Music - Albums - Videos

Shed Seven are an English indie rock band from York and were one of the groups which contributed to the Britpop music scene that evolved during the 1990s, yet never received the degree of mainstream success achieved by bands such as Oasis and Blur.

They formed in 1990 and originally comprised Rick Witter (vocals), Joe Johnson (guitar and keyboards, later replaced by Paul Banks), Tom Gladwin (bass) and Alan Leach (drums). They belonged to the post-Smiths wave of UK musicians such as The Sundays and Marion, with a sound relying heavily on complex guitar arpeggios in a minor or tonic key and wailing vocals. At the height of their popularity between 1994 and 1999 they had thirteen Top 40 singles and four Top 20 albums in the UK. The band officially broke up in 2003, but announced their reformation for a greatest hits tour in July 2007.
Discography
Albums
* Change Giver (1994) (UK #16)
* A Maximum High (1996) (#8)
* Let It Ride (1998) (#9)
* Going For Gold (1999) (#7)
* Truth Be Told (2001) (#42)
* Where Have You Been Tonight? Live (2003)
* The Collection (2004)
* One Hand Clapping - The Unreleased Demos 2001-2003 (2005)
* Live at the BBC (2007)
* The Singles Collection (2008)
Singles/EPs
* Mark/Casino Girl (March 1994)
* Dolphin (June 1994) (UK #28)
* Speakeasy (August 1994) (#24)
* Ocean Pie (October 1994) (#33)
* Where Have You Been Tonight? (May 1995) (#23)
* Getting Better (January 1996) (#14)
* Going For Gold (March 1996) (#8)
* Bully Boy (May 1996) (#22)
* On Standby (August 1996) (#12)

She Wants Revenge is an American darkwave duo, based in San Fernando Valley, California. Their debut album was released in early 2006, with three singles to follow ("These Things", which features Shirley Manson from Garbage,

"Out of Control" and "Tear You Apart" for which the video was directed by Joaquin Phoenix). The band has sold more than 300,000 records in the US. The band's second album, This Is Forever, was released on October 9, 2007.
Band members
Lead members
* Justin Warfield - vocals, guitar, keyboards
* Adam Bravin (aka Adam 12) - bass guitar, keyboards, guitar, drum machine, percussion, programming, vocals
Discography
Albums
* She Wants Revenge (2006) Perfect Kiss
* This Is Forever (2007) Perfect Kiss
EPs
* These Things (2005) Perfect Kiss
* Tear You Apart (2006) Perfect Kiss
* True Romance (2007) Perfect Kiss/Geffen/UniversalMusic
* Save Your Soul (2008)

Semisonic is an alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1995. The band consists of three members: Dan Wilson (lead vocals, guitar), John Munson (bass guitar, backing vocals, keyboard), and Jacob Slichter (drums, percussion, keyboard). They are perhaps best known for their 1998 hit single "Closing Time".

Discography
Studio albums
* 1993: Pleasure
* 1995: Pleasure EP (EP)
* 1996: Great Divide
* 1998: Feeling Strangely Fine
* 2001: All About Chemistry
* 2011: "TBA"
Live albums
* 2003: One Night at First Avenue

Sean Taro Ono Lennon (born 9 October 1975) is an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor. He is the son of musicians and peace activists John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Elton John is his godfather.

Discography
Solo
* Into the Sun (1998)
* Half Horse, Half Musician (1999)
* Friendly Fire (2006)
With Cibo Matto
* Super Relax (1997)
* Stereo Type A (1999)
Film scores
* Smile for the Camera (2005)
* Friendly Fire (2006)
* The Stranger (2008)
* Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead (2008)
* Tea Fight (2008)
Producer
* Sean Lennon - Half Horse Half Musician (1999)
* Soulfly - Primitive (2000)
* Valentine Original Soundtrack (2001)
* Esthero - Wikked Lil' Grrrls (2005)
* Sean Lennon - Friendly Fire (2006)
* Irina Lazareanu - Some Place Along the Way (2007)

Scott Weiland (born Scott Richard Kline on October 27, 1967) is an American musician, lyricist, and vocalist, most notably known for his work with Grammy Award-winning rock band Stone Temple Pilots (STP), and also for his five-year career with supergroup Velvet Revolver.

