|
+44 |
 |
Author: Corey Apar
|
|
|
30 Seconds to Mars |
|
Author: Johnny Loftus
Bio:
Initially known as an actor (most notably on the '90s TV drama My So-Called Life and in movies like Requiem for a Dream), Jared Leto also had musical ambitions. His band, 30 Seconds to Mars, debuted in 2002 with a self-titled effort featuring a post-grunge sound suggestive of groups like Chevelle or Incubus. 30 Seconds returned three years later with A Beautiful Lie, an emotional album thematically based... READ MORE
|
|
|
AFI |
|
Author: Steve Huey
|
|
|
All American Rejects |
|
Author: MacKenzie Wilson
Bio:
Tyson Ritter (vocals/bass) and Nick Wheeler (guitar/programming) were in junior high school when music started to influence them. Both were stuck in the ho-hum life of small-town America. Stillwater, OK, wasn't exactly the most exciting place in the world, so naturally the boys turned to music. While Ritter was staying up late, watching music videos, and rocking out to AC/DC, READ MORE
|
|
|
Amy Winehouse |
|
Author: Cyril Cordor
Bio:
Much can be said about Amy Winehouse, one of the U.K.'s flagship vocalists during the 2000s. The British press and tabloids seemed to focus on her rowdy behavior and heavy alcohol consumption, but fans and critics alike embraced her rugged charm and brash sense of humor because of her distinctively soulful and jazzy vocals. Her platinum-selling breakthrough album Frank elicited comparisons ranging from Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan to Macy... READ MORE
|
|
|
Angels and Airwaves |
|
Author: Corey Apar
Bio:
With the hiatus of pop-punk superstars blink-182 in full effect by the fall of 2005, singer/guitarist Tom DeLonge revealed the formation of his new band - one he'd already been working with for six months - Angels and Airwaves. With the notoriety of his previous group, much hype ensued after the announcement: In interviews with outlets like mtv.com, DeLonge proclaimed (among other things) that the new music would take elements of bands like U2... READ MORE
|
|
|
Arcade Fire |
|
Author: MacKenzie Wilson
|
|
|
Army of Anyone |
|
Author: Megan Frye
Bio:
By the time Army of Anyone started catching attention, it had already been about four years since any of the all-star cast of bandmembers had released an album with the bands that brought them to the forefront. Countering Velvet Revolver's immediate name-recognition appeal, Army of Anyone is comprised of Filter vocalist Richard Patrick, brothers and former Stone Temple Pilots bandmates Dean... READ MORE
|
|
|
Beck |
|
Author: Steve Huey
Bio:
One of the most inventive and eclectic figures to emerge from the '90s alternative revolution, Beck was the epitome of postmodern chic in an era obsessed with junk culture. Drawing upon a kaleidoscope of influences - pop, folk, psychedelia, hip-hop, country, blues, R&B, funk, indie rock, noise rock, experimental rock, jazz, lounge, Brazilian music - Beck created a body of work that was wildly unpredictable, vibrantly messy, and bursting with ideas. He was unquestionably a product of the media age - a synthesist whose concoctions were pasted together from bits of the past and present, in ways that could only occur to an overexposed pop-culture junkie. His surreal, free-associative lyrics were laced with warped imagery and a sardonic sense of humor that, while typical of the times, only rarely... READ MORE
|
|
|
Bloc Party |
|
Author: Heather Phares
|
|
|
Blue October |
|
Author: MacKenzie Wilson
|
|
|
Breaking Benjamin |
|
Author: Alex Henderson
|
|
|
Buckcherry |
|
Author: Jason Ankeny
Bio:
Los Angeles hard rockers Buckcherry formed in mid-1995 after singer Joshua Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson were introduced through their tattoo artist; after cutting their earliest demos, the duo recruited bassist Jonathan "J.B." Brightman and drummer Devon Glenn and began performing live, quickly earning a major following on the L.A. club scene. Following the subsequent addition of second guitarist Yogi,... READ MORE
|
|
|
Chevelle |
|
Author: Tracy Frey
Bio:
Inspired by the lurching riffs of Helmet and the soft/loud vocal styling of Tool, Chicago-based trio Chevelle's aggressive, heavy sound is all about mounting tension exploding into raw guitar bursts. Formed in 1995, Chevelle comprised brothers Sam (drums), Pete (vocals, guitar), and Joe Loeffler (bass), the last of whom joining up after... READ MORE
