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The Sammies were different this year.  A different MC.  There were only about 6 or 7 groups that played.  But each group played about 5 songs.  I would rather have seen more groups playing 2 or three songs.  My favorite was Butterscotch, fronted by a black chick who did a bunch of base noises and brass noises just with her mouth, while playing another instrument and singing.  She could do the whole thing without any help, but on several of her songs she had a couple others filling in the cracks.  She did different things, some jazzy, some hip hoppity. 

Also saw The Losin’ Streaks (metal – a couple big guitars), The Evening Episode, An Angle (basic rock and roll – I liked them), Live Mannikins (four hip hop dudes – they were also good), Ricky Berger (kind of cute, softer, talented, somewhat quirky), The New Humans (I don’t remember much about them).  Some very attractive women called the Body something or other giving out the awards.

So did you go? And if so what did you think?

Friday, June 6 – Old Ironsides
21+, $5, 8 p.m.
Be Brave Bold Robot, The Ancient Sons, Rowdy Kate

Sunday, June 8 – Press Club
21+, $5, 8 p.m.
Pets, The Happy Medium, Two Playa Game, Resynthesize

Wednesday, June 11 – Press Club
21+, 8 p.m.
State Cap, Tribe of Levi

Wednesday, June 11 – Harlows
21+, $5, 8 p.m.
Righteous Movement, The Snobs

Wednesday, June 18 – Press Club
21+, $5, 8 p.m.
Live Manikins, Ugly, The New Humans

Friday, June 20 – Club Retro
All ages, $8, 8 p.m.
The Secretions, Final Summation, Blame Betty

Saturday, June 21 – Marilyn’s
21+, $5, 8 p.m.
Arden Park Roots, Light Rail, Buildings Breeding, Richard March, Justin Farren

Thursday, July 3 – Blue Lamp
21+, $5, 8 p.m.
The Evening Episode, Them Hills, Red Host

The best music played that night (according to me anyway) was by: Agent Ribbons, who turned in a quirky, infectuous pop performance with only one guitar and drums. No, nothing like the White Stripes; Urbanfire, a tight and talented reggae act; The Evening Episode, who were not scheduled to play but did anyway. Now more intense than before with the recent member changes but still very interesting; and a host of others. Mad props to Chelsea Wolfe, The Bennys, Alkali Flats, Cuesta Drive, and Absent Me for their engaging sets.

If there is one band that I will want to see more of, it had to be Agent Ribbons. They were stunningly catchy and absolutely memorable. There was also a nice brief tribute to Erik Kleven, local music man who died shortly after last year’s ceremony. Sadly, it was at the end of the show, and the crowd had really thinned out. I don’t really understand why people don’t want to watch the whole show but what do I know? Most of the crowd seemed to come and go from the lobby (the bar?) to the show and back. Maybe people only like to see their faves but I enjoyed it all. Rock on Sacramento!!

You can find more about the 2007 Sammies in the News And Review here. And as always, feel free to post a comment at the bottom of this blog.

Readers’ Choice Winners:

Rock – Two Sheds
Pop – Didley Squat
World/Latin/Reggae – Urbanfire
Country/Bluegrass – Bottom Dwellers
Jazz – Vivian Lee
Rap/Hip-Hop – Crazy Ballhead
Blues – Kentucky Slim
R&B/Funk – The Bennys
Electronica – Chemical Angel
Folk/Acoustic – Be Brave Bold Robot
Punk – The Secretions
Hard Rock/Metal – Giant Squid

Critics’ Choice Awards:

Outstanding Guitarist – Steve Randall
Outstanding Bassist – Gabe Nelson
Outstanding Keyboardist – Stuart Nishiyama
Outstanding Drummer – Matt K. Shrugg
Outstanding Male Vocalist – Richard March
Outstanding Female Vocalist – Chelsea Wolfe
Outstanding DJ/Turntablist – Roger Carpio
Outstanding Reed/Brass/Woodwind Player – Steve Lishman
Outstanding Songwriter – Adrian Bourgeois
Special Recognition – Ross Hammond
Outstanding Local Act – Agent Ribbons
Outstanding Local CD – Deluxe

2007 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Shaun Slaughter
Four Guys From Reno
Erik Kleven