Five Bands You Should Check Out!

Kasey Borjas, Staff Writer
March 24, 2016

Are you getting bored of your playlist? Do you want to explore more types of music? Are you begging to get out of you comfort zone musically? Do you want to feel young and rebellious? Here’s a list of some bands you should check out to get back into your daily music life:

The Killers

An Indie-Rock band, formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001. The current members are Brandon Flowers (lead vocals), Dave Keuning (guitar), Mark Stoermer (bass), and Ronnie Vannucci (percussion). Some of their top songs are When You Were Young (2006), Somebody Told Me (2004), and their most well-known song, Mr. Brightside (2004). Their top album is titled Hot Fuss. This is a good band if you’re new into the rock genre. Not too soft but not too hardcore. So if you’re into being a little “edgy” this is a band you should check out!

My Chemical Romance

An Alternative-Rock band formed also in 2001 in Jersey City, New Jersey. They unfortunately broke up back in 2013. The members were: Gerard Way (lead vocals), Mikey Way (bass), Ray Toro (guitar), Frank Lero (guitar), and James Dewees (keyboard/percussion). Some very well-known songs are, Helena (2004), Welcome to the Black Parade (2006), and I’m Not Okay (I promise) (2004). One of their top albums is titled The Black Parade. An interesting fact about the band is that every single one of their albums was hand-drawn by the lead singer himself, Gerard Way. So if you’re into or are interested in listening to something a little darker than usual but still want that rock feel, MCR may be the band for you.

Green Day

Most people might already know this band, but if you don’t, here’s a little but about them. Green Day is a Punk-Rock band formed back in 1986 in Easy Bay, California. Currently made up by: Billie Joe Armstrong (lead vocals), Jason White (guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), and Tŕe Cool (percussion). Some songs by them are American Idiot (2004), Boulevard of Broken Dreams (2004), and Walking Contradiction (1995). Some albums are: Nimrod (1997), Dookie (1994), and American Idiot (2004). Many people would recommend this group for their unique perspective of each song and how they’ve managed to stay well-known throughout the years. They’re a good band to rock out to and if you love MCR, but want to try something a tiny bit softer, Green Day might makes its way into your playlist. Plus, your parents may have some of their albums lying around. Talk about family bonding!

Alesana

A metal-core band originally formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2004. Today’s members are: Dennis Lee (unclean vocals), Shawn Mike (lead vocals), Patrick Thompson (guitar), Jeremy Bryan (percussion), Shane Crump (bass), and Jake Campbell (guitar). Some recommended songs are: The Thespian (2010), Curse of the Virgin Canvas (2010), Apology (2006) and Oh, How the Mighty Have Fallen (2015). Their top album is titled The Emptiness (2010) and their most recent album is Confessions. If you like bands that have a bit of screaming in them, this band might interest you. Although Alesana isn’t a very well-known group, they’re worth listening to! Their dark feel gives their music a bit of a kick to it. So if you’re looking for something a bit heavy, give them a try!

Pretty Reckless

Do you remember little Cindy Lou Who from How the Grinch Stole Christmas? Well, she’s all grown up and the lead singer of a hard-rock band. PR was formed in New York City in 2007. The current members are Taylor Momsen (lead singer), Jamie Perkins (percussion), Ben Phillips (guitar), and Mark Damon (bass). Some of their tops songs are Heaven Knows (2014), Make Me Wanna Die (2010), and Going to Hell (2014). Their most recent and top album is titled Going to Hell (2014). So if you want to rock out to some “pretty reckless rock,” listen to this band. And if you’re just curious as to what happen to little Cindy Lou from Who-Ville, check it out! You may be surprised.

The Killers videos:

When you were young: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff0oWESdmH0

Somebody told me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5fBdpreJiU

Mr. Brightside: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGdGFtwCNBE

My chemical romance videos:

Helena: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcwweoJDkV0

Welcome to the black parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDWgsQhbaqU

I’m not okay (I promise): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhZTNgAs4Fc

Green day videos:

American idiot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_uujKuJMI

Boulevard of broken dreams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soa3gO7tL-c

Walking contradiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5zEP4kvfnc