Favorite CDs of the Year

Black Knots - Guitarmageddon

Jerry Lee Queen, Greg Gatlin, Bobby Bolboa, Capt D (now on drums Vinny Friday) all from Huntington West Virginia. Not exactly a rock n roll hotbed, but these boys sound like they come directly from the streets of the Motor City via Austin Texas. This disc has all the swagger of Jerry Lee Lewis, an orgy of guitars ala Wayne Kramer and Fred Sonic Smith, with tongue in cheek black humor of Ron "Tater Salad" White. The Guitarmageddon is not 70’s buttrock, it's not 80's hair metal, or 90's Grunge. It's everything that was going on in the back alleys, the dank clubs and smelly garages during that time, and it's now wrapped up in one shiny new and updated sound. The Black Knots are rock n roll’s new four headed snake. Best jump on this disc before everyone knows about them and you look like the smart one.

Grommet- Anti-verse

When this Detroit trio (Michael Korn, Marek Chudy, Dustin Aller) spewed forth Feeding the Hand That Bites in 2008, I certainly had no clue that they would unleash another disc in 2009. And I certainly did not have a clue it would be just as diverse, funny, instrumentally masterful and downright hard assed as their rookie effort. But,I had another thing coming. Anti-verse being the band's second full release will give the average listener little help in defining what round hole to place their square pegs in. Grommet wont make things that simple for you. But it is without a doubt one of the hardest and most unique CDs you can add to your collection, no matter how full it is. These boys have steadily picked up a larger and larger following across Michigan.... and their reach is spreading down south too. Pick up Anti-verse while it's still available, and expect a follow up in 2010

Hardcore Bands Of the Year

Full Scale Panic

Chris, Malori, Jas and Tyler..... four kids that reminds us old farts what we love so much about punk in the first place. New school sounds blended with old school attitude, don't stop high energy live show and unpredictability that you usually don't find in the club circuit these days. They will play just about anywhere... and would wow audiences everywhere if given the chance to get out of the tri-state area for a few weeks. Working on a full length debut for SBS Records will hopefully get them over the hump in 2010. You deserve to see them live if you're punk enough to handle it.

Disconnected

This quartet out of Toledo, Ohio is such a great mix of vets from various backgrounds in the punk scene it can't help but be a totally destructive sonic experience. Just as FSP reminds us of the road ahead of youth, these guys show that just because you have years on you does not mean you have to be jaded pretentious pricks. Solid hardcore, played with passion and true angst.

Bill Bondsmen

20 years from now, when your grandkids are pissing off your offspring with their music, the few that actually wind up not being sheeple will be banging around in the basement listening to Bill Bondsmen and they'll know just how cool grampa and grama were for having seen them live. When these guys are worm food they'll be influencing pissed off kids to pick up guitars and let the anger out.

Favorite Live Performances Of Year

Full Scale Panic
Punk Fest for Children's Hospital
Sept. 2009 @ The Old Miami Detroit Mi.

Young Toledo guns stole a show filled with Detroit and Midwest Punk elite, and that's saying something considering there was not one bad performance during this annual charity event.

Gillotine @ The Longhorn Saloon
May 2009 Toledo., Ohio

These ten year vets form North Carolina brought their brand of splatter soaked hardcore and metal to Toledo’s stage, and the place still has smoke hanging in the air. Energy was flowing, they had the crowd and the other bands involved with the show.

Black Knots @ Simon's
May 2009

A privileged few smart enough to stay for their late night venture to the stage witnessed a band ready for the national stage both musically and with professionally. Don't confuse pro with homogenized either, far from it. Ask those folks who saw guitar player Bobby Balboa shoot flaming 151 about 30ft out in front during a guitar solo.

Favorite Outlaw Country/Roots/Rockabilly Band

Halfmoon Highway

Who would expect an outlaw country band from Detroit? Not I for sure, but this mix of vets form bands like Satan's Toilet and Treatment Bound two-step straight to hell with a mix of covers and originals that will have your toes tappin. Top notch guitar riffin and lickin too. You're in the mood to see a band and not get your head ripped off with metal or punk this is the band to check out. If you like Mike Ness, Redneck Girlfriend, and The Earps these guys are right up your cattle trail.

Favorite Live Venue of the year

The Longhorn Saloon

This Toledo Ohio watering hole does not always feature punk, or metal, or rock, but what it does is allow shows of all kinds within its doors. Smallish in size on stage and off, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in a friendly atmosphere, great sound system and a staff that's easy to work with both from a promotion stand point and performers. Globalpunkreview.com put on several shows there throughout 2009, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future for these reasons, and many others too. Now if we can just wake up people in the area and have them realize what a gem of a dive Toledo has right there on Phillips Ave the whole scene would benefit.

Favorite Male Vocals

Mike Hard - They Never Sleep

I'm just a sucker for the over the top front man. You can't get much more over the top than Mike Hard. This snarling, frothing, convulsing vocalist forces the crowd to take part in the show or make you mighty uncomfortable if you choose not to participate. When the man is singing in your face you don't dare look away, but you'll be confused as to whether you should grab the mic, smile and bob your head to the music or just stare back. I like unpredictability and he is the performing definition of the word.

Favorite Female Vocals

Colleen Caffeine - Choking Susan

Colleen has wowed crowds across the U.S. and Europe.. and with good reason. Not only is she entertaining but she delivers her vocal stylings in a way that's truly unique. She is the "face" of the band, but also pens lyrics that tell stories, as well as songs that place her heart in lyrics. Not everyone can do that and still wind up with great songs.

