Here is a section dedicated to other bands and artists who you may or may not have heard of before, and who we think deserve a listen, and some songs you might like to try:
Dum Dums - Sadly the Dum Dums have recently split up :-(. However their one and only album, It Goes Without Saying, is well worth a listen. Upbeat songs, like Everything and You Do Something To Me as well as the lovely Army Of Two, are our recommendations.
Graham Coxon - Just for Nicola's sake, the great Graham of Blur fame. No introduction needed. Songs to listen to...R U Lonely?, Jamie Thomas, Lake
Counting Crows - Adam Duritz has the best voice ever! (Heather). We love Counting Crows!..very surprising that more people haven't heard of them over here really. Adam Duritz has a really interesting voice, that people either seem to love or hate (personally its love). They have 4 albums out, including one amazing live album (tho H prefers the non-live versions of the songs). Songs to listen to: Round Here, Mr Jones, Anna begins.
Eve 6 - A newish discovery for me. Songs to listen to...Open Road Song, Here's To The Night
Everclear - Have about 5 albums out. Very good band - was very disappointed when they cancelled their tour last year, seemingly never to return to the UK :( Songs to listen to...Wonderful, Unemployed Boyfriend, Here we go again
Fastball - someone described this to me as the "lounge music" of rock, and i can kind of see where they are coming from, but then again someone also reckons a 45s song sounds very fastball like. Songs to listen to...You're An Ocean, Love Is Expensive And Free, Better Than It Was
Goo Goo Dolls - They've been around ages and have recently released a 'best of' and a new album , but incase you haven't heard them, the Goos are a good ol' American rock band. Their song, Iris, was used on City of Angels a few years ago. Songs to listen to...Slide, Black Balloon, Name
Jewel - Not a band, but an alaskan female singer, but she deserves a mention on here all the same. Having listened to her 1st album, Pieces Of You i was impressed by the strength and purity of her voice, and the quality of the songs. Then this week i went along to see her play, and was blown away! Half acoustic, half rock set, all completely amazing. 'Nough said. Songs to listen to...You Were Meant For Me, Foolish Games, Hands, Love Me Just Leave Me Alone
Lifehouse - You might have heard this band at Chelmsford if you were at V2001 on the Sunday. Their album, No Name Face was released in the UK last year. They've also released their first single in the UK, Hanging By a Moment. Songs to listen to: Breathing, Cling and Clatter
Nine Days - Produced one very good album, The Madding Crowd, and working on their second now. Songs to listen to...Absolutely(Story of a Girl), If I Am, Sometimes
Splender - Not really heard of yet in the UK, although anyone with the 2nd Dawson's Creek album will know the song I think God can explain. They have one album out in the US, Halfway Down The Sky...songs to listen to: Yeah Whatever, Spaceboy
Train - Just breaking the UK, although they've been around in the US for a while now. Their first album, Train, is only available as an import here (ie expensive!) but can be bought off the internet. The second, Drops of Jupitor has now been released here. Their sound verges on the country side of US rock, although this is less noticable on the 2nd album. Songs to listen to...Meet Virginia, Respect (also off the 2nd Dawson's album), I Am
3 Doors Down - Had a song on the last American Pie soundtrack, Be Like That (ahhhh), and released their first album,The Better Life in 2000 (v. good). Songs to listen to...Kyptonite, So I Need You
Betchadupa - Also referred to as Neil Finn's son's band, but the former is probably preferred by them ;o) Song to listen to...Empty Head, Sleepy News
Dave Dobbyn - Has been around in various incarnations for about 25 years and is still producing good music! Of course it's a lifetime thing. Songs to listen to: Be Mine Tonite, Language, Lament For The Numb
Neil Finn - Father of guitarist in afore mentioned band, also bloody good muscian in his own right - Heather. Some might recognise his name when the band Crowded House is mentioned... Songs to listen to: Anytime, She Will Have Her Way, Turn & Run
Fur Patrol - A good NZ rock band hailing from the capital, Wellington. They gained the only #1 single in the NZ charts in 2000 by a NZ band with Lydia. It happened to be in the very last week of the year! Songs to listen to: Lydia, Andrew, Man In A Box
The Feelers - Neighbours of Zed, also coming from Christchurch, there's a distinctly spacey theme throughout here... Songs to listen to: Venus, As Good As It Gets, Astronaut
Zed - Our reason for finding out about the 45s! Very tuneful power-pop. If you like the 45s, they are definately worth checking out. Songs to listen to - Glorafilia, Renegade Fighter
Leonardo's Bride - Female singer. Nice mellow but powerful music. We like! (plus we can play on guitar and sing at same time..great achievement!) Songs to listen to...Even When I'm Sleeping (awwww!) Buddha Baby, Fall
Powderfinger - Male Aussie rock band. Played at V2001. Songs to listen to...My Happiness
Fenix TX - A punk band raised by Blink 182, but very good in their own right! You might have heard them recently on the American Pie 2 soundtrack. Cool live! Songs to listen to...Everything's My Fault, Minimum Wage, Speechless
Less Than Jake - I'll get back to you on this one when Heather gives me back me CD...songs to listen to...All My Friends Are Metalheads
New Found Glory - Very addictive punk! If you've seen american pie 2 you'll have heard their song, Hit Or Miss. Very good, but MAD live! Other songs to listen to...Dressed To Kill, Boy Crazy
If you do find you like any of these bands, a little pestering about touring over here wouldn't go amiss ;-). The problem with a lot of the non-UK bands is that they tour loads in their own countries, but seldom over here. The more support they know they have in the UK, the more likely they are to play here (at least that's the theory!).