30 - System of a Down

Banana banana banana terracotta banana terracotta terracotta pie!

At number 30 is the now broken up System of a Down. They are from Armenia.

Wiki - System of a Down (also known by the acronym SOAD, or SoaD and often shortened as System) is an Armenian-American rock band from Glendale, California, formed in 1993. It consists of Serj Tankian (lead vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Daron Malakian (vocals, guitar), Shavo Odadjian (bass, background vocals) and John Dolmayan (drums). All four members are of Armenian descent, and are widely known for their outspoken views expressed in many of their songs confronting the Armenian Genocide of 1915 by the Ottoman Empire as well as the ongoing War on Terror.

The band has achieved commercial success with the release of five studio albums. System of a Down has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, and won the award in 2006 for Best Hard Rock Performance. On August 13, 2006, the group went on indefinite hiatus.

Discography -

System of a Down (1998)
Toxicity (2001)*
Steal This Album! (2002)
Mezmerize (2005)
Hypnotize (2005)
*=best album

top 10 songs:

10 Innervision
9 Vicinity of Obscenity
8 Hypnotize
7 Spiders
6 B.Y.O.B.
5 Sugar
4 Sad Statue
3 Chop Suey!
2 Toxicity
1 Aerials

a happy memorial day to you


next up: grunge band with a deceased lead singer... heard that one before?

31 - The Smashing Pumpkins

Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage

At number 31 is alternative rock icons, Smashing Pumpkins. They've endured a bunch of lineup changes in their longterm history, but Billy Corgan is as consistent as they come.

Wiki - The Smashing Pumpkins is an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan (vocals, guitar) and James Iha (guitar, backing vocals), the band has included D'arcy Wretzky (bass guitar, backing vocals), Jimmy Chamberlin (drums, percussion), and Melissa Auf der Maur (bass guitar) amongst its membership.

Disavowing the punk rock roots shared by many of their alt-rock contemporaries, the Pumpkins have a diverse, densely layered, and guitar-heavy sound, containing elements of gothic rock, heavy metal, psychedelic rock, arena rock, shoegazer-style production and, in later recordings, electronica. Frontman Billy Corgan is the group's primary songwriter—his grand musical ambitions and cathartic lyrics have shaped the band's albums and songs, which have been described as "anguished, bruised reports from Billy Corgan's nightmare-land".

The Smashing Pumpkins broke into the musical mainstream with their second album, Siamese Dream (1993). The group built its audience with extensive touring and their follow-up, the double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart. With approximately 18.75 million albums sold in the United States alone, The Smashing Pumpkins were one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands of the 1990s. However, internal fighting, drug use, and diminishing record sales hampered the band and led to a 2000 break-up.

In 2006, Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin reconvened to record a new Smashing Pumpkins album, Zeitgeist. The band toured with a lineup of between five and nine musicians through much of 2007 and 2008. Chamberlin left the band in 2009 and was replaced by Mike Byrne. Corgan, Byrne, and a rotating lineup of other musicians are currently recording the 44-song Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, which has been released, a song at a time, since late 2009.


Discography -

Gish (1991)
Siamese Dream (1993)
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995)*
Adore (1998)
Machina/The Machines of God (2000)
Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music (2000)
Zeitgeist (2007)
Teargarden by Kaleidyscope (scheduled for release from 2009 onwards)
*-best album, top 10 favorite albums

Top 10 Songs -

10 - Cherub Rock
9 - Mayonaise
8 - Perfect
7 - Drown
6 - Thirty-Three
5 - Zero
4 - Siva
3 - Disarm
2 - Bullet With Butterfly Wings
1 - 1979



next up: conversion, software version 7.0

32 - TV On The Radio

Congratulations on the mess you made of things

TV On The Radio checks in at number 32 on the countdown. They had a song on the 2009 version of The Show videogame.

Wiki -
TV on the Radio is an American experimental rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans through numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and soul music. The group has released several EPs including their debut Young Liars (2003), and three acclaimed albums: Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004), Return to Cookie Mountain (2006), and Dear Science (2008).

