Westword Music Showcase 2007

Releases/discography: Pillar of Salt, High and Mighty, The Low Road, Hang the Moon.

Favorite place to play a show: Late, loud, and loaded.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: See above.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): The Fluid.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Whoomp! (There It Is)" - Tag Team.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Colfax, but it's getting so commercial! It used to be about the drugs and hookers!

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Cephalic Carnage. Everybody likes a li'l carnage!

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? The Cro-Mags, Age of Quarrel era.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? (see above).

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? We were broke before! So have at it, kiddies!

Who's on your iPod right now: Our wha?

Parting shot: Kentucky mfkn Deluxe!

BLUESMAN WILLIE HOUSTON AND THE BLUES PROWLERS
NOMINATED IN BLUES
3 P.M., DAZZLE

Website: www.myspace.com/williehouston

Personnel: Willie Houston, Hubert "Blues" Lawhorn, Randall Dubis, Tony Pantelis and Holly Hoverson.

Native or transplant? All transplants.

Releases/discography: Bluesman Willie Houston and His Guitar (2001).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Electric, Delta, seasoned blues.

Favorite place to play a show: Festivals.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Any venue supporting live music.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Jello Biafra.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Green-Eyed Lady" - Sugarloaf.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Colfax Avenue — it has it all!

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Too many.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Muddy Waters.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? These Blues Are All Mine - Tab Benoit.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Neutral. You can't stop people's determination to re-record and share music.

Who's on your iPod right now? Hundreds of artists.

Parting shot: The Blues is the roots, and the rest is the fruits.

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

Website: www.myspace.com/bopskizzum

Personnel: Andy Guerrero (lead vocals, guitar); Serafin Sanchez (tenor saxophone, rhodes, keyboards); Tohbias Juniel (drums); Chris Harris (bass); Joe Ferrone (trumpet); Jeff Valentine (trombone); Brittany Moser (vocals).

Native or transplant? Natives and two transplants.

Releases/discography: Propeller EP (2005); Waiting For (2004).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Black, white and brown.

Favorite place to play a show: The Gothic Theatre.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Sputnik.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): The Psychodelic Zombiez.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Anthem" - Born in the Flood.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? We would be Broadway, because it is has a little bit of everything. But we would totally hang out with Colfax and 13th avenues — they're the raddest!

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? The Psychodelic Zombiez, because after not playing together for ten years, at their reunion show, they still sounded fucking flawless.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? James Brown, R.I.P.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Blood Sugar Sex Magik - Red Hot Chili Peppers.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? God send us some money for our records!

Who's on your iPod right now? Born in the Flood, K-OS, Amy Winehouse, Imogen Heap, Kneebody and Flobots.

Parting shot: Come check us out at Bender's Tavern on June 23! Obama 2008!

BORN IN THE FLOOD
NOMINATED IN INDIE ROCK
6 P.M., OUTDOOR STAGE

Website: www.myspace.com/bornintheflood

Personnel: Nathaniel D. Rateliff, Joseph Pope III, Matt Fox, Mike Hall.

Native or transplant? Transplants.

Releases/discography: If This Thing Should Spill (2007); For Fear That We May Not Be (2005).

What three adjectives best describe your music? N/A

Favorite place to play a show: hi-dive.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Sputnik, back yard.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Monofog, A Dog Paloma, Love Letter Band.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Monster" - Uphollow.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Probably the Fray. They are doing a pretty keen job so far, no matter what kind of crap they get locally. They seem very committed to the people and bands here, almost exclusively using local folks to run sound, lights, tech support, as well as opening acts. Bright Channel opening at Red Rocks? Those kids are in for a treat.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? My child, who plays the drums on my head.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Sticky Fingers - The Rolling Stones.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Neither — just evolution. Vinyl shall prevail in the end, mark my words.