Welcome to The Pier’s 1st Annual 2011 Pier Awards. These awards include 5 categories with 5 nominees per category all voted for by YOU The Fans! You can view all of the Winners & Nominees below that include their 2011 credentials for each nominee. There’s tons of info on this page, so enjoy the feature.
The Pier awarded FISHBONE the Lifetime Achievement Award and the feature can be read below as written by our very own Kris Siuta. In addition & courtesy of Silverback Management, The Pier have selected 3 voters at random from those that submitted with a valid Email Address, to win a FREE & SIGNED Copy of FISHBONE’s latest EP Crazy Glue as well as their DVD Documentary Everyday Sunshine. If you voted, check your email and if you received an Email from The Pier, then respond back with your information to receive your FREE FISHBONE MERCH!
Voted for by YOU THE FANS, The 2011 Winners Are…
Thanks to all of the Artists for participating in our 1st Annual Pier Awards and much love to all of YOU FANS for voting & enabling this site with the music we all love to enjoy. There were THOUSANDS of votes that came in and your votes have been counted, confirmed & we will start by saying that SOJA won 2011 Artist of the Year. They just barely edged out Slightly Stoopid who was very close in the voting. Passafire took home Album of the Year as they finished just before The Green and Ballyhoo!. Rebelution crossed the finish line before Pepper could catch them in winning their category of Live Artist of the Year.
The closest voting came between the Breakout Artist of the Year & Music Video of the Year. Through The Roots just barely won over Fortunate Youth as Breakout Artist of the Year. The closest voting of the day came between Sublime With Rome and Tomorrows Bad Seeds for Music Video of the Year as SWR won by less than 50 votes. I honestly feel if the voting had lasted another hour, we would have seen the lead change 5 more times it was so close.
Congrats to the winners & thanks again to everyone who voted & participated in our 2011 Pier Awards!
Lifetime Achievement Award: FISHBONE
This past year, one of the most legendary bands to ever hit the musical stage turned twenty-five years old. Fishbone put the alternative in alternative music. Back in 1979, and the early 80s, no one performed quite like Fishbone. Countless bands have been influenced by the stage diving antics, head-thumping bass grooves, timeless music videos, eclectic styles that only Los Angeles could iron out and most recently a world big screen movie about their historical journey breaking musical barriers at each turn.
Plenty of bands have had a rollercoaster ride through their infant years as a band dancing within the rebellious teenage years, leading up to their present maturation state. Although, recognition and respect are typically earned during separate time frames. Once again, Fishbone pushed the limits from their ground breaking first release “Party At Ground Zero”, essentially changing the music scene in 
Southern California. In a vastly different time period, today Fishbone can be seen all across the globe spreading their funky melodies and punk rock enthusiasm with plenty of new material.
It is not a rare sight to see some of the biggest names in the reggae-rock community share the stage with Fishbone, while trading saxophone solos and lyrical mastery with each moment unfolding. Angelo Moore and Norwood Fisher have influenced more acts than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame can hold. Recent recipients and fellow Angelinos, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were inducted into that sacred fraternity. Seeing Michael “Flea” Balzary and Moore, side-by-side, demonstrated their surgical execution of the live audience.
To this day Flea has that same respect for their comrades: “[Fishbone] is unbelievable, like all the colors and the shapes and the energy–it is godlike intense and beautiful. And out of control.” – Flea, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Another one of the most successful bands from Southern California in the mid 90s was No Doubt. Both Gwen Stefani and Bradley Nowell sampled the rhyming tactics and frontman leadership from relentless Fishbone. With each note that is belted out a live concert, the chances are pretty good Fishbone had a helping hand.
“I just know that anybody that hasn’t seen Fishbone live, if they were to see them live, like I saw them. It’s exactly the same, they haven’t changed one bit, they’re still hanging on the rafter with the most energy. I know that they’re still as good as they’ve ever been.” – Gwen Stefani, No Doubt
No one knows what the reaction would be from other bands that came and went, and are long gone, while Fishbone is still climbing, reaching greatness day by day. 2011 has been a magical year with plenty of entertainment from Fishbone. For the better part of the last three decades, that has been the case. No one can touch Fishbone’s live antics once the lights turn on.
Many bands within the music industry only dream about making it as a musical showcase, yet Fishbone has lived that dream first hand by way of way of large scale tour buses and rambunctious fans at every stop. The original lineup has changed in a singularly odd repetition, yet the heartbeat and soul of Fishbone has never stopped the continuous path of infamy.
