In 2009, the Sacramento News & Review's Sammies belonged to Middle Class Rut. The two-piece band took home three awards, it was announced at today's music festival in Cesar Chavez park.

The members of MC Rut, who weren't actually present at the festival, took honors for Outstanding Rock, Outstanding Release/Album and Outstanding Sacramento Band.

Full list of winners after the jump:

Outstanding Emcee: Random Abiladeze

Outstanding Rock: MC Rut

Outstanding Punk/Hardcore: Final Summation

Outstanding Hard Rock/Metal: Man Automatic and Prieta (tie)

Outstanding Hip-hop/Rap: Righteous Movement

Outstanding Turntablist: DJ Epik

Outstanding Jazz/Blues/Latin: Ross Hammond

Outstanding Indie: The New Humans

Outstanding Country/Americana/Folk: Light Rail

Outstanding Experimental: Mom

Outstanding Singer-Songwriter: Be Brave Bold Robot

Outstanding Teen Band: Red Wire Army

Outstanding Reggae/Ska/Funk/Jam: Arden Park Roots

Outstanding Pop: Agent Ribbons

Outstanding Electronica: Tha Fruitbat

Outstanding Dance DJ: DJ Whores
(this was an open category where SN&R did not provide any nominees)

Outstanding Hip-hop Producer: Jae Synth

Outstanding Release/Album: MC Rut, MC Rut

Outstanding Sacramento Band: MC Rut

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Local rock duo Middle Class Rut just returned from Germany's largest music festival, the three-day Rock am Ring and Rock im Park. Their impression of the whirlwind festival is posted on the band's MySpace, but here's an excerpt:

on the days that we played, none other then limp bizkit headlined the whole festival. felt like the 90s all over again... but in a bad way. the shittiest part of the 90s. crazy that that dude has to just throw on a red hat, play really bad rap rock and 80k people will lose their minds. i made a note to bring my red hat next year.

Video from the band after the jump.

Middle Class Rut will be performing at this Friday's Concert in the Park in Cesar Chavez Park. The concert is free and starts at 5 p.m.

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If you didn't plan ahead and e-mail Dance Gavin Dance to reserve a spot at their CD release show tonight at Club Retro, you may be out of luck. In a bulletin posted at 3 p.m., the band relayed the news:

"If you have not heard back from the e-mail or from us, then you aren't on the list."

It goes on to point out that some people who reserved spots may not show, so die-hard fans who happen to be procrastinators might do well to try their luck anyway.

Otherwise, the full-album stream at Smart Punk will have to suffice.

Happiness, Dance Gavin Dance's new full-length album, is out today on Rise Records.

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The end of Sammies season is rapidly approaching, and the folks at the Sacramento News & Review are busy putting on the final showcase concerts before the big awards show June 27.

This week, there will be three consecutive showcase concerts featuring some of the nominated artists. Sac in Stereo will bring you a brief preview of each show before it happens.

Tuesday:

9 p.m., $6

Torch Club (21 +)

Aaron King and The Imperials (nominated for Outstanding Jazz/Blues/Latin): Aaron King blends weighty grooves with agile flecks of piano accompaniment and all the flying guitar licks any blues band should bring to the table.

Light Rail (nominated for Outstanding Country/Americana/Folk): An upbeat back-and-forth of guitarist/vocalist Tyler Williams' creamy vocals and Shane Kalbach's melodic violin parts, Light Rail oozes weathervanes and steam engines Regional Transit lines.

Ricky Berger (nominated for Outstanding Pop and for Outstanding Release/Album): Ricky Berger is a soft-spoken singer-songwriter who can't seem to stick to one instrument for more than a couple songs. For more information, read this previous post.

Trainwreck Revival (nominated for Outstanding Country/Americana/Folk): Sometimes sultry, sometimes folksy and sometimes bluesy, Trainwreck Revival would sound right at home in a dark bar or at a sweltering summer barbecue.



Stay tuned for previews of Wednesday and Thursday's Sammies showcase concerts.



Light Rail - Sacramento (song starts at 4:18)

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Sacramento metal band Fallen Man has joined the list of artists to feature cover artwork penned by Ed Repka. Some of the other bands Repka has worked with include Megadeth, NOFX, Death and Toxik.

Fallen Man called it an honor to have Repka design its cover art, writing, "As a fan of Death, Uncle Slam, and Megadeth I’d been aware of his contributions to metal art since the '80s. I contacted Ed to see if he was willing to bring my 'Mercenary' concept to life, and he delivered a stunning cover."

Fallen Man's album is also available on iTunes.

[Brave Words via Fallen Man]

Other Ed Repka album covers after the jump.

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