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From the mountains to the coasts, every U.S. state has its own legendary sound. Join us as we explore the most iconic band representing each and every state in America, from the country roots of Alabama to the punk spirit of Wyoming! Which band best represents your home state? Let us know in the comments below!
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00:00Fear of the bubble, don't go. It's finally catching up with me.
00:07Welcome to WatchMojo. And today, we'll be examining the definitive band of each U.S.
00:12state in alphabetical order, from Alabama to Wyoming.
00:16Hey, wait, I gotta leave your brain.
00:27Alabama, Alabama. They're far from the only band who named themselves after their state of origin, but they're certainly among
00:34the best.
00:35Living in heaven, with my Dixieland delight.
00:41If there's one thing that makes Alabama stand out, it's the way they distilled many aspects of Southern Roots music
00:48into one package.
00:49Country, Bluegrass, Gospel, and Southern Rock.
00:53All covered and excelled at by this formidable group of musicians.
01:03They had the good fortune of nailing their sound early, thrilling fans with songs like Dixieland delight and The Closer
01:10You Get.
01:11Not only did they push boundaries with their music, they also offered an insight into where country was going in
01:18the future.
01:19The closer you get, the further I fall.
01:30Portugal, the man. Alaska.
01:33The career trajectory of Portugal, the man, is proof that mainstream success can happen at the most unexpected times.
01:40Ooh, la, la, la, la, la, let's live in the moment.
01:45The band were already critical darlings on the indie scene, earning a devoted fan base due to their eclectic style
01:51and fearless experimentation.
01:53However, their commercial success well and truly skyrocketed after the release of 2017's hit single, Feel It Still.
02:07All of a sudden, a band that had legit underground street cred found themselves at the upper echelons of the
02:13charts.
02:14As far as bands from Alaska are concerned, that one song alone puts them in a league of their own.
02:21I don't want to work forever.
02:31Gin Blossoms, Arizona.
02:34The jangly alt-rock stylings of Gin Blossoms always came served up with some impeccably bittersweet lyrics.
02:41The past is gone and something might be found.
02:45The chicken's place.
02:47Hey, Genesee.
02:48However, those who know the history of the band understand just how tough their road was.
02:54Their songwriter and lead guitarist, Doug Hopkins, left the band just before the release of their breakthrough album,
03:00following struggles with his mental health and alcohol use disorder.
03:04I found out about you.
03:07I found out about you.
03:11He would, unfortunately, pass away, just as his old band hit the big time,
03:16a heartbreaking asterisk beside their success.
03:18They would, of course, persevere and achieve huge success without Hopkins,
03:23earning their status as perhaps Arizona's most iconic band.
03:27I'll just make you everything is cool until I hear it from you.
03:40Evanescence, Arkansas.
03:42Symphonic goth metal truly never sounded better than when Amy Lee and company burst onto the scene in the early
03:482000s.
03:56Their debut album, Fallen, sold a whopping 17 million copies, but more importantly,
04:02it reshaped several musical genres, opening the floodgates for an entire generation of bands.
04:08Lee's background in classical music and the group's natural knack for merging styles allowed them to stand out amongst their
04:15peers.
04:22Evanescence were not quite emo, not quite goth, and not quite new metal,
04:27standing on their own as something truly unique.
04:30It's no wonder that all these years later, they still sound as fresh as ever.
04:52Eagles, California.
04:54When it comes to California, we could have very easily gone for the pop mastery of the Beach Boys,
05:00the funk of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, or the thrash metal of Metallica.
05:04However, when it comes to capturing the very essence of the Californian experience,
05:09we couldn't look past the Eagles.
05:11Take it easy, take it easy, take it easy.
05:17Whether it's the laid-back sounds of Take It Easy or the grim picture painted in Hotel California,
05:23the Eagles tapped into the spirit of a place in time with their sound.
05:27Welcome to the hotel, California.
05:33Such a lovely place, such a lovely place.
