Best of Tucson 1996: Best Local Band--Traditional/Ethnic

Best Local Band--Traditional/Ethnic

The Mollys

READERS' PICK: We will forever remember the first time we saw them, on an otherwise quiet evening at the Fourth Avenue Social Club about four years ago. From the moment they took the stage, we were transfixed by the irresistible pulse of this Celtic folk rock gone fightin' mad. It was like somebody took an Irish jig and a Mexican revolution and plugged them into an amp. We've rarely missed The Mollys since. Our favorite story is of the New Year's Eve party in Bisbee, where the overzealous crowd of dancers actually broke through the wooden floor. Though we miss them here at home, we're thrilled with their success, as evidenced by the intensive touring they've seen this year. They're a flash-flood of talent that'll clear some of the debris from the watered-down genre of folk.

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: For more than a decade, Neon Prophet has been drawing crowds to venues throughout our fair city, by playing the most soulful reggae this side of Jamaica. Turn out for one of their regular gigs at Chicago Bar (you've got three nights a week to choose from), and you'll be skankin' all night long with a Red Stripe in your sweaty hand.

STAFF PICK: Playing the music of exotic Bali and Java, Fine Stream Gamelan is quite the honorable Tucson orchestra. With unusual instruments, traditional dress, and a meditative air, Gamelan members (who range in number from a half dozen to 30 players) obviously take their study of this unusual, rhythmic and venerable tradition seriously. Aside from performing concerts, the Gamelan holds at least two seminars a year, where the instruments, history, and philosophy of this musical legacy are shared with the interested public. Each orchestra member typically will study any number of the folkloric instruments, and during concerts, move from one to another with impressive ease. Concert goers might recognize several local faces in the ensemble: Guitarist Don Reeve, Crash Landing Recording's Phil Stevens, and rhythm-maker Todd Hammes each have favorable solo and group activities outside of this very fine and memorable orchestra.