Tom Tom Club (ft. ex-Talking Heads)

Paul McClean - ATL Producer

So, apparently David Byrne can be somewhat interesting to work with, therefore it comes as no real surprise that Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz needed some 'me' time every now and again. Boy did they use it well. Ladies and gentlemen, exhibit A - Genius of Love. Odd stereo effected percussion, Chic style guitar chops, some serious bass work, a near exhaustive list of funk soul brothers and remember folks, this is 1981. Exhibit B - Wordy Rappinghood is a definitive blueprint for indie dance-pop too, where else has a typewriter provided such dancefloor frolicks? Happily, they never left Talking Heads to go full time with TTC and in many ways, they may well wish they had, but the pantheon of rock is better with the pair providing input to and occasionally clashing with Byrne's skittish vision.

Empire of the Sun (Luke Steele, formerly of The Sleepy Jackson)

Steven Rainey - ATL Buddy and Contributor

The Sleepy Jackson were one of those bands that never really delivered upon their initial promise. Despite a few nifty singles, and two pretty average albums, nothing really happened for them, and a once promising musical prospect seemed to drift off into the horizon, never to be seen again.

Imagine my surprise when Luke Steele re-appeared quite a few years later as an intergalactic space-age popster? With several ubiquitous singles (and a slightly average album, it must be said) Steele had dropped all the Brian Wilson-isms of his previous incarnation, in favour of a thoroughly modern (albeit retro-futuristic) sound, which propelled him firmly back within the bosom of indie taste-makers all over the world.

They also have the best live show I've ever witnessed, outside of the Flaming Lips.

Queens of the Stone Age (Josh Homme from Kyuss)

Amy mcGarrigle - ATL Content Assistant

One of the most influential and heavily imitated rock bands from the nineties, Kyuss basically were responsible for the emergence of the term 'stoner rock'. The often slow tempo, bass heavy, down tuned riffs brought heavy rock to a new sphere and a new audience, especially with the release of their 1992 album, 'Blues for the Red Sun'. In typical fashion, it was really after its release that it's importance was really felt.

Towards the end of Kyuss, guitarist Josh Homme began a side project called Queens of the Stone Age and the sometimes Kyuss bassist, Nick Oliveri eventually joined him (and subsequently fired). Through the years QOTSA have moved from straight riff rock to incorporate so many different influences you can't count. And now the fairly destinctive QOTSA sound is being heavily borrowed left, right and centre.