After a five-year hiatus, the STP reunion tour kicked off at the Rock on the Range festival in May 2008. He was the frontman of Velvet Revolver during his time away from STP, but parted ways with the band on April 1, 2008. Weiland's split from Velvet Revolver also led to his departure from the side-project band Camp Freddy. Weiland's second solo album, "Happy" in Galoshes, was released on November 25, 2008. Weiland supported the record with an early 2009 tour of the United States. He is well-known for his flamboyant and energetic onstage persona and for constantly changing his appearance and vocal style. Weiland's life and career have been plagued with heroin addiction, as well as several arrests. However, according to MTV News, Weiland has been free from heroin since December 5, 2002.
Discography
Solo discography
* 1998 12 Bar Blues
* 2008 "Happy" in Galoshes
Stone Temple Pilots discography
* 1992 Core 8x Platinum
* 1994 Purple 6x Platinum
* 1996 Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop 2x Platinum
* 1999 No. 4 Platinum
* 2001 Shangri-La Dee Da Gold
* 2003 Thank You
* 2008 Buy This
Velvet Revolver discography
* 2004 Contraband 2x Platinum
* 2007 Libertad
Soundtrack
* 1994 The Crow - "Big Empty"
* 1995 Tank Girl (w/ Magnificent Bastards) - "Mockingbird Girl"
* 1998 Great Expectations - "Lady, Your Roof Brings Me Down"
* 2001 Not Another Teen Movie - "But Not Tonight"
* 2003 Hulk -"Set Me Free"
* 2005 The Fantastic Four- "Come on, Come in"
* 2007 Bug - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - "Beautiful Day" ("Learning To Drive")
* 2007 Evan Almighty - "Revolution"

Satellite Party is an alternative rock band conceived by current Jane's Addiction and former for Pyros frontman Perry Farrell following the demise of Jane's Addiction in 2004.

Other members currently include Carl Restivo (bass) and Farrell's wife, Etty Lau Farrell (backing singer and dancer). The band was initially formed as a collaboration between Farrell and Extreme member Nuno Bettencourt, however Bettencourt departed from from the project in July 2007. As Perry Farrell now remains the only permanent member, Satellite Party could be considered a pseudonym for his solo work
Band Members
* Perry Farrell – lead vocals (2004–present)
* Carl Restivo – bass, guitar (2007–present)
* Etty Lau Farrell - backing vocals (2004–present)
Former Members
* Nuno Bettencourt - guitar (2004–2007)
* Kevin Figueiredo - drums (2005–2007)
Live Members
* Nick Perri - guitar (2007)
* Jordan Plonsky - drums (2007)
* Tony Kanal - bass (2005)
* Steve Ferlazzo - keyboards (2005)
Discography
* Ultra Payloaded (2007)
Singles
* Wish Upon A Dog Star (2007) Modern Rock #26, Hot Dance Club Play #18.

Saint Etienne are an English indie dance act, fronted by Sarah Cracknell (born 12 April 1967, Chelmsford, Essex). Former music journalists Bob Stanley (born 25 December 1964) and Pete Wiggs (born 15 May 1966) are the other regular members of the band.

They are named after the famous French football team AS Saint-Étienne, European Cup runners-up in the 1970s.

Discography
Albums
* 1991 - Foxbase Alpha
* 1993 - So Tough
* 1994 - Tiger Bay
* 1998 - Good Humor
* 2000 - Sound of Water
* 2002 - Finisterre
* 2005 - Tales from Turnpike House

Rock Kills Kid is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California that consists of Jeff Tucker (guitar and vocals), Shawn Dailey (bass), Sean Stopnik (guitar), Reed Calhoun (keyboards/vocals), and Mike Balboa (drums). Their music often draws comparison to The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen and U2, as well as new bands such as The Killers and Franz Ferdinand. They were named one of Rolling Stone magazine's "10 Artists to Watch in 2006".
Albums
* Rock Kills Kid EP - Fearless Records - 2003
* Are You Nervous? - Reprise Records - 2006
* Untitled 2nd Album - Reprise Records - 2009

Rival Schools are a post-hardc... band from New York, featuring Walter Schreifels on vocals and guitar; Ian Love on guitar; Cache Tolman on bass guitar; and Sam Siegler on drums.

Formed by Schreifels, frontman of the influential group Quicksand, Rival Schools were a hardc... 'supergroup' - its members being alumni of such '80s and '90s hardc... bands as Gorilla Biscuits (Schreifels), CIV (Siegler), Youth of Today (Schreifels and Siegler) and Iceburn (Tolman). The band's name (and that of their only LP) comes from the Capcom fighting game, Rival Schools: United By Fate. In their short history, the band toured both the United Kingdom, supporting A, and the United States. As of 2008, the band have reformed to play some live shows, including Rock Am Ring in Germany, Hove Festival in Norway, a headline tour and Download Festival in the United Kingdom. They have also been writing new material.
Discography
Studio Albums
* United by Fate (2001), Island Records (# 174 UK)
* 2nd Unreleased (2003)
* TBA (2009)
EPs/Singles
* Rival Schools United by Onelinedrawing (6-track EP) (2001), Some Records
* "Used for Glue" (CD single) (2001), Island Records (#42 UK)
* "Good Things" (CD single) (2002), Island Records (#74 UK)
* "Used for Glue" (7" vinyl) (2002), Island Records

Richard Paul Ashcroft (born 11 September 1971 in Billinge Higher End, Lancashire) is an English singer-songwriter. He is the lead singer of The Verve, an English rock band that he helped form in 1989.

