Hi there music lovers and haters. It’s that time of year when one goes through the best of whatever their favorites are of the past year. This column focuses on favorite concerts of 2002. In my opinion, the music scene, in general, has been lacking quality shows in the Chicago punk/hardcore genre lately. However, there were a few quality shows this year. In no particular order, the following are my picks for the top concerts of 2002.

u The first great concert of 2002 was the KungFu Rick and Seven Days of Samsara show at the Fireside Bowl on June 29. KFR is a five-piece power hardcore band from Elmhurst. Seven Days is a similar band from Milwaukee.

The show was hyped up, as possibly, the last show either band would play and a record-release show of Seven Days discography. Nevertheless, this concert was full of a lot of emotion and craziness. On a brighter note both bands are still together.

u The second spectacular show of 2002 was the Frontside/Tom Sawyer record release show with He Who Corrupts. I went to see Frontside and HWC. I know the guys in Tom Sawyer, so I guess I went to see them as well. Once again, a spectacular show that included nakedness and more silliness than you can shake a stick at.

u The third, and quite possibly the best concert of 2002, was the second day of DuPageFest, which was held at the LaGrange Park Skate Park. Ten or 11 bands played for a $6 cover charge. Bands like Frontside, Tom Sawyer, Since by Man, Chunsa and Step Forward Look West all played. Some highlights from the show were Since by Man coming down from Milwaukee to play. I think they are definitely one of the most animated live bands. Chunsa was a new band I think would take home the Oscar for best new band, if they let me give out Oscars. The highlight of the evening came when Timmy Stafford, wearing a wrestling mask, jumped off the speaker into the moshpit. He sort of just flopped off it.

u The fourth and fifth top concerts actually happened last weekend. Last Friday, Milemarker and a few other local bands played in Champaign, followed by The Honor System playing at Friends & Co. on Saturday. I liked Milemarker’s albums, but you can’t fully experience Milemarker until you see them live. They are, by far, the most animated band I have seen to date. I have seen The Honor System about five other times in the Chicagoland area, but for this show they played in my temporary backyard. Plus the band played all new material that I was very excited to hear.

As you can see, 2002 was not the best year for rock concerts, but it definitely was not a sleepy summer.