Local music: Lists, local flavor, nuggets, maybe an unsung hero

[Live in Phoenix]

This is primarily for posting about acts that non-locals have heard little or nothing about. Maybe we all have a zealous local paper or zine that has published a list on your local legends, or the local best of the year. Arizona is not especially one of the great musical states, but I've come across three sort of "all-time" lists over the years, the most recent being published during the state's centennial year.

In romantic garage rock terminology, the songs listed below are "nuggets," named after the compilation that documented small flashes of talent by obscure '60s bands. Admittedly this stuff is not typically high priority, but your journey to the musical outskirts might turn up something interesting to round out one of your long-ass personal music lists. Maybe you'll even come across a "discovery."

If you live somewhere incredible like London or New York City, I imagine there's still a local zine, or a relatively obscure or "unacclaimed" act that you've heard in person or on record...

============================================


As far as the name "Sun City Girls," Arizona's Sun City is a walled-off retirement community.

Phoenix New Times: 100 Songs that Define Arizona (2012)

Compiled with reader submissions, and "we dove into New Times archives, consulted historians, musicians, record collectors, scoured blogs, and slipped into YouTube rabbit holes"

1915: Margaret Rowe Clifford/Maurice Blumenthal - Arizona March Song [Performed here by Hannes Kvaran]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws5dbNx3EVU

1929: Billie Maxwell - Cowboy's Wife
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzuhXgIHVlo

1939: Los Carlistas feat. Lalo Guerrero - Los Abonos
[Not quite everything here is on YouTube]

1951: Ed Lee Natay, Natay (Navajo Singer) - Navajo Squaw Dance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N_3qzdR0eo

1956: Sanford Clark - The Fool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfSDhVHZQY4

1958: Duane Eddy - Rebel Rouser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGPG_Y-_BZI

1958: Donnie Owens - Need You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MSyhzikwQ

1959: The Nightbeats feat. Pete Ronstadt - Night Beat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXavVgvw0KI

1960: Patti LaSalle - How Many Times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qom1Ve1My0E

1961: Al Casey Combo - Cookin'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8K7DV5MWRc

1962: Reverend Louis Overstreet - Working on a Building of Praise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fuavj_ndqnI

1962: Rex Allen - Son, Don't Go Near the Indians
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iHOS_8K2B8

1963: Roosevelt Nettles - Drifting Heart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIX_na3aSWw

1965: The Jordan Brothers - It (Ain't No Big Thing)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIw6PFx_2kk

1965: The Spiders [including Alice Cooper] - Why Don't You Love Me?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7x_O-fOv8o

1966: Dyke and the Blazers - Funky Broadway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wmBEQzkols

1966: Eddie Dimas & the Upsets - El Mosquito
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uyZFbhLW8E

1968: Mike Condello - Oh No
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh9BR66 ... 56SesNdfun

1968: Mike Condello - Ho Ho, Ha Ha, Hee Hee, Ha Ha (theme from The Wallace and Ladmo Show)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnpw8iW_ffY

1969: Michael Liggins and the Soulsations - Standing on the Corner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYMHe6fcBys

1969: We the People - Function Underground
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hcOeKfTbWM

1972: Eddie & Ernie - Bullets Don't Have Eyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMXkBvSfIhQ

1972: Dolan Ellis - Tuba City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClbzmulRvBU

1972: Vernon Wray - When I Start Drinkin'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeNcqqF-858

1973: Hans Olson - Western Winds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOghcRrqIC0

1975: The Tubes - White Punks on Dope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFltXDMQsQQ

1977: The Consumers - Teen Love Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_AD198ezo0

1978: Jerry Riopelle - Naomi's Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W91RrF6NLN8

1979: Blue Shoes - Tonight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZZbZF0Q20Q

1980: The Feederz - Jesus Entering from the Rear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyPJN_41xQ4

1981: Rex Allen Jr. - Arizona, I Love You (the unofficial state anthem)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7xedmvJTzk

1981: JFA - Do the Hannigan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsD3FbPxRvE

1981: Loosely Tight - Bombs Away
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT6P_7Vx8cg