|
|
|
Cold War Kids |
|
Author: Heather Phares
|
|
|
Gnarls Barkley |
|
Author: John Bush
Bio:
The Gnarls Barkley collaboration didn't bring producer Danger Mouse to the top of the British charts for the first time, but it did mark his debut as the pilot of a hit record. Mouse, born Brian Burton, first gained the ears of listeners when he concocted The Grey Album, a bootleg that combined the vocals from The Black Album... READ MORE
|
|
|
Green Day |
|
Author: Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Bio:
Out of all the post-Nirvana American alternative bands to break into the pop mainstream, Green Day was second only to Pearl Jam in terms of influence. At their core, Green Day was simply punk revivalists, recharging the energy of speedy, catchy three-chord punk-pop songs. Though their music wasn't particularly innovative, they brought the sound of late-'70s punk to a new, younger generation with Dookie, their 1994 major-label debut. Green Day wasn't always able to sustain their success - Dookie... READ MORE
|
|
|
Incubus |
|
Author: Steve Huey
Bio:
Incubus rose to become one of the most popular alt-metal bands of the new millennium, setting themselves apart from a crowded field with a somewhat less-negative outlook and tireless touring. Formed in 1991 in the San Fernando Valley suburb of Calabasas, CA, group members Brandon Boyd (vocals, percussion), Mike Einziger (guitar), Alex Katunich (aka Dirk Lance; bass), and José... READ MORE
|
|
|
Interpol |
|
Author: Andy Kellman
Bio:
New York's Interpol reminds anyone who has ever heard post-punk bands like Joy Division and the Chameleons of those exact bands, plus a few more. The roots of the band - as far as its members are considered - can be traced back to a partnership between Daniel Kessler (a guitarist and vocalist) and a fellow New York University student named Greg Drudy (a drummer). Kessler... READ MORE
|
|
|
Kaiser Chiefs |
|
Author: Michael Sutton
|
|
|
Keane |
|
Author: MacKenzie Wilson
Bio:
Tom Chaplin (vocals), Richard Hughes (drums), and Tim Rice-Oxley (piano) are childhood friends from Battle, East Sussex, England, who make up the merry pop sounds of Keane. Formed in 1997 while each were attending college, Keane initially started out as a cover band. They played Oasis, U2, and READ MORE
|
|
|
Korn |
|
Author: Jason Ankeny & Bradley Torreano
|
|
|
Marilyn Manson |
|
Author: Jason Ankeny
Bio:
Love him or hate him, the self-proclaimed "Antichrist Superstar," Marilyn Manson, was indisputably among the most notorious and controversial entertainers of the 1990s. Celebrated by supporters as a crusader for free speech and denounced by detractors as little more than a poor man's Alice Cooper, Manson was the latest in a long line of shock rockers, rising to the top of the charts on a platform of sex, drugs, and Satanism. Though widely dismissed by critics, his brand of metal nevertheless struck a major chord with the youth market - on the strength of a masterfully orchestrated marketing campaign, he became a mainstream anti-hero, much to the chagrin of conservative politicians and concerned parents.... READ MORE
|
|
|
Modest Mouse |
|
Author: Jason Ankeny
Bio:
Issaquah, WA, indie rock trio Modest Mouse was formed in 1993 by vocalist/guitarist Isaac Brock, bassist Eric Judy, and drummer Jeremiah Green. After honing their muscular sound in "The Shed" - a makeshift practice space built by Brock on the land next to his mother's trailer - Modest Mouse entered Calvin Johnson's Dub Narcotic Studios... READ MORE
|
|
|
Muse |
|
Author: Heather Phares
Bio:
The English rock trio Muse consists of guitarist/vocalist Matthew Bellamy, bassist Chris Wolstenholme, and drummer Dominic Howard. Bored by the sleepy life provided by their hometown of Teignmouth, Devon, the three friends began playing music together. They started the first incarnation of their band when they were all 13, changing the name of the group from Gothic Plague to Fixed Penalty to Rocket Baby Dolls as time passed.... READ MORE
|
|
|
My Chemical Romance |
|
Author: Alex Henderson
Bio:
