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The Orange Show

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As clichéd as it may sound, Satin Hooks is definitely one of the hardest-working bands in Houston. Part rockers, part savvy businessmen, the guys from Satin Hooks have an unparalleled grasp on how to milk MySpace for all its worth and have developed their own advertisement technique for their many shows. "We think we can reach international success," said guitarist-singer Kerry Melonson assuredly. While rubbing shoulders with the heavy hitters of rock may be the long-term goal, the Satin Hooks have more a immediate concern: making people dance. Melonson wants people to know that with the group's off-kilter chords and rhythms, people can bring their girlfriends to the band's shows. "Moshing gets old really quick," Melonson said. "You shouldn't have to wear earplugs all the time. I think we can say we're lady-friendly." Fans of the band and their ladyfriends can check out new Satin Hooks material when the band's new album comes out in late September or November. Currently wrapping it up in the studio, Melonson has high hopes for what he thinks will be a really important album. "It's one of the best-sounding albums out of Houston, if we do it right," he cautioned proudly. "It's going to be shiny." -- Chester Soria

Best Punk: Poor Dumb Bastards

In 1998, Poor Dumb Bastards earned not just one but two HP Music Awards. After winning Best Song and being hailed as Best Band of the Year, lead singer Byron Dean graciously accepted the awards the only way he really could have: naked. Fast-forward to 2006, past an eight-year hiatus from the Awards, and PDB is back where it belongs, winning 2006's Best Punk. Four drummers, eight guitarists and three bass players later, after first coming onto the Houston scene, the Bastards are back.

"The coolest thing [about playing] is the people," Dean said. "They get that we're not trying to change the world. We're not trying to be Bono." Indeed they're not. Has Bono opened for the Smashing Pumpkins in the nude, or almost had a beer bottle shoved in his rectum on stage? And we've yet to hear U2's rendition of the PDB classic, "My Dad, Two Whores & a Crackpipe."

"We have fun," bassist Steve Scholtes said. "So do our fans." Together since 1991, the band has had a consistent following, and it keeps getting bigger. "Our fans from when we started now have kids who come to the shows," Scholtes noted.

The Bastards are in the studio working on their third album, tentatively tilted Price of Rebellion, which hordes of soon-to-be PDB fans can expect out by late 2006 or early 2007. "Just in time to be nominated for Best Album next year," Dean joked. -- C.S.

Best R&B: Brooke Valentine

Brooke Valentine has been busy lately. She debuted in 2005 with the single "Girlfight," featuring Lil Jon and Big Boi. Just a year later, she's on magazine covers, playing to thousands of people in arena concerts like JamFest 2006 and making the red carpet at the BET Awards. Her newest single, "D-Girl," from her yet-to-be-released CD, Physical Education, is already in the Top 100 for urban radio spins and in heavy rotation on Sirius Satellite's Hot Jamz. The "D-Girl" video popped the highest debut of the week on Yahoo!, and she's already reading scripts, getting set to push into acting. No wonder she didn't have time to pick up her Music Awards statuette. -- O.F.A.

Awards Artist: Mik Miano

Artist Mik Miano is repeating his duties as creator of the Music Award statuettes (Miano also created last year's guitarlike awards). Figuring out what to do was easy, he said. "I did a railing in front of Rudyard's last year, and that had some notes in it. Everyone seemed to like them, and so when this came up, I thought about them. It's something musical, but also something visual. It was an easy choice."

While similar, each of the statuettes is distinct. "Each of them is a little different, because I think the music is all different, so I wanted each award to be unique. I wanted to do something special to thank the musicians. And I don't want to do the same thing over and over. If I wanted to do that, I could just go out and have them made in a factory, but that would be boring and this music, these musicians are not boring. So I wanted to do something that would be special, one of a kind."

Miano, whose training includes a stint at the Lawndale Art Center, said he's happy thinking of his statuettes sitting on the shelves of musicians all around Houston. "I hope that they'll be very valuable to them, not only as an award, as an acknowledgement of their accomplishments, but as a piece of art as well." -- O.F.A.

Best Latin Venue: Azteca's

Best Blues/R&B Venue: The Big Easy

Best Folk Venue: McGonigel's Mucky Duck

Best C&W Venue: Blanco's

Best Rock Venue: Warehouse Live

Best Concert Venue: Warehouse Live

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