Opal

Good guess, but incorrect. Also, I noted to answer via e-mail and I amended the post to indicate that someone already had won. Thanks for playing, though.

And the answer is...

The original winner can't go. We're going to open up the contest again.

The correct answer is Rainy Day.

@5 Clay Allison? Rainy Day was a "project" and far from a band...or, at least that is what I remember because if it was a band, there were like 15+ people in that band. I am going to the Dream Syndicate regardless...thanks.

and furthermore http://www.thestranger.com/lineout/archi…

this is very confusing.

6&7
Project/band—this is semantics/hair-splitting. Rainy Day was the collective in which Kendra Smith played first after leaving the Dream Syndicate, per Wikipedia. I'd love to email Kendra to confirm, but I fear she doesn't own a computer.