Based in New Jersey, My Chemical Romance is an alternative pop/rock and punk-pop band that has been compared to Thursday and, to a lesser degree, Cursive. Their name was inspired by author Irvine Welsh (of Trainspotting fame), and while many of their songs are loud, fast, hyper, and aggressive, My Chemical Romance's work also tends to be melodic and pop-minded. My Chemical Romance got started in the early 2000s, when lead singer Gerard Way and drummer Matt... READ MORE
|
|
|
Nickelback |
|
Author: Ed Nimmervoll
Bio:
Canada's Nickelback started life as a cover band in Hanna, 215 kilometers northeast of Calgary. Eventually, they tired of playing other people's songs, and singer/guitarist Chad Kroeger put together a collection of original songs, borrowed money from his stepfather, and went to Vancouver to record the band in a friend's studio. Based on the results, Kroeger's guitarist brother, Mike, and pal bassist Ryan Vikedal all relocated... READ MORE
|
|
|
Nine Inch Nails |
|
Author: Steve Huey
Bio:
Nine Inch Nails were the most popular industrial group ever and were largely responsible for bringing the music to a mass audience. It isn't really accurate to call NIN a group; the only official member is singer/producer/multi-instrumentalist Trent Reznor, who always remained solely responsible for NIN's musical direction (he was, however, supported in concert by a regular backing band). Unlike the vast majority of industrial artists, Reznor wrote melodic, traditionally structured songs where lyrics were a focal point. His pop instincts not only made the harsh electronic beats of industrial music easier to... READ MORE
|
|
|
Papa Roach |
|
Author: Heather Phares
|
|
|
Plain White T's |
|
Author: Tim Sendra
Bio:
Born in the suburbs of Chicago, lead singer Tom Higgenson was originally fascinated with the drums, performing in various pop and rock bands in high school. One of these groups was Harvey's Daughter, where he met bass player Ken Fletcher. The group disbanded but another was re-formed, with Higgenson taking over lead duties as songwriter and singer. Friend and drummer Dave... READ MORE
|
|
|
Queens of the Stone Age |
|
Author: Jason Ankeny & Greg Prato
|
|
|
Raconteurs |
|
Author: Heather Phares
|
|
|
Rage Against the Machine |
|
Author: Jason Ankeny
Bio:
Rage Against the Machine earned acclaim from disenfranchised fans (and not insignificant derision from critics) for their bombastic, fiercely polemical music, which brewed sloganeering leftist rants against corporate America, cultural imperialism, and government oppression into a Molotov cocktail of punk, hip-hop, and thrash. Rage formed in Los Angeles in the early '90s out of the wreckage of a number of local groups: vocalist Zack de la Rocha (the son of Chicano political artist Beto) emerged from the bands Headstance, Farside,... READ MORE
|
|
|
Red Hot Chili Peppers |
|
Author: Greg Prato
Bio:
Few rock groups of the '80s broke down as many musical barriers and were as original as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Creating an intoxicating new musical style by combining funk and punk rock together (with an explosive stage show, to boot), the Chili Peppers spawned a slew of imitators in their wake, but still managed to be the leaders of the pack by the dawn of the 21st century. The roots of the band lay in a friendship forged by three school chums, Anthony Kiedis, Michael Balzary, and Hillel Slovak, while they attended... READ MORE
|
|
|
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus |
|
Author: Corey Apar
Bio:
Sprinkling their impassioned brand of alternative rock with touches of screamo, pop-punk, and metal, Middleburg, FL's the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus were originally born in 2003. Writing and rehearsing for about 18 months with no real intentions of performing or recording anything, the bandmembers were later urged by some friends to pursue their music seriously. This encouragement led the guys to eventually book themselves some local shows, much to the quick embracement of their hometown scene. With a buzz growing, the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus recorded their first EP and relentlessly began spreading their name around Florida. Despite a rapidly developing fan base, several subsequent label showcases amounted to nothing and various bandmembers either exited or were asked to leave the group.
