Music

2006 Houston Press Music Awards Supplement

Continued from page 3

Nominated in: Best New Act; Best Male Vocalist (Jonathan Welch)

Web site: www.millionyeardance.com

Personnel: Jonathan Welch (vocals, acoustic guitar, djembe), Doyle Odom (electric guitar, percussion), Steven Wetherell (piano, guitar, organ, mandolin), Nic Houston (bass guitar, trumpet), Joel Lewis (drums, percussion, backing vocals)

Million Year Dance is a philosophy, at least that's what they say. And it takes a really long time for them to explain it to you: "In the greatest state of liberation one may witness all the wave energies in the universe connected. This energy is called the Million Year Dance of Waves." Ah, okay. They say they don't take themselves too seriously, and then say they want "to create a slow-moving and positive change in the world. We hope to work within the community to make this world transcend into its natural state and, in the meantime, allow people to feel like they are a part of our music and what we stand for." Guys, that sounds kinda serious. It might be easier to just listen to their debut CD, Liberation. That's not quite as intangible or mystic.

8 p.m.

Name: The Hunger

Nominated in: Best National Rock

Web site: www.thehungeronline.com

Personnel: Thomas Wilson (keyboards, vocals), Jeff Wilson (keyboards, vocals), Darren Nelson (bass), Giovanni Capelo (drums), Tim Huston (guitar)

"A garage" and some heroes -- "Ministry, Front 242 and the Cure" -- were the ingredients that provided the Hunger's first rumblings. While they are one of the few Houston rock bands, with or without such goth influences, with a national sales presence, they say that takes a backseat to live performance. "Not just regular ol' performance mind you," they say, "but fiery, frenzied, passionate and, most of all, intense performance. The kind of performance that comes at you off the stage like of tidal wave of power, knocking you off your feet and leaving you gasping for air."

9 p.m.

Name: The Hollisters

Nominated in: Best Roots Rock/Rockabilly

Web site: www.hollisters.com

Personnel: Mike Barfield (vocals), Eric Danheim (guitar), Kevin Fitzpatrick (drums), Denny Blakely (bass)

Words like "local legends" are often used too freely, but with the Hollisters they definitely apply. After forming in 1995, they became institutions at the late, lamented Fabulous Satellite Lounge with their patented mix of Johnny Cash-like boom-chicka-boom coupled with a Gulf Coast swing feel. Two full-lengths with Hightone Records, multiple Press awards and a couple of national tours ensued before the band parted ways six years ago. Now, with guitarist Eric Danheim back home from a sojourn in Seattle, the band has reunited for some special shows, and we are lucky enough to be deemed special enough to host one.

JEFE

4 p.m.

Name: Amanda Robinson

Nominated in: Best DJ

Web site: www.myspace.com/amanda_robinson

Personnel: Amanda Robinson

This DJ says she lives a "double life": "carrying a briefcase by day and a record bag by night." What's in that bag? House music, baby: "deep, soulful, funky, rockin' and sometimes even hard" house music. Robinson cites Prince, the Police and Jamiroquai among her influences, as well as acts like Daft Punk, Kid Crème and Junior Jack. You can hear her spinning at local places ranging from the Flat to Last Concert Cafe. That is, if she's in town -- the travel-loving lady "sneaks off to London" whenever she can.

5 p.m.

Name: DJ Red

Nominated in: Best DJ

Web site: www.myspace.com/djreadyred

Personnel: DJ Red

"Pimp Slap Thursdays" at Bond Lounge is where DJ Red gets wicked with it -- he "spins the best of everything." Which, in his view, would include a lot of his own scratchin' -- Red's a turntablist rather than a mere spinner. A veteran of the "competitive" NYC and Philly scenes, the DJ, whose mama calls him Ryan McKay, has had residencies at Joia, Helios, Club So? and The Lounge here in town, as well as at a few clubs in Dallas. He also has four CDs to his credit -- the latest, Joia Sessions, came out last June.

6 p.m.

Name: DJ Ceeplus and the House of Bad Knives

Nominated in: Best DJ

Personnel: DJ Ceeplus

Electro experimenter DJ Ceeplus has been on the scene "for well over a decade now," spinning his patented, one-of-a-kind mix of Italo disco, hip-hop, funk, no-wave and just about any other genre you care to name. Fast approaching legendary status, DJ Z-Trip calls Ceeplus "Texas fam" and DJ Jester says he's "so gravy." You can catch his sets everywhere from the Proletariat to the grand hall of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where he promoted this year's monster Beats of Basquiat party series. If Ceep ain't the hippest dude in H-town, he's damn close.

7 p.m.

Name: Little Martin

Nominated in: Best DJ

Web site: www.myspace.com/little_martin

Personnel: Little Martin

A native of Manchester, England, Little Martin has a bio states he's "ridden many waves and trends and created a few." Namely, acid house, a genre he helped to create while a resident at Manchester's legendary Hacienda club. There are many rooms to his house -- you're just as likely to hear "not just of house and dance but disco, pop, punk, R&B and Latin" beats as well. You can hear those beats at M Bar, Belvedere and Berryhill Montrose, or at the "Rent" party he co-founded. (That last was awarded as our Best Recurring Club Night in 2004.) Martin is fresh off the "24 Hour Party People" tour with fellow Mancunian Peter Hook of New Order.

8 p.m.

Name: Sean Carnahan

Nominated in: Best DJ

Web site: www.thedjlist.com/djs/sean_carnahan

Personnel: Sean Carnahan

Long a fixture on the city's dance scene, Sean Carnahan is fast becoming a curmudgeonly elder statesman, always ready to pimp-slap the wack amid his ranks. But he also recognizes and rewards talent when he sees it -- his old protégé Champa Moore blossomed into a true star under his guidance. His "decade-plus" on the decks has found him residing at "well over 20 different clubs all over Houston." Carnahan is also a well-known figure on the international house scene, and his booking company has brought Mark Farina, Paul Van Dyk, the Crystal Method and even the English Beat to town, all this summer.

9 p.m.

Name: DJ Sun

Nominated in: Best DJ

Web site: www.soulargrooves.com

Personnel: DJ Sun

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