Articles → How I Discovered my "Top" 15 Bands

1. Bad Religion
I was watching the music video to Los Angeles Is Burning on The Punk Show on MuchMusic when The Empire Strikes First first came out. Beyond Electric Dreams was my first favorite song by them. I still love this band so much, got to see them in Hamburg and in Vancouver...
First heard: Los Angeles Is Burning
Favorite: Shattered Faith

2. Chris Cornell
Well, he's the frontman for two other bands on this list :P I'm happy to say I was in the front "row" during a concert :) I'm a fan of James Bond movies, so finding out he did the opening track for "Casino Royale" was doubleplusgood. I started with Carry On and moved back; I was hooked on his albums during my trip last year to Egypt, Seasons was pretty much the theme for me there.
First heard: You Know My Name, I assume...
Favorite: Pillow Of Your Bones, but it's a hard choice. I like pretty much all of Euphoria Morning

3. Foo Fighters
Considering all the airtime this band gets, how could I say how I found out about them?
First heard: Everlong
Favorite: Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make-Up Is Running) (ignore my top tracks list, this is the one I like the most!)

4. Audioslave
Oh, Audioslave. You were why I got into rock music. My cellphone case is the album art from Out of Exile. So many important tracks, from Dandelion to Revelations...
First heard: My "ex" introduced me to Show Me How To Live
Favorite: Out Of Exile

5. Nine Inch Nails
I'm surprised that it climbed up the charts so quickly, considering I only started *actually* listening to them at the end of December. I had read an article of the Alternate Reality Game for Year Zero which appealed to my roleplaying side and my interests in lit, current events, politics and advertising, and the result was a track count which overtook bands I've been listening to for years...
First heard: Closer
Favorite: In This Twilight

6. Bear McCreary
I'm not surprised that you'd think this was out of place. He does the soundtrack to the series Battlestar Galactica.
First heard: probably Main Title :P
Favorite: All Along the Watchtower, and no, I didn't know this was a song beforehand. What can I say? I listened to Simon and Garfunkel growing up...

7. Muse
I'm still sad that they never went to Virgin Music Fest.
First heard: Time Is Running Out
Favorite: Starlight

8. Soundgarden
So low on the list? I really need to get more CDs from them.
First heard: Black Hole Sun
Favorite: Burden in My Hand

9. Greg Graffin
My favorite PHDer, and the frontman to Bad Religion (but you knew that, right?)
First heard: When I Fail
Favorite: Rebel's Goodbye

10. The Tragically Hip
If ever I'm asked what makes me "Canadian," I might answer this band.
First heard: New Orleans Is Sinking
Favorite: Ahead By A Century

11. Red Hot Chili Peppers
They've infiltrated my list. =P
First heard: not Can't Stop, but it's the first song I attributed to them
Favorite: Snow (Hey Oh), because it reminds me of the former White House Press Secretary

12. Slipknot
Either they don't like me because I like this band, or they don't like me because I'm only actually familiar with Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) (yes, I bought it) :/
First heard: Duality
Favorite: Before I Forget

13. Velvet Revolver
If my MP3 player could scrobble, this count could have been higher. Then again, I only understand/relate to half of the songs on their albums. At their best though, I really adore their music.
First heard: Slither
Favorite: The Last Fight

14. Stone Temple Pilots
Just like for Soundgarden, I need to backtrack a decade or so to be acquainted with the rest of their music. I'm sure I'll find something I like; I just need to figure out which ones.
First heard: Creep
Favorite: Interstate Love Song

15. Mobile
This makes the top 15? Alright.....
First heard: Montreal Calling
Favorite: Dusting Down The Stars

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