2009 Worcester Music Awards

Thanks to all who attended the 2009 Worcester Music Awards at Tammany Hall! Check out these awesome pics from the night of the event!

109 Comments »

  1. Ooooh! I hope I’m the first comment! Good luck to all the bands and artists this year! It’s been a wonderful year to be a part of the Worcester Music Scene.

    Rock,

    kevin O

    Comment by Kevin O — February 18, 2009 @ 11:51 am

  2. I have worked really hard this year getting the album together. About thirty tracks later still not done. Its poppin off in April. And as far as these awards go, lets vote for someone like me who has been in the scene for well over ten years, someone who has actually been involved in what make War town what itis. Ive done everything you coul do in this city musically, d.j.ing, producing, singing, rapping. Lets quit giving these awards to people who have no idea what music is. And lets stop rigging these awards so the people who deserve them get them. KEPP IT REAL WORCESTER

    Comment by Kwik Keys — February 19, 2009 @ 9:41 am

  3. giving a fabulous vote for Johnn Dollar Experiment-

    Comment by dianna biancheria — February 19, 2009 @ 2:03 pm

  4. I hope Weight Of Gravity gets there nominations and wins, killer band

    Comment by Hot Chikz — February 21, 2009 @ 2:59 am

  5. Vote for Evenspeak, check out their website on myspace!!!

    Comment by Michelle — February 21, 2009 @ 8:29 am

  6. Weight of Gravity - the best groove band around. New CD release coming out in March - rock on guys! All the best to you.

    Comment by Mary L Cook — February 21, 2009 @ 11:08 am

  7. Dizzy Dizasta is the best rapper in Worcester he’ll definitley rock them votes.

    Comment by Jess — February 22, 2009 @ 8:29 pm

  8. Dizzy D you the man!

    Comment by Mark — February 22, 2009 @ 8:30 pm

  9. VOTE FAMILY BUSINESS FOR BEST HIP HOP BY FAR A DOPE LIVE ACT TO WATCH ALL SHOW NO GLAMOUR THATS REAL THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT

    Comment by Dennis laPierre — February 23, 2009 @ 12:29 am

  10. Dizasta is def da man he gone get it this year!

    Comment by Jace — February 23, 2009 @ 2:54 pm

  11. i hope you all vote sons of liberty as best up and coming streetmoney crew as best hip/rap and solid as best lengends… on the behave of my crew and worcester i would like to say that music is the food of my soul and i have what it takes to make you grab your remote control.. so be inspired and keep motivated and dont dwell on the peeps who player keeps playing hated.. finally, i listening some of the rock groups in worcester and they kick ass. i love to pay my money to seee a good show and 80 percent of you delivered and i thank you.. so everybody vote and i see you at tammany hall….peace to all

    Comment by Sasso the hypeman — February 23, 2009 @ 3:11 pm

  12. Vote family business for best hip hop group–we have steadily been puttin in work to put worcester on the map– dont know about us then come to the joe budden show at tammany hall on march sixth– i guarantee you will not be dissappointed - thanx to all= peace love and good music= we love you 508

    Comment by grown — February 24, 2009 @ 4:06 am

  13. I have worked really hard this year getting the album together. About thirty tracks later still not done. Its poppin off in April. And as far as these awards go, lets vote for someone like me who has been in the scene for well over ten years, someone who has actually been involved in what make War town what itis. Ive done everything you coul do in this city musically, d.j.ing, producing, singing, rapping. Lets quit giving these awards to people who have no idea what music is. And lets stop rigging these awards so the people who deserve them get them. KEPP IT REAL WORCESTER
    you are absoulutely right kwick keys

    Comment by lil elmo — February 24, 2009 @ 2:57 pm

  14. Hey everyone! We hope you all nominate us Mass Elite for several awards. We have worked really hard the last year and have been able to rock a lot of great venues and shows. Thanks for being a part of this Mass Elite experience we have a lot more new songs and new sounds coming in the next few months! Plus a lot more great events and shows. Thanks for listening and making our events so successful!

    Peace
    Mass Elite

    Comment by Mass Elite — February 24, 2009 @ 3:12 pm

  15. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, expect a new Envee mixtape to hit soon!

    Comment by www.Envee.info — February 24, 2009 @ 3:38 pm

  16. I’m so pumped for this show. Tammany is such a great venue!! I hope to see the best bands in the land nominated. Cherry S/T for Pop, Prospect Hill for Rock, and Debris for Metal. FYI…. You should get those guys performing that night as well…You want a sell out?? There it is.. No three hotter bands in the area.. Can’t wait.

    Comment by Troy — February 25, 2009 @ 2:05 am

  17. I’m gonna agree with Troy. Prospect Hill, Debris, and Cherry S/T would be an incredible night for the WMA’s.

    Comment by Elain — February 26, 2009 @ 9:46 am

  18. One vote for Mark Fisher

    Comment by Greg Posipel — February 26, 2009 @ 1:04 pm

  19. Keep up the hellish work your doing Debris, you have my vote anyday,ROCK ON! PapaRoach you have me singing your tunes, I gave you several votes also. Peace to you and keep on ROCK’IN. Love you guys!

    Comment by Kepnitreal — February 27, 2009 @ 4:17 pm

  20. these awards are gay. Nobody wins who should. I think this magazine should do the nominations. Its so easy to cheat. Like why is some people in the “made big catagory” when they haven’t, matter fact NONE of us have. Look the myspaces of the nominee’s, they like early nineties rap, and whack recordings, and nearly no friends, and ten plays a day.. And those same people aren’t even doing shows. And who the he’ll are half the d.j.”s. I’ve d.j.’ing in this city for ten years, who are you, not in the clubs, so how could you be a best”club d.j.” , your not in Worcester. And the lifetime achievement award should go to Curtis Fuller, that mans a jazz legend, the ONLY one who even made it big, do some research. I’m sick of seeing half assed artists names up there. Sit down, write some quality stuff, spend the time and money on the recordings, then do some shows. Then maybe I’ll be impressed, because I’m not impressed because some whack artist tell all their friends to vote and nominate, YOUR FAKE, and so aren’t these awards, so get off the high horse. Let’s make Worcester real , not some crap like I flush down the toilet every morning

    Comment by kwik keys — March 2, 2009 @ 6:57 pm

  21. Vote for Nine Millz ! =]

    He’s the best and the big 3

    Comment by krystal — March 2, 2009 @ 11:16 pm

  22. I personally think we should have a DJ battle for the Best DJ spot cuz more than half the people in this city ARE NOT REAL DJS!!! Open call to anyone who wants a challenge! Then again with all the fake DJs in this town it would be more like a one man show than a battle! FIND ME @ THE RAVEN EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT! WAX ONLY!

