Top 10 CMJ 2010 Picks

It's time for the annual CMJ Music Marathon, when over a thousand bands from around the world descend upon New York City for five straight days with the hopes of winning our hearts and ears. However, the majority of the festival's lineup will most likely be names you aren't familiar with until exhausted festival attendees start to update their Facebook and Twitter status to rave about the band they just saw. Fortunately, I'm here to help.

After wading through hundreds of band sites, here are my top 10 bands of the bunch that I think are worthy of your attention.

1. TERRIBLE THINGS
From:
West Chester, PA
Sounds like:
A combination of Taking Back Sunday, Coheed and Cambria, Hot Rod Circuit. Because it is.
Past tourmates:
Story Of the Year, Anberlin, MAE
Random info:
Terrible Things' current CD is a concept album inspired by the terror singer Fred Mascherino's hometown of Coatesville, PA faced when it was plagued by arson fires from 2007-2009. I reviewed the band's Poughkeepsie appearance this past May.
Playing CMJ:
Wed Oct 20 7pm Gramercy Theatre

2. DAVE HAUSE
From:
Ambler, PA
Sounds like:
Punk rock gone acoustic
Past tourmates:
Brian Fallon, The Gaslight Anthem, The Bouncing Souls
Random info:
Dave sings and plays guitar for The Loved Ones. Though he's from Philly, he does not have a rabid interest in hockey, blaming lack of American TV coverage. I mention Dave's set in my review of Brian Fallon's Bowery Ballroom January 2010 appearance.
Playing CMJ:
Wed Oct 20 11:15pm Union Hall

3. FAKE PROBLEMS
From:
Naples, FL
Sounds like:
The group most of the CMJ bands probably wished they sounded like
Past tourmates:
2010 Warped Tour, The Gaslight Anthem
Random info:
They toured across the basements and house parties of New Jersey with The Gaslight Anthem in 2007. Longtime friends, their last gig with them was opening for TGA at Radio City Music Hall this past September.
Playing CMJ:
Tue Oct 19 8pm Studio at Webster Hall
Thu Oct 21 8:30pm Ben Sherman Soho
Fri Oct 22 11:30pm Spike Hill
Sat Oct 23 6:45pm Bowery Ballroom

4. STREET CHANT
From:
Auckland, New Zealand
Sounds like:
The Hives meet the White Stripes
Past tourmates:
The Dead Weather, The Datsuns
Random info:
The band was hand picked by the Dead Weather to join them on their Australian tour. They've mentioned The Byrds, Lady GaGa, Jimmy Eat World and Taylor Swift as influences.
Playing CMJ:
Tue Oct 19 6:35pm Le Poisson Rouge
Sat Oct 23 7:45pm Living Room

5. YEAR OF THE TIGER
From:
Brooklyn, NY
Sounds like:
Sleigh Bells
Random info:
Band members Henry and Sable met as neighbors their Junior year at SUNY Purchase. 2010 is actually the Year of the Tiger according to the Chinese calendar.
Playing CMJ:
Tue Oct 19 8:30pm Canal Room

6. DEVIN THERRIAULT
From:
Brooklyn, NY
Sounds like:
White Stripes meet Eric Burdon & The Animals
Past tourmates:
Surfer Blood
Random info:
Devin just started making music last year using Pro-Tools, playing all the instruments and singing all the vocals for his demos. He also shares legal representation with Vampire Weekend, Jay-Z, Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews Band.
Playing CMJ:
Tue Oct 19 11pm Pete's Candy Store
Thu Oct 21 8:30pm Public Assembly

7. LISSIE
From:
Rock Island, IL
Sounds like:
A modern day Stevie Nicks
Past tourmates:
Ray LaMontagne, City & Colour, The Low Anthem
Random info:
Her covers of Kid Cudi, Lady GaGa and Metallica (all available on YouTube) will rock your face off. Perez Hilton has also endorsed the singer.
Playing CMJ:
Fri Oct 22 8pm Hiro Ballroom

8. OFF!
From:
Los Angeles, CA
Sounds like:
Fear, Black Flag
Past tourmates:
Cro-Mags, famous skateboarder Tony Alva, recently played on Late Night w/ Carson Daly
Random info:
Singer Keith Morris founded Black Flag, and later founded The Circle Jerks.
Playing CMJ:
Thu Oct 21 11pm Europa

9. ZOWIE
From:
Auckland, NZ
Sounds like:
Shiny Toy Guns meets KE$HA
Past tourmates:
The Kills, Peaches.
Random info:
When she released her debut single "Broken Machine" in Australia and New Zealand, it debuted in the Top 5.
Playing CMJ:
Tue Oct 19 8:20pm Le Poisson Rouge
Fri Oct 22 11pm Fat Baby

10. MIDNIGHT SPIN
From:
New York, NY
Sounds like:
Franz Ferdinand meets the Killers
Past tourmates:
Played at the same Varvatos party the night Guns N' Roses performed in February 2010.
Random info:
Nic Hard, who produced The Bravery's self-titled debut, produced Midnight Spin's debut EP.
Playing CMJ:
Tue Oct 19 4pm Arlene's Grocery
Tue Oct 19 7pm Mercury Lounge
Thu Oct 21 10pm Alphabet Lounge

For further information on the rest of the festival lineup— which includes bands such as Wavves, Surfer Blood, Two Door Cinema Club, Black Label Society and Phoenix—as well as additional info regarding venue locations, schedules, ticket/badge purchase details and much more, please visit CMJ's official Marathon site.