Hailing from Richmond, VA and Bloomington, IN, The Barbed Wires are no strangers to the punk scene. Having already made a name for themselves with previous bands like Pink Razors, Strike Anywhere, and Cloak / Dagger, they now bring their signature blend of aggression and melody to the forefront with their 2023 debut on Lets Pretend Records. This is raw, edgy punk rock with singalong hooks reminiscent of The Wipers and Adolescents – if you crave straightforward, no-frills punk, this is for you.

The Black Keys: A Garage Rock Dynamo

The Black Keys, hailing from Akron, Ohio, burst onto the scene in 2001 as a raw, two-piece force. This gritty garage rock duo, consisting of Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals) and Patrick Carney (drums), honed their sound in basements, self-producing their early records. Their independent spirit and dedication to their craft soon propelled them to the forefront of a garage rock revival in the early 2000s.

Influenced by blues legends like Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside, Howlin' Wolf, and Robert Johnson, the Black Keys' music drips with a raw, bluesy intensity. Their story is one of true grit and perseverance. Friends since childhood, Auerbach and Carney formed the band after dropping out of college, and they quickly gained a loyal following through relentless touring, frequent album releases, and strategic licensing of their music.

Their 2004 album, Rubber Factory, solidified their status as a critical darling, earning them a major label deal with Nonesuch Records in 2006. After years of self-production, they embraced a more professional approach for Attack & Release (2008), collaborating with producer Danger Mouse, who became a key player in their sound.

The Black Keys' commercial breakthrough arrived in 2010 with Brothers. This Grammy Award-winning album, featuring the hit single "Tighten Up," cemented their place as a major force in contemporary rock, and their journey from basement sessions to international stardom is a testament to their raw talent and dedication to their unique, blues-infused garage rock sound.

The Cranberries: A Journey from Limerick to Global Stardom

The Cranberries, hailing from Limerick, Ireland, burst onto the music scene in 1989. Initially named "The Cranberry Saw Us," the band comprised Niall Quinn (vocals), Noel Hogan (guitar), Mike Hogan (bass), and Fergal Lawler (drums). However, a pivotal change occurred in 1990 when Dolores O'Riordan replaced Quinn as lead singer, and the band shortened their name to "The Cranberries."

While they often classified themselves as alternative rock, The Cranberries seamlessly blended diverse musical elements, incorporating indie rock's raw energy, jangle-pop's catchy hooks, dream pop's ethereal textures, folk rock's earthy melodies, post-punk's edgy spirit, and pop rock's accessibility.

Their breakthrough arrived in 1991 when they signed with Island Records. The release of their debut album, "Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We" in 1993, propelled them to commercial success. The Cranberries reached international stardom with their sophomore album, "No Need to Argue," released in 1994. This album featured their iconic single "Zombie," which became a stadium anthem and remains one of their most recognizable tracks.

Following the success of "To the Faithful Departed" (1996) and "Bury the Hatchet" (1999), The Cranberries transitioned to MCA Records in 2000. However, their fifth album, "Wake Up and Smell the Coffee" (2001), failed to replicate the commercial success of their previous albums, leading to dissatisfaction with the label's promotional efforts.

After a six-year hiatus from 2003 to 2009, The Cranberries embarked on a North American tour, followed by shows in Latin America and Europe. Their sixth album, "Roses" (2012), marked their return after eleven years since "Wake Up and Smell the Coffee." The band further expanded their musical palette with their seventh acoustic album, "Something Else" (2017).

The Cranberries' journey is a testament to their raw talent, diverse musical influences, and the powerful voice of Dolores O'Riordan. From their Limerick roots to international acclaim, they left an indelible mark on the music world, leaving behind a legacy of iconic songs and a devoted fan base.

The Cure, the iconic English rock band, emerged from Crawley in 1976, founded by the inimitable Robert Smith (vocals, guitar) and Lol Tolhurst (drums). While Smith remains the sole constant member through numerous lineup shifts – including notable stints with Porl Thompson (guitar) and Boris Williams (drums) – the current iteration features Smith alongside Perry Bamonte (guitar), Reeves Gabrels (guitar), Simon Gallup (bass – absent for only a brief six years!), Roger O`Donnell (keyboards), and Jason Cooper (drums).

Their 1979 debut, Three Imaginary Boys, along with early singles, catapulted them to the forefront of the burgeoning post-punk and new wave scenes in the UK. A dramatic shift towards a darker, more tormented sound began with Seventeen Seconds (1980), influencing the nascent gothic rock genre and its burgeoning subculture, a style further amplified by Smith`s distinctive fashion. Pornography (1982), a move towards a more pop-infused sound, propelled them to international acclaim. Commercial zenith arrived with Disintegration (1989) and Wish (1992).

