SAMMIES....

SAMMIES

Well the SAMMIES were a lot more fun than I'd expected - last year's were so not fun that maybe anything would've seen like a hit but, seriously, last night's event seemed to recapture the Music Scene Office Party vibe from years past.

Having it at the Crest again really helps although I was a little torn about the two stage thing. In years past they've booked more bands to play and this year they reserved the second stage for the JAMMIES (the kids, as they say)....that meant there were fewer uh, grown-up bands to see.

And honestly the only bands I saw that I truly enjoyed were the Helper Monkeys, Daisy Spot and Alkalai Flats - and the Flats played in the lobby. More diversity in the bands would've helped. More bands, period would've been good. Then again, apparently I missed a set by Broken Home?

Aside from that quibble, we all had a lot of fun and it made me a little nostalgic for years passed - but in a totally good way (I still remember my first SAMMIES at the Community Center when I was an SN&R intern). I can't even remember half the bands who won awards last night, but that's never really the point, now is it?

Oh, and the critical achievement acceptance videos were pretty good - especially the one from that guy in Didley Squat. And I'm not even much of a fan of the band.

Anyway: Keith Lowell Jensen and Ben Miller were fun hosts. Those SAMMIES propoganda flyers were pretty fucking hilarious, Miller's wardrobe changes were pretty funny and KLJ nearly made me fall out of my seat with that Marc S. Allen crack. Or maybe that was the booze. (Or maybe it was just the Crest vibe - I think Jaz from the Helper Monkeys is still hurtnig today after his unintentional stage dive)....Which brings me to this: For the love of sweet baby jesus - I have to Remember.To.Eat.More.If.I'm.Going.To.Drink ....Two drinks and I felt a little uh, asymmetrical.

But in a totally good way - maybe that's why I had fun.