I suppose I'll start off this shindig with ... well, now let's see. Should I do this by genre? Alphabetical by artist? Hmmm.... I guess I'll just let the words and pictures flow and we'll go from there. I think I'll start with my all-time favorite which is represented in the other pages....... Listed in no particular order.....
Sit back and enjoy!
DEPECHE MODE
There is no other band in the world that I enjoy more. I have a few friends that are HUGE DM fans, so I will not say that I am their #1 fan, but they are my number one choice when playing a CD or picking through my ipod that no longer exists. I have had the pleasure of seeing them in concert twice, and I will never forget either experience. The second time was in San Diego for Touring the Angel. I was pregnant with Raven. In fact, I was scheduled to have her by c-section the next week as I recall. During the first song I thought my water broke. Turns out I was just really excited. I heart Depeche Mode with every fiber in my being. My favorite song by them: "The Sun and the Rainfall"
THE CURE
The Cure isn't a band that I keep up on regularly, but I immensely enjoy their music. Robert Smith puts such feeling into his vocals, some call it whining, but I really enjoy it. I have seen them twice in concert as well. They were the first band I ever saw in concert. I was in my early 20s. I remember getting nearly trampled because it was a general admission show and everyone wanted to be at the front. I was fine standing toward the middle rear. I cry every time I hear "Lovesong".
My favorite song by them: "Charlotte Sometimes"
THE BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA
I've had the honor of seeing this amazing guitarist and his band in concert once. I remember going with my dad, which is not as lame as it sounds. My dad has always been a Stray Cats fan, and saw them at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno. They were the first band ever to perform there. So, it was only natural that I invite my dad to go with me. I remember there was a ska band outside on the sidewalk before the show. They were great. My dad even enjoyed them. Alien Fashion Show opened and I really had a good time. I didn't like having to stand for the entire show especially since there were nice comfy chairs to sit on, but no matter. Who sits during a concert anyway!
My favorite song by them: "Switchblade 327"
ERASURE
Wow! That's a young picture of them. It's ok though, they are still as beautiful now as they were then. I have always been a fan of Erasure since high school. Probably sooner than that, but I can't remember. I was slated to go see them in concert in Las Vegas a few years ago, but instead didn't go once I got down there. That is the one thing that I would regret if I allowed myself such a feeling. Instead of going to the show, I did the tourist thing with my boyfriend who had never been to Vegas before. I think I made the right decision. Hopefully, they will go on one more tour before they retire if they haven't already. My favorite song by them is: "Siren Song"
IRIS
One of my most favorite electronica bands in existence today. I have not had the pleasure of seeing them in concert. I don't think they tour very often. I am surely going to have to keep better tabs on that. I really want to see them before they break up. I was introduced to Iris by a friend who I will call Chris. I have been hooked on their music ever since.
My favorite song by them: "The Way I Live My Life"
YANNI
Another great artist that is under rated, in my opinion. He is one of the artists that I was made to listen to as a child. My mother is a HUGE fan of Yanni. She took me to see him live during the Acropolis tour. I've never seen a more artistic show. It was the perfect blend of beauty and grace and style. I don't actually own any of his albums, but I do own my favorite songs.
My favorite song by him: "The Mermaid"
VNV NATION
The VNV stand for "Victory Not Vengeance" and perfectly named. They are an electronic industrial group based in Germany. Ronin is Irish and Mark is English. Another wonderful band that I was introduced to by my friend Chris. They were the focus of a semester project to which I got a 106%. I have seen them twice in concert. The first time a group of my Dark Garden regulars chipped in for a party limo from Reno to San Francisco. The second time was in Reno. It was amazing to see them play for such a small crowd, when the Frisco crowd was in the hundreds easily. If I had stuck around for five more minutes after the Reno show, I would have gotten to meet them. I guess that will never happen now. Meh. My favorite song by them: "Homeward"
MESH
One of the yummiest electronica groups out there. Also introduced to me by my friend, Chris. He was instrumental in almost all of my ebm acts. He was an awesome friend. Anyway, Mesh. LOVE their music. The lead singer, the guy in the hat, has such a beautiful voice. Their lyrics are deep and thoughtful, and their use of synths are a perfect blend.
My favorite song by them: "Can You Mend Hearts"
DE/VISION
Yet another electronica duo introduced by Chris. These guys have a beautiful synth sound going for them. They don't look it, but they have some of the most beautiful ballads I have ever heard. I would love to see these guys in concert, but again, they are hard to get to as most of their shows take place in Europe. My favorite song by them: "Heart-shaped Tumor"
GODSMACK
Another band that I don't really keep up on, but I do enjoy their music a lot. I was lucky enough to get to see them in concert with the guy I was dating at the time. It was his birthday. And all I have to say is WOW! Actually, I ended up getting hoisted over the front rail because I was getting squished so badly. Another Cure incident all over again. They tried to get me to get some oxygen, but I declined and spent the rest of the show as high up as I could get where the music sounded oh so much better. The bass waves had room to move before hitting my ears, so it made it that much more awesome. I watched my boyfriend mosh in the figure 8 pit that was going down below and enjoyed Sully's drumming "battle" (for lack of a better word) with the main drummer whose name I don't know. Awesome show!
My favorite song by them: "Voodoo"
CELTIC WOMAN
I've always been a huge fan of celtic music and no one sings it better than Celtic Woman. I would love to see them in concert some time. My favorite song by them: "Dúlaman"
KMFDM
Great music! End of story!
My favorite song by them: "Hau Ruck"
CARMEN CAVALLERO
Obviously this is an old picture. This is an artist that my dad introduced me to. He played in an old movie (probably more than one) that Dad showed me. Carmen died in 1989, but his piano music absolutely astonished the senses. What it wouldn't have been like to see him in concert.
My favorite song by him: "Voodoo Moon"
SWITCHBLADE SYMPHONY
Many people don't like Tina Root's voice, but I rather enjoy it. A very artists goth group, to be sure. I have not had the pleasure of seeing them live, as they are no longer together, but their videos are really neat to watch. My favorite song they them: "Dirty Dog"
APOPTYGMA BERZERK
Wonderful electronica/industrial at times group from Germany, I believe. I wasn't terribly excited about their album that brought them back to their roots, as they said. Lots of guitar and things like that. Not that I'm against guitars, but I like their electronic stuff way better. The first song I ever heard was on the Metropolis 1999 compilation album. That album got stolen from me three times. I loved it so much I kept buying it until I couldn't get it any longer.
My favorite song by them: "Nonstop Violence"
DEAD CAN DANCE
I was browsing through the music section at Dimple Records in Sacramento one day, looking for a band whose name I could not remember. I do know it started with "D". I found an album called "A Passage in Time" which appeared to be a compilation album (it is) that had an owl eye on the front. I purchased it, took it home, and played it. What I heard was not the band I was looking for, but the sounds that came out immediately touched my heart and my spirit. Lisa Gerrard's voice is one of the most beautiful female singers I have ever heard, and Brenden Perry's voice is unmatched by any new age artist. Last I checked, DCD was no longer together, and the last time I heard them touring the cost was around $180 per ticket. Sorry, I wouldn't even pay that much to see Depeche Mode. Lisa's voice can be heard throughout the "Gladiator" soundtrack and Dead Can Dance's song "The Host of the Seraphim" is featured on the soundtrack for The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole. I use the previous mentioned album "A Passage in Time" whenever I move. It has kind of been a tradition and it seems to bring me luck with whatever place I am in.
My favorite song by them: "Black Sun"
SIOUXIE AND THE BANSHEES
There's not much I can say about this awesome group who really isn't together anymore. Siouxie Sioux was on tour a few years ago, but I missed out on that. I really enjoy this bands uniqueness.
My favorite song by them: "The Scarecrow"
PETER MUPRHY
The former front guy for Bauhaus, Peter Murphy's solo work far surpasses Bauhaus, in my opinion. My favorite album is "Cascade". The songs have such passion and even a fun quality about them. There is nothing I wouldn't give to see him in concert. He is beautiful, talented and over all completely awesome!
My favorite song by him: "Mirror to My Woman's Mind"
WOLFSHEIM
Another one of what I call "pretty boy" bands. That is to say that their voice is so very beautiful. Mesh, Iris, and De/Vision fall into that category as well. Their lyrics are melodic, deep, and completely enchanting. Another band that Chris introduced me to. He has great taste in music. Wolfsheim is another band that I would sell my left nipple to be able to see them in concert. Perhaps one of these days.
My favorite song by them: "Sparrows and the Nightingales"
MUSE
Muse is a fairly new favorite of mine. They've been around a while and I always thought that they might have been formerly known as Faith and the Muse, but it isn't the case. If you trust wikipedia that is. This is a band that I will be looking out for when they get close to town. I hardly think that they would actually play Boise, but if they hit Salt Lake or even Seattle, I'm all over it.
My favorite song by them: "Butterflies and Hurricanes"
ASSEMBLAGE 23
Great EBM. A23's lyrics are often deep and meaningful. A great blend of synths and strong rhythm. I enjoy this artist very much.
My favorite song by this artist: "Naked"
P!NK
You might be thinking that this is an odd one for this long list of artists, but I have come to enjoy Pink's music very much. Her latest album seems to be the most mature. I think that she has a lot of music left in her.
My favorite song by this artist: "Sober"
WEIRD AL
What a funny funny guy! Really makes me wish I still lived in California so I could go to his show at the State Fair he does every year. I can still remember the first time I heard of Weird Al. I was in high school and a bunch of my friends were totally into his music and the likes of Dr. Demento. Those were the days!
My favorite song by this artist: "White and Nerdy"
BJORK
Bjork is an acquired taste, to that there is no lie. She has a quirky sense of style which is what makes her so incredibly appealing. Her music is also a bit odd, but though many may not like it, I surely do. She's so beautiful.
My favorite song by this artist: "Army of Me"
THE ANDREWS SISTERS
My father is the one responsible for introducing me to these wonderful women. He is a huge fan of '30s and '40s music. I've seen a number of their movies and listened to numerous songs. What I wouldn't have given to see them in concert. Now that was an era that had some class and style!
My favorite song by them: "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B"
MACHINEGUN SYMPHONY
While I was a promoter in Reno, I had the wonderful privilege of hosting this band who reside in Colorado. Last I heard, they are no longer together, but their music will live on in my collection as music I listen to often. I have many fond memories of hanging out with this group while they were in town. I would promote them again in a heartbeat if they ever got together.
My favorite song by them: "Victim"
ASTRIX
Truly, I can take trance and techno in small doses. I've been to a rave once and I've been to clubs that play nothing but trance and techno, and more often than not I find the repetition of the bass lines and drum patterns annoying. Astrix on the other hand is surprisingly appealing with varying melodies and backbeats. I could listen to Astrix for several hours before getting tired of it.
(That's a compliment, you know.)
My favorite song by this artist: "Sex Style"
RICHARD CHEESE
There's nothing like hearing "Smack My Bitch Up" done by Richard Cheese. Unlike Weird Al who replaces the lyrics but keeps the music, Richard Cheese keeps the lyrics (for the most part) and replaces the music with lounge. It is hard to find anything that is funnier. You've not heard "Baby Got Back" until you've heard it done by this group!
My favorite song by them: "The Girl is Mine"
SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS
Swing, Dixieland all rolled into one. Great music. Enough said.
My favorite song by them: "Hell"
DRESDEN DOLLS
I love the Dresden Dolls' music because of how unique it is. At least, I have yet to find anyone like them. And I love piano music! I've seen a few of their videos and I think they would be totally fun in concert! They have a way with fashion that is unmatched.
My favorite song by them: "Coin-operated Boy"
ASTRAL PROJECTION
Another one of the great trance/techno groups that I could listen to for hours. They are another duo that my friend, Chris, introduced to me. I don't know a whole lot about them, but I do know that I enjoy their stuff!
My favorite song by them: "Anything is Possible"
SCOTT JOPLIN
I am a huge fan of piano music in general, but Ragtime really gets me moving. It's upbeat, happy, and really really tough to play. I can remember my mother playing "Alley Cat" sometimes. I love that tune, though I don't believe it's one of Scott's. I admire really good piano players.
My favorite song by him: "The Entertainer"
BENNY GOODMAN
One of my other favorite genres to listen to is Big Band Swing. One of my favorite artists from that era is this man here. I often ponder what it would have been like to live in the '30s and '40s. Tough for sure, but they really knew how to swing!
My favorite song by him: Pennsylvania 65000
SKINNY PUPPY
Skinny Puppy is a group that I really enjoy. I've never seen them live, but I hear that they were really great. I enjoy watching their videos. They know how to tell it like it is!
My favorite song by them: "Protest"
DURAN DURAN
Admittedly, I might be stuck in the '80s. I actually find no shame in that. Duran Duran is just one of the many bands that I fell in love with back in the day. Ok, they are still really hot for being so old. Sadly, I will probably never get to see them live, but that's ok.I'll still die happy knowing I got to hear their music.
My favorite song by them: "Wild Boys"
THE LAST DANCE
I heart these guys so much! A most beautiful blend of music and melody and style and grace. And, well, I could go on for a while, but suffice it to say that I really enjoy this band a lot!
My favorite song by them: "Do You Believe in Angels?"
CHERRY POPPIN' DADDIES
Following right along with Squirrel Nut Zippers, Richard Cheese and Brian Setzer Orchestra. Awesome band if ever I heard one. I hope to see them in concert soon!
Update:
I did finally get to see this amazing band toward the end of 2013. They were just as neat as I thought they would be!
Update 10/18/2018 I have been hosting an online radio show for close to three years now. I have really begun getting into more independent/underground music. The following artists are some of my favorite from over the years.
THE SWEETEST CONDITION
LOBOLOTO
FRAGILE TOM
EHPH
DR DEATH AND MR VILE
DROID SECTOR DECAY
FCH
KELDARI STATION
NEOCOMA
PRECOG