05:36They dominated the radio in the 1970s, and to this day,
05:40their greatest hits album remains one of the biggest sellers of all time.
05:45You're still the same old girl you used to be.
05:54The Fray, Colorado.
05:57There were few bands, if any, who best exemplified the sounds of 2000's balladry quite like The Fray.
06:04Lost minutes of gear
06:07You found me, you found me
06:10This Colorado band were intent on wearing their emotions on their sleeve,
06:14using introspective lyrics and soaring choruses to carve out several big hits.
06:19The biggest of them was, of course, How to Save a Life,
06:23the quintessential indie piano rock anthem of the decade in question.
06:27I put out straight up with you all night
06:31And I know how to save a life
06:35They were by no means a one-hit wonder, though.
06:39And they have retained a devoted fanbase that still keeps their records in rotation all these years later.
06:45Everyone knows I'm in and open my head
06:55MGMT
06:56Connecticut
06:57There are so many modern groups that owe a debt to indie pop band MGMT.
07:03Upon forming in Connecticut early in the century,
07:06they seemed just as surprised as everyone else to achieve the level of global fame they did.
07:11A baby is born
07:15Crying out for attention
07:17Their infectious mix of psychedelic experimentation and alt-rock
07:21left them with a string of enduring hits.
07:24They could write hooks, infectious synth riffs,
07:26and their production style was way ahead of its time.
07:30We're phages
07:38Among their Connecticut peers,
07:40MGMT are truly the most impactful group the state has produced in quite some time.
07:58George Thorogood and the Destroyers
08:01Delaware
08:01The blues have been played in one form or another long before anyone will feature in this video was born.
08:13In that it has gone through many different iterations.
08:17However,
08:17for our money,
08:18The direction that George Thorogood and the Destroyers took it will always hold a place in our hearts.
08:24The band filled every track with an unapologetic attitude that made it stick out immediately.
08:29A track like Bad to the Bone might sound like a novelty song, but this was a track that became
08:35a cultural staple.
08:36That I was bad to the bone, bad to the bone, bad to the bone.
08:43Few bands have nailed the art of performing with such swagger, quite like George Thorogood and the Destroyers.
08:49Yeah, you're throwing eyes to the Lord
08:53I prefer to be by myself
09:02Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
09:05Florida
09:05Trust us.
09:07We were very tempted to give Leonard Skinner the nod here.
09:10Song for song,
09:11Album for album though.
09:12It's very hard to look past Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers when it comes to Florida's musical output.
09:18Best dance with Mary Jane
09:20One more time to kill the pain
09:24From their very first album to their last, there was always something to enjoy from Tom Petty's output.
09:30Stand my ground
09:34And I won't back down
09:37Some songwriters make an intense splash with one record and can't sustain it,
09:42while others are able to reinvent the wheel several times in their career.
09:46Tom Petty and his band
09:48certainly fall into the latter category.
10:02R.E.M. Georgia
10:05Alternative rock in its golden era in the 90s would not be what it was if it weren't for the
10:10foundations laid down by Georgia legends R.E.M. in the 80s.
10:14Think I thought I saw you try
10:20Not to mention the fact that they somehow became even more famous once their second decade in the music business
10:25began.
10:26You'd be hard pressed to find any bands in their genre who weren't influenced by some era of their career.
10:40Michael Stipe was the perfect frontman, understated and mellow, but with an undeniable charisma.
10:47When the group pivoted into the mainstream, it was a truly comfortable transition.
10:51And from that point on, the hits just kept on flowing.
11:10If you can craft a feel-good hit, you can pretty much guarantee your inclusion on beach party playlists for
11:16all of eternity.
11:17This is your station under no control
11:22Get up, get up, get up, get up, get up, enjoy the show
11:26For Hawaii icons Pepper, that's exactly what happened to them.
11:30Known for their mix of surf rock, reggae, and punk, their status as a riveting live act led to a
11:36huge national following.
