#8: Bomb the Music Industry!

Cause if I wasn't a fat kid in high school I would have never listened to punk rock

Next up is Bomb the Music Industry! All their music is free here: http://www.quoteunquoterecords.com/albums.htm

Wiki Says: Bomb the Music Industry! (commonly abbreviated as BTMI!) is a musical collective originally from Baldwin, Nassau County, New York. They write, produce, record, and distribute all of their music under the leadership of songwriter and producer Jeff Rosenstock.

They are known for their DIY punk ethic, embodied in such actions such as distributing six albums worth of their own material for free on their website, and offering free stencils and paint for fans to create their own T-shirts. They also offer their fans a chance to perform on stage if they learn a song and bring their instrument to the show. Beginning in April 2009, the band only plays all-ages shows with ticket prices of $10 or less.

Rosenstock and several other contributors were previously members of The Arrogant Sons of Bitches. As that band was breaking up, Rosenstock recorded the first BtMI! song, "Sweet Home Cananada," using his PowerBook's built-in microphone. "I wrote that song and put it out to see if anybody wanted it. That was how it started, people showed interest and I like recording stuff."

Discovery: Album Minus Band (2005)

To Leave or Die in Long Island (2005)

Goodbye Cool World! (2006)

Get Warmer (2007) -Favorite album all time #15

Scrambles (2009) - Favorite album all time #13

Adults!!!: Smart!!! Shithammered!!! And Excited by Nothing!!! (2010)

Other Releases: O Pioneers!!! split (2007)

Ska is Dead (2007)

Others! Others! Volume 1 (2009)

Favorite Songs: 20. It Shits!!!

19. The Last Party (Foul)

18. The First Time I Met Sanawon

17. Struggler

16. Sort of Like Being Pumped

15. Congratulations, John, On Joining Every Time I Die

14. Side Projects are Never Successful

13. Stand There Until You're Sober

12. Jobs Schmobs

11. 493 Ruth

10. Wednesday Night Drinkball

9. No Rest For the Whiny

8. Syke! Life Is Awesome!

7. Fresh Attitude, Young Body

6. Big Plans of Sleeping In

5. All Ages Show

4. (Shut) Up the Punx!!! - Favorite song all time #76

3. 25! -Favorite song all time #74

2. I'm Terrified!!! -#69

1. Stuff That I Like -#59

Years Active: 2004-Present

Seen Live: 3 times

April 2006(?)-North Caldwell, NJ

November 2007-Towson, Maryland

July 2008-Asbury Park, NJ

To be honest, I don't like nearly half of BTMI!'s songs. Of the half I do like, half I love and the other half I like a decent amount. BTMI! is so high because of their effort. They give away ALL their music for free. No matter what, they'll play and have fun. Regardless of if there are 5 or 50 or 500 people in the crowd. Get Warmer and Scrambles (and Adults!, too) are just great all the way through, with Scrambles telling almost a biographical story in it. Live BTMI! puts on an amazing show, even after hitting a girl in the head with a guitar on the second song in Maryland.... Go download their music and enjoy it.

Up Next: A band with songs (1-3) that people I go to school with "like".

#9: The Aggrolites

I need more soul with my music. I got to have reggae, reggae music.

Single digits kick off with The Aggrolites, who in a short time have become one of the most respected bands in the reggae scene.

Wiki Says: The Aggrolites are an amalgamation of two previous Los Angeles reggae and ska bands, the Vessels and the Rhythm Doctors. They formed in 2002 as a live backing band for reggae icon Derrick Morgan, and were asked to record music for a new Morgan album. The project was never released but the recording sessions inspired the Aggrolites to become a permanent band. They have served as the backing band for Phyllis Dillon, Scotty, Joseph Hill of Culture, Prince Buster, and Tim Armstrong.

In 2003, the Aggrolites released their debut album, Dirty Reggae, on local reggae label Axe Records. The album was recorded at Signet Studios in Los Angeles in one day, with each song recorded in one take, and with many lyrics improvised on the spot. In November 2004, the Aggrolites were featured on Hellcat Records compilation Give 'Em the Boot IV, and were officially signed to Hellcat in October 2005. The Aggrolites' self-titled Hellcat debut was released on May 9, 2006. In December 2006 they toured the UK as the support band for Madness. The Aggrolites finished a collaboration with Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong for his new solo album, A Poet's Life. They are providing the instrumentals with Tim as lead singer.

They released a new album on June 5, 2007 called Reggae Hit L.A., which won an IGN award for Best Reggae Album of 2007.

The Aggrolites made an appearance on the Nick Jr. show Yo Gabba Gabba!, created by Christian Jacobs, lead singer of The Aquabats.

In mid-2007, original bassist J Bonner quit the band and played his last show on August 12, 2007 in Washington DC. He was replaced by Hepcat bassist David Fuentes. Fuentes died on September 23, 2007.

The band entered the studio in early 2009 to record their fourth album. It was released June 9, 2009 and titled IV.

Discovery: Dirty Reggae (2003)
The Aggrolites (2006)
Reggae Hit L.A. (2007)
IV (2009) - Favorite album all time # 24

Other Releases: A Poet's Life (2007) -Tim Armstrong "solo" album. Aggrolites play instrumentals, Tim Armstrong sings

Favorite Songs: 20. Lucky Streak
19. Countryman Fiddle
18. Work It
17. Brother Jacob
16. Let's Pack Our Bags
15. Love Isn't Love
14. Mr. Misery
13. Tonight
12. By Her Side
11. Gotta Find Someone Better
10. Prisoner Song
9. Well Runs Dry (Free Soul)
8. The Sufferer
7. Reggae Summertime
6. Keep Moving On
5. Faster Bullet
4. Reggae Hit L.A.
3. Free Time
2. Feelin Alright
1. Dirty Reggae (Favorite song all time #51)

Years Active: 2002-Present

Seen Live: 3 times
August 2007-Asbury Park, NJ
April 2008?-Baltmore, MD
July 2008-Englishtown, NJ

Only one song on my top 100 and #9 on this list? How can that be? The Aggrolites are just that good. Their latest album, IV, has one flaw: too many songs so they take away from the others. They play exactly what they want to and certainly have made an impressive name for themselves. They were the highlight of the 2008 Warped Tour and have been fantastic the other times I've seen them as well. I'm in a video of them from that Warped Tour. I'm not posting it though. If you can find it on Youtube you get 10 points!

