So, it was my first time at the Klammies. Scratch that; Pitch Music Awards. I somehow doubt that there was any difference from years past other than the name change, but, being the bad scenester that I am, that will have to remain a mystery to me.

Upon arrival, the first band I saw descending (ironically?) the VIP staircase was none other than Descension. God, I love those guys. Or should I say Satan, I love those guys? Regardless of deity I should claim it to, they’re nonstop theatrical appearance is rock ‘n’ roll high art at its finest, and so much the stuff of media legend that I couldn’t help but feel upon seeing them in the flesh that I was in the presence of some famous band. They just really have that air about them. Well, that air, and brimstone. I definitely sensed that too.

They didn’t corner the whole market on charisma though. Big Jeter was (were) representing in full tongue in cheek fun throughout the evening (though I really think Bono should have made a “I don’t mean to boog ya” joke), The Last of the V8’s accepted their award in true rock fashion, Julia Peterson got her Halle Berry on, and Steve from Season to Risk reminded us all that indeed, this was just a popularity contest. He’s right, but damn, it sure was a nice one!

I was humbled to be in the same room with Myra Taylor. Couldn’t she have gotten some sort of honorary award or something?

I could complain about the rushed manner in which the presentation of awards was handled. I’m probably the only one who cared about that, so I won’t.

Instead, I will wax philosophical on the two most powerful performances of the night: Kill Creek and Techn9ne. Everyone who performed was amazing, and totally reminded me why I need to go to more shows, but these two stood out, in good ways, and for the exact opposite reasons.

Kill Creek were all about the music. The performance rocked, not because Scott Born and the gang put any effort into choreography, but because their songs drew the listener in. They made us all part of their vibe on an aural level.

Techn9ne was all about the show. The performance rocked because everyone on the stage knew how to work the audience, work the stage, and work the mic on a very visual level. My brother has been sold on Techn9ne for years, and now I know why. Regardless of whether or not you agree with Tech and crew rapping along with a CD (which I never would have known if I hadn’t read it in The Pitch), you can’t deny his charisma. I know of no one else who can start a catch phrase that, within fifteen minutes, is echoing through the entire audience, and weeks later, still being rattled off on KC messageboards. Whether you’re lampooning it or not, he got your attention.

The PMA’s were inspiring, funny, absurd, and fabulous. It’s nice to see so many different genres in the same room at once, so many different e-zines and independently produced papers all snapping their digicams in the same direction, and so much pride and appreciation for each other being passed around. It makes it feel like we almost have a real ‘scene’ going on.

Dana Detrick-Clark
Serious Vanity
Kansas City Emerging Music and Culture Site
http://www.seriousvanity.com/

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