The Menzingers (Photo by Madeleine Lesperance)

The amount of news that surfaces in a 24 hour period is astronomical anymore; multiplied by 365, that’s an onslaught of information we present you with during the calendar year. But some items always rise above the fold and prove to be something bigger. Here are the ten stories from The Key that drew your collective attention (and eyeballs) in 2012.

10. Recap: Richie Sambora rocked for the fans at Free at Noon (photos, setlist, audio) – Sept. 14, 2012

Jersey-bred rocker (and heartthrob) Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi played a Free at Noon concert at the beginning of the fall. It was the first show of his tour with a new backing band, and lots of you turned up to cheer him on. Even more of you tuned in online, and continued to revisit the set weeks after it happened.

9. The Key Studio Sessions: The Menzingers – Feb. 22, 2012

A criminally overlooked album in the year’s various top-tens (and I’m as guilty as anyone), Philly punk rock four-piece The Menzingers released the outstanding On The Impossible Past on Epitaph Records this year, and toured hard in support of it. Their Key Studio Session show just how razor sharp their playing was after months on the road.

Photo by Ashley Elizabeth

8. Central Pa.’s music scene mourns the loss of Jersey Mike – Nov. 19, 2012

The sudden passing of Harrisburg-area music promoter and community advocate Michael “Jersey Mike” Van Jura was a huge blow to the music scene across the state. The day after his passing, we remembered him in this post.

7. 15 reasons why Philly’s music scene will go from 10 to 11 in 2013 – Dec. 28, 2012

As the year drew to a close, Bruce Warren not only recounted everything that was great about Philly music this year with a massive roll-call, he presented a round-up of 15 releases that will make 2013 even bigger.

6. Six essential covers from The Afghan Whigs (playing The Electric Factory on Sept. 27) – Sept. 16, 2012

With one of my all-time favorite bands reunited and playing the Electric Factory this fall, I took the opportunity to round up some of my favorite covers it recorded over the years. The Afghan Whigs must have appreciated my nerdery, as they shared the story out to their followers, and suddenly Whigs listeners from across the country were checking in.

5. The Key Studio VIDEO Sessions: A decade of mewithoutYou – Dec. 21, 2011

Technically a post from late last year that generated some serious excitement this year as mewithoutYou, the post-hardcore art rock group from Upper Darby, reflected on ten years of being a band and debuted material from their excellent 2012 LP Ten Stories in this Key Studio Session video.

Artwork by Steve Powers | Photo by Jesse Trbovich

4. And now, a first look at the Kurt Vile mural at Front and Master – Dec. 19, 2012

I happened to be checking Facebook one afternoon when I saw a few of my friends liking and sharing a photo that Violators guitarist Jesse Trbovich snapped of the new Kurt Vile mural at Front and Master, which will be used in the album art for his upcoming 2013 full length. I quickly dropped Jesse a line, got his okay to run the photo, and Vile fans across the internet went abuzz.

3. My Morning Download: Ellie Goulding covers The Weeknd’s “High For This” (produced by Xaphoon Jones of Chiddy Bang) - June 1, 2012

One of those rare confluences of factors that’s somehow magic. Ellie Goulding, a UK pop singer we love, covered a banger from The Weeknd, a singer blogs go wild for, and it was produced by Xaphoon Jones of Chiddy Bang, one of our favorite hometown heroes. That mix equaled The Key’s third most-viewed story of the year.

2. WXPN Local Twelve Days of Christmas 2012 – Dec. 6, 2012

The Twelve Days of Christmas compilations we release not only give Philadelphia artists a chance to reflect on the season in song, they become a huge favorite among the XPN crowd. This year’s was by far the most popular, with originals in the mix from York Street Hustle, Ben Smith and Ryan Tennis, and bonus “stocking stuffers” from Tin Bird Choir and The Districts.

1. Stream a new Bruce Springsteen song, “This Depression” from Wrecking Ball – Feb. 24, 2012

It’s a funny recurring feat, but also a huge reflection of music tastes in the greater Philadelphia region – The Boss always comes out on top. What made this post exciting wasn’t just the first taste of new material from Wrecking Ball, but the discussion that ensued in the comments – conversation about the song, sharing of memories, and a general sense of rock and roll camaraderie, all bound by Bruce Springsteen.

Into It. Over It, the ambitious punk/pop solo act of Damiera member Evan Weiss, will be performing tonight with local punk/hardcore hybrid Restorations at First Unitarian Church. This is the first full-band tour for Into It. Over It. after releasing its debut full-length record Proper in 2011. Prior to Proper’s release, Into It. Over It. recorded 52 Weeks, a year-long effort that involved writing, recording and releasing new tracks every week during 2007; the finished product was released as a collection in 2009. Tickets  for the 7:30 show are available here. Below, check out the title track from Into It. Over It.’s Proper.

Philly four-piece shoegaze band Forest Fools will be playing at Pi Lam tonight with fellow local dream pop group The Tweeds. ”Weakend Guest” from The Tweeds’ 2011 full-length album, Goliath, is available for a free download here. The show starts 8 PM; more details can be found here. Below you listen to Forest Fools’ latest track “The Way Out” from their forthcoming EP.

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora will be playing at the Electric Factory tonight. During Bon Jovi’s two year hiatus, Sambora took the opportunity to release his third solo album, Aftermath of the Lowdown, in September. Tickets for the 8:30 show can be found here. Check out Sambora’s performance of “You Can Only Get So High” at our own Free At Noon show at World Cafe Live a month ago. UPDATE: Richie Sambora canceled tonight’s show, as well as adjoining shows in Toronto and New York City. Refunds are available at point of purchase, internet and phone orders will automatically be canceled & refunded. From Sambora’s Facebook: “Really, really sorry – I just blew my voice out. I’m on vocal rest and it wouldn’t be fair to give you a less than 100% performance. I promise to more than make it up to you though!”

Set List:

1. Taking a Chance on the Wind
2. Weathering the Storm
3. Every Road Leads Home to You
4. Wanted Dead or Alive
5. Sugar Daddy
6. You Can Only Get So High
7. Stranger in this Town
8. Livin’ on a Prayer