Over the pat year, Fishbone has showed no signs of wrapping up the microphone wires for good. In fact, 2011 was a launching pad for Fishbone’s next tale as their latest EP Crazy Glue filled clubs from coast to coast, while simultaneously the band spread awareness for their documentary.
Fishbone is the band that will rock your socks off on any given night, from state to state. The live atmosphere, from day one up until the present day, has never wavered. After all of the longevity and fortunate success through the years, it was the ideal time to honor an iconic musical ensemble that few can rival, in the past, present and future.
It’s with great honor that we at The Pier proudly award FISHBONE with our very first Lifetime Achievement Award. In celebration of this Honor and courtesy of Silverback Management, Fishbone has signed 3 copies of their Crazy Glue EP & DVD Documentary to give out to 3 Lucky Fans who voted in this years Pier Awards. Be sure to check your email because we have already sent 3 Lucky Winners an Email. If you have won, feel free to comment below!
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Written By: Kris Siuta
Photos By: Bill Colbridge
Artist of the Year Nominees…
The 5 nominees for this category hold a certain weight of influence over the scene with their art and contribution, especially in 2011. This is the most difficult category to nominate groups for and we feel we selected 5 groups that had an outstanding 2011 with an impact felt throughout the entire community. AND THE NOMINEES ARE…..
Slightly Stoopid 2011 Recap
Slightly Stoopid had no problems staying busy in 2011, playing over 100 shows in and out of the U.S. Throughout the year, Slightly Stoopid shared the stage with Playing For Change Band, Seu Jorge, Donovan Frankenreiter, Israel Vibration, Michael Franti, G. Love & Special Sauce, Citizen Cope, Brett Dennen, Meat Puppets, Bad Brains, Barrington Levy, Dumpstaphunk,The Expendables and more. Summer 2011 included their Seedless Summer tour and featured Don Carlos, Rebelution & Shwayze. A few highlights this year included an epic 4/20 show at LA’s Greek Theatre, headlining the first annual Rombello cruise to Mexico, Mardi Gras Superjam in New Orleans (w/ Karl Denson, Dumpstaphunk, Rebirth Brass Band, and Big Sam) and collaborating with founding Grateful Dead member Bob Weir at his studio for a memorable webcast soon to be released DVD. They also appeared on some of the more prestigious US festivals in 2011 – Hangout Festival, moeDown!,Summercamp, and Beale Street Music Fest. In addition, the band collaborated on stage and off stage with the like of Angelo Moore (Fishbone), Don Carlos, G. Love, Del The Funky Homosapien, Michael Franti, Karl Denson, Playing For Change Band and Ivan & Ian Neville (Dumpstaphunk). Miles & Kyle sat in with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe for a short run up the coast for a rare performance of Rolling Stones “Sticky Fingers” album. To cap off a great year, Slightly Stoopid took their first trip to Brazil in November, where they headlined Planeta Brazil for 15,000 Brazilian Stoopidheads. For their final party of 2011, Slightly Stoopid will head to Orlando to ring in 2012 at the Hard Rock Live.
Dirty Heads
Dirty Heads came into 2011 with the longest reign at #1 for an Independent Record Label artist in the history of the Billboard Alternative Chart and it was the first song in history to reach #1 on Billboard’s Rock Songs chart with the track “Lay Me Down” featuring Rome of Sublime with Rome. Dirty Heads played 110 total dates in 2011 that included a spring tour with New Politics & a co-headlining tour with Gym Class Heroes, in which Dirty Heads finished out the tour allowing other groups to jump on the bill when Gym Class Heroes canceled the rest of their dates. Other groups Dirty Heads performed with in 2011 were 311, SOJA, The Green, Rebelution, Steel Pulse, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Dropkick Murphys, Public Enemy, Motley Crue, Sublime with Rome, Mike Pinto, Ballyhoo!, New Politics and more bands at various festivals including the 311 Pow Wow Festival & Edgefest.
Iration 2011 Recap
Iration saw their status grow in 2011. They parlayed the success they received from their “Time Bomb” album in 2010 with their 5 track “Fresh Grounds” EP released on February 1st 2011 followed by their nationwide “Fresh Grounds Tour” where they shared the stage with such acts as Pacific Dub, Mike Pinto, The Holdup, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Thrive & Top Shelf. In the fall, they marched out on their annual “Lei’d Back” tour where they toured the nation with Tomorrows Bad Seeds & Through the Roots. KROQ 106.7 in Los Angeles, CA picked up the song “Turn Around” to spin on regular rotation while other radio stations followed suit playing the song as the group toured. They released new songs “No Time” and “Undertow” that they gave out for FREE online and at merch tables while on tour. They’ll close out 2011 headlining a New Years Eve show at House of Blues in Anaheim, CA.