Up Next: As DIY as it can be

#10: The Clash

Career opportunities, the ones that never knock

"And then I heard it like a shot through my skull to my brain. I felt my finger tips tingle and it started to rain"-The Gaslight Anthem

Starting off the top ten are The Clash. The top ten will have 20 favorite songs

Wiki Says: The Clash were an English punk band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk rock. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance and rockabilly. For most of their recording career, The Clash consisted of Joe Strummer (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mick Jones (lead guitar, vocals), Paul Simonon (bass guitar, backing vocals, occasional lead vocals) and Nicky "Topper" Headon (drums, percussion). Headon left the group in 1982, and internal friction led to Jones's departure the following year. The group continued with new members, but finally disbanded in early 1986.

The Clash achieved commercial success in the United Kingdom with the release of their debut album, The Clash, in 1977. Their third album, London Calling, released in the UK in December 1979, brought them popularity in the United States when it came out there the following month. Critically acclaimed, it was declared the best album of the 1980s a decade later by Rolling Stone magazine.

The Clash's politicized lyrics, musical experimentation and rebellious attitude had a far-reaching influence on rock, alternative rock in particular. They became widely referred to as "The Only Band That Matters", originally a promotional slogan introduced by the group's record label, CBS. In January 2003, the band—including original drummer Terry Chimes—were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked The Clash number 30 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Discovery: The Clash (1977)

Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978)

London Calling (1979)

Sandinista! (1980)

Combat Rock (1982)

Cut the Crap (1985)

Bands on "Burning London: A Tribute to The Clash": No Doubt, The Urge, Ice Cube, Rancid, Third Eye Blind, Indigo Girls, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, 311, The Afghan Wings, Cracker, Silverchair, Moby, Heather Nova

Favorite Songs: 20. White Riot

19. Should I Stay or Should I Go?

18. Wrong 'Em Boyo

17. Career Opportunities

16. Train in Vain (Stand by Me)

15. I'm So Bored With the U.S.A.

14. Clash City Rockers

13. Somebody Got Murdered

12. Washington Bullets

11. Midnight Log

10. Brand New Cadillac

9. The Guns of Brixton

8. Hateful

7. Straight to Hell

6. Police On My Back

5. The Magnificent Seven

4. Spanish Bombs

3. Safe European Home (Favorite song all time #83)

2. (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais (Favorite song all time #31)

1. Rudie Can't Fail (#22)

Years Active: 1976-1986

The Clash are easily the most influential band on this list. They're punk was different from The Ramones. They played many other genres, and weren't afraid of what people thought of them. There isn't really anything I can say here that give justice to exactly how good The Clash were, so I'm just going to go straight to the videos.

Up Next: Dirty Reggae

#11: The Gaslight Anthem

But I used to wait at the diner a million nights without her, praying she won't cancel again tonight

Just shy of the top 10 is The Gaslight Anthem. Listen to them.

Wiki Says: The Gaslight Anthem are an American folk punk band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, consisting of Brian Fallon (lead vocals, guitar), Alex Rosamilia (guitar, backing vocals), Alex Levine (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Benny Horowitz (drums, percussion, tambourine). They released their first album, Sink or Swim, on XOXO Records in May 2007, and their second album, The '59 Sound, on SideOneDummy Records in August 2008. The band's third album, American Slang, was released on June 15, 2010.

Romo Says: Gaslight Anthem has drawn numerous comparisons to Bruce Springsteen, and it's pretty obvious why, particularly on the album The '59 Sound. In December 2008, eMusic named The '59 Sound the best album of 2008. NME rated it as the 47th best album of the year. The title track was number 62 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.

In July 2009, following Bruce Springsteen's guest appearances with the band at Glastonbury and Hyde Park, sales of the album increased by 200%.

Discovery: Sink or Swim (2007) - Favorite album all time #21

The '59 Sound (2008) - Favorite album all time #6

American Slang (2010)

Other Releases: Senor and the Queen (2008)

All Aboard! A Tribute to Johnny Cash (2008)

Favorite Songs: 15. 1930

14. We Came to Dance

13. We're Getting a Divorce, You Keep the Diner

12. Red At Night

11. Casanova, Baby!

10. Angry Johnny and the Radio

9. Say I Won't (Recognize) (Favorite song all time #100)

8. The Backseat (Favorite song all time #91)

7. Here's Looking At You, Kid (#73)

6. Drive (#56)

5. I'da Called You Woody, Joe (#52)

4. High Lonesome (#41)

3. The Patient Ferris Wheel (#35)

2. The '59 Sound (#24)

1. Great Expectations (#11)

Years Active: 2005-Present

Seen Live: 3 times

November 2008-Baltimore, MD

May 2009-Towson, MD

September 2009-Washington, DC

September 2010-Baltimore, MD (will hopefully be going)

The Gaslight Anthem keep getting bigger and bigger. My friend Tommy saw them in a basement show and now 2 years later they're selling out every place they play. I was disappointed by "American Slang", but that's mostly because of how high I regard their first two albums. I'm glad they're still on Side One Dummy records, and I hope they do very well while sticking to their punk roots.

Up Next: The top 10 kicks off with the last band on this list I've never seen live

#12: The Dropkick Murphys

From the convent to the rectory and over the the sacristy. I'm a Goddamn travesty and that's just my luck

Next are the Dropkick Murphys. They were the first band I saw after I first came to Loyola

Wiki Says: Dropkick Murphys are an Irish American Celtic punk/hardcore punk band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts. First playing together in the basement of a friend's barbershop, they blended traditional Irish folk rock and punk rock known as Celtic punk. Their influences include Stiff Little Fingers, The Pogues, The Clash, Thin Lizzy, The Dubliners, and the Swingin' Utters.