1982: Poor Boy Rappers - Low Rider Rap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS-AYEPrcys

1982: The Jetzons - I Love You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ODZfMedjWo

1982: Grant and the Geezers - Monster Stomp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDBFAwj_zxo

1983: Tone Set - Out Out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRKNvQ0fCCo

1983: R. Carlos Nakai - "Death Song - Lament"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EK5UUbiVvg

1983: Gentlemen Afterdark - Open the Door
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbN_VdIv56s

1985: Mighty Sphincter - Exterminator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY9PrIiZsbY

1985: Bloodspasm - We Got Cactus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iGvGOZSxww

1985: Meat Puppets - Up on the Sun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pNAJFNd8Lk

1985: Dave Pratt and the Sex Machine Band - Pizza and Beer

1986: Sun City Girls - Swing of Kings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Voy2UAxgOhY [Grotto of Miracles album link]

1986: Sacred Reich - Draining You of Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb2aAQ04mTI

1986: Flotsam and Jetsam - Doomsday for the Deceiver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWrCKMSHp4M

1989: Gin Blossoms - Found Out About You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yj3f-GO1Ws (1989 version)

1990: Sidewinders - We Don't Do That Anymore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fm_hEFSSVM

1994: Rainer - One Man Crusade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ4_8GJ2008

1994: Giant Sand - Yer Ropes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ4_8GJ2008

1995: Phunk Junkeez - The Roach Clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3pxdEycfTw

1995: The Fells - I Don't Need You

1995: Chico Chism - Arizona Woman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8BtRTWSR4c [performed by Walkin Cane Mark]

1996: Supermarket - True Feelings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyg8uOe83rE

1996: The Refreshments - Banditos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj20I1vHQ4M

1996: Chronic Future - Scottsdale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyQ2g5zYr1Y

1996: The Beat Angels - Hung Over with Jenny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZhdNHLE5KI

1996: The Wongs - Jerking It to the Trashwomen

1997: Rainer - The Inner Flame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeOHyVPwbiY

1997: The Pistoleros - Just to Hold On to You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2kwP2FOt9I

1997: NB Ridaz - Down for Yours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLtFilApmeU

1998: Sleepwalker - Out of Here

1999: Jimmy Eat World - Goodbye Sky Harbor [i.e., the name of our airport]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH3PoJ4VIUI

2001: DJ Radar - Concerto for Turntable
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vsFCfnB3Mk

2002: Rainer - The Farm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTkyh9OGS5Y

2002: Authority Zero - One More Minute
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL-py5G1j4Q

2002: The Format - The First Single
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irSF0OGDX5k

2003: Calexico - Not Even Stevie Nicks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGQM8wx_Gq0

2003: The Bled - Dale Earnhardt's Seatbelt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5u1u6z6r4Q

2004: Reuben's Accomplice - This Town
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB8LVwFC6z0

2004: Asleep in the Sea - Dance On
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_uXNwfiGCc

2004: Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers - !Americano!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj3m9RxODL4

2005: Job for a Cowboy - Knee Deep
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf9WrCCe700

2005: Brad B & The Insects - The Drifter

2005: Z Trip - Breakfast Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2wx_T_kUlA

2006: Neko Case - Star Witness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi6keFpm-BY

2006: Fathers Day - This Really Happened
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv09q1IKui4

2006: Peachcake - Jeremiah, Stop Taking Bukowski So Seriously
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXwmXe1CR0A

2006: Fivespeed - Morning Over Midnight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m-aBp5jOqs

2007: Scary Kids Scaring Kids - Faces
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5j5l8mDz5c

2007: Andrew Jackson Jihad - Rejoice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0cxrA3dTv4

2007: Dear and the Headlights - Sweet Talk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W6bAAgUgW8

2008: French Quarter - Stay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z3dGI-xu4I

2008: Drunken Immortals - Desert Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmtUe3qhkz0

2008: Landmine Marathon - Skin from Skull
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSTbmTnXKMU

2008: Miniature Tigers - Cannibal Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQEkGOHQvSw

2009: MC Magic - Girl, I Love You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4K_dfUizwo

2009: Big Jay McNeely & The Rocket 88's - Phoenix Hambone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flzghvgme6s

