According to Rolling Stone magazine, Madison rocks. While campus tours may boast College Library's national reputation as the place to pick up a date, this time the magazine is focused on Madison's music scene.
In an article in Rolling Stone's Feb. 20, 2003 issue, to be released today, Madison ranks fifth among \the 10 best music meccas for stalling an education.""
The article, entitled ""Campus Scenes that Rock,"" ranks college towns' music scenes by ""venue, talent on the rise and total party volume,"" and describes Madison as an ""infinitely hip isthmus town,"" that includes ""one of the most lively--and underappreciated--art scenes around.""
The article cites the Annex, Luther's Blues and the Anchor Inn as the venues that are ""where it's at,"" while naming heavy metal band Birth of Tragedy, funk band Phat Phunktion and self-declared ""melodic rockers,"" the German Art Students, as its ""bands on the rise.""
Madison follows Athens, Ga., Austin, Texas, Cambridge, Mass., and Chapel Hill, N.C. in the first, second, third and fourth spots in the magazine's list, respectively.
Local musicians said they agreed that the concentration of musical talent in Madison helped get the city on the list.
""There's never a shortage of really good bands,"" said Randy Ballwahn, drummer for the German Art Students and a UW-Madison graduate. ""I think Madison attracts a lot of talented people.""
According to Kirk Wall, guitarist for the German Art Students, the sheer number of bands in Madison makes the college town noteworthy.
""I think there's just a proliferation of bands,"" he said. ""It seems like everyday you hear of a new band popping up.""
Local musicians and venue owners said they agree that the number and quality of Madison venues welcoming local bands has also boosted the music scene in recent years.
""There are definitely venues for every type of music and I think that really helps make a good music scene,"" said Ryan Peterson, drummer for Birth of Tragedy and a UW-Madison graduate.
Additionally, musicians and venue owners said there is a high demand for local music in Madison.
""Sometimes I have to turn people away because I'm at capacity and I can't let anyone else in,"" said Mr. Blues, owner of the Anchor Inn.
Many musicians and venue owners said they also attribute Madison's thriving scene to its musical variety.
""There are so many different genres of music that are present [in Madison],"" Jamison Downing, entertainment coordinator for the Annex, said. ""Our scene is so broad.""
However, others said they think that specific genres attract the majority of attention in Madison. Blues said he thinks rock bands dominate the Madison music scene.
""The indie rock seems to be what Madison has going for it more than anything else,"" he said.