The band has made a name for itself and built a following as a result of their non-stop touring all over the world, and their St. Patrick's Day weekend shows, which are held in and around Boston, are legendary. The group is also famous for their patronage of the Boston Red Sox and Bruins

Discovery: Do or Die (1998)
The Gang'e All Here (1999)
Sing Loud, Sing Proud! (2001)
Blackout (2003)
The Warrior's Code (2005)
The Meanest of Times (2007)

Other Releases: The Singles Collection, Volume 1 (2000)
Live on St. Patrick's Day (2002)
Tessie (2004)
Rock Against Bush vol 2 (2004)
The Singles Collection, Volume 2 (2005)
Live on Lansdowne (2010)

Favorite Songs: 15. Buried Alive
14. Walk Away
13. Tomorrow's Industry
12. Sunshine Highway
11. Kiss Me I'm Shit Faced
10. The Dirty Glass
9. Worker's Song
8. God Willing
7. Skinhead On the Mbta
6. Captain Kelly's Kitchen
5. Finnegan's Wake
4. The Rocky Road to Dublin
3. The Auld Triangle (Favorite song all time #92)
2. Bastards On Parade (Favorite song all time #84)
1. Famous For Nothing (#12)

Years Active: 1996-Present

Seen Live: 3 times
August 2007-Asbury Park, NJ
September 2007-Baltimore, MD
July 2008-Sayerville, NJ

Dropkick was another band I first heard in Tony Hawk's Underground. From that came Mp3 files from Epitaph records. Then borrowing two CD's. Now I own and love all their records. Aside from being Red Socks fans, they're about as good as it gets. Some people don't like their punk versions of traditional Irish songs. I'm not Irish, so I enjoy these cover. Their latest live album is great and features Civet and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. It really captures they great energy that comes with their live shows.

Up Next: New Jersey's biggest up and coming band that doesn't feature a Jonas Brother

#13: Whole Wheat Bread

If Simple Plan step up we gonna crush them niggas. Good Charlotte step up we gonna crush them niggas.

Lucky #13 is Whole Wheat Bread. They are friends with Lil' Jon which is pretty cool

Wiki Says: Whole Wheat Bread is a punk band from Jacksonville, Florida. They formed in 2003 and have so far released two albums and one EP, under the Orlando based record label Fighting Records...The rearranged lineup then continued to tour with various acts, including The Bouncing Souls, Street Dogs, and Wu-Tang Clan's Killah Priest. They then released an EP, Punk Life, in November 2006. The EP included three original songs and 3 "crunk rock" parodies of rap songs. One original track "Symbol of Hope" reflected the events of Hurricane Katrina and the government's lack of enthusiasm to respond to the events. The track also featured backing vocals by Jason Navarro of the Suicide Machines.

Discovery: Minority Rules (2005) -Favorite album all time #17

Punk Life EP (2006)

Hearts of Hoodlums (2009)

Other Releases: What Santa Don't Know (2006?)

Crunk Rock (2010)- Lil Jon album

Favorite Songs: 15. Scar Your Lungs

14. Ode 2 Father

13. New Age Southern Baptist Nigga from Da Hood

12. No Problem (Lil Scrappy cover)

11. 206

10. I Can't Think

9. Never Scared (Bone Crusher cover)

8. Lower Class Man

7. I Don't Give a Fuck (Lil Jon cover)

6. Holly

5. Overrated

4. Symbol of Hope

3. Old Man Sampson (Favorite song all time #88)

2. Staying True (Favorite song all time #67)

1. Broke (#17)

Years Active: 2003-Present

Seen Live: 5 times

May 2005-Montclair, NJ

March 2007-Boundbrook, NJ

November 2007-Sayerville, NJ

July 2008-Westfield, NJ

September 2008-Baltimore, MD

The first time I saw Whole Wheat Bread was one of my first shows ever. They were opening for Big D & the Kids Table and I had only heard "Old Man Sampson" and assumed they were almost like a folk punk band. Boy was I wrong. Hip-hop, hard punk, free style rapping...seemed like they could do it all. One show their bass player was white, which allowed a lot of on-stage jokes.

Up Next: Celtic punk

#14: Westbound Train

It's quiet down in Boston, and that's a rarity these days

Next up are Westbound Train. I took pictures of them for one of my photo projects last year

Wiki Says: Westbound Train is a ska band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 2001. Their name originates from the Dennis Brown hit song by the same name.

Westbound Train released their first album, Searching for A Melody, in 2003. The band self-released their second album, Five to Two, in 2005, which featured guest appearances from Alex Desert of Hepcat and King Django. The album was re-released by Stomp Records on March 14, 2006.

Westbound Train were featured on the Hellcat Records compilation Give 'Em the Boot IV in November 2004. In January 2006, Hellcat announced that they had signed the band. A third full-length, titled Transitions, was released in September 2006.

Westbound Train played the Summer of Ska tour in the summer of 2006, along with Suburban Legends, Big D and the Kids Table, Voodoo Glow Skulls, and Catch 22. Westbound Train also played the Fall of Ska tour in the fall of 2006, along with Reel Big Fish, Streetlight Manifesto, and Suburban Legends.

Lynval Golding, the guitarist of The Specials, is a big Westbound Train fan. Golding can often be seen at Westbound Train concerts in the Seattle, Washington area, even once playing on stage with them and calling them "the next ska sensation."