    Comment by THE RUSSIAN — March 3, 2009 @ 12:44 am

  23. North County acts swept up last year. Vote for: Ken Macy, Boothill Express, New Pond Fondle and Mark Marquis group again this year. They’re all great acts.

    Comment by MDI — March 3, 2009 @ 9:14 am

  24. Yo yo def muthas. Did you realize there is a spell check available? Actual english words can be checked for spelling accuracy. It is just above this box, it says ‘check spelling’.

    Good luck to the local bands, and this is a local contest not the Grammy’s. Oh, it would be You’re Fake, unless you mean their fake property, in that case it is your fake as in your fake fur.

    Comment by Bill W — March 3, 2009 @ 10:28 am

  25. I REALLY HOPE DJ RECKLESS GETS THE WIN ON THESE AWARDS. HE’S DEVOTED HIS LIFE TOWARD MUSIC. WHEN I MET HIM, HE’S WAS SO DOWN TO EARTH, AND SO CHILL BUT HIS MUSIC IS SIC. HE ALWAYS KNOWS HOW TO GET THINGS JUMPIN.

    bad news for the dude who thinks these awards are whack! you have to start somewhere. if you’re so ill then start a magazine of your own. i’ve never heard of you….so how’s it feel now punk! I’m always out at the clubs.

    Comment by CHRIS — March 3, 2009 @ 10:15 pm

  26. How come I’ve never heard of the bands that made it big before? Are they big in Japan?

    Comment by Explosive — March 4, 2009 @ 8:50 am

  27. These DJ’s work 2 nights at some joke clubs.

    Agree With Kwik Keys.

    Out

    Comment by Joke Bunch of DJ's — March 4, 2009 @ 10:59 am

  28. i vote in support of Beatles for hire

    Comment by Jan — March 4, 2009 @ 12:23 pm

  29. There are some great Boston bands nominated for this year’s Worcester Music Awards… good job, ya’ll…

    Comment by Sean — March 4, 2009 @ 3:36 pm

  30. Just wondering who some of these DJ’s are that are up for best club DJ????? I know DJ Soup cause he has been spinning in worcester for years but where the hell is DJ Matty he has been in the city killing clubs like The Atrium, ShBooms, Jose Murphys, Fusion, and McFaddens for about 7 years!!! If this is really a Best Club DJ wouldnt you want the 2 best club DJ’s in it DJ Soup and DJ Matty??? Anyways if the nominees stay as is DJ Soup better win but I believe there was a serious mess up to not have DJ Matty in the competition!!

    Comment by Cavan — March 4, 2009 @ 4:03 pm

  31. “a set up
    a lot of games
    a lot of suckas with colorful names
    I’m so-and-so I’m this I’m that
    huh, but they all just wick-wick-wack”

    - KRS One My Philosophy

    Wake up Wortown.

    Comment by Th Sandman — March 4, 2009 @ 9:11 pm

  32. Audio Nation is a kick ass rock coverband! Come out and see us for an awesome live show experience! We play everything from the 80’s to the most current music. Please vote for us for best coverband, band with best groupies, and vote for our guitar player Nick Christy as sexiest musician!
    Come out and see for yourself on march 22nd at irish times!!!

    Comment by Audio Nation — March 5, 2009 @ 8:00 am

  33. Man there is alot of trach talking here. I dont think the awards are that big of a deal but I do think a dj battle is in order.

    p.s. Vote for Soup!!! hahahaha…..

    Comment by DJ SOUP — March 5, 2009 @ 5:20 pm

  34. Bloco all the way

    Comment by ed — March 5, 2009 @ 7:13 pm

  35. Blurry Bitchez!!! We’re giving DJ Matty the Blurry Award of Excellence! Sucks after all this time and all the clubs he spun in over the past 7 years, he’s not a nominee. Wake up Worcester!!!

    Comment by Jon Pypes — March 6, 2009 @ 10:04 am

  36. Vote “The Pathetics” best Punk band! Who else would raffle off an actual Porno Picnic Basket?! this band rocks!

    Comment by sue strandberg — March 6, 2009 @ 11:38 am

  37. Next year yall should have a best hypeman category cause my boy Sasso
    is the best hypman since flavor flav. Thanks for rockin wit me homie!!!

    Comment by Matt Bastardo — March 7, 2009 @ 11:17 am

  38. Thanks to all the hataz lol.. if its so stupid then why you wastin your time gettin upset or bloggin lol– Either way good luck to all and i do agree some people get beat outta what they earn.. LIke MASS ELITE NOT BEIN NOMINATED FOR ANYTHING IS JUST PLAIN SILLY—

    Comment by G — March 8, 2009 @ 3:12 am

  39. Vote for “The Pathetics” for “Best Punk Act”…they’re great! Plus…the guitarist with the “Black Gretsch” is soooo cute!

    Comment by Trixie W. — March 9, 2009 @ 10:16 am

  40. Family Business 508 all day!

    Comment by Allan Dayton — March 9, 2009 @ 1:16 pm

  41. Vote for Skullfunked for best Jam/Groove Act!

    Comment by Some Loser — March 10, 2009 @ 8:18 am

  42. I am utterly disgusted with this mockery of the Worcester hip-hop scene. With serious artists like Nite People, Ariez, Film Skool Rejekts, Spit Supreme, and others, who all had good projects out this past year, it is a slap in the face to have bullshit like “Applesauce” offered as a representation of our local scene.

    I was born and raised in Worcester Massachusetts, and if I were looking at this site from the outside in (I have since relocated), I would have absolutely no respect for Central Mass when it comes to it’s offering hip-hop music.

    It’s a pathetic shame. I have personally experienced the fact that the local indie rock scene lacks respect for hip-hop music. And it is quite apparent that the local publications do as well. Is it safe to assume that the writers or ‘panels’ for these mediums are hand-in-hand with the local indie-rock scene? It’s as if, cover bands get more local coverage and exposure than credible hip-hop acts.