He is also a solo artist in his own right and he is still scheduled to resume and continue with his solo career at some point in the future, despite being busy with newly reformed The Verve at present. Ashcroft grew up in Up Holland, Lancashire with his mother, who was a hairdresser, and his younger sisters. His father died when Richard was 11 as a result of a brain hemorrhage. Ashcroft soon fell under the influence of his stepfather, Doug (who incidentally was also called Ashcroft) who belonged to the Rosicrucians. While in Up Holland, Ashcroft was an avid football player. He still closely follows his favourite team, Manchester United. He has also admitted to cheering for Wigan Athletic, since he actually played for the youth team when he was young and they are geographically the closest professional team to where he grew up. Ashcroft's slightly misshapen nose can be credited to a broken nose he sustained playing football at school. At school, Ashcroft was said to have nicknames such as 'spliffhead' and he was also dubbed 'the cancer of the class'.
Discography
Studio albums
* Alone with Everybody (26 June 2000) (Hut Records) (#1 (UK) (Platinum)
* Human Conditions (21 October 2002) (Hut Records) (#3 (UK) (Gold)
* Keys to the World (23 January 2006) (Parlophone) (#2 (UK) (Platinum)
Singles
From Alone With Everybody
* "A Song for the Lovers" (3 April 2000) (#3 UK)
* "Money to Burn" (12 June 2000) (#17 UK)
* "C'mon People (We're Making It Now)" (11 September 2000) (#21 UK)
From Human Conditions
* "Check the Meaning" (7 October 2002) (#11 UK, #25 Europe)
* "Science of Silence" (6 January 2003) (#14 UK)
* "Buy It in Bottles" (7 April 2003) (#26 UK)
From Keys to the World
* "Break the Night With Colour" (9 January 2006) (#3 UK, #3 ITA, #12 Europe)
* "Music Is Power" (17 April 2006) (#20 UK)
* "Words Just Get in the Way" (10 July 2006) (#40 UK)
* "Why Not Nothing?" / "Sweet Brother Malcolm" (4 December 2006) (limited)

The Republic Tigers is an American rock band formed in Kansas City, Missouri by Kenn Jankowski (formerly of The Golden Republic) and Adam McGill. They were the first act to sign with Chop Shop Records (an imprint of Atlantic Records), owned by Alexandra Patsavas of Chop Shop Music Supervision.

The Republic Tigers is the result of a long off and on collaboration and friendship between Kenn Jankowski and Adam McGill. Years prior to the formation of the Republic Tigers, the two joined to record a few tracks for a project tentatively dubbed Fi. Although little became of the songs, this forged a friendship between them. The project was placed on hold when interest in The Golden Republic picked up, and Jankowski shifted his focus entirely to that group. In 2005, Jankowski returned to Kansas City to embark on a new project. He reconnected with McGill, and together they began writing and recording new material, initially with Kenn's former bandmate, Ryan Shank. In the following weeks, they recruited several additional band members: Justin Tricomi (formerly of The Storied Northwest), Justin Norcross, Marc Pepperman, and Ryan Pinkston became permanent fixtures. In 2007, Justin Norcross parted with The Tigers, establishing the current lineup. The group released their first full album, Keep Color, on May 6th, 2008. It includes the singles Buildings & Mountains, Fight Song, and 10 other songs. Since signing with Chop Shop Records, their music has been featured on several prime time network television shows including Grey's Anatomy, Gossip Girl, Chuck, and Supernatural. The Tigers' first nationally televised appearance was on May 22nd, 2008 on The Late Show With David Letterman. On the week of September 14, 2008, The Republic Tigers' song, "Buildings And Mountains" was featured as the free single of the week on iTunes.
Members
* Kenn Jankowski - Vocals, Guitar
* Adam McGill - Guitar, Vocals
* Ryan Pinkston - Guitar, Vocals
* Marc Pepperman - Bass
* Justin Tricomi - Drums, Vocals
Also, audio engineer and musician David Gaume (The Stella Link) has become a fixture in the band as their traveling soundman and technician.
Former Members:
* Justin Norcross - Guitar, Vocals
Discography
Compilations:
First Blood OxBlood Records. Released May, 2007.
EPs:
Republic Tigers (Self-titled) Chop Shop Records. Released December, 2007. Available through iTunes.
LPs:
Keep Color Chop Shop Records. Released May, 2008.
Soundtracks:
OMFGG: Official Music Featured on Gossip Girl (Gossip Girl Soundtrack) Atlantic Records.

