Top 10 Bands I've Seen The Most in 2009

Yula and the eXtended Family @ Maxwells 12-16-09

photo by Star Beat

It was another huge year for show-going. I caught several bands and multiple times to. So I'll tell you why the following were worth checking out multiple times:

10. Yula & The EXtended Family (2): This multi-instrumental 5-piece from Brooklyn know how to craft good, danceable songs. Led by Yula Bee'ri on vocals, bass, and keyboards she brings a personality to the band that is entertaining and yet can be serious. She captures hints of her previous projects, World/Inferno Friendship Society, Star Fucking Hipsters, and Nanuchka. Other instruments include accordion, trumpet, clarinet, and trombone. They played an awesome set at Maxwell's.

9. Zombie Dogs (2): I saw this Brooklyn hardcore outfit twice at Death by Audio. The first time they opened for Handjobs, the second for Cheeky. They're a tight band and "Thrashin'" is the song I've been raving about.

8. Bridge & Tunnel (2): Caught them over the summer at The Glass Door and at CMJ. Both shows had very different vibes which made seeing them interesting. The first was at at a D.I.Y space so the sound wasn't the best but seeing the band perform made up for it. Rachel gets so into playing. The second show was at The studio at webster hall, so they sounded great and their indie/punk sound came alive in the best way.

7. Cheeky (2): This band have such catchy and relatable punk rock tunes that make you want to dance and sing along. Their last show was special because the room was packed and mostly everyone there seemed to be genuine, loyal Cheeky fans. There's no bullshit in their performance. They play fast and they get through their songs quick.

6. Emilyn Brodsky (3): This ukulele songstress from Brooklyn knows how to entertain and tell stories. She introduces her songs and her bandmates, that is, when she plays with them. I saw her both solo and with her band. The first time she played with her band Anthony DaCosta and Brian Viglione during CMJ. They were tight. Emilyn's mother was in the audience there, to. At Maxwell's most recently she had another drummer and Anthony was super on bass. There was clap stomping and while not the most musically on point musician, Emilyn is worth seeing live.

5. Jeff: the brotherhood (3) This garage-rock duo from Nashville know how to play loud! Brother Jake and Jamin have a dynamic that is tight. From the first time I saw them in a New Brunswick basement I was hooked and caught them twice during CMJ. "U Got the Look" and Bone Jam" are, well, the jams. Get Heavy Days to hear it for yourself and check them out with Screaming Females next year.

4. Shiragirl (4): Shiragirl know how to put on a show! By the time I saw them at CMJ they were tight playing their new single "Sick Day," a cover of Red Hot Chili Peppers "Suck My Kiss," a mo-town inspired intro to "Anthem" and the heavy "Lights Out," scattered with song off their last release Scream! Spit! Sing! Lead singer Shira would jump all over the place, pump up the crowd, and get into the crowd and sing to people. A punk/hip-hop all-girl group that's definitely worth seeing live. They even pull off acoustic, to!

3. Kiss Kiss (5): Kiss Kiss have a way of seamlessly going from a light, beautifully laced keyboard and violin sound to spastic, where the band speeds it up and the music gets hyper and fun to move along. I've dubbed them "circus-punk." They even do a version of the Tetris theme song live. The way the band move around and interact during their performance is great, to. They've notably opened for Fake Problems and Thursday. Their performance at Crash Mansion was probably the best show. Check them out with Trophy Scars and the Venetia Fair in 2010.

2. Exit She Calls (7): This catchy, yet edgy pop/rock band is a treat live. They can pull off both acoustic and full band shows. It's been great following them around since first seeing them play at Angels & Kings in March. I've seen them acoustic more times than electric, but it's always been good and Kristia's cover of Jawbreaker's Shirt is sweet like her voice. "Miscommunications" and "Little Things" are great live and it's entertaining to see Carlos dancing around and nice seeing Jeff smiling for most of the set. The best performance for them was at Warped Tour in Camden- the sound was great, the band was having fun, and the weather was nice outside. They have a cd release party for their first album, Out of Reach, in Jersey on Jan. 3 and a slew of shows lined-up, so see how this Bergen County band does it.

1. Screaming Females (8): For anyone that knows me or has followed this blog, this one is obvious. The band released one of the best albums of the year in April. Power Move is filled with delicious guitar driven songs that are groovy and compelling. This garage-punk trio from New Brunswick doesn't't talk much between songs and that's kinda what I like about them- dancing and headbanging along with no bullshit. It's just about the music. I caught them the most in New Brunswick and Hoboken in small space. "Starving Dog," "Lights Out," and "Bell" are some of the best live. What's even great is that everytime I've seen them live, they've played a different set. I love this band so much I even saw them on MTV for It's on With Alexa Chung. Definitely proud of this band.