Around Hear

No moment summed up the fifth annual Klammies better than one an hour before the awards ceremony began. The members of nominated metal band Descension had just arrived in full costume, their imposing spikes and albino makeup rendering them as inviting as porcupines in war paint. Another recent arrival to the ceremonies was Buck O'Neill, the former Kansas City Monarchs first baseman and Negro League Hall of Famer who ranks among the area's most distinguished and dignified residents. As O'Neill stepped into an elevator with Descension's death army, both parties exchanged glances that expressed amusement and respect.

The Kansas City/Lawrence Area Music Awards exist partially to create such pairings, to bring together representatives from different facets of the music community who otherwise would never intersect. That's not to say the event ever becomes a complete melting pot -- even the most open-minded attendees sometimes use a performance by an unfamiliar artist to take a bathroom break. Still, if one more Season to Risk fan decides to check out reggae or a single Sister Mary Rotten Crotch follower admits to being "kinda into" Gerald Trimble, the festivities have served their purpose.

For that matter, if one more person watches the WB network's sitcom Hype, Kansas City's Steve Kramer's appearance as the show-opening comic was a smart career decision. Performing in front of a crowd of hundreds -- which approximates his show's weekly Nielsen showing -- Kramer delivered a series of fast-paced jokes that weren't always timely (an unreleased Star Wars song?) but at least were topical. (Most of the gags were musical numbers performed on guitar.)

If anyone was still laughing after Kramer's departure, Jesse Jackson, sporting a prodigious Afro that comforted local fans upset by At the Drive-In's canceled upcoming performance, killed the comedy. After a grim recorded intro that proclaimed "Welcome to the System," Jackson unleashed a staggering spoken-word torrent against a hectic percussive backdrop. He then soothed the stunned audience by welcoming his five-piece band onto the stage and launching into a bouncy funk tune.

The crowd wasn't in its groove for long before being jarred by another shocking announcement. Bryan Busby, last year's and presumably this year's host, had phoned in his regrets the day before, citing a sore throat and strained voice. Hosting duties fell into the lap of KYYS 99.7 DJ Doug Medlock, who bellowed such applause-inciting questions as "Are you ready to party?" in his familiar smoker's rasp. He then hyped an impending performance by world musician Trimble and members of BCR -- prematurely, it turned out, because the night's first awards were to be handed out before that ensemble took the stage. After being gently corrected by Pitch writer/backstage announcer Shawn Edwards, Medlock introduced presenters Kramer and comedy house guru/fringe mayoral candidate Craig Glazer.

Glazer offered a history lesson by listing locally based celebrities before setting up Kramer for riffs on Al Pacino, Regis Philbin and Rockyand Bullwinkle. Mild chuckles ensued, after which the duo revealed Son Venezuela as the public's pick for Best Reggae/World Beat band. The group expressed its gratitude to fans and voters, although one member bemoaned the fact that "the chick from the Nazarene college" profiled in a recent Pitch cover story wasn't present to share in the excitement.

DJ Roland, who was doubling as the "house band" for the evening, took the Best Electronic/Dance/DJ honors. It was only fitting that Roland was recognized at the Uptown, where, he notes, major dance-music concerts (Paul Oakenfold and the Chemical Brothers) bolstered the scene and showcased the full potential of live DJ performances.

"You've got the most innovative production techniques combined with the most cutting-edge lighting technology," he says. "People always want to talk about those concerts being all about drugs -- well, that's the drug." Roland was also encouraged to see the dance-music category make its first appearance at the Klammies. "This is the biggest musical movement of our generation, and people are finally starting to notice."

People might be coming around to the DJ scene, but the market for thirteenth-century compositions performed on exotic instruments remains a small one. Trimble told the truth when he informed the crowd it was about to see something "a little different, a little quieter." He then performed a piece dedicated to the Virgin Mary, an Easter-themed gesture that allowed many in the crowd to write off attending mass the next day.

The audience treated Trimble politely, but Q-104 DJs/presenters TJ & Jackson were greeted with the night's first heckles. "Take it off," an insistent voice commanded TJ. There was an awkward pause as TJ caustically thanked the crowd for being so receptive on her first visit to the Klammies, and even more awkwardness ensued as Rex Hobart nearly stumbled off the stage after claiming his trophy as Best Country artist. (An amused Brendan Moreland, guitarist for Hobart's band, the Misery Boys, later described the misstep as "appropriate.")

Best Folk award recipient Arthur Dodge, now a Nashville resident, was the night's first no-show, but his award didn't go unclaimed, as a member of his band, The Horsefeathers, was present. By way of a prepared statement (which, it was noted, was plan B after "the live video feed from Nashville fell through"), Dodge expressed his amazement at being perennially nominated in both the folk and country categories, as well as his gratitude for the opportunity to nearly annually take at least one of the trophies home.