    This whole Wormtown vs. Wortown cold war needs to be put in the open and worked out. There is plenty of room for progressive co-existence. With mash-up acts like XXX The Owl, this should be obvious.

    So no assumptions have to be made, yes, I am angry. Yes, I am bitter. Yes, I am fed up with this ridiculous bullshit. Give the local hip-hop scene the respect it has earned and rightfully deserves. It has existed and matured for over 25 years. When is there going to be some real support? Really.

    - Arablak (fka Alchemist)

    Comment by Arablak — March 10, 2009 @ 1:28 pm

  43. Weight of Gravity definitely deserves Best Jam/Groove Act. They’re incredible.

    Comment by Mike — March 10, 2009 @ 10:32 pm

  44. Have you heard Applesauces stuff? You’ll laugh your ass of! This is something you’ll have to forward to your friends.

    Comment by Hanetrain — March 11, 2009 @ 7:05 am

  45. Vote for “The Pathetics” for Best Punk Act…they’re great! Plus…the guitarist with the Black Gretsch is sooo cute!

    Comment by Trixie W. — March 11, 2009 @ 7:25 am

  46. Vote for Nemes for best CD! DO IT!

    Comment by Alicia — March 11, 2009 @ 11:31 pm

  47. If Gilmour’s Breakfast don’t win it’s a crime…the best Floyd tribute out there.

    Comment by James — March 12, 2009 @ 12:03 pm

  48. Arablak

    These awards are just a popularity contest. I honestly don’t think that any category’s nominees are a good representation of their kind of music. I have heard the same argument from the rock community, the punk community, and the metal community. If we all just take these awards for what they are, a reader’s poll, then it is not worth getting upset about it. There is no integrity behind it.

    Comment by Some broad — March 12, 2009 @ 12:26 pm

  49. VOTE GALE COUNTY for Americana/Country - These guy absolutely kick ass and play todays country like it should be. Some of their stuff sounds even better than the originals and their harmonies are second to none!!!!!

    Comment by Robbie J — March 12, 2009 @ 12:42 pm

  50. Wow, I’m surprised Hey Now’s new CD “Ride The Fader” wasn’t nominated. Great Band, Great Album.

    Rock

    Comment by Kevin O — March 12, 2009 @ 12:44 pm

  51. There are a lot of great acts on the list, but why is PROBABLE CAUSE not listed anywhere?

    Probable Cause “hands-down” pulls in the largest crowds in the area and put on a great live show (Hence the great turnout). It’s not by accident that they play at the largest venues around.

    I have talked to the band after a recent show and they were all un-pretentious and really nice people.

    If the nomination panel does not like the band because they get so much attention, shame on them. The unbiased fact is that I do not feel it is right to leave them out, when they clearly pull in some of the largest crowds around.

    After all, the crowd is what determines one’s success, leaving them out of the nomination only destroys the panels and the magazines credibility.

    Comment by Randy W. — March 12, 2009 @ 12:50 pm

  52. Jeezus look at all this trash talking DJ crap. This is a win by how many friends you have contest. If this was battle based im sure you would see myslef (DJ ONE 3), DJ Hood-E and DJ Xkaliber representing the ones and twos and trust me you can find us all over the city. No Joke!!!

    Comment by DJ ONE 3 — March 12, 2009 @ 12:55 pm

  53. Do artists who “Made it big” actually have to “Make it big” ? Or do we the voters need to be professionally diagnosed as delusional in order to vote?

    Comment by The Elephant — March 12, 2009 @ 1:04 pm

  54. Just to clarify, there IS NO NOMINATION PANEL. Bands, acts, venues, etc. are nominated by their fans, not by anyone at Pulse. If bands do a good job rallying their fans, then they get a lot of nominations; if they don’t get the word out that people need to vote for them, then they get fewer nominations. The top 4 nominees from each category then move on to the voting round ~ and once again, the winners are decided upon SOLELY by how many votes they get from the public. Probably Cause are great guys and great musicians ~ it’s a shame their fans didn’t step up to the plate and make sure they had enough nominations to make it to the voting round.

    Comment by thePULSE — March 12, 2009 @ 1:13 pm

  55. This message is directed to Arablak, DJ One 3, Randy W or those like them that choose to bash local awards ceremonies such as this one. Yes, of course its a popularity contest. The people who read the pulse and the fans of the bands nominate the acts and vote on who wins the awards. Would you rather a panel chose who won so then you could rip apart the magazine’s choice for panel members? This is the best way to go about figuring out who wins what….you ask your audience. Playing music is a popularity contest as well, in case you haven’t noticed. You are playing for an audience unless you are content staying in your basement playing music for yourself. Some bands draw people in with their talent, others with their ability to captivate an audience, and still others with just their people/marketing skills. I would love it if playing music was only judged on your talent and ability to perform, but that is not the case. The bands that were nominated are a perfect mix of the local music within Worcester for the most part. You and I may not have heard of some of them, nor would we vote for most of them, but what the hell does that mean? Obviously someone has and it shows with their nominations. And to be honest, other than the rap and jazz categories with which I am less familiar, I have seen or heard of about 75% of the nominees at some point or another. I have been a part of the music scene (metal and jam in particular) in this town for 12 years and awards shows such as this one are not only great tools for exposure for some bands, but the events are awesome places to network with other bands within a like genre and meet some of the local press as well as some of the club owners. It is too bad that some egocentric people in this town try to come out and bash these things (when they are great for the local music scene in general) just because some bands that you think are better than the ones on the ballot were not nominated. Maybe they should try harder to garner fans that read the pulse magazine if they want to win an award from the pulse magazine. Bands shouldn’t expect to be nominated by a local magazine poll if their fans don’t read the magazine…..or at least are made aware that the nominations are public and voting can be done on this site once a year. These awards are exactly what they are supposed to be and we should stop fighting over who should’ve been nominated. If you think you or a performer you like got overlooked…..work harder or tell the performer to work harder next year to make fans aware that they can nominate bands/local acts for these awards. If you/they have as many fans as you say you/they do then they should have no problem winning. Thanks for your time.

    Comment by MAmetal — March 12, 2009 @ 3:23 pm

  56. Hang on….why did my post get pulled? All of these other people come on here and slander these awards and I defend them and I get the axe? Interesting…..

