Top 10 L.A. Bands to Watch in 2011

Top Ten This, That, and the Other Thing of 2010, yadda yadda. As 2010 becomes more and more "the year that was," we'd like to push the fast-forward button a bit and tell you the Top 10 LA Bands to Watch in 2011. Come next December these are gonna be the bands on those ubiquitous end-of-the-year lists. Read on and you'll be able to roll your eyes and tell your friends "You're so 2010":

10. He's My Brother She's My Sister

This alt. folk band features brother and sister Rob and Rachel Kolar along with a tap dancer performing a mix of originals, as well as covers of Rob's other band, Lemon Sun, and the occasional folk standard. The band has a self-released EP available on Amazon; keep your eye out for more from them.

9. BomBón

San Pedro's all-girl BomBón got our attention with the release of their self-titled debut LP, which offers a raw mix of surf-inspired garage. They use a judicious mix of gritty, garagey grime over doo-wop vocals in order to avoid sounding too saccharine; do yourself a favor and go to one of their shows.

8. Don Juan y los Blancos

Wild Records' Don Juan y los Blancos exploded into our consciousness shortly after it was founded in 2008. Their backing band the Blancos churns out rockabilly and soul to back the vocals of co-lead singers Don Juan and Becky Blanca. Their shows are always packed and the crowd always goes wild.

7. Clorox Girls

Clorox Girls are a late 70s style punk band that has impressed the likes of Thurston Moore and Byron Coley. Originally from Oakland, they have impressed the press from Detroit to San Fran before recently moving to L.A.

6. Devon Williams

You might have seen Devon playing guitar for Lavendar Diamond, or perhaps fronting Devon Williams and the Grunge Gods, Devon Williams and the Fuck-Ups or Devon Williams. It is just Devon Williams, no fuck-ups, that is releasing a record early next year; do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Rena Kosnett

5. Amanda Jo Williams

Amanda's Georgia twang makes her own brand folk-rock unmistakeably unique. Last year, she released "Yes I will Mr. Man" and found herself opening for such formidable acts as Morris Tepper, among others.

4. Death Hymn Number 9

Fronted by a former member of the Red Onions, this band plays savage rock to screaming fans throughout the L.A. area. They dress in "blood"-covered clothes, paint their faces, and let it rip. Not for the faint of heart.

3. Johnny O'Donnell

Former Holy Ghost guitarist Johnny O'Donnell is fronting his own band now; he just released his EP on White Noise.

2. Soviet League

Founded by ex-members of Sugarplastic and the Autumns, Soviet League just released their debut self-titled LP, which is getting already getting rave reviews from the likes of Pop'stache and Alarm Press. Pick up a copy; you won't regret it

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And the Number One LA Band to Watch in 2011 is...