TV on the Radio is composed of Tunde Adebimpe (vocals/loops), David Andrew Sitek (guitars/keyboards/loops), Kyp Malone (vocals/guitars/loops) along with Jaleel Bunton (drums/vocals/loops) and Gerard Smith (bass/keyboards). Other contributors include Katrina Ford of Celebration (vocals), Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead (vocals), Martin Perna of Antibalas (saxophones, flute), David Bowie (vocals) and Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs (guitar). The band has also played live covers of Bauhaus songs with Peter Murphy and Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor.

Discography -

2002 - OK Calculator
2004 - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
2006 - Return to Cookie Mountain
2008 - Dear Science

Favorite 10 songs

10 - Let The Devil In
9 - DLZ
8 - Province
7 - Ambulance
6 - Golden Age
5 - Halfway Home
4 - Hours
3 - Dancing Choose
2 - Crying
1 - Wolf Like Me

I often refer to TVotR as the "Black Radiohead" because of their various differnt styles of music and variety of instruments and melodies at work in a number of their songs.



next up: a band with a name that is associated with mischief night

33 - Bloc Party

Are you hoping for a miracle?

At number 33 is British alternative rock band, Bloc Party. They've put out 3 albums and 2 remix albums.

Wiki - Bloc Party are an English indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Russell Lissack (lead guitar), Gordon Moakes (bass guitar, synths, backing vocals, glockenspiel), and Matt Tong (drums, backing vocals). Their brand of music is said to have been drawn from such bands as Mogwai, The Cure, Joy Division, Sonic Youth, and in their more recent work, Radiohead.

The band was formed at the 1999 Reading Festival by Okereke and Lissack. They went through a variety of names before settling on Bloc Party in 2003. Moakes joined the band after answering an advert in NME magazine, while Tong was picked via an audition. Bloc Party got their break by giving BBC Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamacq and Franz Ferdinand's lead singer, Alex Kapranos, a copy of their demo "She's Hearing Voices".

In February 2005, the band released their debut album Silent Alarm. It was critically acclaimed and was named 'Indie Album of the Year' at the 2006 PLUG Awards, which honours indie music. That year, the record was also certified platinum in the UK. The band built on this success in 2007 with the release of their second studio album, A Weekend in the City, which reached a peak of number two in the UK Albums Chart and number twelve in the Billboard 200. In August 2008, Bloc Party released their third studio record, Intimacy. The band are currently on hiatus as of 31 October 2009.

Discography -

Silent Alarm (2005)
A Weekend in the City (2007)
Intimacy (2008)

Top 10 songs -

10 Signs
9 Talons
8 Helicopter
7 The Prayer
6 Hunting For Witches
5 This Modern Love
4 Flux
3 Banquet
2 I Still Remember
1 Like Eating Glass



next up: another band with a black lead singer?

34 - The White Stripes

If I could just hear your pretty voice I don't think I'd need to see at all

At number 34 is the two-some from Detroit, the White Stripes. The White Stripes feature Jack and Meg White, though despite rumors (even some from the band) the two are not married nor are brother and sister.

Wiki - The White Stripes are an American rock duo, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consists of songwriter Jack White (vocals, guitar, and keyboards) and his ex-wife Meg White (drums and occasional vocals). After releasing several singles and three albums within the Detroit independent music underground, the White Stripes rose to prominence in 2002, as part of the garage rock revival scene. Their successful albums White Blood Cells and Elephant drew them attention from a large variety of media outlets in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The White Stripes use a low-fidelity, do-it-yourself approach to writing and recording. Their music features a melding of punk and blues influences and a raw simplicity of composition, arrangement, and performance. The duo is also noted for their fashion and design aesthetic which features a simple color scheme of red, white, and black. The band's discography consists of six studio albums, one live album, two extended plays (EP), one concert film, one tour documentary, 26 singles and fourteen music videos. Their latest three albums have each won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

Discography -

The White Stripes (1999)
De Stijl (2000)
White Blood Cells (2001)*
Elephant (2003)
Get Behind Me Satan (2005)*
Icky Thump (2007)
*= best albums

Top 10 favorite songs -

10 Hyponotise
9 I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself
8 Blue Orchid
7 Hello Operator
6 You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do What You're Told)
5 The Denial Twist
4 Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
3 Fell in Love with a Girl
2 Hotel Yorba
1 Seven Nation Army

I dare you to find a more talented guitarist of this generation than Jack White.



next up: a band with a lead singer who once said, "I think Oasis are the most overrated and pernicious band of all time."

