Westword Music Showcase 2004

To borrow some logic from members of the dearly departed and much-loved Five Iron Frenzy, welcome to our newest Westword Music Showcase ever! Each year we blather on about how "this year's event is bigger and better than ever," and while historically it's always been true -- since the Showcase debuted in 1995, each year's event has been markedly bigger and better than the previous year's -- we're not making that claim again this year. Not exactly. Yes, the 2004 Westword Music Showcase is definitely the biggest yet. But the best? Like the decision on the Westword Showcase award winners, we're leaving that judgment call up to you. God knows, we're proud as hell of this year's version, our tenth, and we've done everything possible to make sure that it's our best ever, from adding new venues to scheduling like-minded acts in specific rooms. For instance, electronic enthusiasts will be in heaven upstairs at the Church, where some of the area's finest DJs will throw down; downstairs in the same building, metalheads will be in for a hell of a good time. With the quality and quantity of acts on this year's lineup -- fifty of Mootown's best and brightest, nearly double the number at last year's Showcase, as well as special performances by the VIOLENT FEMMES and Josh Wink -- you'll wish you could clone yourself in order to see them all.

And you are...?
Antik: Sean, CJ, Cody and Adam.

Website?
www.antiksucks.com

How long has your act been together?
One year in August.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
2004 Vans Warped Tour.

Recent recordings of note?
"Alone" single.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Sean: Dish Network; CJ: Planet Honda; Cody works with his dad; and Adam is a waiter.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
750.

Favorite places to play?
Fox Theatre, Boulder.

Why music?
Extremely friendly and professional staff. Best group ever worked with.

If not music, what else?
Cars!!

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Last Ride

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
At our show at the Ogden with Ion, Misunderstood and the Commodes, the crowd was off the hook. They were stage-diving, getting in fights, crowd-surfing and more. Definitely a sight to see. Play it safe, kids!

Worst gig?
May 29 at the Gothic Theatre. NIPP's new security for that place sucked. Totally disrespectful.

What do you love about the local scene?
The scene is getting huge! It's awesome to watch all the bands blow up in Denver and even at national levels.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Too much trash-talking. If a performer or artist is getting recognized, there is always someone that has to bang them for it.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
Some people say that the bandmembers are extremely full of themselves. In fact, we are not at all. Hence the name: antiksucks.com. If you meet each one of us, you will see we are very friendly, caring guys.

Any random facts we should know?
Vote for us on Lollapalooza!!

Avalanche or Broncos?
Broncos.

Parting shot/final comments?
Cement Mixer...ahhh, love the taste.

APOSTLE
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP
10 P.M., OPAL

And you are . . .?
Jeff Campbell, aka Apostle.

Website?
www.coloradohiphop.org

How long has your act been together?
I am a solo artist. I've been spittin' rhymes since I was fourteen years old, in 1984. I was first published in 1994, so I guess you can say a decade.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
I attended the National Hip-Hop Convention in Newark, New Jersey, as the state chair for Colorado.

Recent recordings of note?
New album coming soon, entitled Intelligent Movement.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
I'm the executive director of the Colorado Hip-Hop Coalition.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
6,000 in 1999 at Reggae on the Rocks. (In 1984, as a breakdancer at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, I performed in front of 15,000.)

Favorite places to play?
Club Triology in Boulder; Soiled Dove in LoDo; Cervantes'; and Red Sea in Portland.

Why music?
It inspired me so much in my life. Stevie Wonder helped me learn to read. It was what moved me at a very early age.

If not music, what else?
Community organizing.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Mos Jef, Short Man's Complex, JRS-One and One Pac.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
In 2000, at Southwest Plaza Mall, Borders Books Coffee and Music: I had some little sixteen-year-old girl dance with me, and I pissed off her parents.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
I met a Vietnam Vet who was only 5'10" -- but had size 13 1/2 shoes.

Worst gig?
At the Chief Theater in Pueblo in 1995. The host of the event introduced me as the "Ass Pistol."

What do you love about the local scene?
The incredible talent.

What bugs you about the local scene?
No sense of community.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That I've retired. Don't call it a comeback -- the new joint is on fire!

Any random facts we should know?
The new album, featuring KRS-One and Stero Lion and produced by Heavyweight Dub Champion, is some of my best work.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Favorite Colorado athlete: Amy Van Dyken.

Parting shot/final comments?
Hip-hop in Colorado keeps getting better. Suckas trying to X me out, but they can't circumvent the real deal. I'm proud of my age, my accomplishments and the mistakes I've learned from. Stop talking shit. You know who you are. Let's build a community with this hip-hop. It ain't about a hot record; fuck a hot record. Live this. Peace.

BACKBONE VELVET
NOMINATED IN FUNK/SOUL

And you are...?
Marri Jo, Backbone Velvet.

Website?
www.backbonevelvet.com (Our site is currently being updated and improved and will be current soon!)

How long has your act been together?
Three to three and a half years. Our first show was at the Cricket, on January 16, 2001.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Nominated for the Westword Music Showcase -- second year in a row now. We just played our third People's Fair, and our new live CD was just released.

Recent recordings of note?
New Backbone Velvet live CD.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Marri Jo, lead vocalist: Watsu Practitioner (a form of aquatic body work, working primarily with the disabled community); Johnny, guitarist: CAD tech; Chip, bassist: a hair designer working for Head West in Evergreen; and Laura, drums: accountant.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Packed house at Herman's.

Favorite places to play?
It's different for all of us: Johnny likes the Soiled Dove; Laura likes the Cricket. And Chip and I love playing up in Bailey at Chip's house, which we call the "Fairgrounds," after Chip's last name, which is Fair -- just up close and personal for our circle of friends.

Why music?
Johnny: "'Cause I got to!!" Laura: "It's my passion!" Chip: "Why not? It's always been there!" And me: As a gift to my family and friends.

If not music, what else?
Johnny: "Living on the beach!" Chip: "Gardening." Laura: "Therapy." And me: Watsu!

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Backbone Velvet was brought to us by Chip, and that was it! NEVER anything else; it just fit perfect.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
We played a great show at Herman's one night. After we were done, of course, the shots were flowing! A bit later, we were all frantically looking for Johnny. He was nowhere to be found. It later came to our attention that he was quite comfortable, passed out in the back of his own truck, right in front of the bar!

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
We have only played one gig outside of Denver. It was a wedding for our good friends outside of Cody, Wyoming. We rented a big RV, loaded it up with all of us, pulled in to their family gathering and proceeded to scare the hell out of his family. He had a lot of explaining to do to his parents, and we rocked out all night long, echoing throughout the canyon. Yes, we are all still friends.

Worst gig?
We haven't had any really bad gigs! Johnny had a night where he wasn't expecting an encore and forgot all his riffs -- and, well, basically the song. Laura had "tech" problems with her cymbals one night, and it was obvious throughout the show and recording. And Chip and I can't say we've really had any bad gigs. We get something out of all of them.

What do you love about the local scene?
Johnny likes just being a part of it. Chip likes the diversity of all the original music in Denver. And we all love the great support we receive from all the other musicians in town. We are truly blessed with great and very talented friends -- and so many other local bands!!

What bugs you about the local scene?
Johnny wishes there were more diverse clubs to play. Laura wishes there was a bigger focus on women in music.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
Our name getting messed up. We are not BLackbone Velvet -- that would be used for a porno soundtrack or something! And we are not just a blues band or a classic-rock band.

Any random facts we should know?
We were great friends and in each other's lives for years before we ever decided to play together. This is a deep well we are all in here.

Avalanche or Broncos?
BOTH.

Parting shot/final comments?
Johnny: "Tequila -- thanks for thinking of us." Chip: "Scotch -- keep on rockin' in the free world!" Laura: "A slippery nipple -- heellllooo, Wisconsin!" And me: "A tequila body shot -- man, I love you guys! YOU ROCK!"

BLACK BLACK OCEAN
NOMINATED IN PUNK

And you are...?
Ryan Eason, Black Black Ocean.

Website?
www.blackblackocean.com

How long has your act been together?
Two years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Action Driver Records is putting out our new full-length, Eaglemaniac; CD-release show and mega raging party on July 9 at Rock Island.

Recent recordings of note?
Eaglemaniac.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Sold-out show at the Ogden, opening for someone -- however many people that was.

Favorite places to play?
Lemp Arts in St. Louis; Modified in Phoenix.

Why music?
Well, we can't all be bodybuilders.

If not music, what else?
Bodybuilding.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Lucifist, Seawolf!, Endangered Feces, Blood Face Knife Wound and Kitty Hearts.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
I had just returned from an interpretive-dance pilgrimage to Rio on a chilly Friday last November. Stephen had just returned from running smack to Berlin. We were both pretty wrecked. We had a show booked at a very secret warehouse that night. Jared and Quintin showed up very obviously on a higher plane of awareness, and when we all arrived at said warehouse, it was empty except for a very old man. He told us that we were the chosen, and then he felt our clothes and told us that they were odd. We then played some songs for him, and he laughed loudly and smoked copious amounts of high-grade opium.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
Toledo, early 2003. Jared and myself had far too many vodka gimlets, and we decided it was high time to get buck naked. Apparently, so I learned later, Ohio has laws against standing on top of parked cars with your unspeakables on display. As soon as we saw the police coming, we both bolted naked through the streets. The bartender from the venue saved Jared, letting him slip into the back room. I ended up taking shelter in the car of a stranger. I borrowed her phone and got picked up thirty minutes later, during which time we made out. You: red Cavalier, Journey T-shirt, Young MC tape. Me: naked, drunk, confused. Maybe we could click?

Worst gig?
Are there bad gigs, or just bad words?

What do you love about the local scene?
Hot girls!

What bugs you about the local scene?
Hot girls.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
The biggest misconception about us would be that we write our own songs. Most people think that we do, but it's simply not true. We have a writer, a bigwig, some dude in L.A. named T that speaks nine languages, all dead. I've never met him.

