EXTRACURRICULAR: Mr. Hardy's Top Ten Bands!
-Favorite song: "Shots"
-Favorite album: Smoke + Mirrors
-Have I seen them live?: No, but I've seen their lead singer live.
I've liked Imagine Dragons since middle school, when my friend introduced me to songs like "Radioactive" and "Demons". They have a reputation to a lot of people as being a kinda generic rock band, but generic or not, I love their music. The first two albums especially are timeless, but the later stuff is good too. I really like their propensity to be constantly releasing music - there's no dry spells with them.
-Favorite song: "Like A River Runs"
-Favorite album: Strange Desire
-Have I seen them live?: Yes!
fun. was my favorite band for a long time. Shortly before they broke up, one of the members, Jack Antonoff, started his solo act, Bleachers. I don't think Bleachers is the reason fun. broke up. But, Bleachers is still going strong to this day. Technically not a band, but still. I've grown to actually like Bleachers more than fun.. Jack Antonoff has very creative expression and Bleachers is a unique presence in the music industry.
-Favorite song: "Pork And Beans"
-Favorite album: Weezer (White Album)
-Have I seen them live?: Yes! And I will soon see them a second time!
It's hard to beat the loveable geekiness and awkwardness of Weezer. They appeal to the socially awkward while also rocking very hard. They kinda give off dad rock vibes, but they do so very well. They're also kinda like Imagine Dragons in not having dry spells. Plus, Rivers Cuomo is exactly thirty years older than me! We share the same birthday!
-Favorite song: "Now"
-Favorite album: Paramore (Self-Titled)
-Have I seen them live?: Yes! In fact, as I'm typing this, it was last night!
Paramore is one of those pop-punk/emo acts from the mid-2000's that didn't actually go away, but just kept going and changing and getting stronger. Easily my favorite female-led band and I have a big crush on Hayley Williams. I love the power-poppy sound, especially in After Laughter, and the way they play punk music but are also an energetic pop band.
-Favorite song: "Mercy"
-Favorite album: Will Of The People
-Have I seen them live?: Yes!
Muse is huge, and they have earned that status. Their music is like, expertly crafted to be played for a big audience, and I know from first-hand experience that they know how to put on a grand show. My second favorite British band (you'll see my first favorite further down!), and they have no shortage of songs calling out the government and society and urging revolution and independent thought, but they also have songs for just about every topic.
-Favorite song: "21 Guns" (I know, that makes me sound basic)
-Favorite album: American Idiot
-Have I seen them live?: No, but I really, really want to.
American Idiot is not just my favorite Green Day album, it's my favorite album of all-time, by any artist. It will never get old to me. But they have many other strong albums, like Dookie, 21st Century Breakdown, and Revolution Radio. Proving that punk never dies, no matter how many people accuse you of selling out. Being active since the 80's means they definitely have their weak points, but even when they're weaker they still go hard. They're even in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
-Favorite song: "A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More 'Touch Me'"
-Favorite album: Save Rock And Roll
-Have I seen them live?: Yes!
Fall Out Boy has a unique approach, with Patrick Stump's soulful, bluesy voice crooning over punk instrumentals. Just like Paramore, they were a big pop-punk act that didn't go away but stuck around and evolved. I remember when they got to induct #5 into the Hall of Fame and how cool that was. Pre-hiatus or post-hiatus, it's all good.
-Favorite song: "Mr. Brightside" (I know, I sound basic again)
-Favorite album: Hot Fuss
-Have I seen them live?: Yes!
Brandon Flowers has one of the best voices in modern rock, and he has a cool, heartland, Bruce Springsteeny vibe to him, which shows in The Killers' music. They can make angsty music complaining about a relationship, but they also make heartfelt songs about love and hometowns and whatever they do, they do it very well.
-Favorite song: "Come Hang Out"
-Favorite album: OK Orchestra
-Have I seen them live?: Yes!
A group of brothers who make cool electro-poppy music. They just lost their dad, which is very sad and I'm sorry for them. Their music is lately about growing up and trying to find your place in the world. It's very cool hearing music made by guys who are in my age range and are going through similar things to me.
-Favorite song: Snakes (my favorite song by anyone!)
-Favorite album: Wild World
-Have I seen them live?: Yes! Twice!
It's the aforementioned #1 favorite British band! Just about everyone who knows anything about my music taste knows I love Bastille. I love Bastille. Never get tired of them, even though they sing about the end of the world, like, a lot. "Hope For The Future" is such a serene, peaceful song that it literally made me cry. They've been my top artist on Spotify year after year, only getting beaten once. I've been into them since at least my Freshman year of high school, so it's been about nine years. I know so many of their songs by heart and can recognize most of them just by hearing the opening note(s).
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