Remy Zero was a Birmingham, Alabama-based alternative rock band made up of Cinjun Tate (vocals, guitar), Shelby Tate (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Gregory Slay (drums, percussion), Cedric Lemoyne (bass guitar), and Jeffrey Cain (guitar).

Before Remy Zero had recorded any full length albums, Radiohead found their demo tape and invited them to be part of the US tour for The Bends. After that, the band moved from Alabama to Los Angeles to record their first album. Several band mates suffered from substance abuse and homelessness after moving from Alabama. Remy Zero's first album, self-titled, drew from these experiences and received little recognition or sales. The subsequent album Villa Elaine caused them to be praised as "the next big thing". Villa Elaine was recorded when the band was living in an apartment of the same name in Hollywood. Remy Zero's third album The Golden Hum was also received well. A 50 second version of the song "Save Me" from The Golden Hum was used as the theme song for WB's Smallville, and continues to be used as the theme as the show continues on The CW network. Remy Zero's music has also been on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic radio show. Remy Zero's song "Shattered" was used in the films Crazy/Beautiful and Suicide Kings. "Fair" from Villa Elaine was used in the films Garden State and Fanboys, "Prophecy" was used in She's All That, The Last Kiss, "Gramarye" was used in the film Stigmata, and most recently, "Perfect Memory" was used in the film The Invisible. Remy Zero broke up after making The Golden Hum and many of its members have joined new bands. Shelby and Cinjun Tate have created Spartan Fidelity, Jeffrey Cain has joined Isidore, Cedric Lemoyne toured with Alanis Morissette's band, and Gregory Slay has joined Sleepwell. Remy Zero appeared to toy with the idea of reforming in Summer 2006, announcing a possible reunion on their Myspace page this has now been replaced with a more definite message saying that they have "found the spirit to make music together again". In October 2008, this message was removed, and now simply states that they broke up in 2003.
Discography
Albums
* 1996 - Remy Zero
* 1998 - Villa Elaine
* 2001 - The Golden Hum

R.E.M. is an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by Michael Stipe (lead vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass guitar), and Bill Berry (drums and percussion).

R.E.M. was one of the first popular alternative rock bands, and gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's unclear vocals. R.E.M. released its first single, "Radio Free Europe", in 1981 on the independent record label Hib-Tone. The single was followed by the Chronic Town EP in 1982, the band's first release on I.R.S. Records. In 1983, the band released its critically acclaimed debut album Murmur, and built its reputation over the next few years through subsequent releases, constant touring, and the support of college radio. Following years of underground success, R.E.M. achieved a mainstream hit in 1987 with the single "The One I Love". The group signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1988, and began to espouse political and environmental concerns while playing large arenas worldwide. By the early 1990s, when alternative rock began to experience broad mainstream success, R.E.M. was viewed as a pioneer of the genre and released its two most commercially successful albums, Out of Time (1991) and Automatic for the People (1992), which veered from the band's established sound. R.E.M.'s 1994 release Monster was a return to a more rock-oriented sound. The band began its first tour in six years to support the album; the tour was marred by medical emergencies suffered by three band members. In 1996, R.E.M. re-signed with Warner Bros. for a reported US$80 million. The following year, Bill Berry left the band amicably, with Buck, Mills, and Stipe continuing as a three-piece. Through some changes in musical style, the band continued its career into the next decade with mixed critical and commercial success. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Discography
* Murmur (1983)
* Reckoning (1984)
* Fables of the Reconstruction (1985)
* Lifes Rich Pageant (1986)
* Document (1987)
* Green (1988)
* Out of Time (1991)
* Automatic for the People (1992)
* Monster (1994)
* New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996)
* Up (1998)
* Reveal (2001)
* Around the Sun (2004)
* Accelerate (2008)

Red Hot Chili Peppers, an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1983. For most of the band's existence, the members have been vocalist Anthony Kiedis, guitarist John Frusciante, bassist Michael "Flea" Balzary, and drummer Chad Smith.

