We're still editing photos, videos and verbiage from last night's Pitch Music Awards Ceremony -- and wrestling with the inevitable hangover. In the meantime, join us in congratulating this year's winners. About 4,600 people voted this year, which is really cool. David Wayne Reed -- he of the hot pants-- was the evening's charming host. Inhale (and scroll down) slowly and see.
Blues: Trampled Under Foot
Country/Bluegrass: the Last Call Girls
DJ: Dance: Nomathmatics
DJ:Hip-Hop: DJ Sku
Electronic/Dance: the Ssion
Folk/Americana: the Gaslights
Hip-Hop/Rap: Stik Figa
Indie Pop: the Republic Tigers
Indie Rock: the Appleseed Cast
Jazz: Ensemble: the Wild Women of Kansas City
Jazz: Solo: Megan Birdsall
Latin: Son Venezuela
Metal: Hammerlord
Pop: the Dead Girls
Punk: Fag Cop
Reggae: 77 Jefferson
Rock: the Architects
Singer-Songwriter: Sara Swenson
Frontman/Frontwoman: Abigail Henderson
Live Act: the Sex Police
New Act: Audiovox
Showing 1-40 of 40
this is late, but, I have many friends, in active KC bands that wonder who actually 'votes', if that even happens, or, comes up with the original nominees for the pitch music awards?
i jus read this and i'm proud of stik figa keep holdin'em under water. i saw my name mentioned a few times,thanks but i'm not trippin my group was nominated three years in a row so i'm cool hasn't stopped me yet. congrats to all the winners.oh keep checkin for str8jakkett the g.a.m.e. lp comin soon. i look forward to a review in the pitch lol..............
just found this online...congrats to all the winners!!!!
omg! for all the haters who found it necessary to comment on here calling the some of the nominees names....
GET A FUCKING LIFE!
+thanks to the pitch for putting on this event every year!
Thanks to everyone from us at 77JEFFERSON for voting for us and allowing us to win. All the people in this comment page who are talkin shit on a bunch of Punk and Rock and Rap and who's who ,are missing the fucking point . And the piont is that REGGAE IS THE BEST AND LAST UNTAPPED GENRE OF MUSIC WITH ACTUAL CULTURE IN A DIS A HERE TIME . So while the rest of you heathens and animals fight over old crappy music we will just sit very civilized and cultured and enjoy the bountyful feast of REGGAE MUSIC ! BIG UPS Kansas City REGGAE MASSIVE! who feels it knows it lord
BLESSINGS AND PROSPERITY TO ALL THAT REALLY WANT IT and Fuck you if your not with that
My maih complaint is your showcase show. Why do only some acts play? All nominees should be allowed to play. Otherwise, those not playing really don't stand much chance.
Let's all get real for a second with the ballots and voting. I mean seriously, I don't know about anyone else but I certainly didn't put my correct name or info when I voted - like I want them selling my info or spamming me. I also have friends that said they voted a bunch of times for certain bands who won. Now does this really sound like the voting can be deemed credible? Let's just all relax and realize the pitch awards are a big waste of time (and money) which could both be better spent on celebrating ALL the local musicians and talent with concerts and festivals or something. You know bringing people together instead of driving them apart through competition. At least think about it.
I took yesterday off, so, apologies for being tardy to the discussion.
@"He who shall not be named": If you really want your complaint to be taken as "legitimate," tell us who you are. Otherwise you're not even "a local musician bitching about his band not getting nominated," you're just some dude (or chick) bitching in anonymous blog comments. Then again, I can't think of a single time a local musician has gotten on this blog and hated on someone not anonymously. People prefer anonymity because it allows them to vent anger and righteous indignation. It's easier than giving your name and trying to be diplomatic and form relationships and actually work to accomplish what you want, which is more unity and dialogue across the scene ... right? But I digress.
I agree with you that the showcase is the best part. Thanks for that. I too wish that it could be on a Friday or Saturday, but I guess the economics and logistics don't work out.
As for complaints about the ballot, if you start demanding that all nominees go on big tours and release albums to outside acclaim and do things that are "really major and extra special," well, in a scene like this, you're gonna have a really short ballot. I would say that most of the bands on this year's ballot have issued some kind of recording -- album or EP -- but few have done real touring, much less really extra special things, whatever those are.
