You guys, I am so excited to present you all with this week’s Playlist Thursday. I am, and always have been, deeply deeply DEEPLY involved in the local music scene back home. It’s a way of life for us back there.

New to Playlist Thursdays? Here’s how it works: Every week Pavement Runner has a new theme for us all to dig out our playlists and post three songs that represent the theme.Something Old. Something Current. and Something to Consider.

In case you couldn’t tell already, this week’s theme is LOCAL FLAVOR!

Something Old: “Because the Night” by 10,000 Maniacs.. Who remembers the 10,000 maniacs, or at the very least Natalie Merchant? They’re from Jamestown, NY! John Lombardo is one of my best friends, Kyle’s uncle, in fact!! The band was started in a basement in Jamestown and was called “Still Life” until they recruited John Lombardo and Natalie Merchant who wanted the band to be called 10,000 maniacs after the low-budget horror movie “Two Thousand Maniacs!” Their climb to the top of record charts was not over night. Starting in the early 80s, the band didn’t find their success until the mid 90s!

Something Current: “In These Times” by Thee Audience. I am honored to be able to call these guys my FRIENDS. Matt (guitar) , Dan (drums), Mark (vocals) , and Ryan (bass) are so incredibly talented it pains me. I beg of them to move out of town so they can be discovered. I know they could do big big big things if they did! So much talent in this group of musicians. If you like any sort of rock you will appreciate their art. One of the most eclectic music groups in Western New York, people have always struggled to describe their sound. So unique.

Something to Consider: “The End is Here” By Notixx. Yeah, shameless plug… My fiance’s incredibly talented music duo with his buddy Ryan. They make dubstep, drumstep and Drum & Bass, and various other types of Electronic Dance Music. It’s not exactly everybody’s cup of tea, I get that…. But DAMN are they good at what they do. This song is off of their EP that was released in April. I love the song, I love the video. I love them.

Do tell, What is some of your favorite music that is local to your area? Doesn’t have to be a small underground band that plays at your favorite dive bar. Can be a big band that is from your town, or state even!!