The band's varied musical style has fused traditional rock and funk with various elements of punk rock, and psychedelic rock. In addition to Kiedis and Flea, the group originally featured guitarist Hillel Slovak and drummer Jack Irons. Slovak, however, died of a heroin overdose in 1988, resulting in Irons' departure. Irons was replaced briefly by former Dead Kennedys drummer D. H. Peligro before the band found a permanent replacement in Smith, while Slovak was replaced by up-and-coming guitarist Frusciante. This lineup recorded the band's fourth and fifth albums, Mother's Milk (1989) and Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). Blood Sugar Sex Magik became an extremely significant record for the band; it thrust them into mainstream success with over thirteen million copies sold. Frusciante grew uncomfortable with this new found success and left abruptly in the middle of the tour for the album in 1992, descending into heroin addiction. Kiedis, Flea, and Smith employed Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction for their subsequent album, One Hot Minute (1995). Although fairly successful, it did not match the critical acclaim of Blood Sugar Sex Magik and sold less than half the copies of its predecessor. Shortly afterwards, Navarro departed the band due to creative differences. Frusciante, fresh out of drug rehabilitation, rejoined the band in 1998, at Flea's request. The reunited quartet returned to the studio to record Californication (1999), which went on to sell fifteen million units worldwide, becoming their most successful album to date. It was followed three years later with By the Way (2002), which continued their success. In 2006, the group released the double album Stadium Arcadium, giving them their first American number 1 album. The band has won seven Grammy Awards. They've sold over fifty million albums worldwide, have eight singles in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 (including three singles in the Top 10), have five #1 singles on the Mainstream Rock charts, and hold a record of eleven #1 singles on the Modern Rock charts. In 2009 the band will become eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are currently on hiatus.
Band members
* Anthony Kiedis - lead vocals (1983-present)
* John Frusciante - guitar, backing vocals, synthesizers (1988-1992, 1998-present)
* Flea - bass, trumpet, backing vocals (1983-present)
* Chad Smith - drums, percussion (1988-present)
Discography
* The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984)
* Freaky Styley (1985)
* The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987)
* Mother's Milk (1989)
* Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
* One Hot Minute (1995)
* Californication (1999)
* By The Way (2002)
* Stadium Arcadium (2006)

Razorlight are an Anglo-Swedish indie rock band formed in 2002. They are primarily known in their home countries, having topped the charts with the 2006 single America and its parent self-titled album, their second.

At the beginning of their career Johnny Borrell's new outfit began by supporting The Libertines at various venues (including 333 in Old Street) where a young A&R scout, Justin Cross, found them and put them in Liam Watson's Toerag Studios where he produced the tracks "Rip It Up", "Rock 'n' Roll Lies" and "In The City" alongside John Fortis. Off the back of these tracks the band (now named Razorlight) began getting serious A&R heat due to the songs' success on radio stations such as John Kennedy Show on XFM.
Discography
Albums
* Up All Night (28 June 2004) Vertigo #3 UK(3x Platinum)
* Razorlight (17 July 2006) Vertigo #1 UK (4x Platinum), #180 US
* Slipway Fires (3 November 2008) #4 UK

Queens of the Stone Age (also known as QOTSA or simply Queens) is a hard rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997.

Originally formed under the name Gamma Ray by guitarist Josh Homme after the breakup of his previous band, Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age developed a style of riff-oriented, heavy music which Homme described as 'robot rock', saying that he "wanted to create a heavy sound based on a solid jam, and just pound it into your head". The band is sometimes described as stoner rock, although they reject the term.
Members
As of January 1, 2009, Queens of the Stone Age are:
* Joshua Homme – Founding and only permanent member of the band. He is primarily the band's lead vocalist and guitarist but has occasionally played bass, keyboards, piano and drums as well as other instruments. (1997-present)
* Troy Van Leeuwen – Has been the bands second guitarist since tour following the release of Songs for the Deaf, has also played lap steel, keyboards, piano, bass and provided backing vocals during live performances and subsequent recordings. (2002-present)
* Joey Castillo – Was called in to replace drummer Dave Grohl for the European leg of the Songs for the Deaf tour and has been a permanent member since. (2002-present)
* Michael Shuman – Joined the band as their bassist and backing vocalist for the tour following the release of Era Vulgaris. (2007-present)
* Dean Fertita – Replaced the late Natasha Shneider as the band's keyboardist and backing vocalist, also plays guitar and various percussion instruments. (2007–present)
Discography
Studio albums
* Queens of the Stone Age (1998)
* Rated R (2000)
* Songs for the Deaf (2002)
* Lullabies to Paralyze (2005)
* Era Vulgaris (2007)
Award nominations
* Grammy Awards of 2003 - Best Hard Rock Performance - "No One Knows"
* Grammy Awards of 2004 - Best Hard Rock Performance - "Go With the Flow"
* Grammy Awards of 2006 - Best Hard Rock Performance - "Little Sister"
* Grammy Awards of 2008 - Best Hard Rock Performance - "Sick, Sick, Sick"

Puressence is a rock band from Failsworth, in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, Greater Manchester, England.

