Bands | My Top 5

To get back into the swing of things, I thought why not address one of my biggest asked questions. Who are my favourite bands? This line-up has remained pretty much the same since 2007. 

I can't even remember when I first came across Pearl Jam. I definitely began to listen to them when I first discovered Nirvana, but not to the extent that I do now. Pearl Jam have a similar pull factor to me as the other bands on this list; they live and breathe music. 

Not only that, but their discography is one of the deepest out of all the bands that came out of the Seattle scene. Pearl Jam were and still are never afraid to experiment with the alternative rock and grunge genre, whilst always sticking to their signature sound.

I'm not gonna lie, my style has ended up with me trying to emulate Eddie Vedder on a daily basis. From the clothes down to the hair. He just looks so gooood. 

Favourite song: Not For You ('Vitalogy' 1994)

First song and video I heard/saw: 

Queens of the Stone Age are actually the band I discovered at the earliest point in time. I first listened to them in 2005, when their song 'Go With The Flow' appeared on the Gran Turismo 4 soundtrack. I was obsessed with that video game, and I would keep reloading levels until the song came on first.

Fast forward to 2007, I fall in love with Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl. It turns out he drummed on the record that song appeared on - Songs For the Deaf (2002) - and I had no idea at the time. Not on this specific song, but my jaw dropped when I saw the music video for 'No One Knows' and saw Grohl on the drum kit. 

I loved that song so much, I delved into the rest of QOTA's discography, and it's safe to say that they instantly became one of my all time favourite bands. Their raw, heavy desert rock sound is so unique, and it fully encapsulates the landscape where the band hail from - Joshua Tree in California. 

Favourite song: Avon ('Queens of the Stone Age' 1998)

First song and video I heard/saw: 

Ah, Red Hot Chili Peppers. How I love thee. They are one of the most innovative bands in music, and are thankfully still going today (with another record in the works!)

I was so flawed when I first heard them, then again when I first saw them. Flea's utter possession with his bass, Frusciante's godlike touch with the guitar, Kiedis' sex-appeal and majestic voice, and Smith's frantic drumming. 

They've been another band that have been in my life since 2007, and I don't know what I'd do or who I'd be without them. They helped me get through being bullied, not knowing where my head was at and have helped immensely with my self-confidence, always there telling me that it's more than okay to be weird. 

Favourite song: Scar Tissue ('Californication' 1999)

First song and video I heard/saw: 

Nirvana came to me at an age where I was trying to find myself. My true self, not the one that was trying create to fit in and even by doing so, was still being singled out. Nirvana were there to show me the real me, and thank God they did. 

They knew how to talk to the misfits. The one's that didn't fit in. And they didn't give messages of 'it'll get better', rather 'it'll always be bad, but you can stick through it'. They had a pretty pessimistic outlook on life thinking about it, but that's what life is. You've got to grin and bear it, and stick it to the man. 

They made me feel normal, and whenever I'm having a breakdown or an anxiety attack, they remind me that I'm still here and I'm okay. That I can get through it. And they're always helpful when I'm in a rage spiral with songs like 'Territorial Pissings'.

Favourite song: On a Plain ('Nevermind' 1992) 

First song and video I heard/saw: 

I'm going to keep this short, because if you know me, you know how much this band mean to me. Foo Fighters are my favourite band, and they've been there for me since I was eleven. I would not be who am I today if it weren't for them. I've said this above with Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana, so it's kind of a joint effort between the three. 

I often get asked why, and the honest answer is there are too many reasons. Too many to list here, I'll probably write something about it eventually. But Dave, Taylor, Nate, Chris and Pat have felt like my five best friends that I could turn to whenever I was getting bullied. Whenever my anxiety got too much. Whenever I felt so low I didn't know what to do with myself. Whenever I felt like the only person in the universe. 

I wouldn't be into all the music I'm into now either if it weren't for them, or be playing guitar. They've inspired me immensely for the past nine years, and I don't even want to think about what my life would have ended up like without finding them. 

Favourite song: Floaty ('Foo Fighters' 1995) 

First song and video I heard/saw: