By GREGG KIRK
(January 1996, Big Shout Magazine)

The Delaware Valley Music Poll Awards rolled into Philadelphia’s Trocadero on Tuesday, December 12, maintaining a four-year tradition of unbridled schmoozing, drunken acceptance speeches, and kick-ass live performances.

The night lurched into gear with the usual VIP party, where 400 or so industry types took full advantage of the open bar and free munchies. Not all of the entertainment at the 1995 DVMPAs was provided by the bands, however. An attention-starved member of Delaware band Walleye made several unscheduled stops at the podium, once giving an impromptu speech, once diving into the audience, but never pissing off security enough for them to put a choke hold on him, much to everyone’s amazement. Former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, true to form, danced out of the wings and knocked the podium clear off the stage during an awards presentation.

Performances by The Caulfields, Strapping Fieldhands, John Flywheel, and June Rich rocked the crowd; the trio Stinking Lizaveta scared the crowd with their intense instrumental tunes, and Black Beans and Schoolly D mesmerized the crowd with a 30-minutes-plus continuous jam, featuring several rappers and ending in space and feedback to close out the event.

Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Glenn Holsten (WHYY), Kal Rudman (FMQB), and Richard Ruoff (Chameleon Club) by the likes of WMMR’s Pierre Robert, Live’s Chad Taylor, and Krist Novoselic. Novoselic and JAMPAC co-founder Richard White were the keynote speakers for the event, the former beginning his pitch for JAMPAC, the censorship-legislation-fighting organization with “Here’s a demonstration of censorship… SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!” What followed was informative to those who did listen, and hopefully motivational.

The efforts of a lot of people converged once again to produce a real show of support for the local music scene. The night was dedicated to Carol L. Schutzbank whose tireless efforts made the night’s festivities a possibility.

THE WINNERS

Best Signed Artist:
LIVE

Best Signed Debut Release:
WANDERLUST/PRIZE

Best Signed Release:
SUDDENLY TAMMY!/WE GET THERE WHEN WE DO

Best Alternative Rock Artist:
JOHN FLYWHEEL

Best Pop Artist:
TIN MEN

Best Hard Rock Artist:
29 DROPS

Best Thrash Artist:
ANTHROPHOBIA

Best Industrial/Goth Artist:
SEX IN VIOLETS

Best Rap Artist:
SCHOOLLY D

Best Funk Artist:
SLIDE

Best Roots Rock Artist:
BURNING BUS

Best Folk Artist:
SEVEN POTATO BABY

Best Country/Rockabilly Artist:
200 LBS. OF SWINGING HOUD

Best Blues Artist:
TOMMY CONWELL

Best Jazz Artist:
TRUDY PITTS

Best World Music Artist:
RUDER THAN YOU

Best Single:
CROSS THE LINE/FULL CIRCLE

Best LP/EP:
CATERPILLAR-ZEN GUERRILLA/DOUBLE CREATURE FEATURE

Best Live Performer:
EDO