The band formed in 1991, having played a series of gigs at Manchester’s In The City festival. Manchester City fans James Mudriczki, Neil McDonald, Anthony Szuminski and Manchester United fan Kevin Matthews met on a bus on their way to watch The Stone Roses play at Spike Island. None of them had tickets so they had to climb over a fence to get in. Kevin watched the Roses' Gary Mounfield play bass with such panache that he immediately rushed out afterwards and bought a bass guitar himself. The rest of the members followed suit and bought the necessary equipment to complete a band. (Though by this time, Neil (a.k.a "Nelly"), had been playing the guitar since his early teens as a Van Halen fan, originally plying his trade in the cellars of Woodley Methodist Church, near where he lived.) The other band members had little to no musical experience or training. It was decided when choosing roles that James would sing; Neil took guitar, and Anthony took drums. Through much practice their music developed and they decided on the name Puressence, a name instantly identified by most Mancunians for the paper letters 'P'-'U'-'R'-'E'-'S'-'S'-'E'-'N'-'C'-'E', which were notoriously plastered around Manchester city centre, on derelict buildings, and on bridges (the most famous being the railway bridge opposite the Haçienda). Manchester indie label 2 Damn Loud released two singles and there was a further single with Rough Trade Singles Club. But the big breakthrough came a couple of years later, when the band signed to Island Records. Shortly after Planet Helpless was released, Puressence left its record company after they were advised "We need you to sound more like Savage Garden." In August 2003, after more than 12 years with Puressence, guitarist and founder member McDonald left the band. He was replaced by Lowell Killen, who is originally from the Isle of Man. He has played in other bands and left Manchester band Dry Riser to join Puressence. In 2004, the band played at The Witchwood in Ashton-under-Lyne. In 2006, the band released a single titled Palisades on new Manchester label Reaction, followed by an album, Don't Forget To Remember, in September 2007. On September 10-11, 2008 Puressence played their first shows in the USA. The first was at the Mercury Lounge in Soho. The next night they played the Apple Store in Soho. The band was well received. The opening song at the Mercury Lounge was "I Suppose" They passed out free CD singles of "Don't Know Any Better" to many hardc... fans from around the States. Puressence were supported by NO*TOKYO for their New Years Eve Special in 2008.
Band members
* James Mudriczki: Vocals
* Lowell Killen: Guitar
* Kevin Matthews: bass guitar
* Tony Szuminski: drums/percussion
Early singles (1992-93)
Prior to releasing these albums, Puressence released 2 singles and an EP. First the double A-side "Siamese"/"Scapa Flow" was released through Rough Trade. Then followed the EPs Petrol Skin and Offshore, both released through 2 Damn Loud Records.
* "Siamese" (Rough Trade) June 1992
1. "Siamese"
2. "Scapa Flow"
* Petrol Skin EP (2 Damn Loud Records) 6 July 1992
1. "Telekenesis"
2. "Suck The Knife"
3. "Polystyrene Snow"
4. "Petrol Skin"
* Offshore EP (2 Damn Loud) 19 April 1993
1. "Offshore"
2. "None Handed (demo)"
3. "Mist"
Toby Chalmers of Island Records evidently saw enough potential to offer them a recording contract. Support slots to local favourites Marion introduced them to new supporters.
Studio albums
* 1996 - Puressence
* 1998 - Only Forever
* 2002 - Planet Helpless
* 2007 - Don't Forget To Remember

Primus is an American rock band currently composed of singer and bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry "Ler" LaLonde, and drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander.

