Welcome to Wammies '98

It hasn't been an easy year for music lovers. With newly enforced noise restrictions and high-priced "live/work" spaces insinuating themselves into our most vibrant neighborhoods, it looked as if the city of San Francisco was determined to chase away its most unique asset: its artists. We can happily say that it hasn't happened yet. If this year's ballot is any indication, the aggravation has only made Bay Area musicians more diligent in their quest for expression and more willing to support one another.

As always, the Wammies are, for me, the culmination of a year spent stumbling onto tremendous performances. I would like to thank all the fabulous freaks for making this city worth the rent, and, more importantly, I would like to thank all the musicians for their unflagging enthusiasm and generous talent. It's been a privilege.

-- Silke Tudor

Host
Chicken John
Chicken John -- that circus Svengali, that swiveling hipster, that cantankerous prankster -- is our querulous host. In1993 Chicken founded Circus Redickuless, a 20-odd-person troop that pioneered the current punk rock circus craze limping across the nation. He's also the senseless mastermind behind the underground "weakly" game show "You Asked for It," held at the Transmission Theater every Sunday night this season. Tonight, Chicken John will be joined onstage by members of Circus Redickuless, including the Rev. David Apocalypse. The Molotov Malcontent will perform sideshow acts.

Announcer
Dr. Howland Owll
You may be familiar with the dulcet tones and punctilious wit of Hal Robins as heard on Puzzling Evidence, the strangely brilliant radio show that he's co-hosted for nearly 15 years. The renowned comic artist and high priest of the Church of the SubGenius can be listened to every Friday morning at 3 a.m. Philologaster Dr. Owll also creates logogriphic verbiage for Chicken John at every installation of "You Asked for It."

Presenters

Americana/Roots
Ian Brennan songwriter and S.F. Unscrubbed: Live From the Laundromat producer

Kuntry Kunts Wammies '97 Americana winner

Hard Rock
Greg Heller BAM magazine columnistand all-around nice guy
Scott Rootenberg Cocodrie talent buyer

Hip Hop/Turntablist
DJ J Boogie host of KUSF's Beatsauce
DJ Chill host of KPOO's Soulful Sunday
Mr. C host of KPOO's Mr. C's Wild Ride

International
Sandrine Di Rienzo Tinder Records VP
Tom Frouge Putumayo Records VP

Jazz/Swing
Ann Dyer award-winning jazz vocalist
Wayne Neithold Bruno's owner

Punk
Jet KUSF DJ
Terror Bull Ted KUSF DJ

Reggae/Ska
Undercover S.K.A.Wammies '97 ska winner

Rock/Pop
Nadine Condon Northern CaliforniaBMI representative andNadine's Wild Weekend producer

Joe Paganelli BGP "Fillmore Sessions" talent buyer

Soul/Funk
Brian Bernasconi Nickie's co-owner
DJ Jimmy Lyons host of Nickie's "Cherry 3000"

Surf/Exotica
California Kid KALX DJ andfounder of Liftoff! Entertainment
Otto von Stroheim Tiki News publisher

Cover Band
DJ Mo Live 105 DJ
Kara Lane Amoeba Music booker and publicist

Beyond
Chicken John and Circus Redickuless

Wammies '98 Staff
Executive Producer: Jim Rizzi
Co-Producers: YaVette Holts and Silke Tudor
Assistant Producer: Lani Lee
Advertising Director: Troy Larkin
Art Directors: Darrick Rainey and Shawn Trudeau
Original Art: Maya Hayuk
Stage Manager: Scott Burke
Founders: Ann Powers, Jeff Diamond,and Brian Raffi

Wammies '98 Program Writers
Robert Arriaga, Mark Athitakis, Paul Kimball, Melissa Piazza, Sam Prestianni, Jennie Rose, Jeff Stark, Silke Tudor, Heather Wisner