‘Blender’ Bender
Austin is making national headlines again, and this time it has nothing to do with the Dixie Chicks. O. Henry‘s hometown was named the No. 4 rock & roll city in the U.S. in the May issue of Blender. The top three are all enclaves of larger cities (Brooklyn, Detroit, L.A.), so by default, Bat City is the rockingest true metropolis in the land. Oakland (No. 5), Portland (No. 9), Louisville (No. 13), and Tucson (No. 18) all get half-page spreads with photos, and Austin? A tiny box about migas curing hangovers and the most backhanded shout-out to Tamale House No. 3 ever. (The word “skank” is used.) Therefore, in the interests of civic pride, and because Tamale House rules, “TCB” came up with our own list: “21 Music Magazines Better Than Blender”
1) Q
2) Mojo
3) Uncut
4) CMJ
5) Magnet
6) Pop Culture Press
7) Texas Music
8) The Source
9) VIBE
10) Spin
11) Kerrang!
12) Metal Edge
13) Circus
14) Alternative Press
15) The Wire
16) Guitar World
17) 3rd Coast Music
18) No Depression
19) Country Line
20) Billboard
21) Rolling Stone
This article appears in April 25 • 2003.