Any random facts we should know?
Stephen can count to ten in Swahili. Jared can do a backflip off of a standard curb. Quintin won the Colorado state spelling bee when he was thirteen. Ryan can hold his breath for three minutes and thirty seconds.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Broncalanche

Parting shot/final comments?
Eaglemaniac release show and mega raging party on July 9 at Rock Island. Coloring contest, eagle costume contest, party favors, funny hats!

BLACK PEGASUS
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP
4 P.M., OPAL

And you are...?
Robert Houston II (Black Pegasus).

Website?
www.theblackpegasus.com

How long has your act been together?
I've been hustlin' rap for about six years now.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
I'm on that video game, NBA Jams 2. My music's on MTV. I'm on the new Madsoul mix tape, and I'm sponsored by Madsoul clothing and L-R-G.

Recent recordings of note?
My new album, Knuckle Up, is fully recorded and set to release with national and digital distribution in late September '04.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
No nine-to-five job! I'm a full-time rapper.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
I played in front of 1,000-plus people with Atmosphere. I've battled in front of 20,000 people at Fiddler's Green, in the 50 Cent/Jay-Z Rock the Mic battle. Holla.

Favorite places to play?
Strip clubs. Or the Gothic Theatre in Denver, the Fox in Boulder, the Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins, 32 Bleu in Colorado Springs, Emo's Jr. in Austin. Bling-o-rama.

Why music?
'Cause anybody can relate to music.

If not music, what else?
If not music, I'd be a pimp.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Billy Blanks Taebo Squad.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
Well, I'm light-skinned brown. And I did a show with Redman and Method Man in Colorado Springs at the City Auditorium. Some drunk chick thought I was Redman, 'cause of my skin tone, I guess, and jumped on stage took off her top, then started grindin' on me -- small highlight of my career.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
The weirdest story can be found on my DVD, in stores now!

Worst gig?
In San Antonio, Texas. I was on tour with Immortal Technique, and some racist cops pulled us over after our show, then illegally searched our car and arrested my brother/hype man "Trigga" for having an unloaded, registered firearm. On top of that, he had a permit to carry it, too. But I guess that didn't matter. We'll see them in court. I hate pork.

What do you love about the local scene?
The fans that support what we do!! Brass knuckles!!

What bugs you about the local scene?
Shady promoters and no big radio airplay. But it's all good. Just have to grind a li'l bit harder.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
Who cares? You either like us or you don't. Oh, yeah, I'm not in a band. I'm a solo rapper.

Any random facts we should know?
I'm 24, single with no kids!

Avalanche or Broncos?
BRONCOS!!!!!!

Parting shot/final comments?
Thanks to all the fans and supporters: Base Jase, Blizz, Trigga, 3 Deep, Jason Swartz, 1190 AM, 90.5 FM, and everyone who has helped us on the way. Holla.

BOP SKIZZUM
NOMINATED IN FUNK/SOUL
8 P.M., LA RUMBA

And you are...?
Bop Skizzum: Andy Guerrero, guitar and vocals; Serafin Sanchez, sax and keys; Joe Ferrone, trumpet; Charley Hine, lead guitar; Jimmy Stofer, bass.

Website?
www.bop-skizzum.com

How long has your act been together?
I (Andy) started the group back in 1999. We went through various lineup changes over the years, but the core of the band has been playing together for about three years. Serafin joined in 2001, along with Christian, then Joe a year later, followed by Jimmy and Charley in early 2003.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
We finally released our first full-length album, Waiting For, which took us about a year to put out. So please go buy our record. We helped to premiere a local TV show called The Noise Floor, which focuses on the local music scene here in Denver and Colorado. That was screened at our CD-release show at the Gothic Theatre, along with Love.45 and our homeboys, the Fray. And the biggest feat is being nominated for best Funk/Soul band in this year's Westword Music Awards.

Recent recordings of note?
Waiting For.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Andy: I run my own postering and promotions business, working for NIPP and putting up posters for other local bands in town. Serafin: full-time student at CU and gives saxophone lessons at Wheat Ridge High, along with helping instruct the Pomona marching band. Charley: works for REI making backpacks. Joe: teaches trumpet to kids in DPS on the weekends and was just accepted into the Air Force Falcons' jazz band. Jimmy: barbacks at the Dark Horse Saloon in Boulder and is a full-time student at UCD. Josh: works for a textile delivery company.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
1,000 people or so in Fort Collins with G. Love and Special Sauce and Flogging Molly.

Favorite places to play?
The Gothic Theatre.

Why music?
Because we live and breathe it. We've lived and breathed it our whole lives and can't see living our lives without it. It's what keeps all of us going day in and day out, in one way or another.

If not music, what else?
Haven't given that enough thought. Music has always been the first choice. We're all hoping that it's going to work out.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
We kind of stumbled onto Bop Skizzum. I can't think of the other names. Oh, wait, I think I first named the band Felix, but it was already taken by some band in Austin. We decided on Bop Skizzum because we didn't want to be strapped into playing only one style of music. Although we are primarily a funk band, we wanted a name that people could remember and that allowed us to play rock, hip-hop, reggae, Latin -- whatever we wanted. So the Funky Funkinaters was overruled.

What do you love about the local scene?
I love the fact that almost everybody in this town knows at least two or three people who are in some kind of band. There are really only about three degrees of separation from each band in town. Somebody knows somebody, and I think that's awesome! Also, the fact that more and more people are being turned on to the awesome music scene we've got here.

What bugs you about the local scene?
The fact that some bands try to play rock star and don't support other bands in town. Very few people in bands actually take the time to go see other bands in town. There seems to be a tight-knit community in the indie-rock and punk-rock scene. But more funk bands need to see indie bands. More metal bands need to go check out the hip-hop band. And hip-hop bands need to check out rock bands, etc. Get out there and see how awesome other bands who don't play your style of music are. We try to get out and see a lot of different groups. Get out there and see your peers.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That our band name is Bob Skizzum, not Bop Skizzum. And that we are a ska band. Love ska, but we are not a ska band. Also not a jam band. We funk and we rock. It can be done.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Who cares? Sports get enough attention in this town.

Parting shot/final comments?
Get out and support local music. They're are tons of great bands in this town. So instead of seeing a movie, go see a real, live rock band. If you're going to the bar, go to a bar that has a live band. And please buy our record -- it is really, really good. Last, and most important, get out there and vote not only for the showcase, but for a new president. Let's get Bush out of the office he never should have had in the first place! Make sure all your friends are registered to vote, and don't blow off voting this November. The future of our nation depends on you, the rock-and-roll public!

BRAD UPTON QUARTET
NOMINATED IN JAZZ/SWING

BREAK MECHANICS
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP
6 P.M., LA RUMBA

And you are...?
Break Mechanics: Q Burse, vocals; PAAS, vocals; Low, vocals; Daren Hahn, drums; Greg Raymond, keys; and Casy Sidwell, bass.

How long has the act been together?
About a year and a half.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Q Burse is releasing his solo CD, Q Burse Is...the Timeless Child, on Fanbass Recordings.

Recent recordings of note?
We just finished mixing our debut album this week and are releasing the record sometime in late July.

What do you love about the local scene?
It's really like one big family. Everyone is constantly performing with each other and sitting in. There is an amazing group of artists, poets, dancers, DJs, musicians, MCs, writers and activists that make up this community. Denver's underground hip-hop scene is real as rain, and we are fortunate to have a community like that.

Avalanche or Broncos?
The Broncos. Defense wins championships.

Parting shot/final comments?
Low, one of our MCs, recently changed his name from Down Low after catching an episode of Oprah -- you'll have to ask him about it.

BRIGHT CHANNEL
NOMINATED IN ROCK
10 P.M., ACOMA CENTER

And you are...?
Bright Channel.

Website?
www.flightapproved.com

How long has your act been together?
Since February 2002.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
We managed to finish this questionnaire in less than thirty minutes, despite our collective hung-over brain fog.

Recent recordings of note?
Our first album is due out in fall 2004.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Guitar Tech, music-store manager and forest-service employee.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
About 600 people

Favorite places to play?
The Climax Lounge, Gothic Theatre and our basement.

Why music?
It's the perfect anti-depressant (and it makes us feel warm and fuzzy).

If not music, what else?
Jeff would be painting. Brian would be spending more time with his dog, Jinx. And Shannon would sell everything and buy a TiVo.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Satan's Bitch, Bearfox, Fishlegs, Van Halen.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
After racking our brains over this question, we've come to the realization that we're not very funny or strange. Thanks a lot.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
No tours with this band, yet.

Worst gig?
There was one memorable experience where the gig conditions were so bad that Jeff told the audience they'd have to pay us to keep playing. It was all downhill from there.

What do you love about the local scene?
There are a lot of great venues to play in Denver right now, and we've met a lot of really good people through the music scene.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Although support for the local music scene has gotten better in recent years, there is always room for improvement.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
The biggest misconception is that we actually play our instruments. In reality, there are monkeys backstage playing the real instruments, and Jeff is lip-syncing to a Britney Spears vocal track on half speed.

Any random facts we should know?
The Earth gets 100 tons heavier every day due to falling space dust. That's pretty heavy.

Avalanche or Broncos?
We've never heard of either of those bands...

Parting shot/final comments?
Gravity is a harsh mistress.

BUCKNER FUNKEN JAZZ
NOMINATED IN FUNK/SOUL

And you are...?
Professor Roderick W. Buckner, Buckner Funken Jazz.

Website?
www.BuckyLove.com

How long has your act been together?
Six years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Opening for Maceo Parker, A.W.A., Liquid Soul, and many others.

Recent recordings of note?
Working on a new CD.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
On time. My day job is in music education.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
We have played for over 200 to 300 people.

