Esquire popped in a for a short visit and hit some of the scene's highlights, but there are plenty of other reasons why Cincinnati rocks. Here are six more:

Short Vine - Three of Cincinnati's most famous rock clubs have a Vine Street address: Bogart's, the 1,500-seat room that routinely sells out a calendar of rock, emo, metal and rap, and has hosted everyone from Lenny Kravitz to the White Stripes and local act Moth; Sudsy Malone's, back to booking live music full time; and Top Cat's, the long-time Wednesday-night home of live local hip-hop.

Northside - The Comet is Northside's rock pioneer, booking a full and eclectic live-music schedule for eight years. Northside Tavern does more of the same, and neither room charges a cover.

Shake-It Records - This independent Northside shop opened by the Blase brothers in 1999 has one of the most diverse selections of new and used vinyl and CDs in town. The selection ranges from garage rock to bluegrass, jazz, world music, reggae and just about anything else that falls outside of the usual top 40 fare.

MidPoint Music Festival - In its second year, the event boasted a roster of 200 acts, and more than 25,000 fans clogged the Main Street entertainment district in September.

Radio Down - The Covington club opened on New Year's Eve and quickly claimed its portion of the live-music business as an all-ages venue. Manager Frank Hulefeld has sold out the 400-capacity room by bringing in national punk and emo shows by the likes of Hey Mercedes and Dillinger Escape Plan.

The Cincinnati Five - Five bands are invited to this year's prestigious South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, an incredible number for a town of its size. The Greenhornes and Thee Shams are SxSW veterans, joined this year by Pearlene, Shesus and the Sundresses.

Chris Varias