MAMAs prove to be exciting and memorable

I enjoyed the show last night and was most impressed by Stigmurder. It would have been cool if more people stayed to hear them. They were the best performers of the night!

Last night was interesting. Many many wonderful and strange things transpired. The MAMA awards were all over the place. We had a spastic episode from a member of Flying Blind basically proving that it’s not good to hop up on Meth before doing a speech. That was straight whack. We saw many of the guest speakers not show up…we had an awkward re-uniting of Jack Paper and his former radio station co-workers, embracing and letting everyone know “there’s no hard feelings." We also witnessed the band FISSURE (a personal favorite local group of mine) explain that they broke up as a band due to the “sword of love" that fell upon them or between them whichever. There were also a few technical sound issues, but with a diverse venue like that, it's bound to happen.

We also saw a whole lot of great Modesto Music. Unfortunately for my band, this is the second year in a row where my heart took a beating. We lost. We lost to The Evening News. So being the type that has lots of love in my heart and a good sense of sportsmanship, I say to them congratulations. To all the winners I say congratulations! A whole grip of some of my favorite local talent cleaned up last night. Fallen Sleepless, Fat Skeleton, Tara Tinsley, and Kid Charlemagne, just to name a few. Then there were the ones who got left behind…great bands like Peaceable Jones, The Fembotz, The Mundayz, The Newlyweds, Solar powered People and a grip of others, too many to name here.

Overall it was fun and I got to be with many people I love. Jesse was drunk and he dropped his pants. Larry managed to keep his pants on. Heber almost picked a fight with himself, and Frankie was hanging with a hot blond…overall another great night in Modesto. Thank you MAMA awards for the opportunity to come together and rub elbows with all the local deviants who come out to support one another. The scene needs more love, but it sure has a lot already there. Once again, congratulations to all who walked away with the gold….we’ll get you next year….Flip it!

Jones
E.A.R.L.

I was in attendnce last night, and was really impressed with the show. The Enivornment was nice, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. BUT I find it odd how much Modesto still strives off of Flying Blind. Rather than building new people up, the local media rather dwell on the past people who ALMOST MADE IT. Lets take that energy and put it into new upcoming talent, and have some one actually make it at a national level. Flying Blind was what 5 years ago? when there song came out? I'm real proud of them don't get me wrong, but lets move on. Lets get some CURRENT local music on the radio, and believe me, now more than ever, we have the talent to do so. It just goes to show, that Radio Stations, and proper promotion can make a band famous, IN MODESTO, and then it's up to the band/artist to continue to produce good music that will carry their career. So who is going to be the next Flying Blind? Lets hope the next one makes it to the top, and still calls Modesto home =)

I was at the show last night also and I thought that it was shameful how inappropriate that some people acted. Andrew from Flying Blind was either drunk or stoned and he proved that by continually slapping himself in the face while on stage.

I was also appalled at the way that some of the rappers there dressed and acted. They have no respect for Modesto at all. I loved the video by Aaron Durr and would love to see him take the rap award next year if that was possible. He is very talented and the community loves him.

It will be nice to see how all of this plays out next year!

THE WAY WHAT RAPERS WHERE DRESSED, U MEAN HIP HOP... U NEEDS TO CHILL WE ALL HAD A GOOD TIME!O AND WHO THE HELL IS AARON DURR.... WHO ARE U TO SAY WE HAVE NO RESPECT TOWARDS MODESTO, WE GREW UP HERE WE REPRESENT OUR CITI, LOL I HAD A GOOD TIME.

It was great seeing Greg get a MAMA and Sam was amazing as The Host. I do have to say that there were some very uncomfortable moments though. The Video from Matt & Scott (of Flying Blind) thanking Max and Donna was a little odd to me. I know Andrew Franca personally and think he is a great guy but yeah he was a tad out of control and poor Keith Cole was doing his best to keep the situation under control.

In response to the person who complained about Modesto still caring about Flying Blind it was simply because Max and Donna were being honored and Flying Blind is the one band they really championed and helped get a deal...that part made sense to me.

Overall it was a fun night and I got to see a bunch of people I usually never get to see and share a laugh or two and catch up a bit.

good times...good times.

hell will freeze over before aaron durr gets a 'rap nomination'
congratulations to fig mutant & all other mama award winners..
sucks that i missed stigmurder perform!