Favorite places to play?
Herb's, Herman's and the Breckenridge Jazz festival.

Why music?
Music is a part of my life. I am very in tune with music, and it makes me happy.

If not music, what else?
Music, period.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Buckner Jazz and Blues Band.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
Playing in Copper Mountain in the snow.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
I can't tell you in public.

Worst gig?
A job that paid only twenty bucks to each player.

What do you love about the local scene?
There are a lot of fine musicians out there and some a-holes, but for the most part, they are pretty friendly.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Promotion -- or the lack of promoting local talent -- on the local airwaves.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
People think that we only play jazz or funk. What they don't understand is that we do both at the same time.

Parting shot/final comments?
Keep pushing the local bands, more PR for the local bands. We have some fine bands here, and we are not being heard enough.

BUCKSKIN STALLION
NOMINATED IN COUNTRY/BLUEGRASS/ROOTS
8 P.M., SERENGETI

And you are...?
"As hollow as the hollow sound of my empty whisky flask..." or Troy Schoenfelder, founder and singer-songwriter of Buckskin Stallion.

Website?
www.BuckskinStallionMusic.org

How long has your act been together?
Founded in 2000. Revolving cast of characters.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Got voted into the Westword Music Showcase 2004!

Recent recordings of note?
Blue Ribbon Buzz was released earlier this year on Big Bender Records (www.bigbender.net). BRB is an ode to industrial beer and the traditional story-song. Ahh, hell, it's a celebration of all things Americana!

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Walk the Colorado Highways in search of aluminum cans and returnable bottles.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Uhhh, how many were at Redding 2002?

Favorite places to play?
"World's Only Corn Palace," in Mitchell, South Dakota; 3,300-seat arena next to the "cop shop" in my home town.

Why music?
Because Townes Van Zandt is my godfather. Further, my bandmates are known, in some circles, as the Bastard Sons of Townes Van Zandt.

If not music, what else?
Stand-up comedy. Steve Martin informed me long, long ago that "Comedy Is Not Pretty." I find the same is true of country music.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
T-Roy and the Asthmatics.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
Earlier this year, with a little change in our pockets going jing-a-ling-a-ling, Buckskin opened for the Georgia Satellites.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
Earlier this summer, Buckskin was playing a festival in Wyoming. An extremely inebriated woman punched the bass player in the chest for not letting her sing "a sad song" into his mike. A herd of men and women descended upon the stage. A brawl breaks out on stage, then in the crowd. Buckskin escapes stage left. The only casualty was my Beta 87A Shure microphone. I loved that fella.

What do you love about the local scene?
What's not to love?

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That Buckskin plays saccharine Top 40 country. Buckskin Stallion is roots-rocking Americana. Marty Jones once said, "Buckskin Stallion is like Woody Guthrie on an amplified bender."

Any random facts we should know?
I play a Gibson J-45 acoustic guitar and use only D'Addario medium-gauge strings.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Dunno much about local sports.

Parting shot/final comments?
As the late, great Townes Van Zandt wrote, "If I had a Buckskin Stallion, I'd tame him down and ride away."

CEPHALIC CARNAGE
NOMINATED IN HARD ROCK/METAL/AGGRO
8 P.M., THE CHURCH DOWNSTAIRS

And you are...?
Cephalic Carnage -- Ted, the fifth Beatle, complainer and general troublemaker.

Website?
www.cephaliccarnage.net

How long has your act been together?
According to my mom, I never really got it together.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
In the last year and a half, we've played over 220 shows in sixteen countries, on tour with (here comes the shameless name-dropping) Hatebreed, Mastodon, Cradle of Filth, Shadows Fall, Cannibal Corpse, Killswitch Engage, Unearth, Kreator, Macabre, Madball, Terror, Dysrhythmia, Shai Hulud and many more.

Recent recordings of note?
Lucid Interval (Relapse Records), Halls of Amenti, 19 minute doom MCD (Willowtip Records) and Relapse Contamination DVD.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
We, as a band, own a screen-printing operation. We will make shirts and stickers for you (shameless plug). Contact us at ted@cephaliccarnage.net

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
We headlined a festival called "Fuck the Commerce" in Neiden, Germany, for over 4,000 people.

Favorite places to play?
New York, anywhere in Canada, San Francisco, the U.K., Denver, anywhere in Holland, Seattle, Minneapolis, Paris, Stockholm... I'll stop before I get annoying.

Why music?
Is there another option for people like us other than washing dishes?

If not music, what else?
Homelessness. Oh, wait...

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Ani DiFranco, Carniceria, Metallica, Usher, Iron Maiden and Jackson Browne, to name a few.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
At an S&M show in Fort Collins, these dumb goth chicks wanted to dance on stage with us and requested that we play some "sexy" music. So we broke out some hillbilly country and attacked them with our instruments until they left. Cephalic 1, dumb goth chicks 0.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
We played in Reno with Converge and Exhumed, and while Converge was playing, a member of an all XstraightedgeX "gang" (look out, suburbia) busted out his machete and began to attack the singer with it. Then it got really silly from there.

Worst gig?
Any gig that you have to make the promoter empty out the pinball machines to come up with the guarantee.

What do you love about the local scene?
Friends, family, big-fish-in-a-little-pond syndrome.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Friends, family, big-fish-in-a-little-pond syndrome.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That unlike our Hot Topic fashion-core counterparts, we no longer tune or rehearse.

Any random facts we should know?
John (drums) played on the new Secret Chiefs 3 record with Trey Spruance (Mr. Bungle/ Faith No More).

Avalanche or Broncos?
1 Avalanche, 2 Broncos. 2 couldn't give a shit.

Parting shot/final comments?
Parting shot: Jägermeister (shameless plug). Final comment: We promise we won't tell people we're Ion this year at the Showcase. And keep in mind that a vote for Cephalic is not just a vote for us, but a vote against the other bands in our category. Thank you!

CHRONOPHONIC
NOMINATED IN FUNK/SOUL
9 P.M., LA RUMBA

And you are...?
Chronophonic.

Website?
www.chronophonic.com

How long has your act been together?
About three years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
We were proud to take part in the second Chronophonic Funk Workshop in the earlier part of this year. All the members of Chronophonic worked with the students of Denver School of the Arts on a variety of topics, including composition, history, performance and improvisation.

Recent recordings of note?
Our second studio album, Footwork, was released in February of 2004. Kevin Clock (Gladys Knight) of Colorado Sound Studios co-produced the album, and Tom Baker (Beastie Boys, Stone Temple Pilots, B.B. King) mastered the CD. Currentl,y the album is receiving airplay from over 130 stations across the country. The album has charted on 22 stations in fourteen states.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
We hold it down as a waiters, mechanics, liquor salesmen, teachers and paint distributors.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Maybe 500 people.

Favorite places to play?
Your basement.

Why music?
Why not?

If not music, what else?
Prison guard/interior decorator.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Deep Pudding, Lucky Pants or Unlucky Pants.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
We played the grand opening of Fitness Explosion, a physical training facility. Due to Jon Piazza's waterlogged biceps, the mike turned into a crutch, and he went into a 45-minute Pointer Sisters medley. After comforting him with a blanket and chamomile tea, we finished the gig with high accolades.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
See answer to previous question.

Worst gig?
There have been a few that have rated extremely low. But one stands out, at Bottoms Up in Aurora. We were paid $10.

What do you love about the local scene?
There are some excellent musicians in Denver and the surrounding areas.

What bugs you about the local scene?
There are a multitude of venues in Denver that find it acceptable to consistently rip off bands with dismal pay and then look them in the eye and ask, "Is that okay?" After having performed throughout Colorado for a few years, at nice venues and crappy ones, we've found that it's not okay. Most decent people, even at the tiniest bars, can afford to pay a band a few hundred dollars for a full night's work. So what bugs me? A business that thinks it's cool to rip off musicians -- you venue owners know who you are. Let's take a stand as artists: Demand what you deserve and get paid.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That we're all really, really good at board games. Some of us are good at Monopoly. Some are good at Yahtzee. Yet it is true that Mike Chiesa holds the key to Candy Land.

Any random facts we should know?
Birds don't have bladders.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Broncolanche.

Parting shot/final comments?
No, seriously, birds don't have bladders.

CRISPY CRITTERS
NOMINATED IN JAM
8 P.M., DAZZLE

And you are...?
Crispy Critters: Dave Hunt, vocals, lead guitar; Mike Studeny, vocals, guitar, harmonica, alto sax; Mike "Spanky" McCluer, bass; Tom Piercy, drums; Paul "Dr. Pos" Cohen, tenor and soprano saxophones; CR Gruver, vocals, keyboards, organ; Herb Green, congas, percussion; Richard Korte, sound engineer; and Mark Serratoni, on-call drummer.

Website?
www.crispycrittersband.com

How long has your act been together?
Four years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Being nominated for this and getting a couple of our songs in the airplay rotation from a live, in-studio session on 99.5/The Mountain. And Dave finally cleaned up the dog shit in his yard.

Recent recordings of note?
Mountain Mayhem studio recording available at Twist & Shout and Cheapo Discs. And we record every show we play to hand out to folks.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
We pay our bills with online checking. The day jobs vary from having none to working in bars, hospitals and owning a business.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort, last Memorial Day weekend. We set up at the ticket counter platform, had it cranked up, and all the people in line riding the chairlift and coming down the hill had a soundtrack to their day.

Favorite places to play?
Red Rocks, Quixote's, Gothic, Bluebird, Cricket on the Hill and the Goat (Summit County).

Why music?
It's only rock and roll, but we like it, like it, yes we do!