The diversity of their sound has allowed Primus to gain a modest segment of fans from many different rock sub-genres. They are characterized by their irreverent approach to music. Primus release their records on Claypool's Prawn Song Records label, a parody of Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label. Primus began as Primate in El Sobrante, California during the mid-1980s with singer and bassist Les Claypool and guitarist Todd Huth. Claypool rounded out the band with a drum machine which they named Perm Parker. The band would go through many drummers throughout their early history, eventually settling on Jay Lane. When another band called "Primate" threatened legal action, the group decided to change their name. Claypool selected Primus instead after looking up the word directly next to "Primate" in a dictionary. The word is Latin, meaning "chief" or "first". After rising to local music scene stardom with their brand of funk metal fusion, Huth and Lane left in 1989 to pursue other projects. Claypool then recruited former Blind Illusion bandmate and one time Joe Satriani student Larry "Ler" LaLonde, and eclectic drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander. In fact, Claypool & LaLonde recorded & toured with the early thrash band Blind Illusion whose only album "The Sane Asylum" was released on Music For Nations. Larry LaLonde was previously a member of the seminal Death/Thrash Metal band Possessed, a fact which he likes to keep quiet today. Primus received praise from Testament's Alex Skolnick very early into their career. Tim Alexander is originally from Jerome, Arizona and was the drummer in Major Lingo. Primus continued to gain popularity and in 1989 released their first album, Suck on This, a live recording culled from two of their Berkeley concerts. The album was financed by Les' father. In 1990 the band released their first studio album, Frizzle Fry, and released singles for "John The Fisherman" and "Too Many Puppies". With a music video featuring Kirk Hammett, a studio album and a tour with Jane's Addiction, Primus' popularity grew to the point where they attracted attention from Interscope Records, who signed them in 1990. It was during these early years that the catch phrase "Primus Sucks" was started. It began with people constantly stating to the band just how good they were. One day when someone told the band they were good, Claypool turned around and said "No, we suck" and from then on it stuck.
Musical style and influences
Primus' musical style is difficult to define. While the band is usually considered by critics to be funk metal or alternative metal, Primus has been called everything from "thrash-funk meets Don Knotts, Jr." to "alternative rock" to "the Freak Brothers set to music." Les Claypool himself once described their music as "psychedelic polka." Although not a thrash metal band, Primus was heavily associated with the Bay Area thrash scene in their early years. Opening for bands such as Testament and Exodus, whom Claypool almost joined, they picked up a following of fans from the scene as a result. Primus is the only band with its own ID3 genre tag, as extended by Winamp. Primus' influences include Frank Zappa and Pink Floyd. Bands that have cited Primus as an influence include Deftones, Korn and Limp Bizkit.
Band members
Current members
* Les Claypool - bass, lead vocals (1984-2000, 2003-present)
* Larry "Ler" LaLonde - guitar, background vocals (1989-2000, 2003-present)
* Tim "Herb" Alexander - drums (1989-1996, 2003-present)
Former members
* Bryan "Brain" Mantia - drums (1989, 1996-2000)
* Todd Huth - guitar (1984-1989)
* Jay Lane - drums (1988)
Discography
* Suck on This (1989)
* Frizzle Fry (1990)
* Sailing the Seas of Cheese (1991)
* Pork Soda (1993)
* Tales from the Punchbowl (1995)
* Brown Album (1997)
* Antipop (1999)
Awards
* 1991 - Sailing the Seas of Cheese - Platinum Album
* 1993 - Pork Soda - Platinum Album
* 1995 - Tales from the Punchbowl - 2x Platinum Album

Primal Scream are a Brit-nominated Scottish alternative rock group formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie (vocals) and Jim Beattie. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes (guitar), Martin Duffy (keyboards), Gary "Mani" Mounfield (bass), and Darrin Mooney (drums).

Barrie Cadogan toured with the band in 2006 as a temporary replacement after the departure of guitarist Robert "Throb" Young. Young's permanent replacement has not yet been announced. They have sold 10 million albums to date. The band performed throughout 1982-1984, but their career didn't especially take off until Gillespie left his position as drummer of The Jesus and Mary Chain. The band were a key part of the mid-1980s indie pop scene, but eventually moved away from their more jangly sound, taking on more psychedelic and then garage rock influences, before incorporating a dance music element to their sound. Their 1991 album Screamadelica broke the band into the mainstream. Despite multiple lineup changes, the band has remained commercially successful and continues to tour and record to this day.
Several of their songs have appeared on movie soundtracks including "Trainspotting" in the film Trainspotting, "Miss Lucifer" and "Swastika Eyes" in The Football Factory, "Star" in The Jackal, "Movin' On Up" in Grand Theft Parsons and the game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (on fictional Alternative station Radio X), and "Come Together" in Human Traffic. Rocks was featured in the movie Airheads in the scene where Pip and Suzzi start to have sex on the couch. Primal Scream also played "Movin' On Up" live for Michael Winterbottom's film 9 Songs.
Discography
Studio albums
* Sonic Flower Groove (1987)
* Primal Scream (1989)
* Screamadelica (1991)
* Give Out But Don't Give Up (1994)
* Vanishing Point (1997)
* XTRMNTR (2000)
* Evil Heat (2002)
* Riot City Blues (2006)
* Beautiful Future (2008)

Placebo are an alternative rock band formed in London in 1994, currently consisting of Brian Molko, Stefan Olsdal and Steve Forrest. To date, they have released five studio albums, six EPs and twenty-seven singles.

