SSE Best of 2015 Rock Awards: The Winner Is

2015 officially came to a close for Sound Scene Express February 6 naming their top acts of 2015 with a concert that showcased the best the year had to offer. Fans packed into James Street Gastropub on the North Side early to catch young up and comers Chase The Monkey, who wowed the room with their melodic hooks and thoughtful lyrics. They were nominated for Best full length album with “How To Say Goodbye,” and breakout band of 2015.

Danny Rectenwald did not disappoint as the evenings host with multiple wardrobe changes, eventually finishing off the night with american flag shorts and a handmade t-shirt that read #NevadaColor4Life. The first 3 awards given out were for best local music festival taken by Deutschtown Music Festival, Best single for Meeting of Important People’s song “All Rode Off Together,” and best concert was taken for a reunited Lohio who performed a show January 27, 2015 at Rex Theater with a star studded cast.

Balloon Ride Fantasy blew everyone away with their spectacular light show and well polished performance. They played a number of songs from their full length album which was up for album of the year, including the song 0100101, which was up for best video, and SSE favorite “The Anchor and the Sail.” Keep an eye out for a new ep from these guys in the near future.

Continuing on with awards, best music video went to Paul Luc for his humorous video for “Good Times” from his 2014 release “Tried and True.” best musical event/series taken by Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s, Downtown Rooftop Shindig. Danny Rectenwald stripped down to a pair of cloverleaf tights and a Commonheart t-shirt to let fans know The Commonheart won ep of the year for “Cannonball.”

The Commonheart could have easily been the headliner for this event, rising to the top of the Pittsburgh music scene in only one year of existence. They opened their set with a jawdropping version of Led Zepplin’s “No Quarter,” complete with mega phone, continuing with the title track to their ep “Cannonball,” and exceptional new single “Questions.”

Rectenwald took the stage one more time announcing the last three awards of the evening. Best rock photo, voted by fans at the show, went to Jimmy Bastard of the Bastard Bearded Irishmen of him sprawled out on his back with the sun setting at Hartwood Acres. LP of the year went to Balloon Ride Fantasy in tough field that included Chase The Monkey, The Hawkeyes, Marriage Blanc, and Roulette Waves. Breakout band went to Nevada Color as voted by the fans for their huge year in 2015.

Nevada Color capped off the triumphant evening with a sing along set of old favorites and soon to be
hits. Lead singer Quinn Wirth worked the stage and wooed the crowd with his charisma on songs like  “Lighthouse,” New Mexico and “Spotlight,” before closing out the night with “Phantom.”

Thanks to everyone who made this event possible, it’s never to early to start thinking about “Best of 2016!”