2009: Silver Medallion - Gravity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZuNXpQDKw0

2009: Random - Push
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qsOfS29P7E

2010: Treasure Mammal - Arpayaso [about Sheriff Joe Arpaio]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_t2ca6UAOk

2010: Willy Northpole - Back to Mexico
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPpRCJUsaDc

2010: Mr. Miranada [Miranda?] - Back 2 AZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfBEhwFb77M (I think this is it)

2010: Courtney Marie Andrews - The Buffalo and the Bird

2011: Curse of the Pink Hearse - Yo Solo Quiero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xotTueoxxEA

2011: What Laura Says - Girl Not Gonna Leave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hDQMEJFRGg

2011: Puscifer - Green Valley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1AE6g8tEkI

2011: Kinch - Once, I Was a Mainsail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce7taPPn6fU

2011: The Maine - Don't Give Up on Us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTQX8DOB9P4

2012: Black Carl - Ran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HHuGT6xQFk


Giant Sand was one of a few Arizona acts featured in Spin's '90s Alternative Record Guide.

=================================================



Bonus:

Conflict – Last Hour (1983) -- #6 Most Influential Arizona Punk Rock Record, Tom Reardon/Phoenix New Times (2014-2015)
Album link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DtTLfhcZQA

The Zany Guys – “Hardcore”
Party Hits Volume II (1983) -- #10 Most Influential Arizona Punk Rock Record, Tom Reardon/Phoenix New Times (2014-2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2shcME3Mik

Vehemence - “Made for Her Jesus” (2002)
God Was Created -- #16, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy2rXv_z550

Glass Heroes - “Kick Down the Doors” (2005)
Glass Heroes -- #12, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys2s20xEJpk

Dave Insley – “There’s Gonna Be a Few Changes” (2005)
Call Me Lonesome -- #17, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3vbiHZsKFM

The Format – “Time Bomb” (2006)
Dog Problems -- #4, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4c-UfyEjak

Tramps & Thieves – “To Hell with California” (2006)
Spittin’ into the Wind -- #25, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrVCymeUcoE

Steppchild – “Sixteen Year Old Lover” “Mustache Ride” (2005)
Pledge Allegiance to Rock and Roll -- #21, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)
(no link)

[FrankLotion]

Cool list! I grew up in AZ myself so I recognize a lot of these, I remember people I grew up with were big fans of Authority Zero and Miniature Tigers, I still love Calexico to this day.

[Live in Phoenix]

Thanks, my local music game is not that strong, so this list is sort of for my benefit as much as anyone else's.

=============================================================================================

Courtney Marie Andrews is the most recent name with an unavailable link, but she might be Arizona's biggest current local star. She's gone country since I used to listen to her, and I miss her singer/songwriter days, but anyway, Rolling Stone awarded her the #1 Country/Americana song of 2018, beating the likes of Kacey Musgraves, Carrie Underwood, and other big names.

25 Best Country and Americana Songs of 2018
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/musi ... -3-770333/

Courtney Marie Andrews -- May Your Kindness Remain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne5SQQIxxik

The best country and Americana song of 2018 is the one that left its mark through an indelible, essential message: how important it is to be a good, kind person, through and through. “May Your Kindness Remain,” the first track on Andrews’ album of the same name, starts subdued, with a delicate procession of organ and her pristine vocals presented as if she’s in an intimate conversation with only those close enough to feel her breath. But it soon takes a steady build from that contemplative folk to triumphant gospel, exploding with emotion as it progresses. “When your money runs out, and your good looks fade, may your kindness remain,” Andrews sings — flinging those words with all her might, like if she belted them loud enough, everyone on earth could hear. And they should. “May Your Kindness Remain” is a sentiment far more worthy of being printed on a red ball cap than anything else.

[Live in Phoenix]

And then I have one major list, and two small lists. I decided to just sort of combine the smaller lists with the major lists (see the bottom of my first post again).

The band Lycia (genres Ethereal Wave, Darkwave, Gothic Rock) is probably the best-reviewed act I came across here that I'd never heard of before.

