These are a few groups I haven’t heard much about here. Each of them has at least one or two killer albums you would do well to hear, but probably haven’t.
Esthero:
Her first album (Breath from Another, a hazy dreamy spanish guitar and synth filled ballad album) is supremely better than the second (some generic sounding r&b stuff with attitude)
Harvey Danger:
They gave away one of their albums (Little by Little) for free online a few years ago, and this is when I discovered them. They are sort of like a cross between Ben Folds Five and and umm… Okay they pretty much just sound like Ben Folds Five.
Snot:
They only have one real album out (Get Some) since their lead singer was killed an a car accident, along with the band’s mascot, bull dog. I saw them and System of a Down open for Suicidal Tendencies about twelve years ago. They play aggresive funk/nu-metal type music with coarse screaming – and this doesn’t really do their sound justice. The vocal styles (screaming/ loud aggesive singing), although a turn off for some, are very well done here. The guy had tons of talent, as did the entire band.
They have a second album out with a slew of guest singers, as it had pretty much been completed except for the vocal tracks when Lynn Straight had died – but if you want the real experience check out “Get Some” first, and ignore the latest demo’s floating around with the new vocalist they’ve been trying out, they aren’t the band they were.
Tsunami Bomb:
They’re sort of like Green Day, but with a female vocalist and topics covering vampires, zombies, Lemonade and Irish Boys. Check out the single Lemonade or El Diablo to get a taste of their sound. Unfortunately they split recently. An odd fact about this particular band, they went through so many line-up changes over their 7 year history that the last line-up they had were performing songs (certain fan favorites) that were written and released before any of them had even been in the band. A couple of their members went on to form The Action Design, a popier less (green dayish) ‘punk’ version of Tsunami bomb.
Metallica:
These kids are some up and comers I’m expecting to break out any day now. Some have compared them to Megadeth, but I’d lean towards more of a Testament-like sound. Although not as overtly aggressive or bloodthirsty as old standbys like Slayer these guys can can hold their own in the speedy thrash-metal metal world, but don’t let that singular label define them. I’ve heard some music from these guys that comes off as almost country, they certainly aren’t afraid to experiment . With any luck they’ll be around for a long time to come.
They don’t have much of a catalogue, but they’ve got a great E.P. out called Garage Days Re-Visited full of cover songs. It’s pretty good if you like covers.