Sublime With Rome 2011 Recap
Sublime with Rome made their way back on to the scene through much adversity with both new & old sublime fans alike. After playing various shows & festivals in 2010, they released a new album with original music with new frontman Rome Ramiriez replacing the legendary, late great Bradley Nowell. The new album was titled “Yours Truly” and was released on July 12th via Fueled by Ramen, during their Summer Unity tour with 311 which was the Top 20 grossing tour of 2011. They released 2 music videos for singles “Panic” and “Take It or Leave It”. “Panic” was #1 most added when it impacted on the radio and peaked Top 5 at Alternative & Top 25 at Active Rock. Their album also featured a guest appearance by Wiz Khalifa on the song “Can You Feel It”. Aside from their summer tour with 311, SWR also shared the stage in 2011 with such acts as Iration, Pepper, Dirty Heads, Cee Lo Green, Ludacris, Ziggy Marley, Flogging Molly, Black Eyed Peas, Bruno Mars, Cage The Elephant, Coldplay, Janes Addiction and more bands at various festivals including the I Heart Radio & 311 Pow-Wow Festivals.
SOJA 2011 Recap
2011 was a monstrous year for the group who kicked things off with their “Everything Changes” tour that stretched 26 dates. The music video for Everything Changes premiered on MTV’U’s The Freshmen and came in 2nd after voting. Their touring in 2011 saw them share the stage with Michael Franti, G Love, Tribal Seeds, The Movement, Citizen Cope, Dirty Heads and a summer tour with OAR. SOJA Frontman Jacob Hemphill has also helped spread the SOJA name with his contributions on various albums such as Anuhea, The Green & Rebelutions new albums, Fear Nuttin Band, J Boog, Groove Stain, and also discovered, produced & released Chris Boomer & his album in 2011. Hemphill was also featured on an authorized remix of the song “Sunset in July” with 311. Their growing success has reached such popularity; they’re now in the position to help with the awareness and production of other groups in the Reggae-Rock community and in 2011, they did just that.
Album of the Year Nominees…
Sure some albums have really good songs that stay with you for awhile & may even wind up on some long term play-lists. But a few good songs on an album isn’t what this nomination is about. This is about a great, start to finish album, from production to creativity, originality to its likability. As a result, there are 5 nominees, all of which received the highest star rating in our reviews earning 4/5 stars. AND THE NOMINEES ARE…..
Passafire – Start From Scratch
Released on September 20th, Start From Scratch is Passafire’s fourth studio album. The album was released on the groups newly formed record label, FlameGuy Records. It was recorded at Sonic Ranch studio with Paul Leary in Tornillo Texas. It reached the #14 on the National Heatseekers Chart, #1 in the South Atlantic, #1 Billboard Reggae Album & #1 iTunes Reggae Album.
You can read The Pier’s Official Album Review of Start From Scratch by clicking HERE.
Ballyhoo! – Daydreams
Released on September 6th, Daydreams was Ballyhoo!’s first release on Law Records. It reached #10 on Billboard Heat Seekers chart. Cracked the Top 200 Digital Billboard Chart & reached the Top 10 on iTunes Reggae as well as iTunes Bestsellers. The First single, ”Say I’m Wrong” was added to the Hollister Holiday Playlist and is being spun in malls across the country.
You can read The Pier’s Official Album Review of Daydreams by clicking HERE.
The Green – Ways & Means
Ways & Means has been locked in at the top of the Billboard reggae chart since its release on October 25th via Easy Star Records, including 4 straight weeks at #1. It also debuted at #1 on the iTunes reggae chart. Based on the album’s success, The Green has received offers to tour in Costa Rica, Panama, New Zealand, and Australia in 2012. Recent press coverage includes Billboard and NPR Weekend Edition features.
You can read The Pier’s Official Album Review of Ways & Means by clicking HERE.
The Aggrolites – Rugged Road
Released on February 22nd, Rugged Road was released on Youncub Records and debuted and peaked at #2 on iTunes Reggae Charts. It also peaked at #19 on World Radio Charts along with the single ”Complicated Girl” which also boasted a music video. The entire album was recorded on reel-to reel tap with few overdubs. Despite such limited technological means, sonically this record is far superior to many of its more technologically advanced contemporaries.