Discovery: Searching for a Melody (2003)

Five to Two (2005)

Transitions (2006)*

Come and Get It (2009)

*best album

Favorite Songs: 15. Version City Time

14. Travel On

13. I Don't Belong Here

12. Can You Please?

11. There Goes My Girl

10. Salvation

9. My Heart Belongs To You

8. Forever

7. One Day

6. A New Hope

5. Come And Get It

4. Please Forgive Me

3. Good Enough

2. Bigger Things In Mind

1. Cheers! The World's Almost Over (Favorite song all time #47)

Years Active: 2001-Present

Seen Live: 6 times

July 2005- Montclair, NJ

November 2005-Montclair, NJ

July 2006-Asbury Park, NJ

November 2007-Sayerville, NJ

July 2009-Oceanport, NJ

September 2009-Washington, DC

Westbound Train has some of the sweetest love songs I've ever heard. They have some of the best dance songs I've ever heard. Some of the best horns and some of the best vocals. I'm a little surprised at their relatively small popularity amongst the scene. They're certainly one of the best bands I've ever heard and are even better live.

Up Next: Dirty south punk rock

#15: The Pietasters

I want to get to know you in the present tense. I want to get to know you in the biblical sense

Kicking off the top 15 are The Pietasters. The following 5 bands will have 15 favorite songs.

Wiki Says: The Pietasters are a seven-piece ska/soul band hailing from Washington, D.C., with additional members from Maryland and Virginia...In 1990, a group of friends were attending college at Virginia Tech in the mountains of Virginia. Among them were Stephen Jackson and Chris Watt who had previously dabbled in playing punk rock covers.

Soon after, a mutual friend, Tal Bayer, began attending nearby Radford University. He was very much into ska and reggae and suggested that they form a ska band. After recruiting a high school friend, Tom Goodin, and an Architecture classmate, Ben Gauslin, The Slugs were born. Soon, they were skipping classes, melding ska, reggae, R & B and punk rock while practicing for hours to learn songs by Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Skatalites, The Business, and others. Unfortunately, the name The Slugs was already taken and the band needed a new name. For a few months, the name was changed to the Dancehall Crashers. It was too similar to another ska band out west so the search for a new name continued. Some British neighbors used to refer to the heftier guys in the band as Pietasters, which is British slang for "fat guys". The name stuck and The Pietasters were born.

Discovery: The Pietasters (1993)

Oolooloo (1995) -Favorite album all time #25

Willis (1997)

Awesome Mix Tape Vol. 6 (1999)

Turbo (2002)

All Day (2007)

Favorite Songs: 15. New Breed

14. Same Old Song

13. Can't Stand It

12. Don't Wanna Know

11. Night Before

10. Wasted

9. Biblical Sense

8. Drunken Master

7. Girl Take It Easy

6. Ordinary

5. Out All Night

4. Maggie Mae

3. Movin' On Up

2. Oolooloo (Favorite song all time #65)

1. Freak Show (Favorite song all time #62)

Years Active: 1990-Present

Seen Live: 5 times

July 2006-Asbury Park, NJ

January 2009-Baltimore, MD

August 2009-Asbury Park, NJ

November 2009-Baltimore, MD

June 2010-Baltimore, MD

The Pietasters are special because my friend Andrew has been playing drums with them since this summer. Also they're very good. Songs about drinking, prostitutes, cheating, oh the wonderful topic they'll cover. They also have very sweet songs like "Time Won't Let Me" which is playing now on my iTunes. They are fantastic live, even better than they are recorded, which is no easy task. As the live shows indicate, I've gotten into them much more recently from being down here in Baltimore and fully intend on listening to them every more as time progresses.

Up Next: Band from Boston, singer from Essex County, New Jersey

8/21/2010: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones...

...And The Flatliners and Teenage Bottle Rocket. It was a great show. Quick rundown of set lists and thoughts...

The Flatliners opened and were good as always. It was my first time seeing them since the release of their album earlier this year. Set list in no order aside from the order they show up on my iTunes so I guess it's be album:

The Calming Collection
Bleed
Filthy Habits
Fred's Got Slacks (closing song)
There's a Problem
July! August! Reno! (played at my request)
Eulogy
This Respirator
Mother Teresa Chokeslams The World (opening song)

Teenage Bottle Rocket was next. I don't have any of their songs on my iTunes so not sure what they played but they were really good for the second time I've seen them.

Then were The Mighty Might Bosstones. They were amazing as always. No need to go into details about the set, so here is what I remember them playing:

Rudie Can't Fail (Clash Cover, Encore song #1)
Devil's Night Out
Patricia
Someday I Suppose
Holy Smoke
Seven Thirty Seven/Shoe Glue
A Jackknife To A Swan
You Gotta Go!
Everybody's Better
Noise Brigade
The Rascal King
The Impression That I Get
Nevermind Me
Don't Worry Desmond Dekker
Where'd You Go?
All Things Considered
Allow Them
Graffiti Worth Reading (Opening Track)
Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah (Original Closing Track, played w/Steven Jackson of The Pietasters)
You Left, Right?
I Wrote It
A Pretty Sad Excuse (Closing encore track)

Notably missing songs: Dr. D, Awfully Quiet, The Old School Off the Bright, Drunks and Children, Toxic Toast, Royal Oil,

Up Next: The countdown continues with a band I mentioned in this post but didn't have the whole band perform

Favorite Fictional Bands II

So on my earlier post that I'm too lazy to link, I forgot two of my favorite (probably top 5 of the list) fictional bands so here they are.

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem (The Muppet Show)

Wiki Says: Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem is the name of a Muppet rock band of the The Muppet Show. Following The Muppet Show, they appeared in various Muppet movies and television specials, and have also recorded album tracks. Dr. Teeth was designed by Jim Henson, while the rest of the original band members were designed by Michael K. Frith.

The band consists of Dr. Teeth on vocals and keyboards, Janice on guitar, Sgt. Floyd Pepper on bass guitar, Zoot on saxophone and Animal on drums. In season five of the show, Lips joined the band on trumpet. Animal, Floyd and Zoot also played in the Muppet Show pit band, performing the opening and closing themes and underscoring most of the Muppet Show performances. Lips and occasionally Janice appeared in the orchestra in later episodes. Though Lips made some appearances with the group after The Muppet Show ended production, the group later reverted to its original line-up. Also, the original pilot episode "featured "Jim", a Muppet caricature of Jim Henson on banjo.