35 - The Doors

The future's uncertain, and the end is always near

At number 35 is legendary American rock band, the Doors. Lead singer Jim Morrison died on July 3, 1971, and nobody knows for certain how exactly he died, as no autopsy was ever performed.

Wiki - The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California. Through most of its existence, the group consisted of vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger. They were among the most controversial rock acts of the 1960s, due mostly to Morrison's wild, poetic lyrics and charismatic but unpredictable stage persona. After Morrison's death in 1971, the remaining members continued as a trio until finally disbanding for good in 1973.

Although The Doors' active career ended in 1973, their popularity has persisted. According to the RIAA, they have sold over 32.5 million albums in the US alone. The band has sold over 75 million albums worldwide. Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger still tour sometimes with additional musicians as Manzarek-Krieger, performing Doors songs exclusively.

Discography -

1967 – The Doors
1967 – Strange Days
1968 – Waiting for the Sun
1969 – The Soft Parade
1970 – Morrison Hotel
1971 – L.A. Woman
1971 – Other Voices
1972 – Full Circle
1978 – An American Prayer

Best Songs -

10 - Love Me Two Times
9 - Touch Me
8 - Love Her Madly
7 - People Are Strange
6 - Peace Frog
5 - Break On Through (To The Other Side)
4 - LA Woman
3 - Light My Fire
2 - Riders On The Storm
1 - Roadhouse Blues



next up: a minimalist garage band from Detroit rock City

L O S T F I N A L E

Well tonight is the series finale of the most addictive show of all time.

In honor of the show that has caused so much frustration/fascination/suspense, here are my 10 favorite quotes from the show. (Narrowing this list to 10 was about as hard as expanding my top bands into 100)




10 - "Do not mistake coincidence for fate." — Mr. Eko to Locke following their first faith-driven conversation, also variations repeated by Jack and Man in Black.


9 - "First plane crash"; "What gave it away?"; "Oh I can always spot the newbies" - Charlie and Claire


8 - "This is my (our) destiny" - Locke numerous times, then Jack


7 - "So?" — Ben, after Locke informs him that killing Keamy effectively doomed every single person currently on the freighter.


6 - "It only ends once. Anything that happens before that is just progress." — Jacob to the Man in Black during a conversation about human nature.


5 - "We're not going to Guam, are we?" — Frank Lapidus to Jack having just realized that he's about to go back to the Island.


4 - "There are two sides, two players. One is light, the other is dark." — John Locke explaining the rules of backgammon (and, oddly enough, the central theme of "Lost") to Walt Lloyd.


3 - "Don't ever tell me what I can't do" - Locke, numerous times


2 - "Not Penny's Boat" - Message Charlie writes to Desmond on his hand as he drowns


1 - "See you in another life, brother" - Desmond to Jack

36 - Them Crooked Vultures

Together we'll make the possible totally impossible

At number 36 is rock supergroup Them Crooked Vultures. They feature (get this lineup) Dave Grohl on drums, Josh Homme on guitar and vocals, and oh yeah John Paul Jones on bass, all of whom you will see again on this countdown.

Wiki - Them Crooked Vultures is a rock supergroup formed in Los Angeles in 2009 by John Paul Jones, Dave Grohl and Josh Homme. The group also includes guitarist Alain Johannes during live performances. The band began recording in July 2009, and performed their first gig on August 9, 2009 in Chicago, followed by a European debut on August 19. On October 1 the group embarked on a worldwide tour titled Deserve the Future with dates going into 2010. The band's first single "New Fang" was released in October 2009, followed by the group's self-titled debut album the following month, debuting at number 12 on the Billboard 200.

Top 10 Songs - Granted they only have 13 total, but who cares.

10 - Interlude, With Ludes
9 - Spinning in Daffidols
8 - Gunman
7 - Caligulove
6 - Dead End Friends
5 - Bandoilers
4 - Scumbag Blues
3 - No One Loves Me And Neither Do I
2 - Mind Eraser, No Chaser
1 - Elephants



next up: just another classic band with a lead singer that left us too soon

37 - Taking Back Sunday

You could slit my throat. And with my one last gasping breath I'd apologize
For bleeding on your shirt.

At number 37 is another Long Island emo band in Taking Back Sunday. While Brand New (see #89) writes better lyrics, TBS makes better songs.