When the task is to come up with six nominees in 21 categories with no repeats or overlaps (except in Frontman/Frontwoman), duh, yeah, there's gonna be plenty of acts on there who aren't as renowned as the Architects, Republic Tigers or the Appleseed Cast. As far as I'm concerned, the whole Pitch Music Awards/Showcase process has but one goal: to raise awareness of local music. The contest part of it gets people inside the scene ruffled, and I totally understand why. But to keep it this big and all-inclusive and diverse every year, we have to keep the nomination process wide, all-inclusive and diverse.
Speakign of, why didn't anyone complain about Mitnal? (I can hear echoes of *who??*) Mitnal was in the Latin category, but they're actually more death metal than anything, and they haven't released shit or gone on tour, that I know of. I'm just proud that a Hispanic, Mayan-mythology-influenced death metal band got on the ballot.
Mitnal was discussed in the supplement that came out August 6? I'm proud of that supplement. My writers and I worked our butts off putting that thing out; it's a catalog of a really huge and musically sound chunk of the scene.
I hate that the contest part distracts people from the weekly -- and now with the blog, *daily* -- local coverage the Pitch does. If our only task was to put on a yearly awards show (i.e. the Grammys), then we'd be able to spend gobs more time with the whole nomination process and make it more refined and so forth, but even then, I don't think the ballot would look that much different. ...
To Bryan: The 3 bands you listed are all bands that work very hard and earn everything they have coming to them (including a pitch "award"). I'm talking about the nominees/winners that don't do anything besides play some local shows in the area. Not even record a new CD to sell at said local shows! The idea of an awards show in my opinion is to honor the folks who have done the most in the calendar year leading up to the nominations. Sadly plenty of other bands/musicians besides the ones you mentioned didn't do much of anything but still managed to get a nod. In my opinion that's not very fair to others who do work hard and deserve the honor more. But until there is some sort of nominating criteria involved this will always be the one big problem I have with this whole deal. Either way I'm done discussing this now.
He who shall not,
I�m not exactly sure what you want the result to be. You seem to want the bands who worked the hardest and have seen some success outside of the KC scene rewarded. Well, who�s worked harder or longer than The Republic Tigers, The Architects or The Appleseed Cast? The all won. They all probably have been working harder longer and have seen more success outside of the city limits than any of the other rock bands (indie rock, indie pop, pop, or rock) nominated. So, at least with things concerning rock, by your criteria, the right guys won, right? Correct me if I�m wrong. I'd say the Sccion probably should have won something but for the most part I thought the system worked out pretty well.
Sorry I can�t comment on the other acts and their �worthiness��I know Stik Figa is incredible but I just can�t keep up with some of the other genres due to lack of time and interest.
More than anything, it's just good marketing/popularity contest.
But like any awards of any kind, it's just opinion, people. Give it a break!
It comes down to the majority being uninformed and voting for who they've heard of but not really heard (like Nomath and Tigers) or (who has the most interesting name (like Fag Cop, Dead Girls or Sex Police). Next year there should be an big disclaimer not to vote on categories you don't know jack about, it would make for more accurate results.
I also want to make it very clear that none of what I wrote up above was specifically directed at any one band or musician who was either nominated or won. Especially The Sex Police because even though I severely question their nomination and win several of them are good friends of mine. I was just referring to the Pitch "awards" show process as a whole and it's main flaw as I see it.
And for what it's worth Deja Vu, I thought The Republic Tigers were very worthy of their win (and I'm not even that big of a fan of theirs). Talk about a band that's earned everything they got coming to them and then some! Like them or not they are working their asses off and doing KC proud in the process. That's the type of band that deserves a Pitch "award."
@ He who shall not be named, no shit this is just a glorified readers poll! Nothing about these awards is legitimate. A Grammy is legitimate, a Pitch Music award is bullshit.
Even though I respect some of the people who won, any musician who A.) think they are hot shit b/c they won a Pitch Music award or B.) is upset b/c they didn't win, are fucking idiots. Real talk.
It just boggles my mind every year how butt hurt people get over the awards. WHO CARES?!
