
Brent Harding
independent
promoter
Chris Herrington
The Memphis Flyer
Lesha Hurliman
The Memphis Flyer
Ross Johnson
freelance writer
Mark Jordan
freelance writer
Casey Kennedy
Cat's Midtown
Mike Killabrew
WMFS-FM 93X
Carson Lamm
River City
Management
Wayne Leeloy
L2 Media
Andria Lisle
The Memphis Flyer
Larry Long
Cat's Midtown
Lisa Lumb
freelance writer
James Manning
The New Daisy Theatre
Andrew McCalla
Shangri-La Records
Chris McCoy
freelance writer
Pam McGaha
Stranjbrew.com
Janet McNeil
WEVL-FM 89.9
Jared McStay
Shangri-La Records
Pat Mitchell
The Blues
Foundation
Bianca Phillips
The Memphis Flyer
Brad Postlethwaite
Makeshift
Music
Lyndsi Potts
freelance
photographer
Timothy Prudhomme
Legba Records
Eric Robertson
Tha Movement
Katherine Sage
NARAS
Jay Sheffield
Jay Sheffield
Entertainment
Erymias Shiberou
Tha Movement
Angie Smith
Cat's Midtown
Mike Smith
SNAX
Memphis
Marshall Terrell
WMPS-FM 107.5 The Pig
Kerry Vaughan
Cat's Midtown
Brian Venable
Last Chance Records
Chris Walker
independent booker
Steve Walker
Cat's Midtown
Nicole Ward
Cat's Midtown
Sherman Wilmott
Shangri-La Records
Baker Yates
WMFS-FM 93X