You can read The Pier’s Official Album Review of Rugged Road by clicking HERE.
Whiskey Avengers – Dead Man Rockin’
Released on October 25th, Dead Man Rockin’ rocks it’s way as sneak in for the awards with this 11 track album mixing Reggae & Hip Hop. The Whiskey Avengers enter in as a group a bit less known, but an album worth it’s nomination.
You can read The Pier’s Official Album Review of Dead Man Rockin by clicking HERE.
Live Artist of the Year Nominees…
Any artist can stay at home and record music to throw up on iTunes with crazy internet promotion, while playing sparingly at local venues. But to get in a van and do it 100+ dates a year at a new venue in a new city each night, isn’t easy. Let’s not forget all the work, sacrifice & consistency that goes into developing a big enough following to suffice a national tour. It takes time; networking and you have to leave an impact when you take the stage with your live presence, crowd control & sound. We picked 5 bands that did just that in 2011! AND THE NOMINEES ARE…..
Rebelution 2011 Recap
Rebelution jumped into 2011 with a Remixes EP followed by their Winter Greens tour that saw them playing alongside Junior Reed, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, The Green, Orgone & Iration. They spent 26 dates with Slightly Stoopid & Shwayze for the Seedless Summer tour where they brought saxophonist Khris Royal on board to add to the depth of their live presence. They played 6 shows including a 4/20 show in south America playing in Brazil. They’ll close out 2011 in Reno, NV playing a New Years Eve party at the Grand Sierra resort with Thrive & Pep Love of Hieroglyphics.
The Expendables 2011 Recap
The Expendables played a total of 113 shows in 2011 which included their Annual Winter Black Out tour as well as participating in the entire National Vans Warped tour during the summer. They also joined 311 & Pepper for the 311 Caribbean Carnival Cruise and shared the stage with other such acts as Mike Pinto, Ballyhoo! & will close out 2011 with Slightly Stoopid to bring in the New Year at Hard Rock Live in Orlando, FL.
Pepper 2011 Recap
Pepper kicked off 2011 with a mini Law Records Friends & Family Acoustic tour in February just before going to Florida on a Caribbean Cruise w/311 March 3rd. In May, they set out on a string of shows with Iration before hoping on the Vans Warped Tour that kicked off June 24th. Throughout the year, Pepper made appearances on FuelTV & Loveline with Dr. Drew & Pyscho Mike. In September, they set out on a 29 date Fall tour with Ballyhoo & The Expendables dubbed the Last Calls & Liabilities Tour.
Mike Pinto 2011 Recap
Mike Pinto had a phenomenal year of coast to coast touring playing 180+ total dates while making new music and trying it out live. He dropped his new EP ”West Is Still Wild” as it reached #4 on iTunes while topping Billboard’s Reggae Charts. He’s played festivals and shows with Iration, Josh Heinrichs, Collie Buddz, The Expendables, Micah Brown, Ballyhoo!, Easy Star All-Stars, Passafire & The Movement as well as shared the stage with the legendary Junior Marvin. His 2011 dates with Iration included what they called a “Brodeo” where both bands came on stage to perform a live rendering of ”The Way You Do The Things You Do”.
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad 2011 Recap
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad played 120 shows this year, hitting 27 U.S. states and Canada. They just completed a seven-week tour, and will be celebrating New Year’s Eve in Denver, CO. Guitarist-vocalist Dan Keller joined the band in January. GPGDS will release their country roots album Country, on January 31, 2012 on Controlled Substance Sound Labs. A second album In These Times, will follow later in the spring, also to be released by Controlled Substance.
Break-Out Artist of the Year Nominees…
There have been quite a few emerging artists in 2011. It seems just 3 years ago this Reggae-Rock community was limited to a few select groups. Now, groups are doing more than just forming, they’re emerging with national tours, new albums, videos and networking with other successful groups in the scene to gain notoriety. It takes more than just being a new band with a good song and its not easy to just hit the road and find yourself opening up for a nationally touring group. But these 5 selected groups figured it out and have worked their tail off! AND THE NOMINEES ARE…..
Fortunate Youth 2011 Recap
Fortunate Youth really made their presence felt in 2011 with a full-length album, titled Irie State of Mind that could have easily been nominated for Album of the Year. Irie State of Mind, was #2 on iTunes for 3 weeks and #13 on Billboard Top Reggae Albums for 4 consecutive weeks. The group toured 207 total shows in 2011 playing alongside Tribal Seeds, Sand Section and The Green. They also released a single titled ”One Love” that reached the top iTunes Reggae Charts.
