Let's get one thing straight: I really hate Rage Against the Machine. Asian Dub Foundation is ALWAYS compared to them because of their political songs, but they are way more funky. You can really get down to Asian Dub Foundation.
DJ Shadow is the same as U.N.K.L.E. It's just two different names he goes by. Anyways, he's cool. It's really hard to describe his music, but it's wild. Mostly instrumental with lots of turn tables and samples. Most of his songs are over 5 minutes long and are based around one catchy riff.
The Eels
The Eels are cool because all their songs are depressing, but they still keep a good sense of humor. Their new album is really depressing because E (the singer/guitar guy) wrote the songs after his whole family died.
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
They've got blues, they've got explosions, they've got Jon Spencer. They've also got Judah Bauer and Russel Simins (not the Def Jam one) They are freakin' hyper. I got hooked on them back when I was in 8th grade. I was a huge fan of Beck and Beastie Boys and I heard the "Flavor" remix by Mike D and Beck. New album out NOW!. WOO HOO! # 1 in Kansas City...Oklahoma City...New York City...Boston, Houston, Atlanta, DALLAS!!!!!!!!
Bis
Three teenagers from Scotland jumping around, ranting and raving. My brother said it best when he described them as "The B-52's on speed." Heh heh..crazy Mike. The keyboard player and lead singer is online and she tries to sell her own 'zine, but it's one of those "grrrl" zines, so I guess I'll never buy it.
Barenaked Ladies
I like 'em. Sue me.
Smashing Pumpkins
The old Billy Corgan was SOO much cooler. He should grow some hair, rehire the old drummer, and go back to rockin' out like he used to.
Ween
Yes, the "Push the lil Daisies" guys. But they have so much more
to offer, like "Baby Bitch", "Dr. Rock" and the totally cool "Vallejo"
which never made any of their albums. Some peole know them as "that
band with the half naked woman on the cover of their album."
Beastie Boys
My older brother introduced me to these guys way back in 1986, when I was six years old. My mom had to sit through "No Sleep Till Brooklyn", "Girls", and "Paul Revere" everyday as she drove us to school. Too bad we also made her listen to Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Motley Crew...*we were cool*
Atari Teenage Riot
The name really says it all, but if you're interested they are a German hardcore band that kicks ass.
Ben Folds Five
I have to admit, these guys are pretty cool. But i just hate the bassist. He's dumb!
Buffalo Daughter
Yeah....New Rock. Yet another Japanese band for me to fawn over. Yay!!
Pavement
I think some of Pavement used to be in a band called the Silver Jews. Cool. Apparently these guys were a big college radio band way before I ever heard of them. I first saw them on (gasp!) MTV when the "Cut Your Hair" video came out. Back in 1993 or 94, when they had that Alternative Nation show, they would play "Cut Your Hair" and this great song by Whale, "Hobo Humpin' Slowbo Babe" all the time. They were so cool, so i taped 'em, leading to my life as an obsessive video taper of any cool band TV appearence. In fact, I have video footage of every band listed above and below. And then some. Sad but true.
They Might Be Giants
Back in sixth grade, I taped an encore showing of the greatest thing on MTV ever, AL TV! Not only did it have funny fake interviews, but also really cool music videos. This is the video tape that introduced me to Mathew Sweet (cool), Hilly Michaels (cool), and THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS! yay! After literally hundreds of viewings of this tape (I almost broke it) I knew I could send my younger brother into hysteria by singing a single line from "The Statue Got Me High." it wasn't until 9th grade when Eller let me borrow Apollo 18 that really got into Them. I have to agree with him that they are the best band around today. Click here to read about my TMBG concert experience on Eller's page.
Ben Lee
Ben Lee is really cool. His biggest claim to fame is that he dates Claire Daines, but besides this he is really cool, I swear. He's Australian and he used to be in the band Noise Addict until they broke up. One time, in concert, some girl got up and left from the audience, so he followed her out the door and asked her where she was going, and he was still playing a freaking song when he did the whole thing!
Radiohead
Well, we all knew "Creep" back in the day, but i didn't get into Radiohead until two people, Eller and Sara something-er-other pushed The Bends down my throat. I didn't think I'd like it 'cause I didn't like that damn "Fake Plastic Trees" song, but I was wrong. Ironically, that is one of my favorite songs now. I was supposed to see them in concert when they opened for REM, but they were replaced by Luscious Jackson (crappy...except when they did Hi Octane).
Beck
Beck Hanson is probably the only reason I ever had any interest in playing music rather than just listening to it. When I first started to listen to Beck, I realized his songs were really complex, not just a couple guitars and some drums. Like the Beastie Boys, Beck used samples and drum kits and crazy special effects. My favorite is the Care Bears sample in "Beercan."
Cornershop
This is probably my most recent addition to the bands I like. Sure, they're annoying to most people and they use sitars, but they are very cool. The crappy thing is I have never met another single fan of Cornershop. Why does everyone hate them?? Don't answer that.
That Dog
They are your baisc grunge/alternative band, except they have
a violin player. They sort of sound like Weezer, but with a female
singer. Oh, and they do side projects with cool people like Beck,
Ben Lee, The Rentals, and even Weezer. Oh yeah, and they broke up
a few years ago. Boo.
Other Bands I Think Are Cool
Alec Empire, Duran Duran, Guided By Voices, Dead Milkmen,
The Rentals, Money Mark, Foo Fighters, 2 Skinnee J's, Bloodhound Gang,
Sonic Youth, Moistboyz, Mucky Pup, Bjork, Primus, Cibo Matto, Sean Lennon,
Jonathan Richman, Butter08, thousands more.