Their sixth album is expected to be released in June of 2009. The band have gained a considerable amount of international recognition, which includes the non-English speaking world. They have sold over one million albums in the U.K. and over ten million worldwide. Thus far, Placebo are best known for hit songs such as: "Nancy Boy", "Pure Morning", "You Don't Care About Us", "Every You Every Me", "The Bitter End", "Twenty Years", "Because I Want You", "Infra-Red", "Meds" and a cover of the Kate Bush song "Running Up That Hill". Placebo's style has varied greatly. Over time, their sound has softened in intensity. The band's first album featured a raw sound and a fairly minimalistic instrumental lineup. But their proceeding albums have had a slower, more melancholy tone and they began to experiment with synthesizers and other, less traditional, modes of sound production. The band has gained some measure of notoriety for the sexualities of its members (Olsdal is homosexual and Molko is bisexual) as well as for their excessive lifestyles and Molko's androgynous image, which are often referred to in their songs (see Lyrics). In recent years, however, the band has become less sexually charged.

Debut album, lineup change and glam connection (1996-1998)
Placebo's self titled debut album was released 16 July 1996 and was a major success, peaking at five on the UK Albums Charts. Placebo is, arguably, the band's most distinctive sounding album thus far. It features ten tracks (eleven including the hidden bonus track "Hong Kong Farewell"), the most popular of which was the song Nancy Boy. In 1998 Q Magazine readers voted Placebo the 87th greatest album of all time. Due to the initial success of Placebo's first album, they remastered and reissued it on 18 September 2006 for its tenth anniversary. Tension with Schultzberg began to rise. The band initially let him go in September 1995, but he was rehired to record the first seven inch single "Bruise Pristine". After an argument in August 1996, right before doing their first TV show, Molko decided that it would be best for the band if Schultzberg left. Schultzberg suggested playing together until they finished the promotion of their first album, Placebo. Eventually, Schultzberg did indeed leave the band, as they had planned earlier. In September 1996, the band was on a United States tour. Before going on stage for their first show in New York, Olsdal informed Schultzberg that he wasn't going on the tour in Germany that was following the U.S. one. At the manager’s request, Schultzberg did two more shows with the band in Paris after the U.S. tour, the last of which was a performance on “Nulle Part Aillleurs.” Molko has said that he was "tired of being the focus of Robert’s rages against the world". Schultzberg's departure left many fans disappointed, with the band switching to a softer sound after his leaving. By this point they were able to convince Hewitt to come back on board full-time in 1996. In early 1996 Placebo opened several concerts for David Bowie in Italy, France and Switzerland as part of his Outside Tour after he had only heard one of their demos. One of Hewitt's first performances with Placebo, upon returning, proved to be a big one. Bowie invited the trio to play at his 50th birthday bash at New York's Madison Square Garden in 1997. The party also included such luminaries as Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, Robert Smith of the The Cure, and Lou Reed. The band's glam connections continued. In 1998, Placebo recorded a cover of T.Rex's "20th Century Boy" for the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack, the band also having minor roles in the film. Bowie made a special appearance onstage with Placebo during a tour stop in New York. A version of the song "Without You I'm Nothing", which originally appeared on the album with the same name, featured a duet containing both Molko and Bowie. Placebo played "20th Century Boy" live with David Bowie at the BRIT Awards show in 1999.
Drugs
Molko has been open about his use of recreational drugs; in a 1997 interview with New York Doll, he admitted at one point that heroin was "probably the only drug on this planet I haven’t tried." However, he later admitted to experimenting with heroin as well. The band holds that their references to drugs within their songs reflects the nature of current times and to reduce such references, within one of their songs, would deteriorate the meaningfulness of that song.
Discography
Studio albums
* Placebo (1996)
* Without You I'm Nothing (1998)
* Black Market Music (2000)
* Sleeping with Ghosts (2003)
* Meds (2006)
* Battle for the Sun (2009)
Members
Current members
* Brian Molko (1994-present) – lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards, saxophone
* Stefan Olsdal (1994-present) – bass, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
* Steve Forrest (2008-present) – drums
Additional live lineup members
* Bill Lloyd (1999-present) – guitar, bass guitar (touring and studio)
* Alex Lee (2006-present) – keyboards, guitar
* Fiona Brice (2008-present) – violin
Former members
* Steve Hewitt (1994, 1996-2007) – drums, percussion
* Robert Schultzberg (1994-1996) – drums, percussion, didgeridoo
* Xavior Roide (2003-2005) (touring member) – keyboards, backing vocals