Well, this German knows and loves him in his many guises. Really, I think he must be about the most prolific artists ever, and probably right at the top of that list – albums, books, poems, paintings, all of which number in the hundreds. I’m not sure he’s really that unknown – Kylie Minogue once named an album (‘Impossible Princess’) after one of his books, a factoid that somehow tickles me to no end.
New Blood Revival.
New Jersey Ska band that I saw at Blakes in Berkeley. Then they broke up.
They made one purely great album, Nice Girls. Profane, brilliant, and misogynistic.
Unfortunately, I’m not so sure about their latest release–just snagged it from eMusic and… well, David Koresh is no Swinging Lover, and I hope it won’t be their Last Significant Statement.
The Late Greats - Turpentine
I haven’t delved deeply into DeVotchKa, but their cover of Venus in Furs is all that anyone should need to convince them that a second look is justified.
One more - Thao with the Get Down Stay Down. Kind of like an edgy female Jack Johnson, but in the very best way.
God bless you. And god bless new music.
Tieranniesaur - Here Be Monsters
Imho a great song and an amazing video.
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers (Semi-reformation of 90’s band The Refreshments)
The Railbenders (Local Denver band fronted by RCPM lead guitarist Jim Dalton)
The Hickman-Dalton Gang (Johnny Hickman of Cracker and the aforementioned Mr. Dalton)
Of the bands mentioned so far, I second Okkervil River, the Mountain Goats, and Gogol Bordello.
And I’ll add Titus Andronicus and the Dum Dum Girls.
Scruffy the Cat
The Feelies
The Feelies may be a bit more recognized here; unfortunately, neither of these bands are available on iTunes.
I like this band - I bought their CD at a record store in London last year after hearing “When We Swam.” But I sure wouldn’t compare Thao to Jack Johnson in any way, shape or form.
Clebanoff Strings very good Jazz/String Orchestra band. Strings on Fire his best album
Mitch Ryder & Detroit Wheels great 60’s and 70’s rock band
Ash (Ireland)
The Pretty Things AKA Electric Banana (the albums they recorded as Electric Banana often provided that waka waka waka porn soundtrack we all associate with vintage porn today)