Top 5 Favorite 2010 Bay Area Garage Rock Albums

The Bay Area appears to be the epicenter for a kick ass garage rock scene that encompasses the full range of sloppy rock n’ roll, from fuzzy and hazy pop to loud and psychedelic jams. Even though the year isn’t over, there are already way too many albums to include all the great releases. So let’s go see who’s playing at Thee Parkside, knock back a couple tallboys, and argue over who I missed.

5. Kelley Stoltz - To Dreamers (San Francisco)
   Damn catchy retro pop nuggets.
   
   
4. Hunx and his Punx - Gay Singles (San Francisco)
   A wild and hilarious dude fronting a glammy girl group band. Think gay Ramones.
   
   
3. Nobunny - First Blood (Oakland)
   Dude wears a bunny mask and tosses off blistering garage punk hooks. Hell yeah!
   
   
2. The Fresh & Onlys - Play It Strange (San Francisco)
   Seamlessly integrate country chug and classic stroll into fun psychedelic pop.
   
   
1. Bare Wires - Seeking Love (Oakland)
   Like all great garage bands, they only lift from the best and have Seeds-like attitude to spare.

SMMR BMMR DMMR BMMR

SMMR BMMR DMMR BMMR is Portland's summer celebration of sloppy, loud, and scuzzy rock n' roll. I missed it last year and chances are I'll miss it again, but not because the talent. I've seen and loved a couple of the bands before (Shannon & The Clams, Pure Country Gold, Mean Jeans, Pity Fucks) and a few more are on my must see list (Bare Wires, White Fang). I'm sure I'll discover a couple new favorites if I can squeeze it in.