Mike Patton

This terrific pop trio from Philadelphia really knocked me out. Songs were hook-filled and infectious, with just the right amount of distortion and dissonance.

Despite the snags, frontwoman Mary Timony proved herself to be a talented guitarist through creative use of feedback and harmonics.

Tronzo’s playing, on electric and National Steel guitar, was devoid of melody or form. Just a lot of noisy fretboard shenanigans.

Covering musical ground reminiscent of Iron Maiden, but without the dungeon-rock overtones, Bison were definitely intriguing.

Devastatingly loud. I found the singer/bassist’s apparent ego trip obnoxious, but they were better than a lot of hardcore/metal bands I’ve seen.