Mayhem

Badflower: From Hollywood Apartments to Stadiums

Badflower, the LA-bred rock outfit, has stormed onto the music scene with a raw, unapologetic sound. The band, formed from the ashes of a previous project called Cartunes, is a tight-knit crew led by the fiery Josh Katz on vocals and guitar, joined by the blistering Joey Morrow on lead guitar, the groove-driven Alex Espiritu on bass, and the thunderous Anthony Sonetti on drums.

Their story began in 2008, when Katz and Morrow, both music school grads, crossed paths in their Hollywood apartment building. The duo clicked instantly, sharing a passion for creating music that pushed boundaries. Their first band, Cartunes, released an EP in 2011, but after a lineup change, they decided to forge a new path under the name Badflower.

Badflower's early gigs in Los Angeles, including a residency at The Key Club, helped them gain recognition. A standout performance opening for Kongos at The Troubadour caught the attention of industry veterans, leading to a deal with Hundred Handed Records. This partnership marked the beginning of their rise to prominence.

The band's raw energy, coupled with Katz's emotionally charged lyrics, resonated with audiences. Their self-produced debut EP "Temper" in 2016 even earned them the coveted "Artist of the Week" title from Apple Music, showcasing their undeniable talent.

In 2019, Badflower unleashed their debut studio album, "OK, I'm Sick", a sonic explosion of angst and vulnerability that cemented their place as a force to be reckoned with. Their second album, "This Is How The World Ends," dropped in 2021, further solidifying their status as a modern rock powerhouse.

Badflower’s journey from Hollywood apartments to stadium stages is a testament to their unwavering passion, talent, and connection with their fans. They are a band unafraid to challenge norms, exploring the darker corners of human emotion through their music. With each release, they continue to push the boundaries of rock, ensuring their name will be etched in the history books for years to come.

The Electric Light Orchestra: A Symphony of Rock and Pop

The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), hailing from Birmingham, England, emerged in 1970 as the brainchild of songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood, alongside drummer Bev Bevan. Their music was a unique blend of pop melodies and elaborate orchestral arrangements, often infused with a futuristic aesthetic.

Following Wood's departure in 1972, Lynne took the reins as the band's sole leader. He meticulously arranged and produced every album while writing nearly all the original material. From this point forward, until their initial breakup in 1986, Lynne, Bevan, and keyboardist Richard Tandy remained the band's core members.

The band's name, a clever pun, references both the "electric light" and the "light orchestral music" popularized by the BBC Light Programme in the 1940s and 1960s. ELO's formation stemmed from Lynne and Wood's shared ambition to create modern rock and pop songs infused with classical influences. It essentially grew from the ashes of Wood's previous band, The Move, where Lynne and Bevan also played.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, ELO amassed a string of top-10 albums and singles. Their most commercially successful album, the double LP Out of the Blue (1977), cemented their status as a force to be reckoned with. Two ELO albums reached the pinnacle of the British charts: the disco-inspired Discovery (1979) and the science-fiction themed concept album Time (1981).

However, in 1986, Lynne's enthusiasm waned, leading him to disband the group. While the band has had various reunions and offshoots since then, the original lineup's influence on music remains undeniable. ELO's unique fusion of rock, pop, and classical elements paved the way for countless artists and continue to resonate with generations of music lovers.

EggPlantEgg (English: EggPlantEgg) is a Taiwanese indie rock band formed in Taipei in 2012. The band consists of vocalist and keyboardist Ah-Bin, guitarist Ah-De, and guitarist Ah-Ren. Their musical style encompasses classic rock, blues, and fusion, interwoven with street karaoke and popular music styles. In 2017, they released their first album, "Cartoon Characters". In 2018, they won the Best Hokkien Album Award and Best New Artist Award at the 29th Golden Melody Awards. In 2019, they were nominated for the Song of the Year Award at the 30th Golden Melody Awards with "Drifting". In May 2020, the music video for their single "浪子回頭" (The Prodigal Son Returns) reached 100 million views on their official YouTube channel. In December 2021, the music video for their single "Drifting" reached 100 million views on their official YouTube channel. In 2022, they won the Song of the Year Award at the 33rd Golden Melody Awards with the film theme song "Love Is Greater Than You Think". In September of the same year, they announced a hiatus due to the lead singer's vocal damage.

Like other indie bands in Taiwan that are actively expanding their musical landscape, EggPlantEgg also chose not to join a major record label and instead formed their own company, "EggPlantEgg Co., Ltd.", to handle all of the band's affairs. The company currently employs band members and a manager, and other businesses such as media relations, design, and technical engineering are handled through collaborations.

== Band Name == The band name "EggPlantEgg" comes from the fact that the band members all happen to love eggplants, and eggplants are something that people either love or hate, similar to their music which doesn't satisfy everyone. Lead vocalist Huang Qi-Bin said: "I like to eat eggplant, but you know, eggplant is something that people either love or hate, and that's the same with our music, some people like it, some people hate it, that's normal! So we chose a plant that's a little less mainstream, because eggplant is 'eggplant' in English, so I thought I'd add an 'egg' to make it 'EggPlantEgg', so it's visually symmetrical and has a distinct 'masculine symbol', representing the interesting, masculine image that EggPlantEgg gives to the audience through their music."