Of course Nomathmatics are talentless hacks who are the epitome of hipster garbage. Of course everyone who voted has Republic Tigers dick in their mouths, they were on Letterman lolol. Of course a bunch of whiny 'real hiphop' fans want a rapper category so their 'real hiphop' can get some shine.
You take this shit way to seriously.
First off I want to give a big congratulations to The Pitch for making this all happen once again. It's not an easy deal to organize and have run smoothly. Especially the showcase which is easily the best part of this whole thing (even though you really should stop doing on a Thursday so people from Lawrence with real jobs can come be a part of it for once).
Now having said all that the biggest problem that this whole deal has is the exact same one that it has had since the first year The Pitch started giving out these "awards". There is ZERO criteria what so ever when it comes to the nomination committee nominating musicians. As a result bands and performers get nominated and subsequently awarded for doing very little to absolutely nothing. How many of these winners released a brand new recording of some type or went on a real tour in the calendar year leading up to when the nominations were done? How many of these winners did something really major or extra special to actually deserve being honored by there peers? Not that many at all. If you look at the overall ballot before the winners were announced it's even less. But if you've played or DJ'ed 3 shows somewhere in the Lawrence/KC area and can get a decent amount of friends and family to show up then you deserve to be honored with an award? That seems really REALLY cheap and a slap in the face to bands that do work very hard and get nothing in return. This also leads to the same folks getting nominated ever year. Yes I know that The Pitch has taken some steps to prevent this since it was a serious problem in the past and it is better then before. But it still happens some even now given how this whole thing is ran. The Pitch and it's nominating committee reward laziness and complacency in our scene. It's VERY hard to take it seriously when that is happening. Until some sort of nominating criteria is put in place it will be very hard for me to see this as little more then a glorified readers poll and not a legitimate "awards" show.
Also, just for the record I've played drums in a few different successful area bands around the scene over the last 10-12 years (though I'm currently not doing so), have written for a few different zines that have covered the local scene even longer then that and am good friends with several of last nights winners in various genres. I've even been part of the nominating committee back when this "awards" show stuff first started happen years ago. This is a legitimate complaint and not just another local musician bitching about his band not getting nominated. The idea of an awards show to honor musicians who have earned it is a very good one. Let's just hope that some year that will actually happen.
@Jason,
didnt get drunk because i got there too late, but will admit i have 3 cases of vitamin water at the crib. i had to go home with something. not sorry about it, lol.
@pitchsucks!!
i agree with some of your points, but it still rings a bit hollow if you're not willing to sign off on you POV.
co-sign being ready for a JOC MAX Cover tho
Jason, I don't think the Sex Police performed much over the entire last twelve months, not just this summer, when the members of the Sex Police who are also in the Architects were busy Warping it. If the Warped Tour is the excuse for the SP not performing much over the past 8 months, then the Architects should have been nominated for best live act and not the Sex Police. Just a thought :)
I heard that the guy who stole the Appleseed Cast was arrested. Now being arrested really is PUNK!
@jamelrockwell...
Just so you know...I've been knowing DANTE...not James Christos...forever..and MOST DJ's will Google someone..ask DANTE who STR8JAKKETT is...DANTE was around when DVS Mindz killed shit...and ANY DJ/EMCEE/RAPPER considered for ANY Award should have more than half a page of info when I Google your name... And don't get it twisted...Christos is cool but the real problem is the PITCH...They need to stick to advertising WHORES because they have more pages dedicated to that instead of representing the REAL...When we see Joc Max on the front of the Pitch..that when it's real...
Thanks, Steve and Larz and JamRock and all y'all. Some people consider it an honor to be nominated and a great honor to win; others participate only to get drunk and obnoxious and steal shit (looking at you, asshole who nicked Appleseed Cast's award).
@Bleh: You and your friends just aren't punk, obviously.
But, really, who cares? This whole thing is a joke.
@thepitchsucks!!
STR8JAKKETT im not familiar with but the other crews you mentioned have ALL been nominated before, and deservedly so. i also know those same groups have alot of respect for those that were nominated. have u even been to a show where any of the nominees have performed? i know for damn sure you won't/haven't come to a Christos show with that type of attitude. i DARE you to come to our next show and tell us we don't have one of the top stage shows in the town, if not region. i DARE you to pigeon-hole and lable us as backpacker, thuglife, or emo rap.
