'Squito's Top 10 (or whatever) 1

Volume 1: Bands

I love music. No specific genre, if it sounds good, it sounds good. Here are my favorites.

Now, it is difficult to actually quantify which band is where in the list, so I will just list my favorite 10-ish in no particular order.

I am disregarding a band if I only like a song or two, as that's really just liking the songs, and that's a different list....which I'll do after this one.

The Beatles are not listed as they transcend the need for lists. Yeah, they're on a different level....their own plane of existence.

Here we go

Jimi Hendrix: I know he had the two bands, but that voice is....no, I don't have the words. The way he made his Stratocaster do its thing still blows my mind. KoRn: John Davis and crew kept me alive when I needed them to. Forever a fReak, forever unleashed. A whole new genre was created for these guys, but they remain the top. Otep: If you haven't had the pleasure of listening to her, I highly recommend it. I had x send one of her songs to a friend and it kept them from self-harming. My doom prophetess. FYI: she's a bit heavy, but the spoken word stuff is easy to digest. The Ink Spots: Going way back on this one. From my grandparent's age, and from the Fallout soundtrack, and from the soundtrack to Shawshank Redemption.....you know them.

Rammstein: FICK JA!!!! One Hell of a live show, and in the language of my ancestors. Read the English lyrics and you will see how poetic and beautiful this industrial nightmare fuel really is.

Billy Joel: Dude....don't judge. The guy rocks. Whether it's about a girl you get that's way out of your league (I can relate) or some boomer unaccountability swill that is really good at teaching history, the piano man was epic. Weezer: Say it ain't so....it is. It feels like autistic-rock. It speaks to me. "Troublemaker" is one of my anthems and "El Scorcho" just drives me crazy (good crazy), even though it is widely hated.

Tears For Fears: "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" has been unanimously voted, between me and X, as a "pure banger"....the perfect song.

Blondie: Good lord, Debbie Harry had it all, huh? I don't even know how to categorize her or her amazing work.

Alice In Chains: The vocals were always on point, but the percussion on "No Excuses" sends them to the top of my grunge list. sorry, Eddie. Maybe next time.

The Moody Blues: Once upon a time, I rode a see-saw. A while back, i ran into the guitar player (RIP, John Lodge) walking into work. IYKYK, and no more words need be said. The Monkees: I grew up listening to these guys, via my parents, and continued on to today and tomorrow. Watched them on syndicated tv as a kid. Ran into Mickey at work, too. Dishwasher life.

The Smashing Pumpkins: If I can be frank for a moment, I lost my virginity to "Tonight, Tonight". Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness is my $hit, yo. I hope to do an ad emulating the video for tonight soon. Believe in me, as i believe in you....

David Bowie: Come on, man...it's Bowie. "Changes" was the guideline for my raising of a teenager (Which led into "Rebel Rebel", but it's all good). "Starman" is how I view Extraterrestrial life. The man was....correct.

Honorable mentions

While these bands didn't make the main list, their contribution to my daily rotation and inspiration to my work shouldn't be denied. Tool: This is a bit of an odd one. they are good for certain tasks, but not for others. but...it's tool, so...yeah. a friend once complimented me by comparing my tie dye to a tool album cover, which was like the best compliment ever and still carries me years later. Pearl Jam: I'm a dad that "came of age" in the 90's. It's almost too obvious. Vedder singing us some hope on SNL right after Cobain opted out....that sticks, man. The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, etc....: Classic rock kicks ass. The sounds of my father and his record collection that I know my sister has (but feel is in the right place...the only place it should be. Yeah, I know. I'm totally cool with it, as I am a firm believer in line of succession.) Slipknot: Not actually all that good for the work I do, but good for blowing off steam and relaxing after people, and as their song clearly states: "People = Shit". Bush: High school memories. Memories of my sister. Memories of my becoming me. Man, Gavin....why'd you hafta do Gwen like that?

Sublime: Me and the puppies all like to curl up and listen to them and take a nap. RIP, LOU Dog. I also feel good listening to them, solo. ONE-OFFS: Either one-hit-wonders or just one or two or three songs i like from a catalog. Milky Chance, Blind Melon, The Proclaimers, Elvis Presley (yeah, not a fan, really), Badfinger, The Pretenders, Heart, 311, 2pac (don't be so surprised, he had a Hendrix voice), The Hu, The Guess Who, Kittie, U2, Cheezeburger, My Cousin Shelby, Eric Burden, Flyleaf, SOAD (should be up higher on the list, with RATM, but here we are), CCR, The Grateful Dead, Better Than Ezra, GNR....honestly, this list could go on for days. In Summation: Music Just Good. Listen lots. Sound good, feel good, all good. With absolute love and Marley-level positive vibes to you all. -'Squito Valdez

P.S. Listen to what moves YOU.