This was my first MAMA Awards show as attendee and, of course, as host. I was thoroughly impressed with the talent from rock to rap and everything in-between. No doubt the show had its share of minor hiccups, but it was pretty clear to me that Modesto is one of the most talented, diverse, and supportive cities I've ever known.

You guys take this all too serious. People know that Durr won't get a rap nomination. They were just playing based on his video cover of "Roll Out" by Ludacris.

It was a great night for all genres and I wrote that in my column. I will say this however... Next year I am looking for one guy to rescue the rap scene around here...

B.V. Bridges. That guy is an amazing talent. But hey, that is just one writers opinion. There is no need for any hurt feelings, rappers.

Mojo
Editor

Sam just summed it all up. Also Sam, you already signed the contract to host next year right? I hope so! You ruled that place! I'll never forget "Ethanol powered guitars!"

Mojo
Editor

I think those guys pretty much hate me by now, but I liked ethanol-power too. That felt like a joke between me and me. Didn't think anyone else heard :) Glad to make you smile. And that band rocked even though they clearly ran on electricity.

The MAMA Awards were great! I was fortunate enought ot be in attendance and loved the show. Not everything was, "my cup of tea" but I did enjoy the entire night.

But as for the comments flying around on here, I happen to have my own. I thought it was a little awkward how some of the artist there could not dress somewhat nice. Is it really necessary to wear your "Stunna Shades" inside in a dark theater? And the hat and the hood, was it REALLY thaaaaat cold inside? I understand there is a style that goes with every genre of music, but I also do believe that even Jaz-Z and Diddy would wear dressy clothes. I thought there were a couple of rude people in attendance. They would yell things or disrespect the bands on stage. It was kinda ridiculous. i didn't think it was necessary. But the show was still awesome.

Modesto has finally started to dig it self out of all the negativity. We have an AWESOME music scene around the area and I was glad to finally honor the bands that have worked hard in all aspects of the music business. I can't wait until next year's MAMAs.....

Sun glasses indoors - I can let go; but the hoods - there was no rain inside! And the handcuffs off the back of pants...just not appropriate (Actually, I can think of very few situations where that would be).

I am a fan of rap, but our local rappers need to understand that you can represent yourself by your music and still be tasteful in appearance. I mean - come on! This was advertised as a "Black Tie Event," it’s supposed to be formal and they weren't even close to semi-formal. They just looked bad - which does reflect disrespect, not a representation of hip-hop. Furthermore, the performing rap artist announced before singing, very proudly, that he writes all his own lyrics (among other things he does himself), and then sang a song where the same very short simple sentence was repeated almost consecutively something like 27 times.

Now I have to say that I was not a Fig fan. But, he redeemed himself for me that night. I have to admit that I had a biased expectation that he would represent himself the same way many of the other rappers mentioned above did. I was very impressed with Fig, and the entire group he brought on stage with him. He was a good example of how a semi-successful local artist can excel the right way. Even if I'm still not his hugest fan - I do have a respect for him now. He dressed appropriately and spoke well. No slang. (Which, by the way Fig, I'm personally wondering why- and I don't mean this in a bad way, it's been my observation that when you post here at this site the way you write does not reflect the way you speak grammatically and otherwise? Is there a reason behind it?)

mR. mYsTeRiOuS is correct in that "real" rappers like Ludicras, 50 cent, Eminem, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Ice-T, Run DMC - none of them appear at events dressed like that. They pride themselves and have high self-esteem instead of just big heads.