Favorite Drummer

Marek Chudy -Grommet

Very few cats behind the skins have played the drums like Marek. Recalls the days back when bands were led by the drummer, only it's updated for the heavier than lead sound that is Grommet.

Favorite Guitarist

Greg Gatlin - Black Knots

Quite simply a gunslinger. Stays within the known rock n roll and blues riffs made popular by Angus Young’s style. It works for the Black Knots, and if anything, takes them to the top of their craft. This would be an entirely different band without his axe.

Gary Adams - Circus Boy

A Detroit legend who's played with some of the greats. Has the respect of his peers, now its high time more folks outside the rust belt to recognize his skills. Does not re-invent the wheel with his playing, but makes it faster, slicker and way more enjoyable to listen to.

Todd Evans - Mobile Deathcamp

Dave Mustaine... Kirk Hammett... names you'll certainly recognize from the Trash Metal genre. Well, they have nothing Todd does not possess himself, except the notoriety that comes with world wide success. Todd's shredding skills and songwriting is something I've been lucky enough to witness. This fan thinks you should too.

Favorite Bassist

Karen Neal - They Never Sleep

Karen has to be one of the busiest people in Detroit. Punk Rock fitness, The Motor City Rah Rah's, and They Never Sleep. But let it be known, Karen is not only one of the most thunderous bass players ever, but one helluva songwriter in her own right. Lets hope we'll be hearing more of her song crafting skills within They Never Sleep. Live you'll feel her bass tone right in your chest.

Dustin Aller - Grommet

Dustin proves that the bass, both live and on CD, is not just a backing instrument. He's got this style that on your initial listen you will inevitably be compared to Primus, but it goes beyond comparing. Dustin's style is all his own, and you can often hear songs that revolve around his bass lines. Plays the bass for what it is, a guitar.

Malori Rae - Full Scale Panic

Malori Rae just beats the shit of her bass. Nothing more, nothing less. Full Scale Panic is a force to be reckoned with but this queen of the four string is the rock that holds the chaos together.

Favorite Re-Union Show/Tour

Trash Brats

These former glam kings left the pink frillies at home and just brought what made them so damn good in the first place. A collection of hooky, punk filled rock n roll songs that just shows they were better than all the trappings that used to go along with 'em on stage. Here's to hoping they'll do it more often

Bands We want to see way more of in 2010

Jello Biafra and The Guantanamo School of Medicine

I've heard various cuts form Jello and his crew's new CD, The Audacity of Hype. and it sounds like his best work to date. Taking the energy, politics and driving music that was the Dead Kennedys and upping it several notches. Jello has always surrounded himself with great musicians, it sound like this will be the case here too. They have played dates in Europe and the West Coast, now I'm hoping we here in the mid-west will get to see them too.

The Struttin Cocks

Played Toledo and Detroit in the first venture outside the Cleveland area and kicked some ass. NY Dolls - Stones type music with punk kick.

Anti Social Degenerates

These Detroit vets played tons of shows from 2006 through 2008, but have largely stayed quiet during 2009. With the live force that they are, they need to be playing and playing out of town too. Get on with that UK tour that was sidetracked in 2007.

Homeward Bound

This Toledo band has got the Social Distortion esq groove down pat, and simply smoke live. They played a number of shows in 2008, but simply put they have taken way to long to release their debut full length cd. Git r done and hit the fukkin road boys. I'm expecting big things from you fellas this year.

Underrated band of Year

Smoke Theory

The Rodney Dangerfields of Toledo's music scene, and it makes no sense to me whatsoever. Working class, snot nosed rock n roll that everyone can enjoy. Played hard, and made fun by some of Toledo's most underrated musicians. These boys made a slight lineup change in the band during 2008 that just made them even better than before. Deserves a lot more attention locally than they get, but Detroit liked what they heard, so maybe the Motor City will adopt them if Toledo don't wise up.

Favorite Pin up of the Year

Go Go Amy

Dayna DeLux

Kim Falcon

Humanitarian Of The Year

Wayne Kramer

Founding MC5 member, punk rock pioneer, and solo artist gets the nod this year for his tireless and generous support of Billy Bragg's ail Guitar Doors is an independent initiative which aims to provide instruments to those who are using music as a means of achieving the rehabilitation of prison inmates. Wayne has also worked closely with Road Recovery an organization dedicated to helping youth battle addiction and other adversities by utilizing music industry pros who have confronted similar demons themselves. One special note - Wayne and his wife Margaret also saw to it that 2009 Punk Fest for Children's Hospital was well stocked with merchandise from Wayne's collection.

Superfans of The Year

Anji Mckinny

Didn't miss a show this year that GPR brought in. Brought along family and friends too.

Jenna Somerset

Also one of our biggest supporters .Special props for driving well over 50 miles to be there just about every time.

The Ladies

My wife Bridgett ,her pals Heather, and Stephanie (with Matt tagging along most times too). They may not have dug every single band, but I can't help but be grateful they were there to support what we are trying to do, and made all the bands feel welcome.

globalpunkreview.com Hall Of Fame

In lieu of so many punk and underground artists being all but ignored by the mainstream music media, we here at globalpunkreview will be recognizing the contributions of national and local musicians, artists, and personalities who have helped make the music underground what it is today. Several times throughout the coming year we will add to the Hall Of Fame, including pictures, videos (where possible) and a brief bio of the artist. If it's someone you know, great. If not, maybe you’ll look them up and become a fan.

Pictures used in this article are not all my own. If yours were used and you would like them removed or replaced please email me.

Michael Rys