Jeremy's Rock n' Roll list

Well...at the suggestion of Jady, I've put my list up here in a repost from my myspace page. In retrospect, it feels kind of retarded when I reread it. I guess I have to organize my thoughts somehow though. It's still not an exhaustive list on what makes rock music for me. Searching wikipedia with the names between the asterisks will give much better info...like...duh.
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It's probably no secret that I love rock music. I tend to like rock music that sticks to the independent spirit of 50's rock and roll and 60's garage, which punk rock does...although I also like certain offshoots like electro-punk, grunge, some progressive metal, etc. I thought maybe I'd list some of what I currently think makes the overall genre great in no particular order. It's by no means complete and mainly what's on the top my head right now. Feel free to disagree..., haha. I'm sure there are some, and I'm not naming names, that would want Garnet Crow and Love Psychedelico on here, but they get a lot of love on this site ;-)

*Chuck Berry* Without this guy, I don't think there'd be rock and roll as we know it...a great guitar player and singer. He's a legend...I don't think I can really say more. His peers like Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens also rank up there.

*Misfits* The original Misfits with Glen Danzig is probably one of my favorite bands of all time. Danzig melded horror/sci-fi themes, punk rock, doo-wop, and a catchy sing along chorus. He also had an awesome singing voice...probably unparalleled in the punk rock world. The only thing that came close to ruining the band (and I guess it did....) was their album Earth A.D., but I've gotten used to that hardcore mess.

*The Clash* Another of my most favorite punk bands, The Clash is probably the most musically diverse. Despite London Calling and Combat Rock being favorites among fans, I think that the UK version of The Clash is probably their best album because it was the "raw" Clash. Singer and guitarist Joe Strummer held a political idealism that I share...I like how they held up against the nihilistic Sex Pistols, whom I don't like very much.

*Joan Jett* Do I need to explain? She's also a legend in her own right and paved the way for the grrl next on my list....

*Kathleen Hanna* Er...controversial punk rock goddess that she is...she did a lot for women in rock music. She was unapologetic in spouting obnoxious riot grrl uber-feminism...but the male dominated punk rock scene probably needed that kick in the ass. While I don't always agree with her Bikini Kill work, her other band, Le Tigre is probably one of the best electro-punk bands ever and another of my favorite bands.

*L7* A band that took the riot grrl ideology and made it more accessible to everyone, sticking to a grunge/metal/punk hybrid sound. They just wanted to rock hard and be taken seriously...being male or female didn't matter much.

*Tool* Before Tool I hated metal. I thought it was all big hair, greed, ultra-long high pitched guitar solos, groupies, and narcissism (I am a fucking rock star!). Seeing the video for "Sober" way back when MTV still showed videos 24/7 changed my mind a bit. This band is awesome and always reinvents it's sound. Although it started out more in thrash metal territory...they've gone more progressive and experimental defying labels. They also do something very punk...they always advocate thinking for one's self and to not always trust the establishment. At least, that's what I got out of some of their songs.

*Bad Religion* Awesome hardcore punk band...melodic and abrasive at the same time.... Their lyrics are quite intelligent and they express their social commentary in a more subtle way than most punk bands.

*Black Flag* Well...early Black Flag...pioneers of the hardcore punk movement...they had do it yourself ethics and anti-establishment feelings in abundance and who wouldn't like a band once blamed for the decay of youth in America?

*Devo* They get points for being original. I don't know why, but their sound is infectious...not quite rock, not quote electronic, and definitely offbeat. You either get their brand of devolution or you don't.

*Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs* Well...there wouldn't really be the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as we know it without her. Probably the most eccentric female performer to come out in rock music for...um, she may be unique. Her stage performances are awesome and quite spastic. They've got a cool, raw rock sound that was missing from contemporary rock music in general the past few years. Karen O is also one of the few singers to successfully integrate an orgasm as part of a riff in the song "Black Tongue."

*The Ramones* I'll probably be hung for saying this, but the Ramones probably weren't the best punk band ever. They were, however the hardest working and probably most influential. They galvanized the punk scene when it was still in its baby stage, producing bands like the Clash.... They still have some awesome songs though.

*Akiakane* I had been having trouble finding new punk bands that liked...then I heard this Japanese punk rock band and I felt reinvigorated. These gals are awesome! They have high energy and a "who gives a fuck!" political passion. Unlike many of their timid female peers in Japan, they don't seem to care about their image. Vocal for their support of Taiwan and love of their own country...the band has run into unfounded flak by a few misguided individuals who misinterpret the messages they take from Japan's WWII experience. Not that I agree with what they sing about, but I've never been big on always having to agree to like something. Man I want to see them live!

Wow, I think I was bored. Maybe I'll add to this list sometime as there's more to be said.