The band's first film role was performing the song "Can You Picture That?" in The Muppet Movie. They also performed "Night Life" and participated in "Happiness Hotel" in The Great Muppet Caper, and performed "Jingle Bell Rock" in A Muppet Family Christmas. They appeared in The Muppets Take Manhattan (sans Lips), where Dr. Teeth sang "You Can't Take No For An Answer." Following the deaths of two of the group's puppeteers, they were limited to brief instrumental background music for years. However, Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem backed Miss Piggy for a song in The Muppets' Wizard of Oz and performed alongside Miley Cyrus in the Studio DC: Almost Live television special. More recently, they appeared on the YouTube channel as part of the 2009 parody cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" that many Muppet characters took part in.

The Wonders - As in I Wonder what happened to the Oneders - (The Thing You Do!)

No Wikipedia page, but I like them and the movie a lot.

MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES TONIGHT!!!

#16: The Slackers

Every day is Sunday when you're unemployed

Just shy of the top 15 are The Slackers, who played the last show ever at the Bloomfield Ave Cafe and Stage in Montclair, New Jersey

Wiki Says:
The Slackers are a New York City band, formed in Brooklyn in 1991. The band's sound is a mix of ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub, soul, garage rock, and jazz. The Slackers' notability is credited to their prolific career, tours of North America, Europe, and elsewhere, and signing to notable punk label Hellcat Records.

There are several side projects of The Slackers, including David Hillyard & The Rocksteady Seven, Crazy Baldhead Sound System, Da Whole Thing, the SKAndalous All Stars, as well as an acoustic solo project by Vic Ruggiero. Vic Ruggiero, Jay Nugent, and David Hillyard were also in the New York City ska band Stubborn All-Stars led by frontman King Django.

Discovery: Better Late Than Never (1996)

Redlight (1997)

The Question (1998)*

Wasted Days (2001)

The Slackers and Friends (2002)

Close My Eyes (2003)

An Afternoon in Dub (2005)

Slackness (2005)

Peculiar (2006)*

The Boss Harmony Sessions (2007)

Self Medication (2008)

The Great Rocksteady Swindle (2010)

*Best albums

Favorite Songs: 10. Keep It Simple

9. Everyday Is Sunday

8. Knowing

7. Peculiar

6. 86 The Mayo

5. And I Wonder

4. No More Crying

3. Axes (Favorite song all time #78)

2. Married Girl (Favorite song all time #57

1. Have the Time (#3)

Years Active: 1991-Present

Seen Live: 3 times

January 2008-Montclair, NJ

April 2009-Baltimore, MD

June 2010-Baltimore, MD

The Slackers are really, really good. Especially live. They always seem to play everything right, fast, and it is just really good. I know this isn't the most in depth expression about them, but there isn't much to say besides the fact that they never disappoint.

I can't embed their music video for "Have the Time", but it is one of my favorite videos ever. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do0iB79mgBk&feature=av2e

Up Next: A quick pause for 2 other posts

#17: Sublime

Cause we're strong, they are rude, rude people.

"Damn I was surprised when I heard 'punk rock changed our lives'"-Bargain Music

Next up is Sublime, the punk/ska/reggae band that was tragically never able to see their full recognition

Wiki Says: Sublime was an American reggae fusion band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's line-up, unchanged until their breakup, consisted of Bradley Nowell (vocals and guitar), Bud Gaugh (drums and percussion), and Eric Wilson (bass guitar). Michael "Miguel" Happoldt also contributed on a few Sublime songs, such as "New Thrash." Lou Dog, Nowell's dalmatian, was the mascot of the band. Nowell died of a heroin overdose in 1996 and Sublime immediately split up.

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.

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.

Romo Says: 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. (Not his most person post)

Discovery: 40 oz. to Freedom (1992)

Robbin' the Hood (1994)

Sublime (1996)

Other Releases: Second Hand Smoke (1997)

Acoustic: Bradley Nowell & Friends (1998)

Everything Under the Sun (2006)

Bands Featured on "Look at All the Love We Found" (2005): Avail, Bargain Music, Bedouin Soundclash, Brain Failure, Half Pint, Fishbone, G. Love, Jack Johnson, Los Lobos, Gift of Gab, Mike Watt, No Doubt, Ozomatli, Pennywise, The Ziggens

Bands Featured on "Forever Free" (2006): Ballyhoo!, The Forces of Evil, Guttermouth, If All Else Fails, Never Heard of It, No Use For a Name, The Skeletones, The Toast, Up Syndrome, Voodoo Glow Skulls, 1208

Favorite Songs: 10. What Happened

9. Saw Red -Featuring Gwen Stefani

8. What I Got

7. Doin Time -Uptown Dub

6. New Song

5. Santeria

4. Wrong Way

3. Same In the End

2. Date Rape (Favorite song all time #38)

1. Seed (Favorite song all time # 5)

Years Active: 1988-1996

Never seen live (But I have seen their tribute band, Badfish, three times)

If this was sophomore year of high school, Sublime would be without question #1 on this list. But the reason they're lower is simply they only have a handful of music (3 albums, but with compilations and everything I have 159 Sublime songs on my iTunes), and I never had the chance to see them live. Also I don't smoke pot, so I like sublime for their music, not because social norms tell me to. "Smoke Two Joints" is a bad song (and it's a cover). "Ebin" is a very good but little known song. Sublime did the best job of mixing punk, reggae, and ska. In fact, that is why "Seed" is such a highly regarded song by me (former #1 favorite) as it is a mix of all three of genres throughout. I first heard that song in "Tony Hawk's Underground" and I've loved them since.

