Local Loft Episode 309 Year In Review 2023

Nobody's naughty on this list!

I've checked it over once, twice, three zillion times, no maybe. It is very difficult to narrow down to final tallies , but 2023 sure had so many standout bands & songs in the Chicagoland area's ever strong and growing original rock music scene. Debate and disagree all you want, but a list is just an opinionated thing. Along with those who earned top prizes, a few more who need to be applauded for their music creativity and efforts.

And the well-deserved honors in Chicagoland's original metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop scene go to:

Surf Candy-Fall (Best 2023 original Chicago area newcomer band)

True Love Devil-Bullet Down

Of Wolves-Jesus Jihad (Best 2023 original Chicago area metal album/band-Balance)

Acton's Dictum-Back To Rehab (Best 2023 original Chicago area punk album-Absolute Corruption)

x.Oracles.x-Viagra Song (best 2023 original Chicago area live show-Punk Rock Tacos 33-8/11/23)

The Lunatic's Fringe-Let The Fringe Begin (from Celebration, 9/30/23 The Forge Joliet)

Shoes -Tomorrow Night (best 2023 Chicago area comeback band) (live from the Third Annual Illinois Rock Museum on Rt. 66 V.I.P. Concert-9/16/23)

Phil Angotti ,Ralph Covert, Shoes, Cliff Johnson-Stay In Time (from the Third Annual Illinois Induction V.I.P. Concert Rock Museum on Rt. 66 9/12/23)

Aweful-New Moon (best 2023 Chicago area Rock album-Aweful Self titled, and best 2023 Chicago area rock band)

Carrying Torches-Snow Angel (best 2023 original Chicago area alternative rock band

BlockChain Coalition-Step On A Rocket (best 2023 original Chicago area rock album-The New Normal)