Unashamed Fan

Music has always been a major part of my existence. One good thing that came from having parents with precious little in common is that I developed an eclectic musical palate. So I not only knew Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye, but also Little Feat, Derek and the Dominos and Yes. As a result, there's hardly anything that comes on the radio that I don't know. Though hip-hop most definitely has my heart and soul, good music is good music, so I present some of my favorite artists/bands to you.

Guns N Roses: Though Metallica (also to appear on this list) is arguably a better band, something about the combination of Axl and Slash just does it for me. I preferred them (like a couple of others on this list) before they became MTV whores, but I must say, "Use Your Illusion I" had some gems on it. Eventually, Axl Rose started smelling himself and the shit hit the fan. I still haven't forgiven him for "The Spaghetti Incident?" I don't know what was going on there.

Green Day: A chorus about masturbation propelled them into the mainstream. However, this is sadly a case of yet another great band that went doctors' office rock. "Dookie" was a great CD and I don't blame people for loving it, but they began to cater to "the crowd." I guess I can't knock anyone for wanting to make money, and I won't say that they became sucky. They just lost some of the edge that I loved so much.

Metallica: THEY FUCKING ROCK. No explanation required. It would be easy to claim that being a Metallica fan is cliche if they weren't such a good damn band. Well, in my opinion anyway...which is the only thing that counts around these parts.

L7: These white brawds are pissed. I don't mean regular pissed. I mean Pat Robertson getting dropped off in the middle of a boy-boy teabagging contest pissed. They also have some of the best fight riffs I've ever heard. Let me state that I do not expect straight men to like, or understand this band, but that does not detract from it's greatness. There's a line in "Fast & Frightening" that says "got so much clit, she don't need no balls." Brilliant!

Alanis Morrissette: Yes, she was on Nickelodeon. Yes, she is very VH1 friendly. but I don't care. "Jagged Little Pill" was a great album. Her lyrics cover the spectrum of female emotion whether it's affectionate ("don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are"), introspective ("how about not equating death with stopping") or the ever popular anger ("everytime I scratch my nails down someone else's back I hope you feel it"). Everybody needs something that is different, yet they can still relate to it. Yeah, I guess I sounded a little corny and groupie-ish. Cut me some slack...I'm not made of wood man.

NOFX: Great punk band...GREAT! I loved "Punk in Drublic", but "White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean" is my absolute favorite. They are irreverent about everything...including themselves. Gotta love that. Well, at least I do.

Rage Against the Machine: This band does nothing to help my agression issues, but damned if their music isn't the shit. I have to battle the urge to just punch somebody when I'm listening to them. Listen to "Guerrilla Radio" and you'll see what I'm talking about. "TURN THAT SHIT UP!!"

Honorable Mention:
The Ramones
Pearl Jam

Porno for Pyros
Nirvana
The Exploited

If you feel that there is a glaring omission, please feel free to share your opinion.