The List: The AP Mosh Pit's Top 10 Bands

Posted by Steven Robertshaw on 01-Sep-08 @ 02:54 AM

For this edition of The List, we turn the proceedings over to members of AP's Mosh Pit, who conducted their own semi-scientific survey to name their top band. If you disagree with them, get in the Mosh Pit and throw some verbal elbows!

"Summer is an awesome time to be a music fan. There are tons of highly anticipated music releases, big festivals and cross-country mega tours (and don't forget the sunshine and warm weather). However, it is not a good time to be a member of the Mosh Pit. People are away on vacations or attending those aforementioned tours and festivals, and there isn't any homework to avoid doing. Conversation, especially in the music section, is at an all-time low.

If you're not familiar with the Mosh Pit, it thrives on debate (read: Heated argument). What better way to stir some activity than to ask the age-old question: 'Which band is better?' Thus the creation of the Mosh Pit Band Beatdown. Take 30 completely arbitrary bands (in this case, a random sampling of bands recently discussed on the board including everyone from My Chemical Romance to Chiodos), give them an arbitrary amount of points, then let members duke it out by adding one point to one band and subtracting one point from another band per day. After 90 days, a fair amount of whining (I'm talking to you, Brand New fans) and a few basic math lessons, we arrived at this Top 10 list. If these groups deserve to be on our list, they certainly deserve at least one run-through on your iPod. Right?"--january, Mosh Pit moderator

10. ALKALINE TRIO
"Alkaline Trio have released a slew of impressive albums and a slew of awful albums. Disregard the awful albums, and you will find one of the best pop-punk bands ever, whose dark sense of humor and tales about love and drinking can be the soundtrack to a Friday night party or the soundtrack to a broken heart." --Marcus
9. OKKERVIL RIVER
"Okkervil River are truly one of the most phenomenal and unique bands in music today. They are practically flawless and have something for everybody, whether it's Will Sheff's warped but absolutely brilliant lyrics, or their passionate and compelling live show. Okkervil River are lo-fi perfection and will go down in history as the Neutral Milk Hotel of our generation." --DearYou
8. BOMB THE MUSIC INDUSTRY!
"In a business in which albums sold and money made is key, Bomb The Music Industry! are making all of their albums available for download and spray-painting shirts outside of clubs free of charge. Jeff Rosenstock writes fun, catchy ska about things that everyone can relate to, whether that be falling in (and out) of love, feeling isolated or just wanting to stick it to The Man with your beard." --6655321
7. MINUS THE BEAR
"Minus The Bear make music that is catchy, intelligent, fun and suits virtually any situation that requires a soundtrack. Whether it's for a late-night drive, a dance party or just a relaxing evening with friends, Minus The Bear have you covered with their eclectic sounds." --akross
6. PAINT IT BLACK
"Paint It Black are one of the most intense and intelligent bands in existence today. They promote positive ideals without being self-righteous via near flawless execution of fast, brutal, hard-hitting music. This makes them one of the most vital hardcore punk bands of our generation--one who will be respected for generations to come." --Honorable_Mention
5. THE NATIONAL
"The National may not be the most flashy, outspoken or adventurous guys at the party, but as soon as you start to spend time with them, you immediately feel as though you have known them all your life. It's in the National's immediately empathetic nature, full immersion into their craft and intensely intricate and tragic stories that keep listeners coming back every night for comfort--much like one finds comfort in, and celebrates life, with their closest friends." --Celadon
4.AGAINST ME!
"Call Against Me! divisive, call them sellouts, call them the best punk band on the planet, call them the next Clash, call them whatever you want. But no matter how many spins they get on Fuse, how many stadium shows or Warped Tours they play, how much money Sire throws at them or how many times frontman Tom Gabel loses it and slams a bar patron's head into something, Against Me!'s songs stand on their own. Despite being the most talked about punk band on Earth (be the discussion positive or negative) they're still one of the most undeniably passionate, intelligent and ferocious acts in the world." --Heart-A-Tact
3. THE HOLD STEADY
"The Hold Steady bring back the rock. They simply do what most bands today don't want to do: Play straightforward songs that aren't weighed down with poorly thought-out metaphors for lyrics. THS are to alternative music what an oasis is to a desert." --a_rodhowe
2. LIFETIME
"What's that? You enjoy Saves The Day, the Gaslight Anthem and Fall Out Boy, but you've never heard of Lifetime? Well, it's time to get familiar, as Lifetime have influenced more bands you listen to than your mind can wrap around. The words "melodic hardcore" or "pop-punk" can hardly even be mentioned without the word "Lifetime" immediately following. With their fantastically crafted songs (laced with relatable, positive lyrics) and tight musicianship, Jersey's favorite sons bring it just as hard today as they did the first time around. So go ahead--put on a Lifetime record, start a pile-on with your friends and learn from the very best dancers around." --magalvsr13
1. JAWBREAKER
"Jawbreaker were a groundbreaking band who kept it real their entire career. They released consistently amazing, melodic punk records that combined innovative, powerful and moving musicianship with vocalist Blake Schwarzenbach's unparalleled poetic, emotional, and deeply personal lyrical stylings (the likes of which anyone who's ever deeply felt anything can relate to). The humble, honest nature of this band belies the fact that they were so important and influential to many more popular bands (Nirvana, AFI, Fall Out Boy) and to many new generations of fans who will continue to discover and connect with Jawbreaker and make them their own." --AlyssaV


Comments

Post a Comment

patti Posted 09.03.08 at 11:29AM
sweet

stealth2525 Posted 09.04.08 at 08:13PM
I'm so proud of us.

january Posted 09.05.08 at 03:23PM
This new-fangled comment feature is trippy. But I agree with Brady. I think we did an excellent job, if I do say so myself. And I love the band pictures next to each write-up.

DearYou Posted 09.05.08 at 08:33PM
Wow good job everyone! I think we did awesome as well.

AlyssaV Posted 09.06.08 at 01:59AM
Hooray Mosh Pit! Still can't believe we finished this!

AstroZombiexAllie Posted 09.10.08 at 02:06PM
This makes me happy. Good job Heather!

Honorable_Mention Posted 09.10.08 at 07:13PM
We are win. I have no qualms about patting myself and the rest of you on the back.

a_rodhowe Posted 09.15.08 at 08:45PM
I think this is worthy of going into the actual magazine.

Dcl1012 Posted 11.12.08 at 11:04AM
Trio wrote a slew of nothing but perfect besides, crimson....with that being said...where the fuck is Chiodos?!

heyitsjoel Posted 12.10.08 at 12:34PM
this almost perfect. i just think maybe you're missing Rx Bandits.





Also in this issue: