I've had the chance see quite a few Lubbock bands this year, and these five are best bets for a good time.

What I like about this list, and I didn't realize it until I put it together, was all of the bands are crazy different from one another. So pick a style you're in a mood for and get out and check out some awesome music.

No offense to any Lubbock bands not listed on here. I just may not have seen your band live yet.

  • 1

    Ronnie Eaton & The Cold Hard Truth

    I cannot say enough good things about this band. I've seen them in various forms at least six times. I said this before, but it really says it all. I used to think saying someone played "just good music" was a cop-out, but that's the perfect description for what the band does.

    Make no mistake: Lead singer Ronnie Eaton is one of us. He can talk Alice In Chains or Metallica with you all day long, but his heartfelt songs are in the vein of light rock with just the tiniest whisper of country in them.  The band has been picking up gigs at the Dallas Hard Rock and House of Blues, so catch them in Lubbock while you can.

  • 2

    Twisted Nature

    As an FMX fan, Twisted Nature is a 100 percent sure bet for you. These guys play songs from the artists you hear on FMX, only occasionally putting in songs with a bit more soul and funk. I also LOVE the fact that they have their own look and style. You can't go wrong with a Twisted Nature gig.

  • 3

    Element

    If Element played in Las Vegas, they'd be rich men. They are the perfect rhythm, blues, funk and soul party band. They play the hits from the greats like The Commodores, but throw in a few of the more current pop-soul songs.

    This band is really too good to spend their weekends in Lubbock. They should be playing casinos, resorts and huge private events.

  • 4

    Sugarwitch

    With Lubbock being the home of Buddy Holly, you'd think we'd have a bit more of a rockabilly scene. I guess we're going with quality over quantity, because Sugarwitch delivers.

    Imagine the Reverend Horton Heat, but with a charismatic female singer. I was fortunate enough to see a half-dozen or so rockabilly road bands this past year, and Sugarwitch is as good or better than any of them.

  • 5

    Violent Vendetta

    Technically, these boys are from Big Springs, but we're going to call them local. I'm not the biggest fan of the growl metal that's popular these days, but I can still tell when a band has it's stuff together. These guys are tight, driven and something to say. They rock HARD.

    They've been picking up so cool road gigs with national acts, too, which can really add to a band's overall presentation. Great guys. Great metal. That's really all you need to know.

  • Bonus

    Johnny Handgunn

    Two of the guys from Johnny Handgunn moved to Austin, but they're still booking Lubbock gigs, so I didn't really know who else to place them on this list other than as a bonus.

    You can't catch them every weekend, but you can catch them once in a while.

    As for the music, Johnny Handgunn is rowdy, fun punk rock. They are a riot where no one gets hurt. They are good times with spilled beer and hugs for strangers. They seriously bring pure joy back into music. I will also go on record as saying St. Jimmy is THE most entertaining drummer in Lubbock. He's just plain nuts.

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