==================================================================================

The 100 best Valley rock bands [i.e., the greater Phoenix area] -- published in 2000 by a side publication of the Arizona Republic

Criteria was that they were homegrown, were rock, and weren't based in, say, Tucson (excluding, one way or another, Stevie Nicks, Waylon Jennings, and Linda Ronstadt). A 26-strong "group of experts" voted on it. (I recognized the AZ Republic music critic, a music writer for the Zia Records store zine, and Derrick Bostrom of the Meat Puppets in there.) "Here, for everyone's head-scratching and eye-rolling pleasure":

[I'm adding a musical selection for each performer]



1. Alice Cooper - No More Mr. Nice Guy

2. Meat Puppets - Backwater
Meat Puppets II (1984) -- #2, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)
In a Car (1981) -- #5 Most Influential Arizona Punk Rock Record, Tom Reardon/Phoenix New Times (2014-2015)

3. Duane Eddy - Peter Gunn

4. Gin Blossoms - Hey Jealousy
New Miserable Experience (1992) -- #1, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

5. The Tubes - She's a Beauty

6. JFA - Johnny D
Valley of the Yakes (1983) -- #4 Most Influential Arizona Punk Rock Record, Tom Reardon/Phoenix New Times (2014-2015)
Valley of the Yakes (1983) -- #6, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

7. Mike Condello - Ho Ho, Ha Ha, Hee Hee, Ha Ha (theme from The Wallace and Ladmo Show)

8. Sun City Girls - Space Prophet Dogon

9. Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
Bleed American (2001) -- #3, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

10. Flotsam and Jetsam - Hammerhead
Doomsday for the Deceiver (1986) -- #19, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

(#7 Mike Condello. "Looking back, it's not surprising that Condello was enlisted to produce the Jetzons' one and only vinyl outing. "We were all big Wallace & Ladmo fans," remembers Bruce Connole. "I couldn't think of anyone else I'd rather work with than Mike Condello" True enough, as the leader of his own combo, plus Hub Kapp and the Wheels, Commodore Condello's Salt River Navy Band and the Ladmo Trio, Condello unarguably influenced more future Valley musicians than anyone else. 'Ho Ho, Ha Ha, Hee Hee, Ha Ha' remains, to this day, the most beloved song in Arizona history.")



11. Al Casey - Cookin'

12. Icon - Naked Eyes

13. Dead Hot Workshop - Burger Christ
1001 (1995) -- #7, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

14. The Refreshments - Banditos
Fizzy Fuzzy Big and Buzzy (1996) -- #5, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

15. The Consumers - Teen Love Song
All My Friends Are Dead (rec. 1977, released 1995) -- #1 Most Influential Arizona Punk Rock Record, Tom Reardon/Phoenix New Times (2014-2015)

16. The Jetzons - I Love You

17. Killer Pussy - Teenage Enema Nurses in Bondage
Teenage Enema Nurses in Bondage (1982) -- #9 Most Influential Arizona Punk Rock Record, Tom Reardon/Phoenix New Times (2014-2015)

18. Phunk Junkeez - I Am A Junkee
Phunk Junkeez (1992) -- #22, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

19. The Pistoleros - The Hardest Part
Hang on to Nothing (1997) -- #10, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

20. Feederz - Jesus Entering from the Rear
Jesus (1980) -- #3 Most Influential Arizona Punk Rock Record, Tom Reardon/Phoenix New Times (2014-2015)



21. Beat Angels - Hung Over with Jenny
Unhappy Hour (1996) -- #15, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

22. Gloritone - Halfway
Cup Runneth Over (1998) -- #11, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

23. Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers - Counterclockwise
¡Americano! (2004) -- #9, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

24. Paris 1942 - Move Out Of Wichita

25. Sacred Reich - Draining You of Life

26. Beats the Hell Out of Me - Behind My Back

27. The Piersons - Helen Reddy
Humbucker (1996) -- #24, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

28. Loosely Tight - Bombs Away

29. Chimeras - Crooked Mile

30. The Strand - Never Fail

(#24 Paris 1942. "Maureen Tucker, drummer for the Velvet Underground, lived and recorded in Phoenix during the early '80s. Not only did she release an album of solo material called Playin' Possum, but she also formed a band with Rick and Alan Bishop of the Sun City Girls. Paris 1942 only played out four times but easily qualifies for our elite list. Never recorded and almost entirely forgetten, the band's practice tapes have recently been cobbled together for a long overdue album.")