    Comment by MAmetal — March 12, 2009 @ 4:05 pm

  57. ha never mind….it just popped up….lol

    Comment by MAmetal — March 12, 2009 @ 4:06 pm

  58. GOOD LUCK AUDIO NATION YOU ROCK!!! __________________________________

    Comment by Jenn & Rob — March 12, 2009 @ 10:03 pm

  59. Do we have a full list of performers yet?

    Comment by Amanda — March 13, 2009 @ 8:27 am

  60. there’s like 9 bands on the list that dont even play. ha.

    Comment by yup — March 13, 2009 @ 9:44 am

  61. Haha go Sleepless Knights! I Hvan’t caught on of their shows in awhile but I hear they’re doing pretty good out in Boston. come back to vincents you crazy bastards!

    Comment by 'zat dude — March 13, 2009 @ 9:54 am

  62. The Pulse-

    There is no mention in any of the ads (such as the one above this comments section) of it being a “reader’s poll.”

    Almost every credible publication that grants these types of “awards” in which they are based on reader’s input, clearly state it.

    If you wish to continue like this, then would it make sense to put some type of panel to place very well-known acts such as Never In Vegas, Probable Cause, Etc… into the nomination pool?

    Just from an “outsiders” perspective, I question the credibility of the poll when I see acts that clearly and consistently draw some of the biggest crowds in the area be omitted from the “Best of” nomination pool. Am I completely out of line here?

    I can only imagine what these musicians and DJ’s must feel like coming from a publication that supports local music.

    Comment by Randy W. — March 13, 2009 @ 2:54 pm

  63. Randy

    I look at it like this. You want a reader’s poll, then look to the Pulse. If you want a nomination panel, look to WoMag. I like having both options here in Worcester. BUUUUUTTTT, saying that, maybe it should be “Favorite Pop Act” rather than “Best Pop Act”…..

    And also, if these bands draw the best crowds, they should just mention that these awards exist, and I am sure they will be nominated by their fans.

    Comment by Amanda — March 13, 2009 @ 6:10 pm

  64. Oh and another thing. The Pulse does let you know that it is a reader’s poll during the entire month of February when they are taking nominations.

    Comment by Amanda — March 13, 2009 @ 6:16 pm

  65. Vote Boston Garage bands for most supportive radio.. and Clear the way for best pop group. Play Live! Play Loud! http://www.Bostongaragebands.com

    Comment by Kim — March 13, 2009 @ 7:22 pm

  66. “If you wish to continue like this, then would it make sense to put some type of panel to place very well-known acts such as Never In Vegas, Probable Cause, Etc… into the nomination pool?”

    … you gotta love the guy who is really upset because his two favorite COVER bands from Boston didn’t get nominated for a Worcester Music Award.

    Congrats to all the bands who did get nominated. You guys all rock and definitely deserve some recognition for your talent and all your efforts.

    Comment by Kevin O. — March 13, 2009 @ 11:50 pm

  67. Dizasta’s new project is def going to be good I can’t wait till it drops he is definiteley a great young artist with lots of talent.

    Comment by Kyle — March 14, 2009 @ 12:22 am

  68. The Official Disaster Volume 1 Crazy!

    Comment by Kyle — March 14, 2009 @ 12:24 am

  69. Worcester rap is definitely changing when you got artist like J-Black and Dizasta tearing up the scene. They need to drop already. We need a new era in our music and these guys got it. rappers like Ariez and those other ones dont deserve awards cause there is no real movement behind these guys. The young bucks got it locked now. It’s time for that same ol sound that you hear on the radio to die and in with the new.

    Comment by Robby — March 14, 2009 @ 9:20 am

  70. WOW - SOMEONE MUST HAVE A LOCK ON THIS CAUSE THERE ARE NO WORCESTER TOP LEVEL BANDS IN THE COMPETITION. I MEAN, THERE ARE LIKE 50 OTHER BETTER BANDS IN EVERY CLASS OF AWARD, WHY ARENT ANY OF THESE BANDS LISTED? THIS MUST ALL BE BS - LIKE WHERE ARE THE BANDS… GIVE ME A BREAK FLOCK OF ASSHOLES IS BASICALLY THE LUCKY DOG

    Comment by John Smith — March 15, 2009 @ 8:51 am

  71. Randy W,
    To build upon Amanda’s point……They do clearly state that it is a reader’s poll every year and make everyone aware within the pages of their magazine. They also send out e-mails throughout the month to let people know that this is going on.

    Addressing your second point….as I previously stated, if they appointed a panel of judges who chose who is nominated, people would rip their choices for judges apart and say it was rigged for one reason or another (As already occurs in the Turtle Boy Awards). They would probably chose either a bunch of staples within the scene who have been around for years (like club owners perhaps) or their own entertainment staff to nominate acts. Now I do not know about the latter group because I only know a select few of the entertainment staff on the Pulse, but as for the former, I can garantee that you would not be happy with their selections either. Not to mention a personal bias is then thrown into the mix as well… if they have friends in bands….which they all do. You say that “Probable Cause” and “Never in Vegas” are unquestionalbly the best and most well known bands in the area and pull in the best crowds. I always laugh when people say this about local bands. Sure they are known in the community…..I’ve seen them both. I’ve seen them draw large crowds and small ones…..just like every band that is on here. I know people who have heard of them and people who haven’t….just like every band on here. I know people who say they suck and people who like them…..just like every band on here. I guess you see the trend here. You may think that they are the best and draw the best crowds and it is a travesty that a local rag such as The Pulse would not automatically put them on the ballot, but I can also guarantee there are just as many (and if you go by the fact that they were outvoted on here) probably more people amoungst the readership of the magazine that think that the other bands are better and draw a better crowd. They are all local bands and they all have hit or miss nights…….there is not a very good chance that a record contract is in the near furture for most of them so to say that because one local act is not nominated over another it challenges the integrity of these awards is quite a leap. The bands that are on there are on there because they won a popularity contest run by a local magazine. Look at it for what it is. This awards show and the fact that they have them at all is proof that they are supporting the local scene. It is probably a lot of unnecessary work for the staff, but as I said, this whole thing is good for local music in general

    To your last point, maybe the “best of” tag is what the problem is here. Maybe they should call it the most popular, but either way, there are always going to be acts, bands, DJ’s and such that someone in Worcester thinks is better than those nominated here no matter what method they use to determine them. To question the credibility based only upon you and your group of friends’ opinions on who is good and who is not is extremely egocentric. You may have seen certain bands a bunch of times and think they are great, but that in no way changes the fact that the bands on the nomination card obtained more votes than those bands and I am certain that they have a bunch of people that would feel the same way if they were left off. Again, I do not think that I personally would put all of these bands on a ballot if I had the choice, but I am not egocentric enough to think that my opinion of who the best bands are in the area should speak for the fans of all of the bands in the area. Let those guys know to let their fans know next year and maybe they will win……..Not to mention, if I am not mistaken, probable cause has been nominated before. I don’t remember if they won, but I believe they were nominated.