Up Next: A band that describes my worth ethic

#18: Mustard Plug

Said it before and I'll say it again, things were better off just dating Miss Michigan

At 18 are Mustard Plug. A poster for their album "Yellow #5" can be seen in Ted's bedroom in an episode of "How I Met Your Mother"

Wiki Says: Mustard Plug is a ska band from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Formed in 1991, the band's original members were Dave Kirchgessner, Mike McKendrick, Colin Clive, and Anthony Vilchez. Currently the band consists of Dave (Vocals), Brandon Jenison (trumpet), Jim Hofer (trombone), Nate Cohn (drums), Colin Clive (guitar/vocals), and Rick Johnson (bass). The band has regularly toured throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, and South America. They have toured with the Warped Tour twice, and participated in the Ska Against Racism Tour. Brandon Jenison stated in an interview that their band name originated when a guy in the early stages of the band was making a sandwich and that crusty stuff that forms on the mustard bottle when you put it in the without wiping it off first gave him an interesting idea for a name.

Discovery: Skapocalypse Now! (1992)

Big Daddy Multitude (1993)

Evildoers Beware! (1997)

Pray for Mojo (1999)

Yellow #5 (2002)

In Black an White (2007)*

*best album

Other Releases: Masterpieces: 1991-2002 (2005)

Ska is Dead (2007)

Favorite Songs: 10. Something New

9. The Freshman - Verve Pipe cover

8. You

7. Just a Minute

6. Someday, Right Now

5. Not Enough

4. Safe

3. Mr. Smiley

2. Hit Me! Hit Me! - Favorite song all time #98

1. Beer (Song) -Favorite songs all time #50

Years Active: 1991-Present

Seen Live: 3 times

September 2005 (Asbury Park, NJ)

October 2007 (Baltimore, MD)

November 2008? (Baltimore, MD)

Ever have those songs or albums that when you listen to them you think of a particular place and time? Mustard Plug has that effect on me. I got their greatest hits albums, Masterpieces: 1991-2002, in late September of 2005 and was listening to that when I was doing my Halloween lawn decorations that October. Hearing songs from that album almost always reminds me of that time. Based on music alone they'd still be high on this list, but not as high. Their live performances really boosted them on this.

Up Next: The band that most people I'm friends with would actually say they're a fan of

#19: Left Alone

I can still see my name up in the marquee lights

First entry in the teens is Left Alone, and I wore one of their shirts to the gym earlier today

Wiki Says: Left Alone is a punk rock band from Wilmington, California. They were formed in May 1996 by lead vocalist and guitarist Elvis Cortez. Cortez formed his own label, Smelvis Records, to release Left Alone's records, and has since expanded the label to include numerous other underground bands. Cortez was also the owner of the PCH Club in Wilmington, which is now defunct. Left Alone's music has ska influences, and the band is notable for adhering to a do it yourself ethic by avoiding major labels, booking their own tours, and making their own merchandise.

After releasing numerous demos, splits, and EPs, Left Alone released their first full-length, Streets of Wilmington, in 2002. A year later, the band compiled their earlier, out-of-print recordings on the anthology Left Alone: 1996-2000. In 2003, Cortez went on the Warped Tour as a roadie. After Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman heard Left Alone's music, he chose the band to be the Warped Tour BBQ band for the 2004 tour. The band were invited back to be the BBQ band for the 2005 tour. While on the Warped Tour, Tim Armstrong of Rancid heard Left Alone's 2004 album, Lonely Starts & Broken Hearts. Armstrong signed the band to his label, Hellcat Records, and re-released Lonely Starts & Broken Hearts. The band released their third full-length album, Dead American Radio, on August 8, 2006, which features guest appearances from Tim Armstrong and Patricia Day of the Horrorpops.

The band released their self-titled album on April 7, 2009.

They will be touring with the Vans Warped Tour 2010.

Discovery: Streets of Wilmington (2002)

Lonely Starts and Broken Hearts (2004)

Dead American Radio (2007)*

Left Alone (2009)

*Best Album

Other Releases: Left Alone: 1996-2000

Favorite Songs: 10. Branded

9. Every Night

8. Spiked With Pain

7. La Pregunta (featuring Patricia Day)

6. The Sinner

5. Done Wrong

4. By My Side

3. Dead Red Roses

2. City to City (Featuring Tim Armstrong)

1. 4 Weeks

Years Active: 1996-Present

Seen Live: One time (October 2007, Baltimore)

Appropriately following in Rancid's style of punk and ska, Left Alone has done just a fantastic job of playing hard music, often with important messages (alcoholism, dreams, abandonment, hating emo). They were excelled live, and from what I've heard (and experienced) are very down to earth and cool guys. Wish they kept more horns in their music though.

Up Next: Yellow

#20: Mad Caddies

Drinking for 11, that's just what I do. When I'm not with you my heart goes to bed

Kicking off the top 20 are the Mad Caddies, who for some reason hate touring on the East Coast

Wiki Says: The Mad Caddies (or the Caddies) are a third wave ska band from Solvang, California. The band formed in 1995 and has released five full-length albums, one live album, and two EP's. The Mad Caddies sound has influences from broad ranging genres including ska, punk, hardcore, swing, pop punk, reggae, jazz, Spanish, polka, even rockabilly ("Crew Cut Chuck") and sea shanties ("Weird Beard").

Discovery: Quality Soft Core (1997)

Duck and Cover (1998)

Rock The Plank (2001)

Just One More (2003)

Keep It Going (2007)*

*Best album

Other Releases: The Holiday Has Been Cancelled EP (2000)

Songs in the Key of Eh! Live in Toronto (2004)

Rock Against Bush volume 2 (2004)

Favorite Songs: 10. Today

9. Riot

8. No Hope

7. Drinking For 11

6. We'll Stat to Worry When the Cynics Start Believing

5. Souls for Sale

4. Mary Melody

3. Macho Nachos

2. Day by Day

1. Road Rash (Favorite song all time #79)

Years Active: 1995-Present

Never seen live

Maybe one day the Caddies will tour over here on the East Coast. Until then, I'll just have to enjoy their music recorded...which is very good.

