Top 5 bands you probably haven't heard of

These are in no particular order.


5) Algernon Cadwallader
Fun nonsense lyrics with great 90's Emo style vocals and two fantastic guitarists.

4) Into it. Over it.
The main guy from this band, Evan Thomas Weiss, set a crazy goal for himself to write a song for a week for a year, and actually managed to do it- not only is this awesome, but the songs are more than decent and he's a nice guy to boot. More of that midwest-90's feel, with a kind of Death Cab twist.

3) The Sidekicks

If you've actually been checking out these bands you'll quickly realize that these first three are all based in the Philadelphia music scene. It is a coincidence, as I didn't initially plan this, but the music in that area is really exploding and every show I've been to in the past year in Philly has been absolutely amazing. This band is a kind of folky/poppy/alternative/whatever genre that employs a heavy amount of vocal harmonies. A great singalong band. I first saw them in my all time favorite venue: The Ava house.

2)Ugly Colors
This band is just sick- in a cool way, not disgusting, or ill or anything. Guitarist plays the coolest little melodies that just send shivers up my spine, and when you hear the vocals think Starting Line with more hair on their balls.

1) Cassino
Alright, the rest of these really were in no order, but Cassino is easily one of- if not- the best acoustic music projects the States have to offer. It started as a project to follow Northstar, lead singer Nick Torres's former project, but they have written some of the most deep and powerful songs I have every heard. Torres's lyrics are captivating, emotional, multi-dimensional and profoundly metaphorical. I really love this band.