31. Gentlemen Afterdark - Open the Door

32. Pollen - Almond-Coated

33. Trunk Federation - Quality Burn

34. Llory McDonald - Bring It On Home

35. Nova Boys - live show

36. One (no link)

37. Liars - Bionic Girl (no link)

38. Billy Clone and the Same - She's So Primitive

39. Tuff - Ruck a Pit Bridge

40. Jesus Chrysler Supercar - Time Trials

(#37 The Liars. "Derrick Bostrom [Meat Puppets] calls them his biggest influence. The lovable prevaricators hid their considerable skills behind a sloppy and crass punk rock veneer. "They played like crap, but you could tell they were really good musicians," Bostrom says. When the band broke up, guitarist John E. Precious became the drummer for Killer Pussy and bassist Don Bolles moved to LA to keep the backbeat behind Darby Crash and the Germs. No lie.")



41. Seven Storey Mountain - (Bandcamp site)

42. The Revenants - The Light at the End of the Bottle
Artists and Whores (1998) -- #8, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

43. Hellfire - Clear My Head

44. 24 Hour World - Love Comes Down

45. The Nervous - Black Dress

46. Half String (shoegaze band) - Oval

47. Zen Lunatics - Media Sensation

48. Unruh - Complex

49. Tone Set - Out Out!

50. Lycia - August, Pt. 2

(#49 Tone Set. "Galen Herod and Greg Horn met while working at Channel 8 (KAET) in the early '80s and their musical collaboration featured tape-loop instrumentals, sampled dialog and straightforward synthpop. The Tempe pair also recorded as solo artists, with Herod's 1983 project Glad to be Human best summing up the duo's quirky musical manifesto.")



51. International Language (no link)

52. Grant and the Geezers - Monster Stomp

53. Goose Creek Symphony - Talk About Goose Creek and Other Important Places

54. Satellite - I Don't Mind (2004 version, by leader Stephen Ashbrook)

55. Lush Budget Presents the Les Payne Product - At the Rodeo (Fireball) (no link)

56. The Psalms - Christmas Island

57. Flathead - Tennessee Stud

58. Half Visconte - I Tried to Erase

59. Junior Achievement - Dr. Cut Throat's Revenge
Fade to Black (1983?) -- #2 Most Influential Arizona Punk Rock Record, Tom Reardon/Phoenix New Times (2014-2015)

60. The Jenny [Spinning Jenny?] - live show

(#56 The Psalms. "Here's where the genius of Doug Hopkins [songwriter of Gin Blossoms' early hits] first flowered. With each new song, the guitarist came closer and closer to an aesthetic that would eventually define the Mill Avenue sound. Hopkins had yet to fully mature as an artist, but even back in '82 he had a knack for capturing ennui in happy-sounding pop songs. Christmas Island, from the band's only single, still remains an important piece to the songwriter's canon.")



61. Blue Shoes - Tonight

62. Sugar High - Personality Pills
Saccharin and Trust (2001) -- #18, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

63. Dislocated Styles - Unified

64. Hammertoes (no link)

65. Reubens Accomplice - Big Apple, Small Heart
The Bull, the Balloon and the Family (2004) -- #13, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

66. The Deez (no link ... guitarist Don Redondo's band before JFA)

67. Surgical Steel - Tonight

68. Sanford Clark - The Fool

69. Cosmo Topper - Frank and Rita

70. The Voice (no link)

(#68 Sanford Clark. "A seminal rockabilly crooner, Clark's only taste of national success came in 1956 when his song, "The Fool," became a Top 10 hit. Afterwards, he continued to record and perform with the likes of Al Casey and Duane Eddy. Clark almost charted again in the mid 1960s with a song called "Houston." Unfortunately for him, radio programmers preferred Dean Martin's version.")