    Comment by MAmetal — March 15, 2009 @ 6:02 pm

  72. 7 Minute Stagger Rules!

    Comment by Coreander — March 16, 2009 @ 2:36 pm

  73. I JUST WANT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT “DJ RECKLESS” whose been nominated for “BEST CLUB DJ” and “BEST RADIO DJ” hasn’t only been playing in the Worcester area. He’s played venues all over New England, and the country. He also holds residencies in Canada and over seas. I’M NOT TRYING TO INFLATE HIM, (I’LL LET HIS MUSIC SPEAK FOR ITSELF). LET THESE AWARDS LIKE ANY OTHER HAPPEN THE WAY THEY’RE MEANT TO. THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH AND PEOPLE WHO LOVE MUSIC.

    PEOPLE SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR HARD WORK. ALSO A QUICK THANK YOU TO ANYONE WHO CAN POST A COMMENT ON THIS SITE WITHOUT HAVING A FOUL MOUTH.

    Comment by CHRIS — March 16, 2009 @ 10:25 pm

  74. MAmetal…

    Come on now, this is not rocket science.

    Look, Ask any manager/owner or bartenders of the local, live music circuit on who draws the largest crowds. I think there would be some sort of consistancy there.

    To respond to your first point, although you may have advertised it in the past, just look at the top of the page. (Larger publications do not omit this “factor” in their publications)…case closed.

    I never made any statements of who is good, or “the best” or who is not. So I can’t begin to argue your laughable premise that I am egotistical. I was clearly stating that Crowd size is a good measurement of popularity. This is not subjective when you look at their attendence track record. Anyone who is honest with themselves who understands the local music scene knows this.

    As for the turtle awards, this was a joke because many in the panel voted themselves in.

    Your last comment to suggest that this be changed to the “most popular” has no credability to it either. People who go out and see and listen to these groups/DJs is the better tool to measure popularity. It’s shocking to me (but not surprising) that you don’t get it.

    I am just pointing out, from an outsider that leaving out certain acts “as a whole” who pull in some of the largest crowds around does not speak well for the publication. After all, what determines the ultimate success of a band?

    Many people including bar owners/managers/bartenders (your advertisers) from the local scene have brought this to my attention. Take it for what it is… The Pulse staff should really think about it and act on it…

    My arguments have merit, my goal is that the Pulse should really think about it and consider and act on any improvements or objective feedback for future “award” publications.

    Comment by Randy W. — March 17, 2009 @ 9:01 am

  75. Having an award for “Best Club DJ” is like having an award for best person to watch paint dry. Being a “Club DJ” is a joke in it self. Push play, walk away and maybe scrath a little bit. Plus 90% of it is a CPU doing all the work. It’s a mindless job. If there’s a beat people will move their feet and it’s the same beat over and over. Pick up an instrument and write your own music! Play Live! Play Loud! See you at the awards.

    Comment by Jeff Royds — March 17, 2009 @ 10:43 am

  76. I just checked out the band “Bullethead”. What a bunch of washed up rockstar wannabees. They should’ve hung it up years ago!

    Comment by smokey — March 18, 2009 @ 10:55 am

  77. Randy,

    You are pretty fired up about this for someone who is just an outsider. These are just supposed to be for fun dude.

    Comment by Amanda — March 18, 2009 @ 12:01 pm

  78. Apparently I was wrong about the nomination system. But, with what I have learned about it being an open web vote, it makes matters worse.

    To label my last post as simply “bashing” is particularly insulting. If you are a part of the ceremonies here, and took offense to my post, can only assume you are as well fed up, but with the overwhelming dissatisfaction with the results.

    My post was drawing attention to the obvious fact that this award system is not an honest representation of the local scene. You reference hypothetical situations, claiming that I would “bash” it just the same if there actually were a panel choosing the nominees, but you claim is just that… hypothetical. If there were a qualified panel selected (venue owners, promoters, writers, etc…) and the media actually COVERED THE LOCAL SCENE YEAR ROUND, then this lazy process wouldn’t need be in place. Anyone from any city can go online and rally online votes for this. Yet, you defend the process as if it adds credibility to the results.

    Let me make it clear, I’m not upset that I wasn’t nominated. I haven’t lived in Worcester for almost 3 years. I am now a member of the Atlanta local hip-hop scene. My gripe is with the lousy representation of my native scene given by examples such as this one. It is simply embarrassing.

    The staff at The Pulse needs to invest more time into covering the local music scene, and as I have recently read, all genres could use some more attention. To open a web vote once a year, and to harbor the results as authorities data is not thorough journalism. It’s a just another lazy, half-assed attempt to show interest in your city’s culture.

    Next year, hire a panel of 9 people, who all have CURRENT credible backgrounds in the local scene. People who care and have knowledge of which acts play, have projects out and who is serious about their craft(s). These people will nominate acts and vote amongst each other to determine 4 potential winners. The city is small enough for the quality acts to not be missed. From there, make it clear ahead of time to those artists/bands that the voting will begin on whatever date, and let the rest take its course.

    There’s just too much Worcester has to offer, that is more worthy of the ink, bandwidth and time spent.

    At this point I can only offer my opinion and potential solution, because a negative opinion without a rational solution can be misconstrued as just “bashing”, or “hating”.

