Being on the ballot-counting end of the Wammies has proven to me that the San Francisco music scene is definitely not suffering from apathy: We received well over 9,000 votes this year, and that doesn't include the several hundred ballots we received from the same postage meter (you know who you are), nor does that include the 11,000 nominations beforehand. Given all the obstacles -- club closures, rehearsal space shutdowns, evictions, and sellouts -- facing Bay Area musicians, the numbers and the bands are pretty impressive. I'd like to take a few lines to praise all the musicians who continue to support each other and serve their passions. Their work is proof that sincere musicians will always find a way to make music, and great music can be and usually is created without the approval and assistance of the powers that be. Over the last 11 years, the SF Weekly Wammies have tried to support this self-determining spirit, shying away from bands with major label contracts and avoiding incumbents. I hope, in this regard, we continue to make the original founders (Ann Powers, Jeff Diamond, and Brian Raffi) proud, and that our gratitude toward the musicians who make it possible is obvious and clear. Congratulations to this year's nominees, and thanks again to all those who continue to give music lovers a reason to go out at night.... More >>>