The listening tastes here are so far afield that none of us are really paying attention to the zeitgeist here. Sure , it's mostly crap, that's what my original point was: Nowadays , if you wanna rock, Tomahawk is probably one of the most attractive propositions. Mars Volta are really good as well, as one person has written and said.There are others, Melvins, Melt-Banana. I have nothing personal against anyone. I am sorry that my inarticulation caused such commotion.

Apart from Mars Volta, these bands are both quite strongly associated with Mike Patton (in the way that he has endorsed them, toured with them, and recorded with them). It's often the case on this list, in my opinion, that recommendations bear very strong relationships to things we already know and love. I agree, though, that all these bands are highly recommended (I haven't heard Mars Volta yet, though). If you wanna rock these days, there really are a million alternatives. I should not have to mention the obvious metal releases, but give the new Enslaved album "Below the Lights" a try and then tell me this is not one of the most enthusiastically written and played things you've heard this year. Another recent masterpiece is Melechesh's second outing, "Sphynx". And you should look no further than Opeth to see where the true brilliance of metal is heading (and it is not in the direction chosen by Metallica). Also, check out last year's "Remission" release by Mastodon, absolute brilliance. And Dillinger Escape Plan (ay, Patton reference there). Other bands of interest would include Isis (another Patton reference there), Queens of the Stone Age, Lightning Bolt, The White Stripes, etc. And since the almighty Prong are still around and are about to release a new album, I'd say definitely check them out (three of their new songs sounded great in concert last week). On the more left-field side of things, I'd definitely recommend Fushitsusha, Reynols, and Sunn O))). Frankco