    Respectfully,

    - Arablak

    Comment by Arablak — March 18, 2009 @ 7:41 pm

  79. Arablak gets it! Too bad The Pulse with try to defend “their position” to the end.

    Comment by Randy W. — March 18, 2009 @ 8:45 pm

  80. THIS ARGUMENT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

    Comment by Amanda — March 19, 2009 @ 2:00 pm

  81. Arablak,
    You are correct. I misconstrued your argument and it appears that you were not just “bashing”, and your argument is rational and makes sense, however, my point remains…..even if The Pulse were to do as you suggest and choose a panel with nine members from the scene that are credible it still does not make the results any more credible due to personal bias/style of music bias/club bias. There would be just as many people with some form of outcry based on those choices as well…..if not from you then it would be from someone like you who felt better candidates for a panel should be chosen or “better” acts nominated. There is no way to get a truly objective result that no one will have qualms with. True, these are hypotheticals, but these situations already occur with the Turtle Boy awards which Randy W. so kindly pointed out are “a joke” even though this is the system he plans to impliment for these awards as well. I like having both forms of nominations in town. As I previously stated, neither are anything but a popularity contest, but there is no way to obtain a truly objective result when they are local awards put on by a local rag with very limited rescources. You say it challenges the credibility because anyone can go on and vote…..notice that if you check the past winners…they are all from the Worcester area and are all fairly popular. If more people were aware and this was a bigger deal then maybe you might see some band from ohio win and then you should start to challenge its methods, but only readers of the pulse and fans of the bands that actually PROMOTE themselves and this online poll are really involved with the process, so winners are always local even if I or you think they suck. And as for the hip-hop scene, I am not an expert in the genre, so I cannot speak to the quality of the nominees so you may very well be correct. Thank you for clarifying your point in a rational…non-contradictory manner.

    Now…Randy W. It is a shame I cannot say the same for you my friend. Wait…did you just use a comparison to “rocket science” to attempt to imply that this topic is simple yet I cannot understand it? Considering “rocket science” or the science of rocketry has not been particularly cutting edge since the mid 1980’s I would challenge that outdated analagy, but lets move on and just leave the weak attempts to belittle my intelligence behind us and continue to try to have a rational discussion shall we?

    1. There is no consistancy there. None. Different clubs have a better draw for different bands. I know most of the club owners and if you do ask them….there are bands that have the potential to draw well at their club based on the bill they are on, the time of the year, and the night of the week, but none are a guarantee. If you were to say to Erick at the dog that band A drew well over at Ralph’s and that Vincent said they were good enough to headline and draw well at the dog….he would tell you that different people go to the venues even if the same band is playing.

    2. Case closed?…..far from it. That add at the top of the page and that is in the magazine now is for the awards show that is at Tammany Hall. I thought you would notice due to the fact that it has the venue and the bands listed that are playing….as well as a date. You failed to read my point about the advertising leading up to this point and the countless e-mails they send out. The Pulse does what it can to publicise this….the bands have to do the rest. The ads in the magazine itself say to log on to vate and if you click on the “click here to vote” hyperlink at the top of this page it sends you to a voting page. Yet they do nothing to tell you that its a reader’s poll? Maybe if you can’t read.

    3 I would continue to tear down your points one by one, but it is clear that you would rather contradict your own arguments and make snide remarks than have a rational debate. The point is this….there is a case that you can make for either way of nominating acts (as Arablak did), but the error is to say that one way is more credible than the other. Both are flawed. The way to make that point is not to say “WTF….these bands are the most popular in the area and didn’t get nominated.” In fact…..in my humble opinion, the two bands you picked are probably the worst examples of good bands who were not selected. And you did imply that those bands were better than the ones nominated when you said ” There are a lot of great acts on the list, but why is PROBABLE CAUSE not listed anywhere? Probable Cause “hands-down” pulls in the largest crowds in the area and put on a great live show” This is you and your group of friends’ opinion….nothing else. I would continue to challenge that notion, but again, two people and their group of peers’ opinions about the merits of bands should not an awards show make. We all get one vote…so use it.

    Lastly….I will reiterate what Amanda keeps saying. These arguments go on every year. There is no perfect way to do this. Good bands will get snubbed because another band outworked them in this format and in the other good bands will get snubbed because somebody put their friend’s band on the ballot rather than the better band. The Pulse is supporting the music scene by doing this. It relies on the local are bands to pick up on their advertisement of the awards and run with it. Being a free local publication with a limited readership they can only do so much. This is just a local popularity contest……

    Comment by MAmetal — March 20, 2009 @ 9:31 am

  82. weight of gravity!!!!! went to the cd release party @ tammany 3/20. Awwwwwsome! show. cd is fantastic!!!! can’t find a cut I don’t love. keep it up guys.

    Comment by gordon — March 22, 2009 @ 12:16 pm

  83. Cant wait to see Black River Sound at the awards show, one of the best to come out of the area in a long time, Ive seem them a few times and its always a great show.

    Comment by willparson — March 22, 2009 @ 12:41 pm

  84. He gets nothing. If club promoters or bookers were to be on a panel they are going to pick the bands that draw best and who are the bands that draw best?? The bands with the most fans. Those fans my friend are the same fans that nominated the acts in this years awards. Your theory is broken and you’re angry you or your friend didn’t get nominated. Deal with it who ever it is that didn’t get nominated isn’t that good if they were people would know about them and they would be popular and if they were popular they would be nominated. Go cry in your pillow. Congrats to all the Nominees.

    Comment by LocalMusicMan — March 22, 2009 @ 2:15 pm

  85. Vote for 7 Minute Stagger in the metal category and up and comers….they’re the bomb!

    Comment by Coreander — March 22, 2009 @ 6:43 pm

  86. VOTE ANTIETAM FOR BEST PUNK,
    THEY’RE SO CRUSTYYYY. yeah!

    & I RISE for best hardcore,
    because LET’S BE SERIOUS…
    none of those other bands are
    ACTUAL HARDCORE!!!

    let’s rep ACTUAL worcester hxc.

    Comment by Yeahhh — March 22, 2009 @ 9:28 pm

  87. Wow, “John Smith,” let’s try not to get in a huff just because your brother’s garage band didn’t make the cut here. I think your use of the term “basically” in regards to Flock is a bit broad. There is only 1 band member who is also on staff at Lucky Dog; just one. That’s a ways off from “basically.” When you get to own your club, then maybe you could put together your own band and maybe then you’ll be in a position to bitch about others. In case you haven’t noticed, they go a little bit further than Lucky Dog. They regularly play a lot of other clubs in Worcester and even get to Boston, Connecticut and beyond. They’ve also definitely put in their time and paid their dues, on nights when only 4 people would show up. So maybe one of these “50 better bands (name 1)” can work on their stage act and get their names out a bit better if they want to see themselves play gigs any bigger than your cousin’s 1st Communion.