11:37Their formula was perhaps most impressively executed on Give It Up, one of their signature tracks.
11:43A tune that pushed the band right into the public eye.
11:47I'm sure you'd rather be with your stupid boyfriend instead
11:51Their success also had the knock-on effect of introducing many unsuspecting ears to the joys of reggae music.
11:59What's wrong with your face?
12:03You never smile anymore
12:10Built to spill
12:12Idaho
12:13Modern American indie music has roots that can be traced directly to Idaho heroes built to spill.
12:19I shut up in there last night and heard what the big dipper said to me
12:26Led by Doug March, the band were indie pioneers that had an uncanny knack for intricate guitar work and introspective
12:34lyrics.
12:34Their live shows are revered for extended improvisation, laying the foundations for all those who would follow.
12:46The sheer musicality of their 90s output is deserving of the highest praise, especially for those moments of six-string
12:54genius that are littered throughout.
12:57They had style, attitude, and most importantly, they could really play their instruments.
13:12Earth, Wind, and Fire
13:15Make no mistake, Illinois was stacked with worthy contenders.
13:20Cheap tricks, Chicago, and sticks very nearly made the cut.
13:24However, when it comes to fun, funky freshness, how could we look past the mighty Earth, Wind, and Fire?
13:37On paper, this mix of funk, R&B, soul, disco, and jazz might sound like a mess, especially when you
13:44add in the harmonies, horn sections, and even the band's visual elements.
13:55However, this is a classic example of a band that never failed to offer a totally cohesive experience from start
14:03to finish.
14:03They're icons in several different genres, that's for sure.
14:21The Jackson 5
14:22Indiana
14:23Few states can lay claim to producing a greater superstar than Indiana's claim to Michael Jackson.
14:29When it comes to popular music, he's just about as popular as they come.
14:33However, seeing as we're covering only groups, we have to give our pick to the Jackson 5.
14:45Long before MJ went solo, he was fronting his family band, achieving a string of truly essential funk and R
14:52&B hits.
14:52I don't blame it on moonlight, I don't blame it on good times, I'm coming on a boogie.
14:59Songs like Blame It on the Boogie and ABC were just as prevalent in modern culture as Thriller or Billie
15:05Jean.
15:06That's two Hall of Fame-worthy careers, for the price of one.
15:10It's easy, we're the easiest one taking.
15:18Slipknot, Iowa.
15:20To this day, it's still surprising that a band as gritty, edgy, and uncompromising as Slipknot made it so far
15:27into the mainstream world.
15:29And the rain will kill us all
15:33Throw ourselves against the wall
15:36Their unique brand of extreme metal was internationally acclaimed, of course, but it was their look that truly sold it.
15:43Corey Taylor and the guys took several foundational aspects of the world of heavy metal and dragged it into the
15:49modern age.
15:50I push my fingers and chill my eyes
15:55It's the only thing
15:57If somebody stops me
15:59They looked the part
16:02They performed like total lunatics, and they earned themselves global fame as a result.
16:07A trailblazing force in the world of alternative metal.
16:21Kansas
16:22Kansas
16:23Lay your weary head to rest
16:27Don't you cry no more
16:32They had a little bit of prog, a little bit of classic rock, and it was all wrapped up with
16:37a touch of Heartland sensibility.
16:40On paper, Kansas could have been a sensory overload, and yet, songs like Carry On Wayward Son and Dust in
16:47the Wind proved just how universal a seemingly complex recipe can be.
16:51Passed before my eyes of curiosity
16:58Dust in the wind
17:00Their lyrics were dripping with philosophy and wisdom while their instrumentation was perfect for the radio, but intriguing enough to
17:08hold the interest of mature listeners.
17:10To this day, they are, by far and away, the state of Kansas' finest band export.
17:16I want to the point of no return
17:26My Morning Jacket
17:28Kentucky
17:29The longer they hung around, the harder it became to pin Kentucky icons My Morning Jacket to one genre.