If not music, what else?
Lovin' life and hanging with the band family, since we are all good friends.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Crembone, Grapeway, Chin Music.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
After our set at Red Rocks, hanging out in the famous tunnel checking out all of the signatures of people who have played there. It was strange to be able to put our band and names there, too.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
Last winter, leaving Denver for some mountain gigs. We were heading to the Goat in Keystone. The weather was horrendous. We had chains on the bus. Everyone was inside with all of our stuff, and we blew out a tire. We met Destiny that night. She was actually a six-year-old blind girl who was born on Halloween. She was the daughter of the tow-truck guy. We rode in the cab of the tow truck with her singing "You Don't Have to Call Me Darlin,'" by David Allan Coe. Then we were jamming out with Nine Inch Nails. At first she was psyched because she thought we were magicians, not musicians. She got over it.

Worst gig?
A Camel Cigarette event held at the Church in Denver. We hate it when people don't have their shit together. It is even more disappointing when there is a huge budget and everyone's talking a big game, and then nobody gets their part done. No advertising. Lame party. People running around all stressed out. Not fun.

What do you love about the local scene?
That radio is finally seeing that there is a market for music that people like. Including bands from this area. All bands are local somewhere. 99.5/The Mountain. 1610 AM KCUV. Also that there is every kind of music represented in Denver from a wide array of bands.

What bugs you about the local scene?
That people have a hard time paying a $5 cover because they spend all of their money on a $63 -- and up -- ticket for some Clear Channel show. All of the service fees from Ticketmaster are way more money than what bands are charging at the door to their favorite bar.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That we are a Grateful Dead cover band. During our shows, we play 90 percent original music, and when we do play a cover, we try to pick out some good old random tunes.

Any random facts we should know?
We have the best sound guy in town: Richard Korte. Dave also has two and a half balls.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Go Avs, Go Stars -- kind of the Yin and Yang. With so many people in the band from different towns, the smack talk around sports is crazy. We try to stick to music.

Parting shot/final comments?
It is all about the love.

DAVE CIERI AND
THE ARMS & LEGS QUARTET
NOMINATED IN JAZZ/SWING
9 P.M., DAZZLE

And you are...?
Dave Cieri of Dave Cieri and the Arms & Legs Quartet (now known as General Populace).

How long has your act been together?
One year.

Recent recordings of note?
We're working on a new disc as we speak.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
All of us, right now, are just playing in the band or teaching.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Probably 500 people at the Fox Theatre, opening for Stanley Jordan.

Favorite places to play?
Dulcinea's 100th Monkey and the Fox Theatre.

Why music?
I never knew anything else. It's a different language used to express and study the world that we live in. English falls short many times, and this is a way of digging deeper. I've never had a choice. I've enjoyed it from the beginning -- even though I don't really remember the beginning. It's serious fun; that's probably the easiest answer.

If not music, what else?
I don't know. I'm going back to school to study history, so I'm interested in that. But I'll always love music, whether I make money at it or not.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
They're all pretty strange.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
With this band, we haven't really been on tour at all.

Worst gig?
We played up in Vail once for a political event. That group up there tends to be pretty apathetic.

What do you love about the local scene?
Dulcinea's, particularly. I like the fact that there's grit in that place, and there's not a lot of grit in this town. It seems to be a football and computer town and not a lot else. In there, it tends to be a little grittier and more like real life.

What bugs you about the local scene?
A lot of people are getting recognition for not being able to play. I think it can be a little too friendly sometimes. And a good dose of judgment would go a long way. Everything seems to be a little too equal. I feel like the scene could use a little more active decisiveness -- what's good and what's not.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
Probably that were a straightahead jazz band, because the instrumentation tends to look like that. We love the tradition of jazz, but we're trying to move it forward instead of getting caught in a cul-de-sac.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Neither.

DEVOTCHKA
NOMINATED IN AVANT-GARDE

And you are...?
Nick Urata, DeVotchKa

Website?
www.devotchka.net

How long has your act been together?
Since 1997.

Recent recordings of note?
Una Volta (second full-length).

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
We teach music and Spanish, do taxes and menial labor.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
1,000.

Favorite places to play?
The Bluebird, Larimer Lounge.

What do you love about the local scene?
There are a lot of great bands. Radio 1190 is the best thing to happen to local music.

Any random facts we should know?
A Russian record label found our first record and actually released it in Russia.

Parting shot/final comments?
I'm sorry these responses are soo boring. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

DJ BEDZ
NOMINATED IN DJ: TURNTABLIST/HIP-HOP
5 P.M., OPAL

And you are...?
Cassidy Bednark, aka DJ Bedz, aka the White Shadow.

Website?
www.djbedz.com

How long has your act been together?
I started back in 1995.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Performed at KS-107.5's Summer Jam; finished first season as team DJ of the Denver Nuggets; locked up 23rd affiliate on Zeo Radio's nationally syndicated Old School and Urban mix shows; and, of course, my biggest honor, the Best Hip-Hop Mix CD award in Westword's Best of Denver 2004.

Recent recordings of note?
June 2004 Radio Bums monthly mix CD: We put out about 6,000 copies of that particular mix.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
Believe it or not, deejaying pays the bills.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
I think a sold-out Pepsi Center has 19,000 people in it or so; that would have to be the largest crowd.

Favorite places to play?
There's nothing better than sitting around with a couple of geeky DJ friends at home playing breaks and old school hip-hop.

Why music?
Music moves the soul.

If not music, what else?
Well, I was almost a math major in college before deciding on music composition as my major instead. So who knows where that would have led?

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
I've always been DJ Bedz, the White Shadow. Although I must admit "the Pale Rider" has a nice ring to it.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
I've worked too many drunken, chickenhead, wanna-be thug extravaganzas. To even try to narrow down the list would be ridiculous. Although I did witness a young woman and her special relationship with a beer bottle in the basement of a local nightclub. That will, no doubt, scar me for life.

Worst gig?
Wow, when I first started deejaying, I played to a packed club of like 400 to 500 people every week, and I only got paid $75. (Yeah, I'm calling you out, Tulagi.) Check that -- it was only like $63.58, because I was on the payroll and they deducted taxes.

What do you love about the local scene?
I love the fact that Denver isn't so overwhelmingly big like L.A. or New York. If you work hard, you can achieve the big-fish-in-the-small-pond phenomenon and have almost everybody know who you are and what you do.

What bugs you about the local scene?
People view one another as competition rather than trying to build bridges and form alliances.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
I run into a good amount of people who dismiss me as the "white guy who thinks he's black." But usually that only comes from idiots and people that don't know me, so it doesn't bother me all that much.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Nuggets!!!!!!!

Parting shot/final comments?
Shout-outs to my family, Dad, Mom and Cam, and my crew, the Radio Bums. Thank you to everyone who supports me and allows me to play rap music and get paid for it. Thank you to Westword for all the love; I really appreciate what you guys give back. Peace!

DJ CYSKO ROKWEL
NOMINATED IN DJ: TURNTABLIST/HIP-HOP
3 P.M., OUTDOOR STAGE

And you are...?
DJ Cysko Rokwel, Crunk Brothers.

Website?
Crunkbros.com should be up in August.

How long has your act been together?
Two and a half years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Placing second in the DMC, and winner of the Westminster Guitar Center battle.

Recent recordings of note?
Two mix CDs, I Need Money and Cysko Doesn't Mow the Lawn.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
LoDo Music Festival 2003 and opening for Hieroglyphics crew, fall 2003.

Favorite places to play?
Soiled Dove.

Why music?
It's all I know.

If not music, what else?
Art.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Sons of Wrath.

Worst gig?
December at the Soiled Dove, DMC champions tour with Klever Enferno -- this was the worst gig, because nobody showed up. And it was some of the illest turntable shit I've ever seen.

What do you love about the local scene?
Hip-hop is starting to be a commodity in the music scene.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Shows are too far between.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That most of us underground DJs only play Top 40.

Any random facts we should know?
Grand Wizzard Theodore created the scratch.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Broncos -- definitely keep it old-school.

Parting shot/final comments?
Support your local hip-hop, please! Shouts to: Crunk Brothers, Unappreciated Scholars, Life Crew, Basementalism, Yo, Flaco!, Dialektix, Platter Pirates and Procussions.

DJ IDIOM
NOMINATED IN DJ: TURNTABLIST/HIP-HOP
9 P.M., OPAL

And you are...?
Christopher James Cory, aka DJ Idiom.

Website?
www.djidiom.com is in the works. I've got ten of my top scientists and creative monkeys slaving away 24/7 for the upcoming site launch. (To Matt and Mark, my web designers: Disregard the previous sentence and take as much time as you need to make the website hilariously awesome.)

How long has your act been together?
I've been deejaying outside of my bedroom for just over a year, but I have yet to get my act together, by any means.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
My most recent feat was working my Monday shift at Twist & Shout Underground without buying a record before the end of my shift.

Recent recordings of note?
I made an awesome mix tape for Ginger, but none of you will ever hear it unless: Ginger lets you ride in her car; Ginger drives by you in her car bumping my CD with her windows down; or Ginger decides to burn my CD and slang it to you.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
How I manage to pay my insane amount of bills is a mystery. I mean, I've got the mortgage on my summer home in southern France. Then, of course, my winter-getaway residency in the Caribbean. Not to mention my penthouse in NYC. And you think I can fly on a commercial airline to any of my cribs? Hell, no! I need my private jet, of course. And with today's gas prices, jet fuel isn't exactly spare change like it used to be. Of course I need furs and sparkly jewels and thangs. Plus I love to wine and dine my special lady friend, and mama's got to have the nicest shoes and champagne money can buy. Luckily I've got jobs at Twist & Shout and Comedy Works to keep my extravagant lifestyle afloat.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
The biggest crowd I've ever played for where people probably weren't paying attention to me was the Elemental Flavaz concert at the Lending Pavilion, before KRS-One. The biggest crowd I've ever played for where people probably were paying attention to me was either the Blackalicious show at the Fox or the Sage Francis and Anticon show at the Boulder Theater. The most people who I've probably played for in one night happened last year at my old house on Clayton Street, during our Springaween celebration (Springaween = Halloween + Springtime).