Wiki - Taking Back Sunday is an American rock band from Amityville, Long Island, New York, formed in 1999. The current members are lead vocalist Adam Lazzara, rhythm guitarist Eddie Reyes, lead guitarist/vocalist John Nolan, bassist Shaun Cooper, and drummer Mark O'Connell. They have released four studio albums, with their most successful being 2006's Louder Now which has sold over 900,000 copies and peaked at #2 on the United States' Billboard 200, closely followed by Where You Want to Be which peaked at #3 in 2004. They have also had twelve singles, one extended play, one live album and a compilation album. "MakeDamnSure" is their highest charting single to date, peaking at #8 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in 2006 and #48 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band released their latest album, New Again, on June 2, 2009.

Discography -

Tell All Your Friends (2002)
Where You Want to Be (2004)
Louder Now (2006)
New Again (2009)

Members
Adam Lazzara – vocals, occasionally guitar (2001–present), bass, backing vocals (2001)
John Nolan – guitar, vocals, keyboards (1999–2003; 2010–present)
Eddie Reyes – guitar (1999–present)
Shaun Cooper – bass (2001–2003; 2010–present)
Mark O'Connell – drums, percussion (2001–present)

Former members
Matt Rubano – bass, backing vocals (2003–2010)
Fred Mascherino – guitar, vocals (2003–2007)
Matthew Fazzi – guitar, backing vocals (2008–2010)
Jesse Lacey – bass, vocals (1999–2001)
Steven DeJoseph – drums, percussion (1999–2001)
Antonio Longo – lead vocals (1999–2001)

Best songs -

10 Twenty-Twenty Surgery
9 Spin
8 Sink Into Me
7 MakeDamnSure
6 What's It Feel Like to Be A Ghost
5 Cute Without the 'E' (Cut From the Team)
4 This Photography is Proof
3 A Decade Under the Influence
2 Set Phasers to Stun
1 You're So Last Summer


And I know it's impossible, but at 2:00-01 I'm just to the right of this, 5 peopleish back to the right of the Lil Wayne looking security guard.


next up: the best supergroup and new band of 2009

38 - blur

Woohoo!

At number 38 is British alt-rock band, Blur. Lead singer Damon Albarn is a creative mastermind and is also the voice behind 2D of the Gorillaz.

Wiki - Blur are an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure (1991) incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing. Following a stylistic change—influenced by English guitar pop groups such as The Kinks, The Beatles and XTC—Blur released the Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993), Parklife (1994) and The Great Escape (1995) albums. As a result, the band helped to popularise the Britpop genre and achieved mass popularity in the UK, aided by a famous chart battle with rival band Oasis dubbed "The Battle of Britpop".

In recording their follow-up, Blur (1997), the band underwent another reinvention, showing influence from the lo-fi style of American indie rock bands. "Song 2", one of the album's singles, brought Blur brief mainstream success in the US. The last album featuring Blur's original lineup, 13 (1999) found the band members experimenting with electronic music and gospel music, as Albarn wrote more personal lyrics. In May 2002, Coxon left Blur during the recording of their seventh album Think Tank (2003). Containing electronic sounds and more minimal guitar work, the album was marked by Albarn's growing interest in hip hop and African music. After a 2003 tour without Coxon, Blur did no studio work or touring as a band, as members engaged in other projects.

Discography -

Leisure (1991)
Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993)
Parklife (1994)
The Great Escape (1995)
Blur (1997)
13 (1999)
Think Tank (2003)

Best Songs -

10 - Country House
9 - No Distance Left to Run
8 - Tender
7 - Girls & Boys
6 - Parklife
5 - Beetlebum
4 - Charmless Man
3 - There's No Other Way
2 - Song 2
1 - Coffee & TV

In 2009 Blur reunited, with Coxon back in the fold, for a series of successful concerts. In 2010 the band released their first post-reunion single, "Fool's Day", to enthusiastic reviews. On the 11 of May Damon announced that the band would reunite further to record future singles. He stressed, however, that a full album was not yet coming soon.



next up: a band with more lineup changes than anyone for how short-lived they have been together

39 - The Beatles

All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.

At number 39 is the most influential band of all time, The Beatles. John, Paul, George, and Ringo. A few days ago I walked across that same road you see above. Pretty awesome.