    PS - “John Smith.” Try using your real name instead of being a pu$$y.

    Comment by Patrick S. — March 24, 2009 @ 2:05 pm

  88. What’s new and interesting is Black River and their lead singer Holly/Justice. The whole band is sexy and new- refreshing to Central Mass! Hope to hear more of them!!

    Comment by debBH — March 26, 2009 @ 8:37 am

  89. I spoke to a so called panel member and SHE told me that to get your band in the Worcester Music Awards all you have to do it create like 500 yahoo email addresses and vote yourself in, but the trick is to know when to start which is a secret unless you have an in. Bands like 12 Step which is now 7 minute swagger have an in (cause if you think about it who the f$%^& listens to that B.S death crap) where are the top drawing bands hard rock, rock, blues - they are no where and with basically the same line up as last year its alljust BS, might as well sign up for locofest or Warp tour at least then you can vote yourself into a real show

    Stupid….

    Comment by John Smith — March 26, 2009 @ 12:45 pm

  90. So….. It sounds like good old John Smith here doesn’t like heavy music. When was the last time a rock or blues band was in a metal category. For that matter, when was the last time you were in an original band.

    Comment by John Smith Licks Balls — March 27, 2009 @ 12:07 pm

  91. First of all, get your facts straight. 7MinuteStagger is NOT, I repeat, is NOT old 12 step. 12 Step is now ENKARA.

    7MinuteStagger was formed way before many of the current members even met. Yes, we do have former members of 12 Step in 7Minute.. but I invite you to name a Worcester band who hasn’t had a member of a former band in thier line-up.

    Secondly, have you even SEEN us or HEARD us?! Because if you did, you’d know that were aren’t “BS death crap”. If you have a problem with the awards and the nomination process, I suggest not attacking a local band; ANY local band. In addition, you asked; “where are the top drawing bands of hard rock, rock, blues?” I would suggest taking a look at those categories. If a band that plays the style of music YOU like, didn’t get nominated, then I don’t know what to tell you except that, you’re barking up the wrong tree. You can’t bash one band in one category, when you say yourself that you don’t even like that style of music. Your problem is clearly not with 7MinuteStagger.

    Which brings me to my next point.

    As for the nominations/voting..There are no ’secrets’ or ‘ins’… The members of 7MinuteStagger who were responsible for advertising and promoting for these awards have been working hard to reach as many people with thier music as possible.Our nominiation is simply the result of due dilligence, and did not involve creating 500 email accounts. The accounts belonged to the ‘X’number of people that took the time to respond to our promoting of the Pulse, these awards, and yes, ourselves; with a couple clicks of a mouse.

    If you, “John Smith”, are in a band that did not get nominated, then for that I’m sorry. If I would have seen an email, a flyer, a bulletin; anything from your band, I would’ve voted for you. Keep trying, you’ll get it.

    And before you go ahead and decide to post a response, (and we all know you will, and probably under another fabricated name), just know this: I really don’t care what you have to say now that you attacked a band; MY band; ANY band; for something we do not control and for no reason at all without knowing the facts.
    If you would have done other wise, you would have my respect for directing your issues towards the appropriate cause of your despair.

    Comment by Erik 7:MS — March 27, 2009 @ 12:32 pm

  92. As a member of 7 Minute Stagger, I honestly have no idea what you mean by us having an “in”.

    Comment by Amanda — March 27, 2009 @ 1:34 pm

  93. I hear black river sound was pretty good…haha

    Comment by Josiah — March 29, 2009 @ 2:19 pm

  94. To “LocalMusicMan”:

    I already stated that I no longer live in Worcester, so I don’t qualify to even be nominated.

    And I also clearly expressed that I have an issue with how Worcester’s music scene is being represented. That is the bottom line. If you truly feel that the nominees are the best that the city has to offer, you are sadly mistaken.

    Comment by Arablak — March 30, 2009 @ 10:32 pm

  95. I will agree with this half the bands that are nominated no matter how popular they are with there friends are either not popular in the Worcester,Boston, or New England Music Scene or are just plain made up. The only two bands that I have heard of with the exception of the Cover Bands are Full Tilt, Debris, and Black River Sound. I know that this is going to piss alot of people off but I really don’t care. Granted those bands are in the Rock or Metal genre’s that I listen too so no offense to anyone out side of those genre’s(the reason I haven’t heard of you is because I don’t listen to your genre) But as far as Rock and Metal goes those are the only REAL BANDS here. That’s probably why two of them are playing the awards. By REAL BANDS I mean bands that have a name not only in Worcester but through out New England and the three bands I mentioned actually have a chance to “MAKE IT”.

    Comment by Billy Bad Arse — March 31, 2009 @ 11:12 am

  96. Remember musicians out there…don’t pay to play, it’s a damn rip off…do not participate .
    Weight of Gravity, tremendous, Gilmour’s Breakfast…absolutely amazing….vote for them, tell your friends to vote for them…and DON’T PAY TO PLAY !!

    Comment by Frank — April 1, 2009 @ 2:14 pm

  97. Tell Tammany and Rock on to get out of town…DON’T PAY TO PLAY…….Musiciand we must stick together and stop the rip off !!

    Comment by Frank — April 1, 2009 @ 2:15 pm

  98. Just seen this, yes what is that dumb pay to play all about anyway ??..paying some shark for putting your name in a diary ?…crazy…..without musicians participating they will have to leave…I say don’t do it.

    Comment by Arabesque — April 1, 2009 @ 2:25 pm

  99. Seen Gilmour’s Breakfast several times, they put on an amazing show…truly….if anyone reading this has not seen this band then grab your friends and get to a show….great lighting and great playing

    Comment by HD — April 1, 2009 @ 3:25 pm

  100. The only problem I have with the local music scene is the practice employed by certain individuals (and you know who you are) to extort $$ from bands for no reason.

    Comment by Martin — April 2, 2009 @ 10:10 am

  101. I noticed yesterday that someone had commented on the “Pay to Play” debacle but the posts were removed….all I would say to any musicians reading this is do not participate, it’s an incipid and comepletely exploitary practice ….without us they have nothing to promote. Bands should not have to pay to play a local venue….lets stick together and see runn these people out of town back to where ever they came from.