71. The Superfine Dandelion - The Other Sidewalk

72. Mighty Sphincter - Heat House
Mighty Sphincter (1984) -- #8 Most Influential Arizona Punk Rock Record, Tom Reardon/Phoenix New Times (2014-2015)

73. Undertow - Candybox (contained in news article)

74. Honey Child - Let It Go

75. Live Nudes (no link -- with Mark and Lawrence Zubia, later of The Pistoleros)

76. Victory Acres - Let’s Just Lounge
Victory Acres/Joke Flower split LP (1988; rec. 1984?) -- #7 Most Influential Arizona Punk Rock Record, Tom Reardon/Phoenix New Times (2014-2015)

77. Autumn People - Coffin Maker

78. Burning Bush - Tales from the Bush demo tape

79. Slugger (no link)

80. Haggis - Makeup

(#71 Superfine Dandelion. "Combining warmed-over San Francisco psychedelia with earnest nods to mountain music, this trippy aggregate released its self-titled debut in 1967. After calling it quits, bandmembers went on to play with the Tubes, Linda Ronstadt and Karla Bonoff. Earlier this year, the Dandelion's slab of superfine tunes was re-issued on compact disc.")



81. Brick Chair - Use What God Has Given You

82. Algebra Ranch (no link)

83. Rabid Rabbit - Why Am I Here

84. Scones - Everyday's a Saturday

85. Kennelmus - Folkstone Prism album

86. Crushed - Incandescence

87. Grave Danger - Death City
Death City (2004) -- #14, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

88. Burning Flamingoes (no link)

89. Chula (no link)

90. Jr. Chemists - Jr. Chemists

(#85 Kennelmus. "Folkstone Prism, the band's sole effort, was a wildly inventive slab of symphonic weirdness. Leader Ken Walker once described his music as a cross between the Beach Boys, the Moody Blues and Alice Cooper. Why Kennelmus never became a supergroup, we'll never know.")



91. Big Blue Couch - Crush (contained in news article)

92. Truckers on Speed - Arizona
Somebody Somewhere (2002) -- #23, Top 25 Albums by Valley Bands (East Valley Tribune’s Get Out, 2006)

93. The Sonic Thrills - live show

94. Bootbeast [Carnival] - Carnival

95. The Spiffs - Here Comes Trouble

96. AM Radio Allstar (no link)

97. Bionic Jive - Soldier, feat. Eminem

98. Go Big Casino - Power

99. Fivespeed - The Mess

100. Vic Morrow's Head - Dead at the River

[Live in Phoenix]

Well, since I created this thread, Stranger Things 3 debuted, and the premiere episode rescued the following local song from terminal obscurity. (Scene: Nancy and Jonathan.)

Thanks to '80s throwback shows, a couple of other acts have gotten their revenge-of-the-nerds moment:

Brian Page [and the Next] - Place in My Heart
Also from Stranger Things 3 (Episode 3, "The Case of the Missing Lifeguard" ... Scene: Max and El talk to the lifeguards.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_rjgEZ2nwk

The Pills - I Walk Alone (with numerous future members of Gentlemen Afterdark)
Featured in Season 2, Episode 6 of GLOW ("Work the Leg")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8jCeyeE1mk

[Edre Depeche Head]

I am honored to grow up in the suburbs of Chicago where punk remains strong.

The first band I nominate is my good buddies and very talented punk/alternative group, Bet The Levels. On the chorus thread I brought up their song “GE Days” and here I will put a link to the entire Josh’s Nightmare EP as well as their less punchy debut album, Don’t Punch The Driver. Also worth mentioning, the lead guitarist and singer of “GE Days” has a side project called Paper Towels that is good as well.

Bet The Levels - Josh’s Nightmare EP: https://betthelevels.bandcamp.com/album ... ghtmare-ep

Bet The Levels - Don’t Punch The Driver: https://betthelevels.bandcamp.com/album ... e-driver-2

Paper Towels - Year Of The Dog: https://open.spotify.com/album/3hKQm7Sv ... enI4fHFl3A

The older punk band, Pegboy, has been relatively local over the past few decades so they are definitely a local act.

Pegboy - Strong Reaction: https://open.spotify.com/album/3SC7Q9un ... okSagevAdA