For the 10th year, The Denver Post asked 61 local music experts to rank their top 20 bands in Colorado more deserving of mainstream recognition. Meet the Top 10, from Snake Rattle Rattle Snake to The Hollyfelds, out of 301 bands receiving points, in their own words.

1. Snake Rattle Rattle Snake

Personnel: Hayley Helmericks, Wilson Helmericks, Kit Peltzel, Doug Spencer, Andrew Warner, James Yardley
Website: myspace.com/snakerattlerattlesnake
Colorado connection: We are all Colorado kids (for the most part) who now live in Denver and have played in bands here for years.
Genre: Dark wave rock n' roll
Members in other bands: Bad Luck City, Sweet Tooth Meat Tooth, Moonspeed
Favorite local acts: Git Some, Bad Weather California, Nathaniel Rateliff, Cannons, Gauntlet Hair, 200 Million Years, Grey Gardens, Joe Sampson, A. Tom Collins
Next show: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, CarToys Stage @ the Goodwill Parking Lot, The UMS
We got into music because: We all grew up with music in our homes and then turned into punk kids who wanted to get loud.
We're still in it because: It's ever-changing and still fun! And there is no better feeling than providing people with an excuse to congregate and have a good time... and dance!

2. Houses

Personnel: Stephen Brooks (organ), Andy Hamilton (vocals, guitar), Kinsey Hamilton (vocals, shaky things), Johnny Lundock (drums), Mike Marchant (guitar, vocals), Eric Peterson (piano, vocals), Matthew Till (bass)
Websites: myspace.com/housestheband
Colorado connection: We are connected to the mountains beneath our feet, nourished by the storms above our heads, drunk on the sun.
Genre: Psychedelic rock and roll revival, Pentecostal swamp-rock
Members in other bands: Stephen Brooks (Pawn Ticket Trio), Andy Hamilton (O, Sorcerer; Coleman Winters & the Flowering Sunshine Band), Johnny Lundock (Blue Million Miles), Mike Marchant (Widowers; Mike Marchant's Outer Space Party Unit), Eric Peterson (Old Radio; Roger, Roll)
Favorite local acts: Bad Weather California, Nathaniel Rateliff, Tauntaun, Git Some, Joe Sampson, Joseph Pope III, Woven Hand, Achille Lauro
Next show: Midnight Friday, Verizon Wireless Stage @ the Hi-Dive; 3 p.m. Saturday, CarToys Stage @ the Goodwill Parking Lot, The UMS
We got into music because: Music got into us. That and we're mostly unemployable.
We're still in it because: Music is still into us. Playing music has improved our lives, wives, beers and beards.
The photo: By Heather Browne

3. Nathaniel Rateliff

Personnel: Nathaniel D. Rateliff, Joseph B. Pope III, Ben DeSoto, Julie Davis, James Han
Website: nathanielrateliff.com
Colorado connection: "Just another Midwest transplant"
Genre: Bi-curious redneck folk
Members in other bands: Bela Karoli, Joseph Pope III
Favorite local acts: Joe Sampson, Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, Houses, Bad Weather California, Harpoontang, Wentworth Kersey
Next show: 7:30 p.m. July 25, CarToys Stage, The UMS
We got into music because: Couldn't help ourselves.
We're still in it because: Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake."
The photo: By Joshua Elioseff

4. The Knew

Personnel: Jake (vox, guitar), Ty (guitar), Tim (bass), Pat (drums)
Website: theknew.com
Colorado connection: Ty is a native, Jake and Pat have been here since the '90s and Tim is secretly Canadian.
Genre: Guac n' roll
Members in other bands: Nope.
Favorite local acts: The Outfit, Faceman, Black Lamb, Peña, Vicious Women, A. Tom Collins and anything Patrick Lee is up to.
Next show: 10 p.m. Friday, Verizon Wireless Stage @ the Hi-Dive, The UMS
We got into music because: Boosh.
We're still in it because: Slightly older boosh.
The photo: By John Moore

5. Paper Bird

Personnel: Esme Patterson-Collins (vocals), Genny Patterson (vocals), Sarah Anderson (vocals and trumpet), Tyler Archuletta (trombone, harmonica), Paul DeHaven (guitar), Caleb Summeril (banjo, harmonica), Macon Terry (upright bass)
Website: paperbirdband.com
Colorado connection: Six of seven of us are from this good ol' state. The seventh is from the Alamo state.
Genre: Folk/joyful/Americana
Members in other bands: Sometimes we dip our toes in other projects.
Favorite local acts: Nathaniel Rateliff, Flobots, Dovekins, Ian Cooke, Laura Goldhamer
Next show: Midnight Thursday, Verizon Wireless Stage @ the Hi-Dive, The UMS
We got into music because: We stumbled into a really supportive community in Denver. Inspiring folks like Ian Cooke, Chris Adolf, Laura Goldhamer, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Flobots reached out to us with a willing kindness that we are so grateful for. Denver is the perfect place for an aspiring band to coalesce.
We're still in it because: Music makes people happy. The world can stand to see more happy people.
The photo: By Julio Enriquez