Favorite places to play?
My favorite places to play are Ginger's basement; Round Midnight in Boulder, because it has the most amazing owners, bartenders and sound engineers ever; the hi-dive; the Fox; and the Boulder Theater.

Why music?
I guess music has always had a presence within my life. My mother is a piano teacher, and I've always played an instrument. So if I wasn't playing music, it was always going on in the background. I think music just seems to naturally make the most sense to me of all of the things that go on in my life. I was always really intensive with school and sports as a kid. But when I got home from all of that, I would listen to music to relax and unwind. So last year, when I graduated from college and heard the "what are you going to do now" and "are you going to get a real job" questions over and over, I figured I had two obvious options: Number one was to stay in school for six more years to get a Ph.D. in sociology, which is the obvious socially preferred pathway. Number two was to say f#*k it and become a starving artist for the time being. Well, here I am answering questions for Westword instead of writing essays about social inequality.

If not music, what else?
If it wasn't for music, I would either be a sociologist, as I mentioned above, or a housewife.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
I think I spun at a house party a few years ago, and on the flier I told them to make my name DJ Stick-E-Buns. Now that I think about it, why didn't I stick with that name?

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
I deejayed a high school prom for an alternative school in Brighton last year, which was hilarious. These high school kids would boo me, then give me a CD and tell me what track to play, then pack the dance floor as soon as their CD came on. Then, whenever I would mix out of the song, the dance floor would clear in a matter of seconds, and the booing would proceed.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
I deejayed at the Phoenix Bouldering competition a year ago, which is not actually in Phoenix but in the desert outside of Phoenix. I had to haul all of my equipment with my friend "Sasquatch" to Phoenix in his truck (I still owe you for everything you put up with on this trip). Everything went fine with the music except for the extremely hot temperatures. During the after-party, in the middle of this field in the desert, and after having a few drinks, I decided to relieve myself in the bushes instead of the portable facilities conveniently provided by the competition. On my way back from the bushes, I was shanked in the head by this metal pole sticking out from a climbing wall that had been stored sideways on the back of a trailer. I was knocked to the ground but didn't think too much of it at the time. I put my hat back on, and about five minutes later I asked Sasquatch to feel the enormous new bump on my head. Long story short, I ended up being taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital forty miles away and received eight staples in my head. Then I got booted out of the nice hospital bed to wait in a very uncomfortable chair in the emergency room lobby for Sasquatch to pick my sorry ass up. I ended up waiting for four extra hours because Sasquatch had to sober up -- then he got a flat tire and had to walk back to camp to borrow another car. We both got about an hour of rest, then drove straight back to Denver. Sasquatch, you my boy!

Worst gig?

See above anecdote.

What do you love about the local scene?
I love the friends I've made through the local scene and the relationships that have developed through my involvement within it.

What bugs you about the local scene?
I am thoroughly bugged by egos, promoters who manipulate and abuse artists, and those who value money over artistic integrity.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
Most people that see me deejay think I'm around 6'3". I'm always explaining that I'm really only 6'1", and my Afro adds about two inches to my height. So I appear taller than I actually am. Really, I don't think that anyone has any conceptions about me. I hope they'll just listen to my music for what it's worth to them.

Any random facts we should know?
1) Most toilets flush in E flat. 2) No one knows where Mozart is buried. 3) It takes a sloth two weeks to digest food. 4) Gorillas sleep for fourteen hours a day, just like me.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Well, being killed by an avalanche would definitely suck pretty badly, because you would be freezing and probably suffocate, and the whole ordeal could be a slow awkward death. Plus, it would most likely take you by complete surprise, and you would be utterly confused as to what's going to happen to you when you die. There would probably be the thought in the back of your mind that you might be rescued. But I've heard that the aftermath of an avalanche can be quite peaceful. So if you're still not dead when that happens, that could be pretty cool. Now, being trampled by a herd of wild broncos is a different story altogether. I can't imagine that a herd or broncos could sneak up on anyone. It would be absolutely apparent that you're about to get trampled by a bunch of broncos and that there's absolutely nothing you can do to stop them. I would think the pummeling would only last for a few seconds before you either lose consciousness or die, so I can't imagine that you would really feel too much pain or discomfort. And just think of how sweet it would be for people to say, "Can you believe Billy got trampled by that pack of wild broncos?" rather than "Can you believe that Billy got buried in that huge pile of snow?" I'm going to have to go with Broncos on this one.

Parting shot/final comments?
Join DJ Nutter and myself for our office Christmas party, July 6 at the hi-dive, 7 South Broadway. We'll have Christmas punch, pictures with Santa, a secret Santa for those who bring presents, Christmas cookies, and decorations and music to put you in the mood for the Christmas season.

DJ IVY
NOMINATED IN DJ: DANCE/ELECTRONIC
8 P.M., THE CHURCH

And you are...?
Josh Ivy, aka DJ Ivy.

Website?
www.milehighhouse.com

How long has your act been together?
I've been deejaying since 1996.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
I pay the bills mostly from DJ gigs. Four days a week, I do freelance graphic design from home.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
2,000 peeps.

Favorite places to play?
Boulder Theater, National Forest land, the EndUp (SF) and Trilogy wine bar.

Why music?
Because I can't live without it.

If not music, what else?
Graphic design.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
Last weekend at the Colorado Electronic Music Festival, I accidentally kicked over my open crate of records. We were on a super dusty slope, so all the records just dove into the nasty dust -- the last place you want your vinyl! Then, to top it off, I kicked over Jon Nedza's records minutes later -- super party foul!

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
I was playing an outdoor party in Arizona. There were massive amounts of bugs flying around. The only lights around were the ones on the turntable, so naturally, the bugs were all attracted to these lights. Every time I looked up, there was some other wild bug sitting on the spinning records. One time, a massive locust came down, clung to the needle and proceeded to try to fly away with it. The needle came crashing down, and the music stopped -- it was hilarious.

What do you love about the local scene?
The incredible sense of family: It's a small town, and I feel like I know everyone. It feels great to go out and feel at home almost anywhere.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Not enough mystery and excitement: It is a small town, and that has some drawbacks. It would be fun to have a few more thousand heads out there supporting and rocking out.

Any random facts we should know?
I was the top-ranked under-eighteen U.S. downhill mountain-bike racer from ages fifteen to eighteen. I was Junior National Downhill Champion in 1991. I was on the U.S. Junior National Mountain Bike team from '91 to '93. I was ranked fourth in the Junior World Championships in 1992. I raced professionally from 1994 to 1995.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Lance Armstrong.

Parting shot/final comments?
We need a GROWednesdays venue!

DJ NUTMEG
NOMINATED IN DJ: DANCE/ELECTRONIC
10 P.M., THE CHURCH

And you are...?
DJ Nutmeg.

Website?
www.RyanDykstraNightlife.com

How long has your act been together?
Been playing records since 1995.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Best Club DJ, Westword Best of Denver 2004, CEMA (Colorado Electronic Music Association) Best Up and Coming DJ, CEMA 2000 Best Local House DJ.

Recent recordings of note?
Currently in studio.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
I work at Twist & Shout Underground and deejay three to four nights a week.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
I played for 4,300 people at a rave called EARTH.

Favorite places to play?
Rox on Sundays and Lime on Saturdays

Why music?
Simple: It's pure love for music and dancing. That's been it since I was like five years old.

If not music, what else?
Who knows? I try not to think about that.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Britney Spears and Bone Crusher.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
One time a lighting truss fell on me while I was playing.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
One time several years ago, we had to throw a party out in the woods outside of Santa Fe on a whim because the venue fell through nine hours before the show.

Worst gig?
Hands down, it was this stupid fashion show at the Sherman Events Center a year ago. What a joke.

What do you love about the local scene?
All the support I have received from this city and friends. Not to mention all the bad-ass talent.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Too many mainstream remixes.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
The fact that I really love epic trance.

Any random facts we should know?
I love chicks with big noses.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Broncos, all the way.

Parting shot/final comments?
David Holthouse rules.

DJ SARA T
NOMINATED IN DJ: DANCE/ELECTRONIC
6 P.M., THE CHURCH

And you are...?
Sara Thurston, aka DJ Sara T.

Website?
www.Saratea.com

How long has your act been together?
Physically since 1978, but deejaying for seven years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Getting invited to guest-DJ on the East and West coasts.

Recent recordings of note? vMix soon to be CDR'd and distributed hand to hand.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
I do promotions for record labels, put on parties, intuitive counseling (yes...seriously), art direction and write music for soundtracks.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Three hundred or so: Party at the Hipster Youth Halfway House.

Favorite places to play?
House parties and bumping clubs. No difference to me, as long as the kids are dancing.

Why music?
It crosses boundaries.

If not music, what else?
Assorted creative projects getting my drawing on, writing, stenciling and clothing alteration and design.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
DJ Left Ear. (I'm deaf in one ear, 89 percent!)

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
A fight broke out at the Skylark one night a few years back, and I got to choose the soundtrack for the brawl. One person actually noticed my selection of music, and I was thrilled!

Worst gig?
Never had one.

What do you love about the local scene?
Those locally who take the time to meet new people, go out of their comfort zone and build community.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Talk without action.

Any random facts we should know?
Besides being an Internet detective, I used to be a puppeteer.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Avalanche. Legal fist fights are where it's at.

Parting shot/final comments?
Denver fucking rocks it. Shout-out to 1190 and the Monkey Mania crew. Keep it realz.

DJ SHAKE
NOMINATED IN DJ: TURNTABLIST/HIP-HOP
7 P.M., OPAL

And you are...?
DJ Shake, Crunk Brothers.

