The Boston Music Awards

Orpheum Theater, Boston Mass.

April 11, 2002

The Boston Music Awards appeared on the scene in 1987 to honor to bands with Beantown connections (although, some of the connections seem to be a tad flimsy). Though they are a somewhat fun occasion for the Most of the nominees, but it's never gonna rival the Grammys, American Music Awards or The JUNO's. Hell, even the BAMY's (Bay Area Music Awards) get more media coverage than this annual not-sold-out event which was held at the "Older than Methuselah" venue of the Orpheum Theatre in Boston on April 11, 2002.

While the Boston Rock scene has not been an overpowering one as of late (and actually suffered a major blow when a record company tried to hype the so-called "Bosstown Sound" a few decades ago, before realizing that almost no one outside of Kenmore Square gave much of a shit about most of the bands, and eventually sank the disastrous promotion), the city has gotten some recent credibility with its ties to rock powerhorses Godsmack. 

In a bit of a surprise, Godsmack, won Rock Band of the Year, while their vocalist Sully Erna won the Male Vocalist of the Year award, besting out Aerosmith's sacred cow Steven Tyler. In his tank top and endless tattooed torso, Erna was a breath of fresh air at the BMA's. Erna should also have won the award for the funniest moment of the night when he bellowed "Didn't you just love Gary Cheronne's nipples," after a set by the ex-Van Halen vocalist's current group, Tribe of Judah, performed. It wasn't bad enough that Cherone pranced around the stage like a stiff Freddie Mercury, but added insult to injury by cutting of a long sleeve t-shirt just blow his upper-pectorals, making a fashion statement that still baffles!! Also, Tribe of Judah also gave the most unfocused and lamest performance of the night (maybe it would have been better if Cherone had pulled a Wendy O. Williams and covered his man-nipples with electrical tape!! At least that would have been interesting!)

That aside, the BMA's did have some great moments - none of which involved the events MC and former New Kid On The Block, Joey McIntyre. McIntyre tried to be professional and funny, but lame jokes were about as well rehearsed as his MC performance (he spent a great deal of the night reading off hand held index cards!!). However, any sins committed by McIntyre and Cherone were forgotten when the BMA inducted Boston Punk/Alternative legends Mission Of Burma into their Hall of Fame (?).

The induction by a former member of the Velvet Underground (a Lou Reed and John Cale-less line-up)and The Lost, Willie "Loco" Alexander was one of the only toughing moments of the night (he remembered being on the same bill with Burma at a show in the early 80s' and Alexander joked about there were "about 35 people in the audience" ). 

Burma, who regrouped earlier this year for a hand full of shows in New York and Boston, re-grouped again for the BMA's and ripped through their classic "Fame and Fortune."  While Mission of Burma and Godsmack (who unveiled their powerful "I Stand Alone" from The Scorpion King Soundtrack), were easily the standout performers of the evening, alterna-cutie Tracy Bonham and American Hi-Fi (from "Flavor of the Week" fame, which took home the Song Of The Year award) both turned in credible one-song sets.

Springfield, MA based Staind (who were absent) took home the most prestigious Act and Single of the Year (for "It's Been A While"), while Carly Simon earned a well deserved Female Vocalist of the Year award. Her speech, in which she gave some props to Matha's Vineyard resident (not exactly a rocking area of Cape Cod) was kinda amusing. She seemed very appreciated of the award and, as always, added a touch of class to an event that could certainly use more people like her.