Wiki - The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960 and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. From 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals). Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, the group later worked in many genres ranging from folk rock to psychedelic pop, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. The nature of their enormous popularity, which first emerged as the "Beatlemania" fad, transformed as their songwriting grew in sophistication. The group came to be perceived as the embodiment of progressive ideals, seeing their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s.

With an early five-piece line-up of Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe (bass) and Pete Best (drums), The Beatles built their reputation in Liverpool and Hamburg clubs over a three-year period from 1960. Sutcliffe left the group in 1961, and Best was replaced by Starr the following year. Moulded into a professional outfit by music store owner Brian Epstein after he offered to act as the group's manager, and with their musical potential enhanced by the hands-on creativity of producer George Martin, The Beatles achieved UK mainstream success in late 1962 with their first single, "Love Me Do". Gaining international popularity over the course of the next year, they toured extensively until 1966, then retreated to the recording studio until their breakup in 1970. Each then found success in an independent musical career. McCartney and Starr remain active; Lennon was shot and killed in 1980, and Harrison died of cancer in 2001.

Discography -

Please Please Me (1963)
With The Beatles (1963)
A Hard Day's Night (1964)
Beatles for Sale (1964)
Help! (1965)
Rubber Soul (1965)
Revolver (1966)
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
The Beatles (aka White Album) (1968)
Yellow Submarine (1969)
Abbey Road (1969)
Let It Be (1970)


These top 10 lists are getting more and more fun to do BTWs. Here it is for the Beatles:

10 Get Back
9 You've Got to Hide Your Love Away
8 I Am the Walrus
7 Ticket to Ride
6 Come Together
5 While My Guitar Gently Weeps
4 Magical Mystery Tour
3 Here Comes the Sun
2 Across the Universe
1 The Ballad of John and Yoko



During their studio years, The Beatles produced what critics consider some of their finest material, including the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), widely regarded as a masterpiece. Four decades after their breakup, The Beatles' music continues to be popular. The Beatles have had more number one albums on the UK charts, and held down the top spot longer, than any other musical act. According to RIAA certifications, they have sold more albums in the US than any other artist. In 2008, Billboard magazine released a list of the all-time top-selling Hot 100 artists to celebrate the US singles chart's fiftieth anniversary, with The Beatles at number one. They have been honoured with 7 Grammy Awards, and they have received 15 Ivor Novello Awards from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors. The Beatles were collectively included in Time magazine's compilation of the 20th century's 100 most important and influential people.



next up: a band that made my best videos of all time list..

40 - Sublime

This ain't no funky reggae party, $5 at the door.

The top 40 starts with ska punk band, Sublime. Sublime's most popular album was released shortly after their lead singer tragically died of a drug overdose.

Wiki - Sublime was an American reggae fusion band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's original line-up consisted of Bradley Nowell (vocals and guitar), Bud Gaugh (drums and percussion), and Eric Wilson (bass guitar). Lou Dog, Nowell's dalmatian, was the mascot of the band. Nowell died of a heroin overdose in 1996 and Sublime immediately split up. In 2009, the surviving members decided to reform the band with a new lead singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez. However, weeks after performing at Cypress Hill's Smokeout Festival, a Los Angeles judge banned the new lineup from using the Sublime name. In January 2010, the lawsuit was settled and the new lineup now performs together as Sublime with Rome.

To date, Sublime has released three studio albums, one live album, five compilation albums, three EPs and one box set. The band released its debut album 40 Oz. to Freedom in 1992. Although the album was quite popular in the United States, Sublime would not experience commercial success until 1996 with their self-titled third album, released shortly after Nowell's death, which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200, and spawned the single "What I Got", which remains the band's only number one hit single (on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart) in their musical career. As of 2009, Sublime has sold over 17 million albums worldwide, including about 10 million in the U.S. alone. Along with Green Day, The Offspring, and Rancid, Sublime is credited with helping to revive mainstream popular interest in punk rock in the United States in the mid-1990s.

