The Format

The Format Official Site

The Format was formed in 2001 by Sam Means and Nate Ruess. The band also consists of Mike Schey, Don Raymond, and Marko Buzard for their live performances. They offer an Indie Rock and Power Pop feel through their songs. The band has released 2 albums in its years: Interventions and Lullabies in 2003, as well as Dog Problems in 2006. In 2008, they announced that they were on hiatus.

Here is a lyrics video created by Valerie81 for the song "The First Single" from Interventions and Lullabies

Cage The Elephant

Cage The Elephant Official Site

Cage The Elephant is a relatively new Blues/ Alternative Rock band formed in 2005. The band consists of Matthew Schultz (Lead Vocals), Brad Schultz (Rhythm Guitar), Lincoln Parish (Lead Guitar), Daniel Tichenor (Bass, Back-Up Vocals), Jared Champion (Drums). The band is currently signed to Relentless Records. They released their album, Cage The Elephant, in 2008. The album was fairly successful.

Here is the music video for their song "Ain't No Rest For The Wicked" from the album Cage The Elephant.

The Clash

The Clash Official Site

Thanks to fan: Talon Adkins for writing the majority of this article

Formed in 1976 in London, England, The Clash quickly soared into stardom as they spearheaded the original Punk movement of the mid to late 1970's. Consisting of Joe Strummer (Rhythm Guitar/ Vocals), primary lyricist), Mick Jones (Lead Guitar/ Vocals), Paul Simonon (Bass) and Terry Chimes (Drums), the group recorded their self-titled debut album, The Clash. Shortly after, Terry Chimes was replaced by Nicky Headon, who would continue to drum for them until 1982, when he was then replaced by Chimes. As a follow up to their hit original LP, the Clash released Give 'Em Enough Rope, as their second album. However, nothing would have prepared the world for their next album, the vastly commercial successful and iconic London Calling. The album quickly rose into a rare echelon of one of the most popular and influential albums in history.

In 1980, the band released Sandanista!. They followed up that album with Combat Rock in 1982. Sadly, the band, due to artistic differences and drug problems, began to disintegrate. Topper Headon left in 1982. Followed by Mick Jones in 1983. The band composed itself enough to release its last album in 1985 titles Cut The Crap. In 1986, Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon finally disbanded the band.

Here is the music video for their song "Rock The Casbah" from the album Combat Rock

Gym Class Heroes

Gym Class Heroes Official Site

Gym Class Heroes is a band of Alternative, HipHop, Rap, and Rock sounds. The band originated with Travis McCoy (Lead Vocals), Matt McGinley (Drums), Milo Bonacci (Guitar, Back-Up Vocals), and Ryan Geise (Bass). Their first album, ...For The Kids, was released in 2001. Milo Bonacci left the band in 2004 and was replaced by Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo. The Papercut Chronicles were released in 2005.

Ryan Geise left later in 2005 and was replaced by the band's friend, Eric Roberts. In 2006, they released As Cruel As School Children. Their most recent album, The Quilt, was released in 2008. Their next album is to be a sequel to The Papercut Chronicles and should be released in 2010.

Here is the music video for their song "Shoot Down The Stars" from the album As Cruel As School Children.

Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam Official Site

Pearl Jam is a band of Grunge/ Hard/ Alternative Rock sounds. The band consists of: Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Jeff Ament (Bass), Stone Gossard (Rhythm Guitar), Mike McCready (Lead Guitar), and Matt Cameron (Drums). Their debut album was released in 1991 and was titled Ten. Over time, this album has become one of the most sold albums in the world going 13x platinum. Their second album, Vs., was released in 1993. It sold nearly 1 million albums within the first week of its release. Their third album was released a year later and named Vitalogy. In 1996, Pearl Jam released No Code.

Their fifth album, Yield, was released in 1998. Binaural, the band's sixth album, was released in 2000. The year 2002 saw the release of Riot Act. Their most recent album, Backspacer, was released in 2009.

Here is the music video for their song "Alive" from the album Ten.

Reel Big Fish

Reel Big Fish Official Site

Reel Big Fish is a Ska/Alternative Rock band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1992 by Aaron Barrett, the band now consists of himself as guitarist and lead vocals as well as: Dan Regan (Trombone, Back-Up Vocals), Scott Klopfenstein (Trumpet, Guitar, Keyboard, Back-Up Vocals), John Christianson (Trumpet, Back-Up Vocals), Ryland Steen (Drums), Derek Gibbs (Bass). Everything Sucks was their debut album released in 1994. The album quickly started to develope their fan base. They followed up the success with Turn The Radio Off in 1996. The album did very well with their hit song "Sell Out." Their third album, Why Do They Rock So Hard?, was released in 1998. The album did nowhere near as well as Turn The Radio Off. They got back into the scene with Cheer Up, released in 2002. In 2005, We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy was released.