The MAMAs were pretty impressive. I had a great time (Even Before the awards were announced) Anywho, I'll let my opinion be known, since a lot of this thread seems to be involving the hip-hop performance. Personally, I was not very impressed by the performance. But props to the guys for going up their and representing their music, and standing by it. It's cool the guy writes and composes his own music and I respect that more than those who don't, but I write all my lyrics too, and other peoples lyrics, and I have a live band playing instruments who are kick ass. They dont use loops or samples, everything is live, and Im really blessed to have such talented band backing me. I was sitting with B.V Bridges, Cobalt, Nikfuq, Dean, and the guys in my band, and the looks on their faces were pretty much all the same.. "why are these guys performing and not us?" But hey, that was kwin's call, and I generally don't like the music they play on kwin, so it only seems right that I wouldn't enjoy the performers they chose to perform. I know my name was brought up as a possible performer, but I never heard back from anyone...soo... I'm unsure of the reasoning, but I know Bv Bridges or myself would have put on a good performace, so hey, maybe next year? And as far as the whole "rapper image" thing, I pay no attention to it. If you listen to my music you will notice that I enjoy writing songs that normal, middle-class people can relate to. I don't feel the need to fit into any molds to impress some one, I let the music speak for itself. I am who I am, and it carries over into my music. I'm glad I won the award, because it shows that hard work is appreciated around here. Not everyone has to be my biggest fan, but at least people have respect for me and the way I present myself, and that's all I ask. I really appreciate it. My music isn't for everyone, some people like hearing about nice cars, pimping hoes, drive bys, and things of that nature, and that is fine, I myself have no experience in those fields, so don't feel like I can portray that in my songs accuratley. Thats not what I'm about, so of course, that's not what my music is going to be about. Other people want to hear about all positive things in life, and inspirational music, and that's fine too, I get in moods where I want to listen to James Blunt, Then Im listening to deftones the next minute. Not everyone is going to like the same type of music, and that's fine. I'm a rock/underground hip-hop kid myself, but appreciate multiple genres. But I have to admit, all the Hip-Hop cliche's and stereotypes get old after a while. Even before the award was announced, the audience was told to sag their pants and some other stuff, (which I understand as a host you're supposed to entertain, and with hip-hop being the minority, I see how that became an easy target of the night), but I probably contradicted a lot of previous notions people had about Hip Hop artists. So hopefully I opened some eyes and let people know, that you don't need to stereotype hip hop, or lump it all together, or think everyone who makes hiphop = hyphy = violence, because that is not true. And for the record, Hyphy is not violent at all, stupid people do stupid things, they are the ones to blame, not music. Not all hip hop discusses the same issues, or topics. Each artist is different, and can represent themselves as individuals, or just blend in with the others. I choose to make music people around here can relate too, and strive to make original music. So keep your ears open, and eyes closed, and intake good lyrics and music. Have a good night.

THE REAL FIG.MUTANT

You Looked nice =)

I think how people act(what they say) is much more important than how they dress. I honestly dont find it offesnsive if someone wants to wear a hooded sweatshirt or sunglasses inside...I mean who really cares and how does it affect anything? As long as everyone is being respectful to each other which some were not. Overall I think it was a pretty positive night which was needed for this town.

Oh and by the way it isn't just "hip hop" or "rap" artists who choose not to dress formally for awards shows...there are plenty of artists from all genres who do that. I think I am more offended by someone wearing a cowboy hat inside than sunglasses.

That was the best part of the night in my opinion. Everyone seemed to respect everyone else. The only problem that I had was Fig Mutant's friend/rap partner, Tronikfuq asking me if I wanted to "go outside and talk." Not really one to fight even though he clearly wanted to back up the threats he posted here a while back, I just told me that I was working which was true. Case closed. End of situation. It only took a few seconds of my time and he left me alone the rest of the night. End of story.

I loved watching different people from different genres talk it up and learn about one another. I really felt that Dave Hanley was instrumental in bringing diversity together when he chose to perform with Fat Skeleton. That was absolutely an amazing performance!

I wonder if we will see any new maybe unexpected faces at the Off the Air show this week. It should be a great one!

Mojo
Editor

Great post Fig.

didn't marilyn manson bring rose mcgowen half naked to an awards show? THATS WHAT IM GOING TO DO NEXT YEAR AT THE MAMA'S! YAAAAY

If you score a date with Rose McGowan I will officially worship you. If you bring another rapper naked...well...that is another story.

Mojo
Editor

The host also told the crowd to wear hockey masks, spike up their mohawks, and blame it all on satan for the Hard Rock category. FYI.

I have always thought of the Mamas as an opportunity for the community to come together in one forum to appreciate each other.

One of the reasons that we added the hip hop catagory is because it really felt like we were leaving some really talented people out.

This year we really felt like we left out local DJs and so I am proud to announce that we are going to add a DJ catagory for next year's event.

We also are going to consider several other new catagories, so if any of you have suggestions I would love to hear them. Ultimately I would like to see the Mamas as supportive of the entire arts community and as a base for the community to be supportive of itself.

In terms of the dress code situation my guess is that the performers who were out of code weren't aware of the dress code, nothing more. Next year I will make sure that all the performance instructions stress the importance of dressing the part. The goal is to make this show feel different and not ordinary. Seeing hundreds of people like Sam all spiffed up is pretty cool and I think it adds something to the event.

Thanks for all your support and looking forward to doing it all again next year!

Chris

Why not add some sort of Spanish language music category?