The Boston Phoenix has decided to celebrate the impending 4th of July not the traditional way involving beer and minor explosives but instead using beer to find the best band, best solo artist and best current act from each of the 50 states. Their rules:

The 50 all-time best bands: based on where the band was formed. We allowed some elasticity here, like if the band members met in art school in one state and then moved to another state, we gave it to the state that needed it most.

The 50 all-time best solo artists: we were much stricter on this one. To win this category for a given state, you had to be born there. If it’s good enough for your passport, it’s good enough for us.

The 50 best new bands: this could also be read as best newish band, because some of our winners aren’t exactly brand-spanking new. But the acts we selected for this category are, for a general audience, relatively undiscovered. Cue up your MySpace now.

You may not agree with all of the decisions from the panel of judges (ahem NY) but one thing is certain; all 150 choices are 100% pinko commie free. USA! USA! USA!

50 Bands, 50 States