Up Next: Yet another band who have recorded with Tim Armstrong

#21: Hub City Stompers

Drinking whiskey like it was Aquafina

At 21 are the Hub City Stompers, named for the nickname of East Brunswick, New Jersey

Wiki Says: Hub City Stompers are a ska/reggae/Oi! band based out of New Brunswick, NJ, formed in summer of 2002. The band has included former members of bands such as Foil, Proffesor Plum, Inspecter 7, The Schematics, Bomb Town, and other New York City and New Jersey bands. They are influenced by various styles of music, including reggae, jazz, punk rock and classical music. They perform regularly at 3 Floors of Ska Shows, International Ska Circus, and Ska Weekend shows.

Discovery: Mass Appeal (2005)

Blood, Sweat, and Beer (2004)

Dirty Jersey (2006)*

Ska Ska Black Sheep (2009)

*best album

Favorite Songs: 10. Fuck You, You're Irish

9. Chatterbox

8. Ordinary Guy

7. Bridge Over Troubled Squatter

6. Leave Me the Fuck Alone

5. Wholottamulatto

4. Jenny Whiskey

3. Johnny Date Rape (Favorite song all time #72)

2. Little Julie Swastiska (Favorite song all time #66)

1. WTFIU? (#23)

Years Active: 2002-Present

Seen Live: Two times (July 2006 in Asbury Park, NJ. July 2008 in Westfield, NJ)

HCS is probably the most aggressive band I listen to. Songs about gang beatings, bad roommates, black man dating female white supremacist, cheating, and many other topics. Great, original ska and not afraid to hate on anyone in their way.

Up Next: The top 20 starts with the last active band on this list I have never seen live

#22: The Arrogant Sons of Bitches

So we're done and in the end it wasn't all real fun. You were the one who ended up not being the one

Next up are the Arrogant Sons of Bitches, who will be getting a big mention in the top 10 (spoiler below!!!!)

Wiki Says: The Arrogant Sons of Bitches (commonly abbreviated as ASOB) was a 6-piece ska punk band from Long Island and Baldwin, New York. The band was known for its strong DIY punk roots, self-releasing two albums and two EPs. Their final album, Three Cheers For Disappointment, was released on Kill Normal Records.

Frontman Jeff Rosenstock went on to found Quote Unquote Records, a donation-based record label, as well as the band Bomb the Music Industry! Other members went on to join Jay Tea, Hello Nurse, Let Me Crazy, and The Rocky Sullivans.

Discovery: The Little Ones Are Rotting (2002)

Three Cheers For Disappointment (2006) - Favorite Album all time #9)

Other Releases: The Arrogant Sons of Bitches (2004)

This is What You Get (2006) - Live concert of Radiohead covers

Favorite Songs: 10. Go Ska!

9. The Last Bell I Will Ever Hear

8. RocketRocketRocketship (Favorite song all time #93)

7. Sorry. We Steal (Favorite song all time #90)

6. RSTLNE (#87)

5. Royal Fuck Deluxe (64)

4. Disappointment At the Taco Bell featuring Dave Mcwane (54)

3. Kill The President (42)

2. Piss Off (30)

1. So Let's Go! Nowhere! (16)

Year Active: 1995-2004, 2006, 2007

Seen Live: Three Times

Montclair, NJ 2005 (x2), 2006 (I think, they played there ALL the time)

ASOB, the band that got too big. Upon the release of their first big album, "Three Cheers for Disappointment", they just got burnt out and things came to an abrupt close. At that point, they were selling shirts that simply said "ASOB Broke Up" since they had basically disappeared. "Three Cheers" is a very special album for me. I listen to it EVERY time I drive from Jersey to Maryland, it's just tradition. Said album can be downloaded for FREE here: http://www.quoteunquoterecords.com/qur023.htm. Below there will be a video for an entire live set from 2004 in Montclair, NJ.

Up Next: Dirty Jersey time

#23: The Planet Smashers

I want to be strange. Why would I want to be like you?

Next up are The Planet Smashers, and I'll be honest I'm too tired to come up with anything here for the intro

Wiki Says: The Planet Smashers are a ska punk band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Since their formation in 1994, they have been a staple of the Montreal music scene. During the third wave of ska, they quickly rose to national, and eventual international fame, with tours in the United States, Europe, and Japan. Founding member Matt Collyer helped establish Stomp Records in 1994, which featured many ska and ska punk bands, including Montreal's The Kingpins, The Flatliners, The Know How, and Bedouin Soundclash. Their music has been used in the Japanese flash series Catman, Canadian show Radio Free Roscoe, and MTV 's Undergrads (shown on Teletoon in Canada). Lyrics by The Planet Smashers often deal with topics such as love, partying and good times, and sometimes use tongue-in-cheek innuendos.

Discovery: The Planet Smashers (1995)

Attack of The Planet Smashers (1997)

Life of the Party (1999)

No Self Control (2001)

Mighty (2003)

Unstoppable (2005)

Favorite Songs: 10. Swayed

9. My Decision

8. Missionary Downfall

7. Change

6. You Might Be...

5. Psycho Neighbor

4. Never Gonna Drink Again

3. Super Orgy Porno Party

2. Struggle

1. Blind (Favorite song all time #61)

Years Active: 1994-Present

Seen Live: Once (September 2005, Asbury Park, NJ)

I would have seen The Planet Smashers more than once if not for two reasons. 1) Skipped their show to do something with who is now my ex girlfriend (no resentment here!) and 2) They seem to never tour anymore. I always loved them because all their songs are some form of traditional ska.

Up Next: A band that caused its own downfall too soon

#24: The English Beat

There are some sad things known to man, but not too much sadder than the tears of a clown when there's no one around

After another day off the countdown returns with The English Beat, or as they're known across the pond, The Beat

Wiki Says: The Beat (known in North America as The English Beat) are a 2 Tone ska revival band founded in England in 1978.[1] Their songs fuse ska, pop, soul, reggae and punk rock, and their lyrics deal with themes of love, unity and sociopolitical topics.