    Comment by Martin — April 2, 2009 @ 11:00 am

  102. Martin,
    I will say this, Billy Bad Arse clearly is trying to piss people off but I do agree with one thing, two of the bands he mentioned are the only two bands I have heard of involved in these awards. I’m not going to mention the names of the bands because I am not bias. I’m also not going to say that they are the only “real” bands but they are fantastic bands as I’m sure all of the nominated bands are. I’m going incognito, I’m heavily involved in the NE Music scene and if I were to state my name, alot of you would know me. That’s neither here nor there. Good Luck to all the contestants.

    Comment by LocalMusicMan — April 13, 2009 @ 5:36 pm

  103. Black river sound (the band that is performing at the awards) may just be one of the best bands in massachusetts. I have seen them upwards of ten times and i really have never heard anything like it. If you local music supporters wana hear some awesome tunes deffently come down and check them out at the awards.

    Comment by Jeanne — April 20, 2009 @ 12:19 pm

  104. My question is… if it’s called the WORCESTER music awards, why are Boston bands on the ballot?!?!? that’s messed up… go back to Boston EMO trash!

    Comment by Boston Music Sux — April 22, 2009 @ 2:00 pm

  105. HHTT will mos def be there, gotta show local love

    Comment by Brother Menelik Ebna la-Hakim — April 22, 2009 @ 5:07 pm

  106. First of all, NONE of the nominations have any radio regional “air” play and I’m not talking about baystate at 2am. Fan nomination its all BS anyway, I just sent 500 nods for weight of gravity in 5 seconds and that band pulls 30 people at a show max. There are so many other high draw bands that deserve recognition that have too much integrity then to pimp out some emails for themselves.

    The system (much like our government) is broken, so I am boycotting the whole awards show and everyone involved

    All of the bands and Dj’s deserve the whole “pay to play” process

    I’m going to start playing cheese-ball covers and call myself the best tribute band in New England - I think I’ll start with a hootie song and work my up to katie perry

    Stupid

    Comment by Radio Play — April 23, 2009 @ 9:35 am

  107. MAmetal,

    You are your Worst Enemy.

    In response to your 3/20 posting and your desperate attempt to insult me by highlighting my “80’s analogy,” while at the same time requesting to have a “rational discussion.” Nice try. (And you are a representative of this publication, a professional?)

    Your Point:1. There is no consistency there. None. Different clubs have a better draw for different bands. I know most of the club owners and if you do ask them….there are bands that have the potential to draw well at their club based on the bill they are on, the time of the year, and the night of the week, but none are a guarantee. If you were to say to Erick at the dog that band A drew well over at Ralph’s and that Vincent said they were good enough to headline and draw well at the dog….he would tell you that different people go to the venues even if the same band is playing.

    My Response: Wow, I have already ripped apart your logic and will do it again. As you stated, “There is no consistency, None.” So you are saying that no one can draw any type of conclusion on who draws some of the largest crowds because this is soley based on venue, night of the week etc. While it is obvious someone playing on a Tuesday night at Vincents will pull differently than someone playing a Saturday night at Chasers. But all the majors bar owners could clearly tell you who pulls in the largest crowds in the city. Look, its not by accident that some bands play at the Irish Times and Chasers etc. on Friday and Saturday nights while others play Thursday night at Sakura Tokyo or Greendales. You can’t last at places like this on prime nights unless you draw significant crowds. If you can’t get this then I am not going to try to explain it further.

    Your Point: 2. Case closed?…..far from it. That add at the top of the page and that is in the magazine now is for the awards show that is at Tammany Hall. I thought you would notice due to the fact that it has the venue and the bands listed that are playing….as well as a date. You failed to read my point about the advertising leading up to this point and the countless e-mails they send out. The Pulse does what it can to publicize this….the bands have to do the rest. The ads in the magazine itself say to log on to vate and if you click on the “click here to vote” hyperlink at the top of this page it sends you to a voting page. Yet they do nothing to tell you that its a reader’s poll? Maybe if you can’t read.

    My Response: Case is not closed. Time, Billboard and Guitar World magazines use “Readers Poll” as a headline in their advertisements. They do not omit it.

    Your Point: 3 I would continue to tear down your points one by one, but it is clear that you would rather contradict your own arguments and make snide remarks than have a rational debate. The point is this….there is a case that you can make for either way of nominating acts (as Arablak did), but the error is to say that one way is more credible than the other. Both are flawed. The way to make that point is not to say “WTF….these bands are the most popular in the area and didn’t get nominated.” In fact…..in my humble opinion, the two bands you picked are probably the worst examples of good bands who were not selected. And you did imply that those bands were better than the ones nominated when you said ” There are a lot of great acts on the list, but why is PROBABLE CAUSE not listed anywhere? Probable Cause “hands-down” pulls in the largest crowds in the area and put on a great live show” This is you and your group of friends’ opinion….nothing else. I would continue to challenge that notion, but again, two people and their group of peers’ opinions about the merits of bands should not an awards show make. We all get one vote…so use it.

    My Response: I am not contradicting myself nor did I “imply” that the bands mentioned were better. That’s your little mind trying to work too hard. What I was saying was simple. Why were some of the most sought after local bands left off the list. For anyone who knows the scene and is honest with themselves, It is not my personal opinion who draws some of the largest crowds in the area. Ask anyone who is very familiar with the music scene. It is blatantly obvious that you do like the bands that I highlighted which may be a reason why you are trying to defend your point even though almost all of your arguments do not make sense. I don’t care what these bands think and I would bet my car against $100 that they do not care either.

    My premise is that all in all anyone familiar with the music scene knows who the biggest players are. Leaving them off the nomination pool does not do justice for the credibility of your publication. If you can’t understand this then, I can not waste any of my time since you clearly do not get it. Nothing is perfect, but because both are flawed does not mean that both are equally effective. If you can’t see my point now, then you never will.

    Don’t get defensive when receiving constructive criticism. Look for ways to improve the process. You’ll be better off.

    Randy W.

    Comment by Randy W. — April 29, 2009 @ 11:15 pm

  108. MAMetal does NOT work for The Pulse….

    Comment by Amanda — May 4, 2009 @ 2:20 pm

  109. I personally think the pulse needs someone on the staff that is rooted heavily in the local hip hop scene to show adequate favor. I read the pulse, I think it’s a good mag but in my onion could use a stronger emphasis on hip hop. Just a suggestion.

    Comment by Brother Menelik Ebna la-Hakim — May 22, 2009 @ 9:52 am

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