Website?
www.SceenMag.com

How long has your act been together?
Crunk Brothers, three years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Third place, Boulder DMC; first place, Englewood Guitar Center -- third year in a row; third place, Guitar Center New Orleans regional.

Recent recordings of note?
Club Crunk, a mix of club muzik put together by myself and DJ Mier. And some of the background muzik you hear in pornos.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
Hustle, hustle, hustle. All I really do is spin and network with the right people. Soon I'll be doin' tats and selling canvases.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
About 2,000. That's not too big, but it was an import-car show, and there was tons of hot ladies, which was all that mattered.

Favorite places to play?
Thursday -- Splash 2; Friday -- the Castle; Saturday -- Bash; and, of course, any time I get a chance to bust some hard-core turntablism.

Why music?
Just another way to creatively express myself.

If not music, what else?
Pimpin' ho's, starting riots, producing XXX films and tattooing.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Crunk Brothers was it. Nothing else came up.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
Having girls come up to me thinking I'm some national headliner -- and me going along with it.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
In New Orleans, at the House of Blues: Gettin' drunk after my performance and hittin' all the strip clubs (all before I was 21).

Worst gig?
Haven't had a real bad one yet.

What do you love about the local scene?
There's some really good people here puttin' CO on the map. And that makes it easier for others to come up in the future.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Not enough people know what's real. Spinnin' club muzik is great, but I wish people would know there's a lot more to deejaying than just blending songs and party rockin'. At least take an interest in the turntablist scene. See who's takin' titles and winning battles.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
Some people know us for battling and others for doin' clubs. But that just makes us more diverse than most DJs.

Any random facts we should know?
I love Hilary Duff, Angel Val, Raylene -- pretty much any of the Vivid girls -- and I always watch The Simpsons.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Avys.

Parting shot/final comments?
SceenMag.com coming soon. Big up to Carlos at Sceen Productions, Westword, TechnixArt canvases, DJ Mier and the whole Crunk Brothers crew, Nufunkdefile Records, and some 151 & coke = viagra. Peace.

DJ TY TEK
NOMINATED IN DJ: DANCE/ELECTRONIC

DJ VAJRA
NOMINATED IN DJ: TURNTABLIST/HIP-HOP
7 P.M., THE CHURCH

And you are...?
Chris Karns, aka DJ Vajra.

Website?
None at the moment.

How long has your act been together?
I've been deejaying for about eight years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
First place at the DMC Boulder Regional.

Recent recordings of note?
I did some studio work for a new Procussions single titled "Wake-Up."

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
I work full-time at Bart's CD Cellar in Boulder.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
2,500 people, opening for Run-DMC in Wyoming.

Favorite places to play?
Fox Theatre in Boulder.

Why music?
Because what else is there?

If not music, what else?
I don't even want to think about the possibility of not doing music.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
DeeJay Shmeejay, Steamin Pee, Bob Chylan, Samuel L. Scratchin' and Saul Good, to name a few.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
Can't think of one right now.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
Watching Casual (Hiero) throw a drunken idiot out of the backstage area at 8150.

Worst gig?
8150 is always bad. They hang the turntables from the ceiling because the whole building shakes when people dance in there.

What do you love about the local scene?
I love that there are people trying to make it bigger and better.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Not enough quality talent.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
When I do routines, people get confused because they think they're supposed to dance to what I'm doing. They don't understand that I'm not a rave DJ. I like to make my own music using other people's records rather than just letting them play.

Any random facts we should know?
I am alive.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Broncos, of course. Hockey sucks.

DJ WYATT EARP
NOMINATED IN DJ: DANCE/ELECTRONIC
9 P.M., THE CHURCH

And you are...?
Wyatt Earp is my stage name. My real name is Wyatt Jenkins. To my friends, I'm just Wyatt. Any of those will get my attention in a mall. I also answer to Jessica, but that's a different interview altogether.

Website?
HotorNot.com. You may have to refresh a few times to get my page, but I'm there. Currently a 9.5, thank you for asking. Actually, www.wyattearpmusic.com.

How long has your act been together?
A few billion cells have decided (on a whim, I'm guessing) to be me for 28 years so far. I hear rumors we may break up, but that's probably just water-cooler talk. Of course, I'm like 90 percent water, so that murmuring may warrant further investigation.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
I recently built a house and purchased a granite slab for my kitchen countertops for $800. That's a screaming deal. And when it's installed, it will really look quite nice.

Recent recordings of note?
A 33-second A minor with a Casio Bossa Nova background last week. Two weeks ago, I tried to record C major over the same melody but failed. I forgot to rewind the cassette.

How do you pay the bills? What is your day job?
I run ladies on Colfax. I office on the RTD's prestigious 15L Friday and Saturday nights after I finish spinning. You'll find me in the back, on my phone, making things happen.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
One time the Nuggets came into the Church after a game. A lot of them are well over 6'4".

Favorite places to play?
Hotel lobby, for the after-party, checkin' out at six in the mornin'...

Why music?
It was either spin music or tell your fortune outside the Purple Martini. Some guy beat me to the second thing.

If not music, what else?
Kite-fighting.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Wyatt, Your New Insect Overlord. Wyatt? Why Not!

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
I once played an entire set with no pants on because an unruly dance enthusiast dumped a beer on me before I went on. And, well, because I had just purchased this great lace-up suede thong from BodyAware. My ass looks great in that thing.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
Ibid.

Worst gig?
This questionnaire.

What do you love about the local scene?
I actually hate the local scene. I hate all scenes. I really dislike the term "scene," actually.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Oh, I didn't know there was going to be a second part to this question.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That I am a band or an act. I'm just a guy trying to help drug-addled music aficionados wallow through another evening of mind-numbing sex and depravity at the cost of previous generations' struggles.

Any random facts we should know?
You should probably know your mother's maiden name. That seems to keep coming up again and again.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Actually, the most dangerous animal is a shark riding an elephant, just trampling and eating everything it sees.

Parting shot/final comments?
What were the last nineteen answers? Chopped liver?

THE DOJO
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP
6 P.M., OPAL

And you are...?
Dojo.

Website?
www.dojosound.com

How long has your act been together?
Four years and many moons...

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Releasing our second single in France on the La Fondation label. This one is a remix of "Bad Dreams" that DJ Destro (Dialektix/Procussions/Mad Scienz) did that follows the twelve-inch we did two years ago with them featuring the Analog Suspect. The single is off a compilation called Battle Weapons in Session, Volume One that has moved sick units in France and the U.K. And it just got licensed to a distribution company in Taiwan called High Note. (Big up to the deck ninja Destro; your cuts are worldwide.) We also got to rock the stage before KRS-One in Boulder last fall, thanks to the H.D.C. crew, which was humbling as well as eye-opening. The Dojo also has a new home purchased by the producers that will serve as the new home base for Dojosound and the Dojo studio. And it came with a brand-new barbecue grill and basketball hoop. You can't beat that with a bat.

Recent recordings of note?
The Spellbinder EP, with noteworthy vocalist Spellbinder. You may have caught him with the Dojo earlier this year; if not, he performs regularly at Dazzle with the mighty Break Mechanics on occasion. It is a four-song demo EP that turned into a project early this year and had the Analog Suspect and Selecta Roswell twisting the knobs behind the seasoned voice of the Binder. We are two months away from dropping the new Dojo full-length that will feature Apostle, Dialektix, Icabod Strange and others, alongside the Suspect and Undefiable. DJ Idiom and DJ Square have signed on for guest scratches, and we are hoping to involve the Colorado Springs Massive (Accumen1, Black Pegasus and Still Catchin' Wreck) on a collaboration about this strange state of ours. Because it is strange, and those guys are straight wreckin' shit! We also have a remix EP in the works featuring some of our friends from the dance and down-tempo scenes taking on tracks from our first album and the Everything Flows instrumental album. Remixers thus far include: the Draconians, Equueli, Diverse, Annex of Soul, DJ Dnile, McPullish and a few more digital weirdos who stretch the boundaries between glitch and boom.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
A master chef, a satellite goddess and a wax slinger pay all their taxes to the Bush and bin Laden families.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Either Reggae on the Rocks last year or the Heavyweight Dub: Liberation Process show on April 19, 2003. Both were massive as far as sound, vibes and crowd response.

Favorite places to play?
The Mercury Cafe, Revoluciones Gallery, the Boulder Theater, DJ Onket's living room, the Soap Factory, Trilogy Lounge, and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Why music?
Music is what moves us as a people and heals us when we suffer. It can be a voice of reason or a verbal fist. It can translate feelings around language and travel the globe at record speed. For the Dojo, music is always a learning experience and, within the Dojo, a teaching one.

If not music, what else?
The Undefiable one makes sweet love in the kitchen, so he would surely open his own chain of restaurants. Chez Noonan: Where you bring the booty and we serve the meat? The Suspect would soon grow weary of cattle country and would make her way to Japan to take her rightful seat as the head of a vicious gang of all-female breakdancing ninjas. The Selecta would be in Europe making crop circles and starring on a reality-TV program where he shares a flat with Harvey Keitel, the Rock, the Olsen Twins, Emeril the chef and, ahem, Scully from The X-Files.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Well, first we were going to be Visual Fission Hug, but Optik Fusion Embrace kinda blew that for us. And then we thought, what about Dianetics, like the L. Ron Hubbard quack, but Dialektix kinda ruined that for us. So we just settled on Dojo.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
After opening for Awol and Josh Martinez, we proceeded to watch Mr. Martinez get ill on the mike during his set and then get sick behind the turntables before doing the fifty-yard dash to the men's room, and then, like a champ, returning to the stage to finish his set and even show some fans some breakdancing moves after the show. That is hip-hop at its finest!

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
Sitting through a two-hour Equinox celebration ritual that included a parade before performing at a party down in Santa Fe. The dance and hip-hop scene down there is small but organized and organically refreshing -- not polluted by "beef."