== Members == Formed in 2012, the original five members of EggPlantEgg were all graduates of Songshan High School. After member changes, only Huang Qi-Bin remains in the band.

AWOLNATION: From Indie Roots to Chart-Topping Success

AWOLNATION (stylized as AWOLNATION) is an American rock band hailing from Los Angeles. Led by the enigmatic Aaron Bruno, who previously fronted bands like Under the Influence of Giants, Home Town Hero, and Insurgence, AWOLNATION has carved a unique path in the music scene.

Their journey began with the release of their debut EP "Back from Earth" in 2010, which introduced them to the world. The band's first full-length studio album, "Megalithic Symphony," dropped in 2011 and catapulted them to mainstream success. The album's standout track, "Sail," became a global phenomenon, reaching the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, topping the Rock and Alternative charts, and achieving diamond certification by the RIAA. "Sail" solidified AWOLNATION's place as a force in the rock world and marked the beginning of their commercial breakthrough.

The band continued to create compelling music with their subsequent albums. "Run" in 2015, "Here Come the Runts" in 2018, and "Angel Miners & the Lightning Riders" in 2020 showcased their evolution and experimentation within the rock genre. In 2022, they released "My Echo, My Shadow, My Covers, and Me," a collection of powerful covers, demonstrating their versatility and respect for musical influences.

AWOLNATION's journey is a testament to their dedication, artistic vision, and the power of a unique sound. They've navigated the music industry, consistently delivering powerful and evocative music, solidifying their position as a modern rock powerhouse.

System of a Down: A Seismic Force of Armenian Fury

Born from the fertile musical ground of Glendale, California, in 1994, System of a Down is a heavy metal titan whose sound resonates with both ferocious power and poignant political messaging. The band, comprised of Armenian-American musicians, burst onto the scene with a unique blend of aggression, dissonance, and lyrical depth, crafting a musical identity that is both undeniably heavy and distinctly their own.

At the heart of the band's sonic assault are the founding members: Serj Tankian, whose soaring vocals and haunting melodies drive the band's emotional core; Daron Malakian, the guitar virtuoso who weaves intricate riffs and scorching solos through Tankian's lyrical tapestry; Shavo Odadjian, the bassist whose rhythmic foundations provide the band's groove; and John Dolmayan, the drummer who unleashes a hurricane of percussion, anchoring the band's undeniable energy.

System of a Down's success is undeniable. Five studio albums, including three that topped the US Billboard 200, have cemented their place in heavy metal history. Their music has been recognized with four Grammy Award nominations, culminating in a win for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2006 for their anthem "B.Y.O.B." Though the band went on hiatus in 2006, reuniting in 2010, their impact has remained constant, selling over 12 million records worldwide and producing chart-topping hits like "Aerials" and "Hypnotize."

The band's Armenian heritage is deeply interwoven with their music. All members trace their roots to Armenian immigrants, carrying with them a collective history and cultural identity that informs their songwriting and artistic vision. This connection is evident in their vocal advocacy for the Armenian cause, particularly their unwavering support for recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

Their story began in the halls of Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School, where Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian crossed paths despite their eight-year age gap. It was in a shared recording studio in 1992 that their musical journeys intertwined, laying the foundation for the band that would go on to shake the world with their powerful music and unwavering message.

This is the story of System of a Down – a band that embodies the raw power of heavy metal, the emotional depth of a shared heritage, and the unwavering voice of a generation.

AC/DC: A Thunderous History

AC/DC, the iconic Australian rock band, burst onto the scene in 1973, fueled by the electrifying energy of brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Malcolm, the rhythm guitar powerhouse, and Angus, the stage-dominating lead guitarist, laid the foundation for a sound that would shake the world.

Their raw, unadulterated style, a potent blend of hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal, became known simply as "rock and roll." AC/DC's signature sound not only captivated audiences but also influenced a generation of British heavy metal bands like Def Leppard and Saxon.

The band's journey wasn't without its challenges. They experienced several lineup changes before releasing their debut album, "High Voltage," in 1975, initially available only in Australia and New Zealand. Stability arrived with the release of "Let There Be Rock" in 1977, solidifying the lineup of Malcolm and Angus Young on guitars, Phil Rudd on drums, Cliff Williams on bass, and Bon Scott on vocals.

Tragedy struck in 1979 when Scott, the charismatic frontman, passed away due to alcohol poisoning. Devastated, the band considered disbanding but ultimately decided to continue in honor of Scott's memory, at the request of his parents.

AC/DC, a testament to the enduring power of rock and roll, continues to electrify audiences worldwide. They were rightfully inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, cementing their place as legends in the history of music.