They released Monkeys For Nothin' And The Chimps For Free in 2007 independently under their own label, Rock Ridge Music. They released Fame, Fortune, and Fornication in 2009 that was a cd compiled of 10 original covers done by the band.

Here is the music video for their song "Where Have You Been" from the album Cheer Up.

Bullet For My Valentine

Bullet For My Valentine Official Site

Bullet For My Valentine is a Welsh Metalcore band formed in 1998 by Matthew Tuck (Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar), Michael Paget (Lead Guitar, Back-Up Vocals), Nick Crandle (Bass), and Michael Thomas (Drums). They got signed with Sony BMG before replacing Nick Crandle with Jason James in 2003. They released their first album, The Poison, in 2005. Their debut album was certified gold and hit #128 on the Billboard 200 as well as #11 on Independent Albums. Their second album, Scream Aim Fire, was released three years later. The album was desribed as much more aggressive and hit #4 on the Billboard 200 in its first week.

They are yet to release their next album, Fever, but they have confirmed that it will be on sale in April 2010.

Here is the music video for their song "Tears Don't Fall" from the album The Poison.

Weezer

Weezer Official Site

Weezer is a band that used the sounds of Alternative, Pop, and Punk Rock. Rivers Cuomo (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Patrick Wilson (Drums, Guitar, Back-Up Vocals), Jason Cropper (Guitar, Back-Up Vocals), and Matt Sharp (Bass, Back-Up Vocals) formed the band in 1992. Jason Cropper was replaced with Brian Bell with his departure right before they released Weezer (AKA The Blue Album) in 1994. Their first album did better than most other bands by hitting triple platinum! In 1996, they released their second album, Pinkerton. The album was considered a failure but slowly got sales. Matt Sharp left the band in 1998 and was replaced by Mikey Welsh. In 2001, they released Weezer (AKA The Green Album) which proved more successful than the previous album. Mikey Welsh was checked into a psychiatric hospital after the album's release and had to be replaced by Scott Shriner. In 2002, they released Maladroit. The album became their most unsuccessful album to date.

2005 saw the release of their album Make Believe. Despite bad review from critics, the album did quite well and was very popular. In 2008, they released Weezer (AKA The Red Album). The album was very successful, thought it was labeled "experimental" with hit and miss songs. Raditude, their seventh album, was released in 2009.

Here is their Grammy-Award Winning video for "Pork and Beans" from Weezer (The Red Album)

Coheed and Cambria

Coheed and Cambria Official Site

Coheed and Cambria is a mix of Alternative and Progressive rock that first chose their name in 1998. The band started out with Claudio Sanchez (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards), Travis Stever (Guitar, Back-Up Vocals), Michael Todd (Bass, Back-Up Vocals), and Josh Eppard (Drums, Back-Up Vocals). They released their first album, The Second Stage Turbine Blade, in 2002. The album started to get them recognized and they released, In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth:3, one year later which proved to be another successful album. In 2005, they released their third album, Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness, which proved to be their most successful album to date.

In 2006, Josh Eppard left the band accompanied by Michael Todd (who would return to the band a little less than a year later). Eppard was replaced by Chris Pennie. Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow was released in 2007. The album was very successful yet again. They have finished their recording of their newest album Year of the Black Rainbow which is set to release on April 13, 2010.

Here is the music video for their song "Blood Red Summer" from the album In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth:3

Muse

Muse Official Site

This English band typically associated with alternative, progressive, and symphonic rock, consists of Matthew Bellamy (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano), Christopher Wolstenholme (Bass, Back-Up Vocals), and Dominic Howard (Drums). The band first started out as a joke, but after winning a battle of the bands event, they decided that they had something going and quit college. After 2 successful EP's. they released their first full-length album, Showbiz, in 1999. The album did well, opening many opportunities for them in the music industry, they made their way. In 2001, they released their second album, Origin Of Symmetry.  Once again, they proved to be a great band as the album was a hit. They followed up the success once again with Absolution. The album hit #1 in the UK charts.

Their fourth album, Black Holes and Revelations, was released in 2006. It once again hit #1 in the UK charts as well as many other parts of Europe. It hit #9 on the Billoard Top 200. Their most recent album, The Resistance, was released in 2009 and was the first album entirely produced by itself. Muse is still going strong and we can only wait for their next album.

Here is their music video for the song "Hysteria" from the album Absolution.

Muse - Hysteria