This list is a terrible, fun read, but this is all so subjective it doesn’t even matter. I’m no dogmatist — punk is supposed to be anything you want it to be, even it that means putting Sleater Kinney in the #1 slot. I think I missed the lecture on why we were all supposed to love Sleater Kinney so much. I’m wrong, I know, but I just don’t see it…wish I did. I’m spending a whiskey-sodden New Year’s Eve in a house in the Catskills arguing the list with friends, including my buddy from another band unjustly left off the tally, Buffalo, NY’s favorite sons, Snapcase.

Even at my deepest phase of liking ign’nant hardcore from the ‘Cuse, I left Snapcase alone. You gonna bring out the basketball jersey and the plugs and the JNCOs?

(I don’t mean “ign’nant” like Syracuse was a scene of idiots. Love Earth Crisis or hate them, they were smart guys. I mean all the macho stuff that came along with the vegan sXe scene. I’m likening it to ign’nant-rap that I also love.)