The Knife * The Slits * Hot Chip * The Black Keys * Madlib * Ben Lee * Deerhoof * Blonde Redhead * The Boy Least Likely To * Blue Cheer * Joseph Arthur * Erase Errata * Green Milk from the Planet Orange * Cold War Kids * Silversun Pickups * Califone * White Whale * hellogoodbye * Anathallo * Dr. Dog * Professor Murder * Archie Bronson Outfit * Keren Ann * Jucifer * David Bazan * Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin * Oakley Hall * These Arms Are Snakes * Micah P. Hinson * Portastatic * Cloud Cult * Jason Forrest Band * Thunderbirds Are Now! * Strike Anywhere * Percee P * Mute Math * Suzanne Vega * Extra Golden * 120 Days * The Fever * Girl Talk *

I’m not totally and utterly underwhelmed by the number of big names – CMJ is all about breaking new artists, after all – but I did immediately raise my eyebrows at two of those listed: the Slits and Blue Cheer. Fans of ’70s punk and ’60s garage rock are twitching with glee…

The panelists this year, however, are the real cause for celebration, if only for their diversity. Names include Chris Stein (Blondie), Pat DiNizio (the Smithereens), Janeane Garofalo, George Clinton (Parliament Funkadelic), Roger O’Donnell (the Cure), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), and…wait for it…Don fucking DOKKEN, baby!


“Nigel Tufnel? Never heard of him.”

Get more details about this year’s festival here.