Pitchfork

Do you smell something, or is it just me? I can't quite place it, but it almost smells like... Noise Pop 2002! Can you feel it coming in the air tonight? (Oh, lord.) The San Francisco-based indie rock festival will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Noise Pop began as a scrappy one-night event in 1993, when Kevin Arnold (no relation to the "Wonder Years" kid) booked five bands to play at the Kennel Club in SF. But now, 10 years later, it's exploded into a beast with many arms and heads, consuming everything and everybody in its path... well, there's a shitload of bands and venues involved. Arnold is still at the helm, along with Jordan Kurland of Zeitgeist Management (Creeper Lagoon, Beulah).

The list of Noise Pop alumni is long, but some of the bands that have participated in the past include Archers of Loaf, Blonde Redhead, Creeper Lagoon, Death Cab for Cutie, Flaming Lips, Grandaddy, Imperial Teen, Jim O'Rourke (see above fiasco), Modest Mouse, Rocket From the Crypt, Sam Prekop, Television, Unwound, Versus, the White Stripes and Yo La Tengo.

This year, Noise Pop spans six nights and includes SF venues such as Bimbo's, the Bottom of the Hill, Cafe du Nord, the Fillmore, the Great American Music Hall, the Justice League and Slim's. And lest you think it's just about snotty bands, the Noise Pop Film Fest will be returning, along with the Noise Pop Educational Series, art openings and a party celebrating the 10 Year Anniversary. No word yet on when the Chicago version of the festival will be taking place, but updates will be posted on the Noise Pop website. This year's Noise Pop Festival will run February 26th-March 3rd. The following bands have already signed on: The Faint, Death Cab for Cutie, Dismemberment Plan, Adult, the Makers, New Pornographers, and a first time collaboration between John Doe and Neko Case.