The Cure`s legacy is undeniable: 14 studio albums, two EPs, and over 40 singles have sold over 30 million copies globally. Their 1986 singles compilation, Standing on a Beach, alone shifted 4 million copies by 1989. Their impact on music history was formally recognized with their 2019 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Early November, a New Jersey-bred rock band, burst onto the scene in 2001. Their raw energy and DIY spirit quickly caught the attention of Drive-Thru Records, who signed them in 2002 after receiving a low-fi demo and a homemade videotape – a testament to their scrappy beginnings. The band, initially comprised of Ace Enders (vocals/guitar), Jeff Kummer (drums), and Sergio Anello (bass), honed their sound in Enders' basement before adding guitarist John Dubitsky.

Their debut EP, For All of This, dropped in December 2002, followed by The Acoustic EP the same year, quickly establishing them on the burgeoning emo scene. Drive-Thru wisely leveraged their new signees, booking them on high-profile tours like Skate and Surf Fest and the Vans Warped Tour. Since then, The Early November have built a formidable discography, releasing seven full-length albums: The Room's Too Cold (2003), The Mother, the Mechanic, and the Path (2006), In Currents (2012), Imbue (2015), Lilac (2019), Twenty (2022), and their self-titled album in 2024. Their enduring career showcases a band that, despite humble origins, has consistently delivered compelling and influential rock music.

The Flaming Lips: A Psychedelic Journey Through Rock History

The Flaming Lips, hailing from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, are a psychedelic rock band that burst onto the scene in 1983. Their sound, a vibrant mix of experimental noise, catchy melodies, and deeply personal lyrics, has cemented their place as one of the most influential and enduring bands of the past four decades.

The core of the Lips has remained remarkably consistent, with Wayne Coyne (vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards) and Steven Drozd (guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, vocals) at the helm since 1991. Coyne, the band's visionary leader, is the only original member still standing after the departure of bassist and keyboardist Michael Ivins in 2021.

The band's early years were spent honing their craft on the independent label Restless Records, releasing a string of albums and EPs that foreshadowed their later success. The breakthrough came in 1992 when they signed to Warner Bros. Records and released "Hit to Death in the Future Head," followed by the critically acclaimed "Transmissions from the Satellite Heart" (1993) and the hit single "She Don't Use Jelly." This marked their entrance into the mainstream and propelled them toward a dedicated fan base.

The Flaming Lips continued to push boundaries and explore new sonic landscapes with albums like "The Soft Bulletin" (1999), which was named NME magazine's Album of the Year, and the groundbreaking "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" (2002), widely regarded as a modern rock classic. Their unique blend of psychedelic rock, electronic elements, and theatrical performances earned them critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including a BRIT Award nomination for "Best International Act" in 2007 and three Grammy Awards.

The band's impact is undeniable, as evidenced by their inclusion on Q magazine's "50 Bands to See Before You Die" list in 2002. The Flaming Lips have become synonymous with vibrant, adventurous music that pushes the boundaries of genre and leaves a lasting impression on anyone who experiences their live shows or listens to their music.

Early Days (1983-1990)

The Flaming Lips story begins in Oklahoma City, 1983. Wayne Coyne, on guitar, joined forces with his brother Mark on vocals, Michael Ivins on bass, and Dave Kotska on drums. This early lineup laid the foundation for the band's distinctive sound, setting the stage for the psychedelic rock revolution that was to come.

The Fray: A Denver-Born Rock Band That Took the World by Storm

The Fray, hailing from Denver, Colorado, emerged in 2002 as the brainchild of schoolmates Isaac Slade and Joe King. Their debut album, "How to Save a Life," dropped in 2005 under the Epic Records banner, catapulting them to international stardom. This album, certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), resonated with audiences worldwide, achieving platinum status in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Their breakout single, "Over My Head (Cable Car)," soared to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, propelling the album's success. But the band's biggest hit, "How to Save a Life," climbed even higher, reaching number three on the chart and garnering global acclaim, charting strongly in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Both anthems were recognized with Grammy Award nominations: "Over My Head (Cable Car)" for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and "How to Save a Life" for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group.

The Fray's self-titled second album, released in 2009, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 and secured platinum certification from the RIAA, as well as gold certifications in Australia and Canada. This record was fueled by the power ballad "You Found Me," their third top ten hit, and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album.

While their first two albums achieved commercial success, they received mixed critical reception. Nonetheless, The Fray's impact was undeniable, solidifying their place in the music landscape. Billboard recognized their influence by ranking them number 84 on their "Artists of the Decade" list.

Goo Goo Dolls: From Buffalo Basement to Global Hitmakers

The Goo Goo Dolls, hailing from Buffalo, New York, are a rock band with a story as dynamic as their music. Born in 1986, they've transcended their early cover band days and punk rock beginnings to become a household name.

Their breakthrough came in 1995 with the release of "Name," a single that catapulted them into the mainstream. But it was their 1998 hit "Iris" that truly cemented their status as rock icons. Spending an astonishing 11 consecutive months on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Hot 100 Airplay chart for 18 weeks, "Iris" became a global phenomenon. In 2012, it even took the top spot on Billboard's "Top 100 Pop Songs 1992–2012" chart, proving its enduring power.

The Goo Goo Dolls have a knack for crafting catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, as evident in other notable hits like "Slide," "Black Balloon," and "Broadway" from their 1998 album Dizzy Up the Girl, "Here Is Gone" from Gutterflower (2002), and "Better Days," "Give a Little Bit," and "Stay with You" from Let Love In (2006).

Their impact is undeniable: seven top-40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including three top-ten hits, and over 15 million records sold worldwide. They've even received four Grammy Award nominations, further solidifying their place in music history.

The Goo Goo Dolls' story is one of perseverance and artistry. From humble beginnings to global stardom, they've proven their ability to connect with audiences through their music, leaving an indelible mark on the rock landscape.

Origins and Early Music (1986–1993)

The band's original lineup consisted of John Rzeznik (guitar, vocals), Robby Takac (bass, vocals), and George Tutsuka (drums, percussion). Takac and Tutsuka were childhood friends who met Rzeznik while he was playing with the band The Beaumonts, which featured Takac's cousin Paul and their close friend Michael Harvey (who would later inspire the band's name).

According to a 1999 Rolling Stone article, the trio chose their band name from a True Detective ad for a toy called a Goo Goo Doll.

The Iron Roses are a force of nature, a vibrant tapestry of talent woven into a musical entity that yearns to reshape the world. Their music, forged in the fires of contemporary injustice, resonates with the raw power of seasoned musicians channeling their righteous anger into protest anthems. Unwavering in their commitment, their voices still roar with the fire of rebellion, refusing to succumb to apathy.

Witnessing these six individuals pour their souls into their truth is an awe-inspiring spectacle. Their growth over the past few years, a testament to their unwavering spirit, has culminated in this powerful new record. The Iron Roses, and their music, embody a potent cocktail of strength, love, and passion - qualities desperately needed in our troubled times.

The Killers: From Vegas Strip to Global Domination

The Killers, born in the neon-drenched heart of Las Vegas in 2001, are a rock band who've gone from underground buzz to international stardom. The band's core is a dynamic duo: frontman Brandon Flowers, with his soaring vocals and shimmering keyboard lines, and lead guitarist Dave Keuning, whose riffs are as sharp as a casino's edge.

After a few revolving door bassists and drummers, the Killers found their rhythm section in 2002, solidifying their sound with Mark Stoermer on bass and rhythm guitar and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. behind the kit. Their name, Inspired by a fictitious band featured in the New Order music video for "Crystal," with a logo emblazoned on a bass drum.

Since their breakout debut, "Hot Fuss" in 2004, The Killers have consistently hit the bullseye with every album, scoring seven consecutive chart-topping albums in the UK. From the anthemic anthems of "Sam's Town" to the electronic explorations of "Day & Age," the band's music has been a soundtrack to a generation. They've also delivered a plethora of releases including B-sides collections, live albums, greatest hits compilations, and even a Christmas album.

The band's recent history has seen some shifts in line-up. Both Stoermer and Keuning have taken extended hiatuses, with Stoermer citing touring fatigue and injuries while Keuning pursued solo ventures. Despite this, both have rejoined the band officially, with Stoermer recording contributions and Keuning returning to the fold for "Pressure Machine." To fill the live performance gaps, veteran touring musician Ted Sablay stepped up on lead guitar for Keuning, while Jake Blanton took on Stoermer's role on bass.

Through lineup changes and creative explorations, The Killers continue to evolve, proving that their Las Vegas roots are fertile ground for musical innovation, keeping their fans hooked and their place at the forefront of rock music secure.