Worst gig?
The ones where the promoters collect all the dough and then pull out the file cabinet full of excuses when you try and criticize. But we've recently been informed that apparently, that is, in fact, hip-hop at its finest as well.

What do you love about the local scene?
Keg-hop shows at the old Revoluciones gallery; stores like Twist & Shout/Wax Trax/Bart's and Independent, where you can still buy underground music from someone in a T-shirt instead of a monkey suit; the strong collective sound coming from Colorado Springs hip-hop; Basementalism; labels like Dorje/Nobot/Persistence making waves locally and nationally; Red Rocks -- 'nuff said; punk-rock pizza at Two-Fisted Mario's after the show; GROWednesdays; MotherEarthSoundsytem; the Eclipse Show in Boulder; Fridaze at Dream; Swing-A-Ling Soundsystem and DJ Uplifter; some of the illest turntable wizards this side of the Mississippi, like Vajra/Destro/Idiom/Square/ Thought/Sol/Ali/Inka One/The Radio Bums/Even-flo and those Turbo Kru monkeys; the dedicated and crafty graffiti artists that work this town, as well as the An-ism collective with their digital graffiti; the Art Bus; Mags like Ultrasound and Sherbert; organized anarchy like Monkey Mania; and complete insanity like Chicken and Waffles at the Blue Mule.

What bugs you about the local scene?
It is perfect in every way -- and the moon is made of cheese.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That we only make hip-hop music.

Any random facts we should know?
Undefiable's posse will grow by one this fall. Analog Suspect recorded a track with Heavyweight Dub Champions recently. And Selecta Roswell still refuses to get a cell phone.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Avalanche, because you have a way better chance of seeing some forty-year-old Cherry Creek housewife doing the Cabbage Patch to Usher's "Yeah" at the Pepsi Center than at Mile High Stadium (seized by Invesco).

Parting shot/final comments?
Put down the notion that Colorado isn't being heard. With bands like the Procussions, 16 Horsepower, Big Head Todd and Dressy Bessy leading the way, it's only a matter of time before the "big little city" is recognized for the musical hub that it is. And with that attention, other bands will be able to add to what these groups have cemented. Big up to Westword for supporting local music and helping it grow internally and beyond the four corners of our state.

DRESSY BESSY
NOMINATED IN POP

DRUG UNDER
NOMINATED IN HARD ROCK/METAL/AGGRO
6 P.M., THE CHURCH DOWNSTAIRS

And you are...?
Romero, vocalist for Drug Under.

Website?
www.drugunder.com

How long has your act been together?
Not quite two years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Signed an endorsement deal with Jägermeister and Sik World Clothing Company.

Recent recordings of note?
Finishing up our first full-length CD. We are recording at Rudy's Studio as we speak.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Full-time father and husband, and work part-time at my parents' health-food store, Nature's Harvest. My mom is my boss, still!

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Eric [Greenwall, Drug Under guitarist] and I played in front of 10,000 in our old band a few times -- very lucky and very blessed to have had those moments.

Favorite places to play?
Hollywood, the Whisky and the Roxy. Locally, too many to list. They all have a cool vibe: House of Rock, Hard Rock Cafe, Whiskey Bill's, Ecks, Cricket -- I like 'em all. I'll play anywhere.

Why music?
I love music. It's who I am. I was born to do this.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Tommy Lee suggested Neuromancer. We almost went back to Sick, but this was a lot different, musically, image-wise and obviously member-wise. We started over.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
Halloween at Coopers'town. Lots of naked people on stage -- it was insane. We were Kiss, in full makeup. They were drunk and naked!

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
Ted Nugent got pissed at us in Utah at a radio fest in front of 6,000 fans; he pulled the plug on us three songs into the set. He didn't like the mosh pit we fired up. Oh, well.

Worst gig?
Halloween last year, with Union Underground. You know the deal. It's over. Move on.

What do you love about the local scene?
Dave H. at Westword and KBPI (Uncle Nasty and Willy B's support of the scene). I'm not kissing ass -- it's true. You put hard rock back in the local mainstream. Greg and Willie have been there always. Love.45 getting a deal could help us/the scene more than we may realize.

What bugs you about the local scene?
People talk shit all the time. They don't even know me or how hard we have worked. I have paid my dues. I don't care what they think. I earned everything, the good and the bad.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
Too many to list. Don't want to dwell on the negative stuff. Ain't got time. But go back to the previous question. You get the deal, right?

Any random facts we should know?

Avalanche or Broncos?
Broncos.

Parting shot/final comments?
If I may quote one of our nation's greatest leaders and poets: "I forgot the fuckin' words, man!" -- David Lee Roth.

ERICA BROWN BAND
NOMINATED IN BLUES
4 P.M., LA RUMBA

And you are...?
Crazy, we're told, but we're the Erica Brown Band.

Website?
www.ericabrownband.com

How long has your act been together?
We've been together since 1998. Although some days it feels a lot longer, some a lot shorter.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Erica's pedicure... Oh, feAts!! We played the third year in a row for the "Dinner for Those Who Hunger" for Volunteers of America. We opened for B.B. King in February. Scotty and Rich shot really low numbers on the golf course this year. We opened for Tommy Castro, and the list goes on!

Recent recordings of note?
Rough Cut Stone, of course, and we'll be recording a local edition of Studio C for KBCO. I think one of our shows at KUVO with Miss JC may have been recorded, as well.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Like most other folks, most of us work day jobs -- but if I tell you here, the creditors will know where to find us!

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Gee...lately, that would have been last week, for the City Park Series. The organizers estimated about 5,000 folks. What a blast!

Favorite places to play?
As Scotty says, "I'll play anywhere, anytime!" We all agree. It's such a gift to be able to move people with what you love to do. And then they give us money! Yes!

Why music?
Any person who truly has it in their soul will find a way to get it out. Genre doesn't matter. Race and color don't matter. Blind or deaf, doesn't matter. It will get out.

If not music, what else?
Something creative.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Since E's been doing it for so long, how about "Shakin' That Moneymaker?" (grin...) Actually, none, really. The band was the Love Bandits for a while, but we changed it to just Erica Brown Band.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
It's not a gig story, but when Erica did her Maris the Great interview.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
Probably doing three shows over two states in fourteen hours.

Worst gig?
The worst day playing beats the best day working.

What do you love about the local scene?
We think three things. The support of our fans! When they love you, they love you! The diversity of the scene here. We've all been to local shows from opera to Yo, Flaco! to GT and the Sidewinders to Sam Mayfield. The fact that local acts get airplay here. KUVO, KRFX, The Mountain, KBCO, KGOAT, KGNU -- all the regional radio stations support us.

What bugs you about the local scene?
The lack of blues venues. Denver has a thriving blues scene, but not enough places dedicated to blues. So we go anywhere we can to play. It makes for an interesting playing experience -- especially if you play somewhere that normally doesn't book blues and then you bowl them over.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That E is a lot younger than she looks. That Scotty was bald, even as a child.

Any random facts we should know?
E is a lot younger than she looks. Scotty was bald, even as a child.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Both. Why not? They are all sports entertainers who give the best they've got each time they do it.

Parting shot/final comments?
We'll let each person fill in the blanks: The EBB are...?

THE FRAY
NOMINATED IN ROCK v8 P.M., ACOMA CENTER

And you are...?
The Fray.

Website?
www.thefray.net

How long has your act been together?
Two years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Nominated Best New Band of 2003 by Westword. Recorded in KBCO Studio C. Headlined the Gothic Theatre with 400-plus crowd.

Recent recordings of note?
Reason EP.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Three of the members run their own businesses. Dan is a cab driver; he works for Yellow Cab. Isaac's company, Filament Productions, produces a TV show called the Noise Floor (www.noisefloordenver.com). And Joe runs a combination wholesale/retail company and deals in investments and real estate; he also has a travel-agency business. The remaining two members are currently in college.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
The largest crowd was 50,000-ish. However, they were running by, because it was during the Bolder Boulder. In reality, a show with a crowd coming to see us perform: roughly 500 people.

Favorite places to play?
Gothic Theatre, Fox Theatre.

Why music?
It's something we all have done for most of our lives. We all want this to happen; we want music to be a career that has the means to maintain an enjoyable life and family, because we love it. Reality is harsh, but it is certainly more devastating to a person who doesn't pursue what they love to do.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Belladonna and Stratford.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
The funniest gig was for a local film production that wanted a real-life battle of the bands scene featured in their movie. We were the last band; we were supposed to close the night out in a specific time slot. There were some delays over the course of the night. And by the time we were set up and ready to perform, they signaled to us that we had five minutes left. We all lost it, started one song.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
We performed at a wedding in Evergreen that paid very well. The bride and groom were from Wyoming, so the only music they -- and everyone else there -- knew was country. So we pulled out "Freebird" and good old "Sweet Home Alabama" for an hour or so. They loved those two songs and stared at us for the rest of the set.

Worst gig?
Virgin Megastore. They set us up in the middle of the store, which was completely awkward. Nothing went right.

What do you love about the local scene?
Those who are in the local scene are extremely supportive.

What bugs you about the local scene?
There are not many who are involved with the local scene.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That we have only one lead singer, when we have two.

Any random facts we should know?
Our bassist has a concealed-weapons permit, is nocturnal and is on prescription speed.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Broncos.

Parting shot/final comments?
We desperately want to perform at Lollapalooza or Red Rocks, so please vote for us to do so.

FUTURE JAZZ PROJECT
NOMINATED IN JAZZ/SWING
7 P.M., LA RUMBA

And you are...?
Future Jazz Project.

How long has your act been together?
Four years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
Finally getting a record out, our debut release, called Check One. The record has been getting a lot of airplay on KUVO. Rodney Franks has really been helping us out.

