1st Place: Jim Pullman Band
2nd Place: Daredevil Christopher Wright
3rd Place: Meridene

Damn good indie-rock bands filled this year’s list of best original rock bands, and the veteran trio of the Jim Pullman Band rose up to be named the best in our blooming city of great music. All that grainy, vintage twang and those sweet, good feelin’ rock riffs are hard to not get caught up in, and Jim Pullman himself can bring it all home with a powerful, southern-splashed tenor that Ryan Adams would be proud of. Most importantly, if you’ve ever been to a JPB show you know the threesome can sell catchy hooks and heartfelt lyrics into the wee hours of night. Inspiring and quirky, bright and fearless, The Daredevil Christopher Wright is fresh from a critically acclaimed debut full length and a healthy dose of touring, earning them nationwide love and enough of your votes for second place honors. Meridene, having perfected a combo attack of blazing rock and sparkling pop punches, rounds out the top three after a very impressive year. – Andy Plank