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| GREEN DAY Out of all the post-Nirvana American alternative bands to break into the pop mainstream, Green Day were second only to Pearl Jam in terms of influence. At their core, Green Day were simply punk revivalists, recharging the energy of speedy, catchy three-chord punk-pop songs. Though their music wasn't particularly innovative, they brought the sound of late-'70s punk to a new, younger generation with Dookie, their 1994 major-label debut. Green Day weren't able to sustain their success -- Dookie sold over eight million, while its follow-up, Insomniac, only sold a quarter of its predecessor -- yet their influence was far-reaching because they opened the doors for a flood of American neo-punk and punk metal. and third wave ska revivalists. |
| AFI The origins and history of AFI are as humble as they are passionate, beginning with the meaning and philosophy behind the acronym now known to an ever-growing legion of fans the world over: A Fire Inside. Over 10 years on and counting, the same inner flame has fueled four teenagers making a primal noise in a Ukiah, Calif., garage has propelled AFI to unforeseen musical and professional levels, as evident on Sing The Sorrow, released March 11, 2003. "We've been doing this for a long time, and we love it more than anything," says AFI singer Davey Havok" To play music you're passionate about every night - it's like a dream. Sometimes you get sick; sometimes you get really tired, but I can't imagine doing anything else with my life" |
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| THE USED The members of the Used had to overcome homelessness and substance abuse, not to mention the strait-laced attitudes of their hometown of Orem, UT, to make their brand of hard rock. But they persevered and earned a contract with Reprise Records, releasing their self-titled debut album in June 2002 |
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