Band You Should Know - The Bongos

Now now we would probably call The Bongos an Indie Rock or Indie Pop band but in the 80's at the height of New Wave the band did not fit in. It's because of this "do your own thing" attitude that the bands songs do not sound dated like much of the music from that era. The bands signature sound was a jangly guitar and deceptively simple lyrics. The 27 track reissue of Drums Along The Hudson is well worth your time and money.

Band You Should Know - Gang Of Four

Hailing from Leeds, England Gang Of Four were one of the original and most important post-punk bands. Their songs were driven by Dave Allen's bass guitar playing that was heavily influence by American Funk and Dub music from Jamaica. As can expected by a band that named themselves after a leftist faction of the Chinese Communist Party they wrote political songs dealing with heavy topics like war and poverty. There influence can be heard today in bands like Radio 4 and Bloc Party. Although the band is still performing only two of the original members remain.

Band You Should Know - Q And Not U

The Washington D.C. band Q and not U predicted the whole dance-punk trend of the mid 2000's. Utilizing synthesises the band had a much more up beat and catchy sound than the rest of their DC peers. Formed in 1998 they signed with the venerable DC label Dischord and released three albums before breaking up in 2005. It was at this time that the sound that they had pioneered was beginning to gain wider popularity from bands like The Rapture.

Band You Should Know - At The Drive-In

At The Drive-In were a Post Hardcore or Post Punk if you prefer band from EL Paso Texas. The band was known for it's rapid tempo shifts and nonsensical lyrics. Their third and final album Relationship Of Command is a modern day classic which provided a new way forward for fast guitar music. The record goes a long way to capturing the chaos and energy of the bands live show while still leaving place for some studio wizardry. The band had signed to the Beastie Boys Grand Royal Records label and the song "One Armed Scissor" became a surprise hit on radio and MTV. Faced with the chance for mainstream success the band split up forming the even more spastic Mars Volta and the more traditional Sparta.