The Beat released three albums: I Just Can't Stop It (1980), Wha'ppen? (1981) and Special Beat Service (1982), and a string of singles, including "Mirror in the Bathroom", "Too Nice To Talk To", "Can't Get Used To Losing You", "Hands off She's Mine" and "All Out To Get You".

Discovery: I Just Can't Stop It (1980)
Wha'ppen? (1981)
Special Beat Service (1982)

Favorite Songs: 10. Mirror In the Bathroom
9. Click Click
8. Whine and Grine/Stand Down Margaret
7. Save It For Later
6. Best Friend
5. Hands Off...She's Mine
4. Rankin' Full Stop
3. Sole Salvation
2. Twist And Crawl
1. Tears of a Clown (Smokey Robinson & the Miracles cover)

Years Active: 1978-1983, 2003, 2005-Present

Seen Live: 3 Times
January 2009 (Baltimore, MD)
July 2009 (Sayerville, NJ)
February 2010 (Baltimore, MD)

The English Beat are pretty good recorded. Live they're simply great. Of the three times I've seen them, they headlined two and played for over two hours both times. They're songs sound faster and more fun live too. I might be seeing them again in like 2 weeks in DC. Make sure you watch the first video at least.

Up Next: Even more Canadians!

#25: Against All Authority

This is a promise, no, this is a threat. As long as we're alive then punk's not dead

At the 25 mark is Against All Authority, who if you take that quote literally....punk is dead

Wiki Says: Against All Authority (often abbreviated -AAA-) is an American punk band, formed in Florida in 1992. Playing in the ska punk style, their business practice follows a stringent DIY ethic.

Discovery: Destroy What Destroys You (1996)

All Fall Down (1998)*

24 Hour Roadside Resistance (2000)

Nothing New for Trash Like You (2001)

The Restoration of Chaos & Order (2006)

Favorite Songs: 10. Alba

9. Livin' In Miami

8. All Ages Show Tonight

7. Sk8 Rock

6. Toby

5. 12:00 AM

4. All Fall Down

3. Ska Sucks (Propagandi cover)

2. Centerfold (J. Geils Band cover, Favorite song #82)

1. Radio Waves (Favorite song #71)

Years Active: 1992-???

Seen Live: 3 times

November 2006-Montclair, NJ

March 2007-Bound Brook, NJ

July 2007-Sayeville, NJ

As you can see, there is confusion to me about AAA's current status. I saw them in July, 2007 and was loving them at this point. They were on a nation tour with Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, and Streetlight Manifesto. Then they disappeared. Myspace was last logged into in October of 2007. The last update on their website is from October of 2006. Nothing. No update. No, "we broke up". Just missing in action. Maybe one day they'll come back. I can only hope so.

Up Next: A band on the Ferris Bueller's Day Off soundtrack

#26: Bad Religion

God I want to be a man but I don't want to die with a rifle in my hands. And as the planes blacken the sky it sounds like Heaven is falling.

"I bought 'Suffer' then I bought a thesaurus"-NOFX

Next up is Bad Religion, probably the most respected band in all of punk rock

Wiki Says: Bad Religion is an American punk rock band founded in Southern California in 1979 by Jay Bentley (bass), Greg Graffin (vocals), Brett Gurewitz (guitars), and Jay Ziskrout (drums). They are often credited for being involved in the revival of punk rock and inspiring several subsequent punk bands during the late 1980s, as well as influencing a large number of other punk and rock musicians throughout their career. In the 31 years since its inception, Bad Religion has had numerous lineup changes, and Graffin has been the only constant member, although the band currently features three out of the original four members.

To date, Bad Religion has released fourteen studio albums (with a fifteenth due out in the fall of 2010), two EPs, three compilation albums, two live recordings, and two DVDs. Almost all of the band's albums were released on Epitaph Records, started in 1980 by Gurewitz, who still runs the label today. Their 1988 album Suffer has been cited by some critics as one of the most important punk rock albums of all time, although it was not charted in Billboard. The next three albums, No Control, Against the Grain and Generator were also highly acclaimed. When they signed to the major label Atlantic Records, Bad Religion rose to fame with their 1993 album Recipe for Hate, which reached number 14 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart, marking the highest initial charting album in the band's career. Their next album, Stranger Than Fiction, featuring the band's well-known hit singles "21st Century (Digital Boy)" and "Infected", was also successful and became the only Bad Religion album to obtain gold status in the US. Following Gurewitz's departure in 1994, Graffin took over the majority of the songwriting duties, which lasted for the next three albums. Gurewitz returned to the fold in 2001, making Bad Religion a six-piece band, and contributed to their three most recent albums. The band has finished recording a new studio album, entitled The Dissent of Man, which is scheduled for release on September 28, 2010, and will also mark the first time that a Bad Religion line-up had not changed in four consecutive studio recordings.

They are particularly known for their use of soaring 3 part vocal harmonies (which they refer to in their album liner notes as the "oozin' aahs"), wide vocabulary, and political or religious commentary. Their lyrics often relate to matters of social responsibility.

Discovery: How Could Hell Be Any Worse? (1982)
Into the Unknown (1983)
Suffer (1988)
No Control (1989)
Against the Grain (1990)
Generator (1992)
Recipe for Hate (1993)
Stranger Than Fiction (1994)
The Gray Race (1996)
No Substance (1998)
The New America (2000)
The Process of Belief (2002)
The Empire Strikes First (2004)
New Maps of Hell (2007)
The Dissent of Man (2010)

Favorite Songs: 10. Supersonic
9. Big Bang
8. Shattered Faith
7. We're Only Gonna Die
6. Los Angeles is Burning
5. Fuck Armageddon...This is Hell
4. Generator
3. Sorrow
2. Anesthesia
1. Heaven is Falling

Years Active: 1979-Present

Seen Live: Twice (Warped Tour 2008/2009)

Bad Religion are not atheists. They use religion as a metaphor for lack of independent thoughts. They are really, really good. There really isn't much I can say here that will do justice to exactly how good they are.

Up Next: A band that has dropped off the face of the earth...