This year has been… a year. While everyone seemed to have what we could collectively describe as a “shitty year,” everyone has had a very different 2020. This year, we couldn’t all meet up at festivals all over the country or the world. This year we couldn’t high five each other, chug cheap beer, and scream along to songs in a basement (or garage or sticky venue) on a Friday night. All the things that seemingly made us “us” were stripped away, leaving other facets of ourselves that we had long since forgotten or placed on an upper shelf to collect dust for some day when we would have more free time.
I’ve spoken to people who feel like they lost their hold on music and others who clung onto it for dear life like a life preserver. It’s been… a year. And while everyone has bravely faced 2020 with a different arsenal of supplies, this resulted in a variety different outcomes. That’s why, in addition to our contributors’ End of the Year Lists, we at Bad Copy have reached out to a handful of friends involved in music this year and asked them to share their top lists. Music, movies, photos, memories, new hobbies – much like 2020, nothing is off the table when it comes to these lists. Let’s find a little good in the bad, try to laugh at what we can’t control, and pray that we will be able to safely see each other soon. First round is on me. – Kendra Sheetz, Editor
2020 was pretty awful. Music was quite possibly the one thing combatting the awfulness and keeping my broken brain somewhat balanced.
The first list is bands/musicians that I wish I was putting out an album for in 2020.
The Muslims –
The Muslims put out one of my favorite albums of the year. Gentrified Chicken rules and I cannot stress enough that everyone needs to hear it. I still wish I had put it out on LP and have written them several times to tell them such. Check out The Muslims!
Cheap Perfume –
Their newest album came out in 2019, but alas I didn’t hear about them until 2020, so they are on my list of discoveries this year. Give Burn It Down a spin. You will love it.
Danbert Nobacon & Kira Wood Cramer –
In 2007 I owned a record store. At the time I had partnered up with the label who put out Danbert’s album The Library Book of the World to help promote the release, so when I saw that Mesmerica came out in 2020 I was excited to give it a spin.
Ricky –
A few years ago when Western Settings was on tour they crashed at my house. Ricky is one of the sweetest dudes ever, so you should check out Palm Trees. It sounds absolutely nothing like Western Settings and while I love some WS I believe I like this album even more.
This Way To The Egress –
While I do not support circuses I do love music that sounds as if it belongs at the circus. Retrospectiva by TWTTE is a good pick me up during these awful times.
The second list is of things that came out on Say-10 Records this year and that you should check out. These will be in chronological order because otherwise it would be like picking a favorite child.
Wolf-Face – Still Golden
More songs about being a werewolf! If you ever need a smile give this album a listen.
Talk Me Off – Cursed
Fast paced and angsty album from Richmond.
Matt Pless/Chainsaw Beach – split EP
Both artists have incredibly different takes on being singer/songwriters. This comes with a zine!
Xed Out – Full Body Apparition EP
Org Core Punk Rock from Richmond. Members of Smoke or Fire and The Bled. Check out the song “Annie!”
Will Wood – The Normal Album
Can you imagine if Billy Joel didn’t stop doing cocaine and just kept getting weirder?
Shehehe – Pet Songs
The Donnas playing Motorhead songs.
Shotclock – Side A
Melodic Power Pop from Richmond. Super catchy stuff!
Love Equals Death/The Static Age
The only thing these two bands have in common is that LED started their band on Halloween and TSA is named after a Misfits song, but this split is so much fun.
Dollars for Deadbeats – Was It A Good Night?
D4D is anthemic Pop Punk. Kirsty’s voice sometimes reminds me of Nina Hagen without all of the gothic kitsch.
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