The average local music fan just picks up the paper to see what's going on at the clubs, what movies are out, check the classifieds, etc. Maybe you should nominate a few bands in each category that you think are worthy and have all the groups perform two or three songs each at some local clubs with the Advocate music writers judging the winners. Many of them may perhaps be friendly with one or two bands on the ballot, but certainly not with all of the dozens of other bands they enjoy and vote for without a hint of self-interest. Talent has its place. That's reflected in our regular music reviews and club coverage.
All communities have their spouting egotists, village idiots, complacent oafs and naive simpletons.
They may not possess the same talents, but they're often just as entertaining. The Grand Band Slam gives us a chance to assess the entire scene for a change, to let other views into the paper, to acknowledge bands whose popularity may unnerve us but who are nonetheless popular. We take the poll seriously, because somebody has to. This was the best and most authoritative poll we think we've ever run, but of course there were still problems. Despite running the ballot past many scene-sensory people, some strong contenders got overlooked.