Discography -

40 Oz. to Freedom (1992)
Robbin' the Hood (1994)
Sublime (1996)*
*=best album

Top 10 favorite Sublime songs -

10 - Scarlet Begonias
9 - Rivers of Babylon
8 - Santeria
7 - Doin' Time
6 - Badfish
5 - All You Need
4 - Greatest Hits
3 - 40 oz. to Freedom
2 - April 29, 1992 (Miami)
1 - Garden Grove



next up: the one reason I would look forward to working the Sunday morning shift at Giuseppe's

Best Of: Junior Year

Having once again gotten beaten to the punch by the quickness of Brian Klein, I must once again resort to making the Godfather II-esque sequel, this time in the style of the best moments of my junior year at Loyola University.

So without further ado, my favorite moments this past year. It was quite a memorable one, and I thank all of you for helping make it that way. Remember, these are particular moments. Some last 10 seconds, some lasted a whole week (or 10 days for me).

10. The best burger, of all time!

9. At long last: the Rich Montgomery trot of pride.



8. There's a video that I can't put on facebook, or on youtube. However it is the best drunk video of one of us of all time (OF ALL TIME!)... it involves Paul Mock, Alicia Silverstone, and a lot of the N word.

7. Merry Slapschristmas!

6. Being 15 feet away from the audio/visual experience that was MUSE.

5. Amy's Wedding.

4. Honestly, if I were to sum up junior year in one moment.. it would probably be this one. 1:45-1:55

3. While being part of the, what in that game, is a three-player clusterf*ck, beating Adam Vida at Crate and Peril.

2. In my car, stuck in the parking lot traffic from the Bruce Springsteen concert at the Philadelphia Spectrum. We decided to turn on a certain AM station and listen to a large gathering some 1000 feet away from us. Start at 0:58 and go to 1:42. Will never get old.


1. Snowmaggedon 2010.

41 - The Raconteurs

And I got what I got all despite you
And I get what I get just to spite you

Just missing the top 40 is another supergroup/sideproject, the Raconteurs. They feature the duo of Jack White and Brendan Benson on guitar.

Wiki - The Raconteurs (also known as The Saboteurs in Australia) are a rock band that was formed in Detroit, Michigan, featuring four members known for other musical projects: Jack White (of The White Stripes and The Dead Weather), Brendan Benson (solo), Jack Lawrence (of The Greenhornes, Blanche and The Dead Weather), and Patrick Keeler (also of The Greenhornes).

Discography -

Broken Boy Soldiers (2006)
Consolers of the Lonely (2008)

Best Songs -

Steady As She Goes
Intimate Secretary
Level
Together
Call It a Day
Yellow Sun
Consoler of the Lonely
Salute Your Salution
Old Enough
You Don't Understand Me
Hold Up
Many Shades of Black
Five on the Five
Attention
These Stones Will Shout

Patrick Keeler – drums, percussion
Brendan Benson – vocals, guitar, keyboards
Jack White III – vocals, guitar, stylophone, keyboards
Jack L.J. Lawrence – bass, banjo, backing vocals

In an interview in February 2010 Brendan Benson stated that the future of The Raconteurs was ambiguous, stating "I think we're all just really focused on other things". He went on to add that "it will come around and we'll get together again and hang out and maybe make a record or maybe not".

You will see more of Jack White in the very near future...



next up: the top 40!

42 - A Perfect Circle

Maybe you're better off this way

At number 42 is alternative metal supergroup, A Perfect Circle. They have had 3 albums and broke up in 2004, but have reportedly gotten back together to record new music in 2009.

Wiki -

A Perfect Circle is an American rock supergroup formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel and Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan. The original incarnation of the band also included Paz Lenchantin on bass, Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar, and Tim Alexander on drums. The latest line-up featured Marilyn Manson bassist and former Nine Inch Nails bassist Jeordie White; former guitarist for The Smashing Pumpkins, James Iha; and session drummer Josh Freese, who is best known for his work with Nine Inch Nails and The Vandals. Despite having a varied cast since inception, the stylistic content of the songs has remained consistent with Howerdel as composer, and Keenan penning the lyrics.

A Perfect Circle has released three albums: Mer de Noms, Thirteenth Step and Emotive. A CD-DVD set, Amotion, has also been released and contains thirteen music videos in addition to a number of song remixes created by Danny Lohner. The group has not recorded, toured or released any new material since its hiatus began in 2004. Since then band members have worked on other projects; the most notable being Keenan's work on Tool's 2006 album 10,000 Days, and Howerdel's founding of the band Ashes Divide.