READ MORE
|
|
|
Rise Against |
|
Author: Johnny Loftus
|
|
|
Saosin |
|
Author: Corey Apar
|
|
|
Satellite Party |
|
Author: Corey Apar
Bio:
Satellite Party emerged out of former Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros frontman Perry Farrell's personal belief that individuals can change the world one step at a time. In keeping with the global and spiritual awareness found on his 2001 solo album, Song Yet to Be Sung, this recording endeavor was his way of lending a hand through music. With such lofty ambitions, Farrell... READ MORE
|
|
|
Shiny Toy Guns |
|
Author: Rob Theakston
|
|
|
Sick Puppies |
|
Author: Rob Theakston
|
|
|
Silversun Pickups |
|
Author: MacKenzie Wilson
|
|
|
Smashing Pumpkins |
|
Author: MacKenzie Wilson
Bio:
Of all the major alternative rock bands of the early '90s, the Smashing Pumpkins were the group least influenced by traditional underground rock. Lead guitarist/songwriter Billy Corgan fashioned an amalgam of progressive rock, heavy metal, goth rock, psychedelia, and dream pop, creating a layered, powerful sound driven by swirling, distorted guitars. Corgan was wise enough to exploit his angst-ridden lyrics, yet he never shied away from rock star posturing, even if he did cloak it in allegedly ironic gestures. In fact, the Smashing Pumpkins became the model for alternative rock success - Nirvana... READ MORE
|
|
|
Snow Patrol |
|
Author: Mario Mesquita Borges
Bio:
Featuring a dynamic fusion of several alternative stylistic touchstones, Snow Patrol's compositions combine songwriting aptitude with guitar rock's sharpest strains. Originally from Northern Ireland, Gary Lightbody (vocals, guitar) and Mark McClelland (bass, keyboards) first got together in Dundee, Scotland, where they were studying, prior to the addition of John Quinn (drums), who completed the lineup. Signed to the U.K.'s Jeepster label in 1998, they released their debut album, READ MORE
|
|
|
Sparta |
|
Author: MacKenzie Wilson
|
|
|
Stone Sour |
|
Author: Bradley Torreano
|
|
|
Taking Back Sunday |
|
Author: Charles Spano
Bio:
Formed in 1999, Amityville, NY's Taking Back Sunday took their version of melodic hardcore from bands like Lifetime, Endpoint, and Sunny Day Real Estate, as well as guitarist Ed Reyes' emo band the Movielife. The band's first demo, a five-song CD, was released in February of 2001. After a year of self-promotion and touring, including... READ MORE
|
|
|
The Almost |
|
Author: Stewart Mason
Bio:
The Almost is an emo solo project by Aaron Gillespie, drummer and occasional lead singer for Underoath, the Christian metalcore outfit he co-founded in 1998. Choosing to come out from behind the skins like his idol Dave Grohl before him, the Florida-bred Gillespie (who relocated to Salt Lake City in early 2007, following his marriage) wanted to explore a different outlet for his songwriting outside of his hard-hitting main gig.... READ MORE
|
|
|
The Bravery |
|
Author: MacKenzie Wilson
|
|
|
The Killers |
|
Author: MacKenzie Wilson
|
|
|
The Shins |
|
Author: Corey Apar
|
|
|
Three Days Grace |
|
Author: Michael Sutton
Bio:
The members of Three Days Grace began bashing punk chords when they were in their teens, carving a derivative yet energetic sound that fueled their live performances. Three Days Grace was formed in Norwood, Ontario, Canada, in 1997 by Adam Gontier (vocals, guitar), Brad Walst (bass), and Neil Sanderson (drums). The group was originally called Groundswell, a five-piece that lasted from 1992 until transforming to a trio five years... READ MORE
|
|
|
Tool |
|
Author: Stephen Thomas Erlewine & Greg Prato
Bio:
Tool's greatest breakthrough was to introduce dark, vaguely underground metal to the preening pretentiousness of art rock. Or maybe it was introducing the self-absorbed pretension of art rock to the wearing grind of post-thrash metal - the order really doesn't matter. Though Metallica wrote their multi-sectioned, layered songs as if they were composers, they kept their musical attack ferociously at street level. Tool didn't. They embraced the artsy, faux-bohemian preoccupations of Jane's Addiction while they simultaneously paid musical homage to the dark, relentlessly bleak visions of grindcore, death metal,... READ MORE
|
|
|
Velvet Revolver |
|
Author: Johnny Loftus
Bio:
Velvet Revolver began with a spring 2002 jam session that reunited ex-Guns N' Roses bandmates Slash (guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), and Matt Sorum (drums) on-stage. With the discovery that their chemistry was still going strong, the trio began pushing around some new music and auditioning singers for what became known as "the Project." Early entries included ex-Buckcherry... READ MORE
|
|
|
White Stripes |
|
Author: Chris Handyside
Bio:
Detroit minimalist rock duo (specifically, southwest Detroit minimalist rock duo) the White Stripes - Jack White, guitar and vocals, Meg White, drums - formed in 1997 (Bastille Day, to be precise) with the idea of making simple rock & roll music. From the red-and-white peppermint candy motif of their debut singles, self-titled album, and stage show to their on-the-surface rudimentary style, they succeeded wildly and immediately with that mission. Their first recordings were a mix of garage rock, blues, and the occasional show tune. In frontman Jack... READ MORE
|
|