6. Bad Weather California

Personnel: Joe Sampson, Chris Adolf, Adam Baumiester, Logan Corcoran and sometimes Aaron Collins. He's our Billy Preston!
Website: badweathercalifornia.com
Colorado connection: We live in Denver. Three Colorado natives and one New England gentleman.
Genre: Secular, Baja, sunshine, Mexi-cali, electric guitar
Members in other bands: Joe Sampson (solo), Wentworth Kersey, Littles Paia, DJ Freedom Hater, Princess Music
Favorite local acts: Woodsman, Pink Hawks, Candy Claws, Pee-Pee (yes, still!), M. Pyres, Night of Joy, Tennis, Pina Colada, Married in Berdichev, Milton Melvin Croissant III, Hot White, the Cluster F%#!s, Heavy Drags
Next show: 9 p.m. Sunday, Verizon Wireless Stage @ the Hi-Dive, The UMS
We got into music because: It was easier than skateboarding.
We're still in it because: Skateboarding hurts. Now more than ever.
The photo: By John Moore

7. Git Some

Personnel: Luke Fairchild (vocals), Chuck French (guitar), Neil Keener (bass), Andrew Lindstrom (drums)
Website: alternativetentacles.com
Colorado connection: Luke grew up here.
Genre: Loud
Members in other bands: Luke and Andrew are in Kingdom of Magic. Andrew and Neil are in Nightshark. Neil is in Il Cattivo.
Favorite local acts: Kingdom of Magic, Nightshark, Il Cattivo, Eyes and Ears, Hot White, Fire Drills, Crawl, Space in Time, Wetlands, Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, Andrea Ball (and many more).
Next show: 11 p.m. Friday, Evergroove Stage @ 3 Kings Tavern, The UMS
We got into music because: The creator has a master plan.
We're still in it because: Music is the healing force of the universe.
The photo: By Joe McCabe

8. Gregory Alan Isakov

Personnel: Gregory Alan Isakov, Jen Gilleran, Jeb Bows, Ramaya Soskin, James Han, Phil Parker, Julie Davis, Sarah Levin
Website: gregoryalanisakov.com
Colorado connection: It's home.
Genre: Songs
Members in other bands: Recess, Gasoline Lollipops, Ramaya Soskin, Nathaniel Rateliff, Bela Karoli
Favorite local acts: DeVotchKa, Jamie Medford, Bela Karoli, Reed Foehl, Porlolo, Nathaniel Rateliff, Roger Green, Ian Cooke, Aaron Espe
Next show: Aug. 14, Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, Lyons
I got into music because: I was a lonely kid. Besides, I wanted to be Michael Jackson.
I'm still in it because: I still kinda want to be Michael Jackson. Miles to go.
The photo: By Joshua Elioseff

9. Tauntaun

Personnel: Dave Barker (drums), Matty Clark (bass), Chris Fogal (vocals, guitar), Ian O'Dougherty (guitar)
Website: tauntaun.bandcamp.com
Colorado connection: We've been playing in Colorado bands since the mid-'90s, including Uphollow, the Gamits, Pinhead Circus, Love Me Destroyer and Sleeper Horse.
Genre: Metal
Members in other bands: Dave plays with Rocky Votolato, Chris plays with the Gamits, Ian plays with Eolian and Ian Cooke and Matty plays with Trees.
Favorite local acts: Havok, Speedwolf, Lion Sized
Next show: Midnight Friday, Evergroove Stage @ 3 Kings Tavern, The UMS
We got into music because: Metal was good in our formative years.
We're still in it because: We don't listen to modern metal.
The photo: By Heather Browne

10. The Hollyfelds

Personnel: Eryn Hoerig (vocals, autoharp, ukulele, piano), Kate Grigsby (vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, autoharp, mandolin), Tim Mallot (dobro, mandolin, acoustic and electric guitar), Magic Sam Spitzer (drums, cowbell, accordion), Keith Hoerig (bass)
Website: thehollyfelds.com
Colorado connection: We love Colorado. We all live in the Denver metro area and have for years.
Genre: Retro-country, alt-country
Members in other bands: None.
Favorite local acts: Slim Cessna's Auto Club, DeVotchKa, Marty Jones and the Great Unknowns, Angie Stevens and the Beautiful Wreck, the Railbenders, Crook's Coat, Denver Joe, Glowing Houses, Stealth Hippo, Vibes on Velvet, Dirty Back Seat Lovers
Next show: Midnight Saturday, Verizon Droid Stage @ the Skylark Lounge, The UMS
We got into music because: It's fun!
We're still in it because: It's still fun!
The photo: By Joe McCabe.

Blog essay: To poll or not to poll?

UMS founder John Moore tackles the question: "Why do you rank the bands by numbers each year? click here

10th annual Denver Post Underground Music Showcase, July 22-25

The largest indie music festival in the Rocky Mountain region with 325-plus artists. Venues include rock clubs, bars, art galleries, gardens, coffee shops and more in the Baker District, South Broadway between Sixth and Alameda avenues. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday (July 22); 5:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday (July 23); 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday-Sunday (July 24-25). Four-day wristbands are $30 now at theums.com; day-of wristbands are $40. Schedule, wristband sales and more: theums.com

More photos! More video!

We've edited down more than 1,000 UMS photos by our team of shooters at the 2009 Denver Post Underground Music Showcase to bring you the very best. To see what we came up with, click here.

Also, to see all the videos we posted from the 2009 UMS, click here .