Core members
Maynard James Keenan – lead vocals (1999–present)
Billy Howerdel – lead & rhythm guitars, vocals (1999–present)
Josh Freese – drums, percussion (1999–present)

Former
Tim Alexander – drums, percussion (1999)
Troy Van Leeuwen – rhythm guitars (1999–2003)
James Iha – rhythm guitars (2003–2004)
Jeordie White – bass (2003–2004)

Discography -

Mer de Noms (2000)*
Thirteenth Step (2003)
Emotive (2004)
*=best album

Best Songs -

10 The Outsider
9 Orestes
8 Brena
7 Thinking of You
6 Weak and Powerless
5 Passive
4 Judith
3 Magdalena
2 The Hollow
1 3 Libras



next up: a band with the best contemporary lead guitarist in it

43 - Rise Against

The time that we kill keeps us alive

Rise Against is numero 43. They are from Chicago, giving the city two artists on the countdown this week.

Wiki - Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath (vocals, guitar), Zach Blair (guitar, vocals), Joe Principe (bass guitar, vocals) and Brandon Barnes (drums, percussion).

Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it released two studio albums, The Unraveling (2001) and Revolutions per Minute (2003). Both the albums met with considerable underground success and in 2003, the band signed onto the major label, Geffen.

The band's major label debut Siren Song of the Counter Culture brought the band mainstream success, producing several successful singles. The band's fourth studio album, The Sufferer & the Witness debuted at number-ten on the Billboard 200 chart and received positive reviews from critics. The band's fifth studio album Appeal to Reason was released on October 7, 2008 and debuted at number-three on the Billboard 200 chart. All three albums released via Geffen were certified platinum in Canada and gold in the United States. The band actively promotes animal rights and are all straight edge, PETA supporters and vegans (excluding Barnes)

Discography -

The Unraveling (2001)
Revolutions per Minute (2003)
Siren Song of the Counter Culture (2004)
The Sufferer & the Witness (2006)*
Appeal to Reason (2008)

*=best album

favorite Rise Against songs

10 Heaven Knows
9 Collapse (Post-Amerika)
8 Savior
7 Give it All
6 Ready to Fall
5 The Approaching Curve
4 Swing Life Away
3 Drones
2 Audience of One
1 Rumors of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

Another band that I have yet to see live that I really must change. Rise Against is a punk band that has received a fairly decent mainstream play, particularly for the genre, and rightfully so.



next up: a side project featuring another top-10 band

44 - 311

Now it's morning but last night's on my mind

At number 44 is Nebraska product, 311. They have released 9 studio albums and they are generally known as an alternative rock band, but they are also classified as rap rock, rap metal, funk rock, funk metal, ska punk, reggae and jazz fusion. So yeah, easy to categorize.

Wiki - 311 (pronounced three eleven) is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, formed in 1988. Since their self-titled album in 1995, all but one of their albums (the exception being Live) have been in the top 15 of the Billboard Top 200. Eight of their songs have been top 5 hits on the Billboard Modern Rock Radio chart.

Discography -

Music (1993)
Grassroots (1994)
311 (1995)*
Transistor (1997)
Soundsystem (1999)
From Chaos (2001)
Evolver (2003)
Don't Tread on Me (2005)
Uplifter (2009)

*=best album

favorite songs

10 Homebrew
9 Wake Your Mind Up
8 Prisoner
7 Transistor
6 Don't Stay Home
5 I'll Be Here Awhile
4 Amber
3 All Mixed Up
2 Beautiful Disaster
1 Do You Right

Starting in 2000 the band began celebrating "their holiday" of 311 Day, held on March 11 (3/11). Every other year the band and thousands of their most loyal fans gather to New Orleans and celebrate with an extended concert put on by 311. In 2000 they played 47 songs and in 2002 59 songs were played. In 2004 311 played 68 songs in 5 hours, and later that year a DVD was released of 311 Day 2004, containing 64 of the 68 songs. 311 Day in 2006 was held at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. The band played 65 songs, the setlist was cut short from 69, because of a strict curfew of midnight. The band recorded the entire show in high definition. A 2 hour edit of the show aired on HDTV on December 10. 311 Day in 2008 was held in the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. They played 63 songs total, over three separated sets, to a sold out crowd of 14,000 fans, who represented all 50 states and 13 countries. In 2010, 311 Day took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. All 60 songs, 32 of which were different from 311 Day in 2008, were broadcast live on the web in a video on demand format described as a "professional multi-camera HD production."

