I enjoy writing about music, but in an effort not to pigeonhole myself into seeming like I am still 14 and only enjoy one type of music, I decided it might be cool to expand these lists into some other types of music I enjoy.
- The Murder City Devils – Amazing rock band with a slight punk influence from Seattle. They had such a great show and their secret weapons were an organ and vocalist Spencer Moody.
- At The Drive-In - El Paso post-hardcore band that went on to become Sparta and The Mars Volta. Neither of those bands come close to At The Drive-In, though. I saw them play twice and I have to say the combination of music and the energy that emanated from Cedric Bixler-Zavala was unmatachable. He is, literally, like watching a live wire.
- Murder By Death – Although their last two album were anywhere close to the earlier releases, I love this band quite a bit. Adam Turla’s Johnny Cash-esque voice, Sarah Balliet’s cello and their dark themes of things going wrong on the range make for a great country influenced rock band. Excellent live show as well.
- Jay Munly – Easily the most mysterious artist I know of. He’s played under multiple band names, looks like a skeleton, is an accomplished playwright and a genius lyric writer. He is like Murder By Death’s older brother whose done some time for things we just don’t speak of.
- Wu-Tang Clan - Definitely not a favorite anymore, but in the early ’90s, their debut album and the subsequent solo albums were just about the most exciting thing in music.
- The Animals – I don’t know of any other singer besides Eric Burdon who sings the way he does, it’s like he talks and shouts but with melody. Easily one of my favorite singers. (For those who don’t know, The Animals’ famous song is “The House Of The Rising Sun”.)
- Buddy Holly - The perfect blend of rock, country and blues. He makes me want to take my lady to a malt shop in a hot rod and then go somewhere called Look Out Point or something.
- Public Enemy – There is no rapper out there who has the voice and cadence of Chuck D. I am less of a fan of Flava Flav, but he is still part of the group. I got to meet Mr. D at my high school where he was doing a lecture. He signed my skateboard.
- Queens Of The Stone Age – There is no person cooler than Josh Homme. They won’t ever touch Songs For The Deaf, but they are light years better than a lot of other rock bands.
- Clutch – I saved this one for last. I am not going to say anything about them other then that if I could have one band play my birthday/bachelor party, it is this band. I have seen them 13-14 times and they are awesome. They bring the boogie.