Through The Roots 2011 Recap
Through The Roots made sure they had their presence felt in 2011 playing 138 total dates in 35 of the nations 50 states while eleasing their Here To Stay” EP on July 12 where it went on to debuted #2 on iTunes Reggae. Among the tours of 2011 they were the openers for the 2nd annual Fall Lei’d Back tour with Iration & Tomorrows Bad Seeds. In addition, they spent the year sharing the stage with various groups such as SlightlyS toopid, SOJA, The Green, The Supervillains, The B Foundation, Rebelution.
Anuhea 2011 Recap
Aside from being featured on The Pier’s Pacific Island Sampler with 2 new songs, Maui’s Anuhea really emerged in 2011 recording, collaborating & touring throughout the US. She started out by singing at the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii Jan 30th @ Aloha stadium. She performed in Las Vegas at the Pure Aloha Festival alongside Fiji & J-Boog. From June – July she played 30 plus dates including her unplugged Summer of Love Tour with Mishka & Mat McHugh of The Beautiful Girls. She spent time recording with Dwight Baker (Kelly Clarkson, Enrique Iglesias) out of Matchbox Studios in Austin, TX for her new album “For Love”. She also worked in production on the album with Jacob Hemphill of SOJA and The Green. In June, Anuhea released a single titled “Simple Love Song” with a music video to follow and as of this month, she has been promoting a new Christmas themed single titled “Come Back to Me”
Katastro 2011 Recap
Katastro merged on to the scene in 2011 playing 75 total dates, capitalizing each show as they shared the satge with the likes of 311, Dirty Heads, Seedless, Tomorrows Bad Seeds & toured with HR of Bad Brains. They released a new album titled Gentle Predator through Ingrooves where it premiered #2 on the iTunes charts and landed on the Top New Artists charts which are Nielsen Soundscan charts
Micah Brown 2011 Recap
Micah Brown took everyone by surprise in 2011 as he kicked off the new year with his debut album titled Down Like Hail that was released on January 11th. It reached #24 on US iTunes Top Blues Album Charts, #8 on Portugal iTunes Top Blues Album Charts. He released 2 music videos for the songs “Coming of Age” and “Finally Free”. He won the 2011 OC Music Award for “Best Live Acoustic Artist”. He performed over 100+ shows in 2011 including the Super Bad Summer Tour where he played with Tomorrows Bad Seeds & The Supervillains. He was a special guest on select dates with Dirty Heads, Trevor Hall while playing various festivals including Doheny Days where he shared the stage with Weezer, Cake & Ziggy Marley. He’ll wrap up 2011 on New Years Eve, playing with Iration & Seedless @ House of Blues in Anaheim, CA.
Music Video of the Year Nominees…
While this isn’t Total Request Line on MTV, we do feel that if you’re a group and you decide to do a full production music video, that it should be recognized. Plus music videos are rad when quality production is used to complete it. We’re not talking about the music videos put together on iMovie with a Flip Video via your home computer; we’re talking about the videos where directors and producers get involved to have a story come to life using high quality production and there are 5 solid music videos nominated for Music Video of the Year. AND THE NOMINEES ARE…..
Sublime with Rome – Take It or Leave It
This song is off their latest album Yours Truly. The video was shot with footage at bar called the Shakedown in San Diego, CA during their summer “Unity” tour with 311.
Tomorrows Bad Seeds – Nice & Slow
This video was shot at Seaside Palace Studios and other random South Bay spots. It was shot/edited/directed by Greg Browning, Scott Smith, and John DeTemple.
Ballyhoo! – Say I’m Wrong
Here’s Ballyhoo!’s first official music video with the song Say I’m Wrong from their Daydreams album. It was filmed in Cocoa Beach, FL in March 2011 during the recording of Daydreams and was directed by Daniel Cendeño.
Rootdown – All I Wanna Do
Here’s Rootdown’s video for All I Wanna Do from their latest Tidal Wave album. The video was Directed and produced by 4120 productions and was shot in San Diego, CA! This song is all about wanting to hang out with the girl you love in the summer!
Fear Nuttin Band – Rebel
This is the official video to the song Rebel from the album Move Positive. It was released April 5th and Directed by Spooky Daly. The song was produced by Christafari Regan, Jacob Hemphill (of SOJA)