I have tremendous respect for 311 because they make it really easy for their fans to see them in concert. They tour just about every summer and obviously have no problem playing for lenghty shows. I really want to see them this time around, and if I don't I will consider myself a failure.



next up: vegetarians

45 - Sonic Youth

It takes a teenage riot to get me out of bed right now

At number 45 is veteran alternative rock band, Sonic Youth. Sonic Youth have not gotten much radio play in their career, but it isn't for lack of talent. In fact, if that was the case, you would hear them on there all the time.

Wiki - Sonic Youth is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore (vocals and guitar), Kim Gordon (vocals, bass, guitar), Lee Ranaldo (vocals and guitar), Steve Shelley (drums), and Mark Ibold (bass).

In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City. Part of the first wave of American noise rock groups, the band carried out their interpretation of the hardcore punk ethos throughout the evolving American underground that focused more on the DIY ethic of the genre rather than its specific sound. As a result, some consider Sonic Youth as pivotal in the rise of the alternative rock movement. The band has experienced success and critical acclaim throughout the last three decades, continuing into the new millennium, including signing to major label DGC in 1990, and headlining the 1995 Lollapalooza festival.

Sonic Youth have expressed a wide variety of influences, ranging from the influential protopunk musician Patti Smith to composer John Cage. The band has been praised for having "redefined what rock guitar could do", using a wide variety of unorthodox guitar tunings, and preparing guitars with objects like drumsticks and screwdrivers to alter the instruments' timbre.

Discography -

1982 Sonic Youth
1983 Confusion Is Sex
1985 Bad Moon Rising
1986 EVOL*
1987 Sister*
1988 Daydream Nation**
1990 Goo*
1992 Dirty
1994 Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star
1995 Washing Machine
1998 A Thousand Leaves
2000 NYC Ghosts & Flowers
2002 Murray Street
2004 Sonic Nurse
2006 Rather Ripped
2009 The Eternal*

*=best albums
**=top-10 favorite album

10 favorite Sonic Youth songs

10 Death Valley '69
9 Star Power
8 No Way
7 Kool Thing
6 Bull in the Heather
5 Silver Rocket
4 Incinerate
3 Antenna
2 100%
1 Teenage Riot



next up: a band that celebrates March 11th

46 - Kanye West

Nothing's ever promised tomorrow, today

At number 46 is the multi-talented Kanye West. West is the highest individual rapper on my list, which I guess makes him my favorite rapper, which I think I already knew.

Kanye Omari West (pronounced /ˈkɑːnjeɪ/; born June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Janet Jackson. His style of production originally used pitched-up vocal samples from soul songs incorporated with his own drums and instruments. However, subsequent productions saw him broadening his musical palette and expressing influences encompassing '70s R&B, baroque pop, trip hop, arena rock, folk, alternative, electronica, synth-pop, and classical music.

West released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, his second album Late Registration in 2005, his third album Graduation in 2007, and his fourth album 808s & Heartbreak in 2008. His four albums have received numerous awards, including a cumulative twelve Grammys, and critical acclaim. All have been very commercially successful, with 808s & Heartbreak becoming his third consecutive #1 album in the U.S. upon release. West also runs his own record label GOOD Music, home to artists such John Legend, Common and Kid Cudi. West's mascot and trademark is "Dropout Bear," a teddy bear which has appeared on the covers of three of his four albums as well as various single covers and music videos.

Discography -

2004: The College Dropout
2005: Late Registration
2007: Graduation*
2008: 808s & Heartbreak
2010: Good Ass Job (Expected release: June 2010)

*=best album

10 favorite Kanye songs:

10 Flashing Lights
9 Stronger
8 All Falls Down
7 Heard 'Em Say (feat. Adam Levine)
6 Diamonds from Sierra Leone
5 Welcome to Heartbreak (feat. Kid Cudi)
4 Touch the Sky (feat. Lupe Fiasco)
3 Homecoming (feat. Chris Martin)
2 Through the Wire
1 Good Life (feat. T-Pain)





next up: one of the greatest bands to go from punk to alternative rock ever