Fresno music scene rocks Esquire; receives sixth in national rankings

By Mitchell Peters

Shock rattled the Fresno music scene after Esquire magazine released a list ranking Fresno sixth among the nation’s Top 10 “Cities That Rock.”

“ I think there will be two responses,” Gary Edwards, owner of Spinners Records in Fresno’s Tower District said, “that it’s just incredible and not true, or that it’s about time we get some recognition.”

Indeed he was right.

Fresno musicians and music enthusiasts were surprised Fresno was ranked above cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, while others said it was compensation for the many years Fresno bands have been producing music.

“ It’s about time Fresno got recognized for its awesome music scene,” said Fresno State’s music director at KFSR 90.7-FM, Andrew “Bad Andy” Bunnell, who also plays in local band Pink Eye.

Others agreed, but were still confused.

“ I was kind of surprised,” Arron Wall, singer for the Fresno band 40 Watt Hype said. “There are a lot of good musicians here, but Fresno didn’t really come to mind.”

With the initial surprise that followed the list, some wondered why Fresno received such a high ranking among the thousands of potential cities.

“ I think if someone read that article and came here, they’d be really disappointed,” James Brittain-Gore, drummer and vocalist for Fresno band No Cello said.

Bryan Mealer, who wrote the list, along with Chris Berend, associate editor of Esquire, said they devised the list with the approach of exposing cities throughout the country that have been overlooked for their music scene in the past. With this in mind, they automatically excluded cities like New York, Chicago and Austin, Texas, which are widely known for producing amazing artists.

“ We want people in that area (Fresno) to know that there is good music around there and that they don’t have to just go to LA or San Francisco to see that music.” Mealer said.

To compile the list, Mealer said he and Berend cast a wide net to friends and acquaintances they know who listen to and love rock music. After talking to people in Bakersfield, Sacramento, San Jose and other cities in California, Mealer said Fresno’s name kept coming up.

One writer who was polled was The Fresno Bee’s Mike Osegueda, who regularly writes about the Fresno music scene. Osegueda said he was surprised that bigger cities were left out of the list, but hopeful that it could possibly draw attention to Fresno musicians.

“ Say if you’re in LA and there’s a band from Fresno you might say, oh, according to Esquire they rock,” he said. “It might change some people’s perceptions.”

Some of the artists mentioned within the list were Fresno bands, Mynis and 40 Watt Hype along with singer/songwriter Kat Jones, who is currently touring on the East Coast. The list also deemed Spinners Records as the place to shop for music and the Tower District’s Starline as a place to watch bands.

Breánna Kiggins, 19, who works for Numbskull and Let’s Go 77 productions, which promote local punk music shows, said she was excited that Fresno received attention for its music scene but disappointed with the bands that were mentioned.

“ I think it’s awesome except for the fact that they chose the worst bands in Fresno,” Kiggins said.

Others were simply grateful for the acknowledgement.

“ It’s cool that someone recognizes us,” Brittain-Gore said.

As reactions simmer down, Fresno can only wait to see what, if any effect, this will have on the local music scene. Other cities that made the list were San Francisco ranking ten, Denver at two, and Pittsburgh at number one.

“ I’m excited because Fresno is getting the attention it deserves for a music scene I love and think is amazing,” Kat Jones said.