Recent recordings of note?
Check One, 2004, self-released.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
The entire band is made up of professional musicians. In addition, Dameion is a massage therapist. Venus is a bilingual space-science facilitator: She dresses up like an astronaut and walks around on Mars. Paul Matthews, aka PAAS, recently founded ASR Entertainment, a Denver-based promotion and production company.

Favorite places to play?
Dazzle, every Thursday night, and Round Midnight in Boulder.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
The Seeds, Black Steel, Big Wheel.

What do you love about the local scene?
There are a lot of amazing players in this community. We are just blessed with a disproportionate number of world-class musicians.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That we're a jazz band.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Case: There is only one team like the Denver Broncos.

THE GAMITS
NOMINATED IN PUNK
10 P.M., SERENGETI

And you are...?
The Gamits.

Website?
www.gamits.com

How long has your act been together?
Eight or nine years.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
We have toured Europe twice, Japan twice, and we just released our best record to date. We go back to Japan on July 4th and then a five-week tour with the Queers in the States.

Recent recordings of note?
Antidote, on Suburban Home Records.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Our other jobs include studio engineer/producer, flower-shop manager and novelty distribution.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Either Weezer's crowd in Denver or a show in Tokyo. Both were pretty big shows for us.

Favorite places to play?
I liked Tulagi in Boulder a lot until they shut it down. That was my favorite local venue. Also the Gothic, the Ogden and the Bluebird, locally. We like Austria, Italy and anywhere in Japan quite a bit, too.

Why music?
Why do we play music or why does it exist?

If not music, what else?
Sandwiches.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
The Pieces of Work, Two Jacks and a Jill.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
Last time we played two shows in one day, it was pretty funny. Both shows were at the Larimer Lounge, and by the second set, I could barely stand up. People kept bringing us drinks. I have never played so bad. I thought it was funny at the time, but now that I think about it, it was really sad. More funny (?) strange stuff happens on tour, I guess.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
Well the funniest ones cannot be printed in this publication. Here's a tame one. Again, we were playing at a bar. It was a place in Missoula, Montana, called Jay's Upstairs. I don't think they do shows anymore, but when they did, they would always give the bands free rein on the bar. That particular night it was Jäger shots. We were on tour with the Nobodys, and it was our turn to play. The stage was really tall but very small. We were all in rare form when we got up there. After a couple songs, I somehow stumbled forward and tripped over the monitor. I went flying off the stage, and without thinking about it, I did a front flip to protect my guitar. I landed flat on my back and kept on playing. The guys in the Nobodys laughed so hard that they fell off their chairs. I was not laughing.

Worst gig?
A pizza place in southern Italy. They turned off the power because the show was too loud for the pizza-eating patrons. It was also one of the funniest shows ever!

What do you love about the local scene?
I love almost everything about it. Of course there are always some bad apples and some jackasses that can ruin your night, but you really get to appreciate how great Denver is when you tour around the rest of the country. There's lots to offer here. Some great bands and some great people involved with every part of the scene.

What bugs you about the local scene?
It's getting a bit too hipster. And I don't see a lot of bands doing anything other than emulating sounds and fashions. I wish it could be more about the music, which it is for a lot of local bands. I guess it's the same everywhere.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That we can't drink you under the table.

Any random facts we should know?
No additives does not mean a healthier cigarette.

Avalanche or Broncos?
Go, local sports team!

Parting shot/final comments?
Check out: www.gamits.com. Thanks and see you at the show.

GEORGE & CAPLIN
NOMINATED IN AVANT-GARDE
5 P.M., ACOMA CENTER

And you are...?
george & caplin.

Website?
www.georgeandcaplin.com

How long has your act been together?
We've been bandmates since 2001 and conceptual bandmates since 1980, when our Tonka trucks first worked on a project together.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
We just finished a new LP. We are extremely proud of its themes, diversity and overall creativity. But over the last year, we have been pleasantly surprised many times. We were very honored to have our last album, Fate's First Lonely Night, be ranked in the top five for local releases in 2003 by the Denver Post. And Pitchfork Media also named our album one of the top twenty albums that should have been reviewed in 2003 nationally.

Recent recordings of note?
Fate's First Lonely Night, our second full-length album, was released in June of last year. Our new LP, Electronic Eulogy From Morse Code Infinity, should be released soon! Probably in late August of this year.

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
Education. One of us is a fifth-grade teacher, the other is an educational assistant for elementary teachers.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
We tend to be shy in big crowds, so I guess we never counted. More than our fingers and toes, though, we know.

Favorite places to play?
Yorkshire Studios, Climax, hi-dive, Larimer Lounge and Denver Museum of Contemporary Art.

Why music?
Nostalgia for childhood imagination: We always created new ways to use our old toys when we were younger. Now we apply the same ideas to our instruments.

If not music, what else?
Being dorks privately instead of publicly.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
Never a hard decision: Anything inspired by Alfred Hitchcock is okay with us.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
We played once at a venue that is definitely more conducive to blaring guitar solos, party music and verse chorus/verse chorus kind of compositions. We played after a blues/soul cover band. And let's just say that many beers grew warm from mouths being unable to operate when we started playing songs using our guitars like washboards and using a variety of rewired kids' toys.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
Coming soon.

Worst gig?
Whenever we are too critical of ourselves. Which is almost always.

What do you love about the local scene?
So many incredibly talented musicians and artist have been inspiring us lately. I think we have enjoyed more local shows lately than any national acts. The best part of the scene is its sense of community. I feel like I am back in art school again.

What bugs you about the local scene?
Denver has an incredible scene of experimental artists and IDM artists that often go unseen in certain circles. I would love to see these acts be appreciated in a broader context. We all owe a lot to their experimentation.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
Neither of us is named George or Caplin.

Any random facts we should know?
Watch Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest to solve all our mysteries. The mysterious "Third Man" in our live set is named Marcellus Lewis, aka 86spaceboat. His new EP is great.

Avalanche or Broncos?
How about them Denver Gold?

Parting shot/final comments?
Thanks to the Iselin family and Stevens family, who nurtured our freedoms in youth and support us today. And thanks to those who listen and make it even more fun for us to share. Also, thanks to Tyler Potts, whose influence will be tremendously missed in the Denver scene. Tyler helped us get our foot in the door in the beginning, and we will miss his music and his inspiration. But we know he will do great things in Seattle.

GROUND ZERO MOVEMENT
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP
8 P.M., OPAL

And you are...?
The hardest-working group in show business. The Ground Zero Movement!

Website?
www.groundzeromovement.com

How long has your act been together?
All members have been involved in the hip-hop scene as early as 1992. The current form of the group has been together since December 2001.

What are some of your noteworthy recent feats?
The Summer Jam after-party with J-Kwon; D.O. skydiving off the Aurora Mall; and a trip to Mexico to rock three shows in San Carlos, Sonora.

Recent recordings of note?
The new album, Writer's Square, will be released in August. Future I.D. is still available (go cop that!!). Tangerine V.I.P.er will be re-released in August. And No Radio Play is just a collector's classic!!

How do you pay the bills? What are your day jobs?
CD sales, stealing wallets, working security, pimpin', rocking mikes and giving sound financial advice.

What's the biggest crowd you've ever played for?
Summer Jam 2003 at Fiddler's Green.

Favorite places to play?
Anywhere that has good sound. We hate incompetent sound staff!

Why music?
The only thing I love more than music is God (the fathers in the crew really love their kids). Everything else is secondary.

If not music, what else?
If it weren't hip-hop, it would be jazz. If not jazz, then blues. If not blues, then soul. If not soul, then reggae. If not reggae, then punk rock. Music will always factor into the equation.

What band names were left on the cutting-room floor in favor of your current one?
The Ground Zero Movement was always it. There were no other suggestions.

Funniest/strangest gig story -- local?
We did a show with Shock G (Humpty) in Fort Collins at the Starlight Theater. Some kid in the crowd stole his nose, so he had to just be Shock G for the rest of the night.

Funniest/weirdest gig story -- on tour?
After one of the shows in Mexico, a guy came up to me (Dow) and straight-up offered me his sister. His friend grabbed my hand and tried to make me feel on her goods, and the girl grabbed my head and kissed me. I felt like a true superstar -- that never happens here. DJ CY didn't sleep for the entire four days we were in Mexico. But if it wasn't for the people he made friends with in his sleepless nights, we would have never made it back home. Thanks, Aldo!

Worst gig?
We don't look at any shows as completely bad. Sure, there are some that had a lot of room for improvement. But if we can turn even one new person on to the Ground Zero Movement, it makes every show worth it.

What do you love about the local scene?
The people. Thanks for your support!!

What bugs you about the local scene?
The complaint we have about the scene here is the same one we have always had: People do not take hip-hop seriously here. The sooner people (promoters, listeners, performers etc.) respect hip-hop -- both as an art form and as a viable business prospect -- the sooner Colorado will share in the billions of dollars that hip-hop generates each year.

What's the biggest misconception about your band/act?
That we are thugs who don't know how to act. That we are so uncontrollably rowdy we can't do a show without someone getting hurt. We are very professional and take our performances very seriously. We like to have a good time with our music, just like any other band does.

Any random facts we should know?
Dow Jones makes beats at 5 a.m. before work. D.O. loves anyone who buys him Black and Mild cigars. DJ CY has a black belt in tai chi. Sid Fly is the chairman of the Gullification Council (if you don't know, ask at a show). DJ Arkitech helped mix the sound for The Little Mermaid. And A.S.E. One makes the best cornbread in Park Hill!

Avalanche or Broncos?
The team I can get tickets to see is the team I like, especially if the tickets are free.

Parting shot/final comments?
You know Chauncey Billups got the MVP, right?!

HEMI CUDA
NOMINATED IN PUNK
7 P.M., SERENGETI

And you are...?
Anika Zappe, lead vox and guitar; Karen Exley, bass and