Free your mind and your ass will follow....
I've been reading "The Pitch" since the days of the "Trucker" and it's done KC pretty good over the years. Kc is really a big small town and you can't back up without stepping on someones toes. I don't agree with all the results, but the people have spoken. Congrats to the winners, no body there were losers. I hope the show is a little better organized though. Thanks Jason, peace-larz
On behalf of "Trampled Under Foot" and myself, thank you PITCH and thank you Kansas City...we would have loved to have been there, but the band was actually playing yet another gig...over 200 gigs so far this year...and we just couldn't make it. We'll continue to represent Kansas City and the blues community in the best light possible as we travel around the world...see you soon.
Peace.
Steve
@Jason Harper..
umm well wasn't telling you to add a non local category.. those are names of groups i listen to.. i was just giving dj rockwell my taste in music.... and for you maybe you should have read it all instead of making an ass out yourself... but that's what the pitch does best!!!
@Ann: I take your point. The Sex Police haven't been active over the past couple of months because three of their members are in the Architects, who've been on Warped Tour all summer. Someone even heckled the group with a cry of "When was your last show!?" when they were accepting their award. Keep in mind the awards don't represent just the past few months but the entire previous year. Hella props to all the Live Act nominees. Me, I voted for Hearts of Darkness.
@thepitchsucks: Thanks for the suggestions, though I don't think we'll be adding a non-local category anytime soon.
@JAMELROCKWELL...
for local hip hop..
Basement Khemist
HEET MOB
DEEP THINKERS
STR8JAKKETT
non local..
ANG13
Elzhi
black milk
Solillaquists of Sound..
thats just to name a few..
and really it's not just the pitch's fault!
it's all you wack ass people who settle for the bullshit people give you! maybe your just bull shit yourself cause you are prolly one of the ones who settle for less...?
Bang up job, Pitch?
The PITCH didnt pick the winners - the people of KC voted.
If im not mistaken (keep me honest) - Nomathmatics have one this awards 3 years in a row now.
Bang up job, KC (x3)
I really think the Sex Police are great...when they perform. How can a band that only performs, what, two or three times a year, win best live act? In my humble opinion, a live act that deserves to win a Best Live Act award is one that performs often, frequently, more than two or three times a year. Just a thought. And, I do like the Sex Police, they are very talented, but they haven't even logged on to their Myspace page since June 10th ( I just checked) . So, how active and live a group can this be?
@thepitchsucks..
no one gives a damn about what u say if you dont
A. post your name(that anonymous shit is such a bitch move)
B. maybe offer a suggestion as to who wouldve been more deserving(you probably didnt because it would show your OWN bias, or poor taste in music)
congrats to all the winners, and big up to all to gracious nominees(there were no losers last nite)
I'll tell you what's the real bullshit. They had these little meatballs upstairs in the VIP room, but no tiny hoagie rolls to put the meatballs in. Even mini spaghettis would have been acceptable, but no, WAY TO BLOW IT PITCH.
the pitch sucks and wouldn't know real music if it smacked them in the face..!!! the HIP HOP line up was a joke.. not one of them could tell you anything about HIP HOP!! just idea maybe next year you guys should have a RAPPER category.. so this way you could accurately have a HIP HOP category? or maybe the pitch should just hire someone who knows the difference???
Congrats to the winners.
Thanks to the Pitch for doing this, 'cuz it would suck if we didn't have it every year.
Big shouts (from me) to Miles Bonny, Greg Enemy, Hearts of Darkness.
The ballot is by no means perfect. I hear you on CTP. Had they broken out a wee bit earlier, they would have stood a good chance getting nominated. We begin to put the ballot together around Jan-Feb, which seems really early considering it's August now, but this thing is a monster to wrangle. All we can do in the months between the ballot is finalized (around the beginning of March) and the actual awards ceremony is do our best to cover these new artists in the music section and on this blog. Ron Ron, VG, Margo May and Troglodyte are some artists we've run music features on who for whatever reason, didn't get nominated. Hell, two of them were on the cover!
no waiting for signal award for rock?!? that's bs.
period.
most original band in the area. hands down.
the fix is in...
That's just a rumor started by the haters (tactic), the true travesty is the Tigers again, they're false metal! and cherry tree parade not even nominated?
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