17:40Sure, there are clear soul rock and psychedelic influences, but their studio experimentations and stunning live performances tend to bring
17:49them to an entirely different place.
17:52As one of the most acclaimed rock bands of the 2000s, My Morning Jacket consists of a group of musicians
17:59who are all about creating atmosphere, about pushing boundaries.
18:03Need proof? Check out their Bonnaroo set from 2008 for a real taste of what they can do.
18:09And if we don't watch out, I'm waiting.
18:20The Neville Brothers
18:21Louisiana
18:22Louisiana has a musical tradition that has produced some of the most essential American music of all time.
18:29Like a bird
18:33Really
18:33Yeah, it's a bird
18:36If there's one group that really has a strong claim at being the primary cultural ambassadors of the New Orleans
18:42sound, it has got to be the Neville Brothers.
18:45Their musical approach is a melting pot of genres, taking elements of soul, funk, R&B, while adding a dash
18:53of local Creole influence.
18:59As a band, they were not only extremely proficient, but also incredibly unique as individuals, forming a unit that sounded
19:07unlike anything else on the radio during their heyday.
19:10My way
19:11Yeah, fucking way
19:13Yeah, fucking way
19:14Yeah, fucking way
19:19Rustic Overtones
19:20Maine
19:21As far as band names that really hit the nail on the head are concerned, it's hard to do much
19:26better than Maine's Rustic Overtones.
19:33The ambition that the band showed with tracks like Combustible or Black Shirt made it instantly clear that they were
19:40very serious about their craft.
19:46Getting the endorsement of a legend like David Bowie didn't hurt them either.
19:50You can hear the elements of rock, soul, and jazz colliding whenever they're playing, especially in a live setting.
19:56In other words, their prolonged success is absolutely not an accident.
20:10OAR
20:12The college rock scene of the 2000s was truly a unique time in American music history.
20:17Lines between genres became increasingly blurry, creating a beautiful mess of sounds and styles.
20:33Maryland's OAR are a true example of a band who earned their stripes on the live circuit.
20:39Sure, they had the hooks and pop sensibility in their back pocket when they needed them, but they were a
20:44jam band through and through.
20:45How many times can I break to my shadow?
20:50Crossover hits like Shattered sure sounded good on the record itself, but for the full experience, their acclaimed live shows
20:57were the only way to go.
20:59One of the most underrated bands of their era.
21:03And we danced through the night, yeah.
21:11Aerosmith, Massachusetts.
21:13There was certainly strong competition from Massachusetts like the Cars in Boston, but we had to eventually give the top
21:21spot to Aerosmith.
21:22Few bands have managed to achieve such insane commercial success in two different eras as these rock staples.
21:35Their 70s outputs saw them take a more clear-cut classic rock approach.
21:40However, after nearly imploding due to a number of deeply rooted issues, Steven Tyler and the boys became superstars during
21:47the MTV era.
21:48I don't wanna fall asleep, cause I miss you baby, and I don't wanna miss a thing.
21:56Songs like I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing and Cryin' have literally become benchmarks for anthemic arena rock.
22:03Aerosmith's position as kings of the genre is beyond clear at this point.
22:20The Temptations.
22:22Michigan.
22:23It was, most certainly, a very tightly contested race between Diana Ross and the Supremes and our eventual pick.
22:30The Temptations just had something truly unique, though.
22:34But it was just my imagination once again.
22:39They were far from the only male vocal group doing the rounds during their era, but they may well have
22:45been the most memorable.
22:46Treat her like a lady, treat her like a lady.
22:50Their most impressive feat, though?
22:52Handling the transition from Motown crooners to socially conscious artists.
22:57Adding a touch of psychedelia to their sound that sent it all into the stratosphere.
23:02Pulling off a career U-turn like that is one of the hardest things to do in music.
23:06The Temptations did it flawlessly.
23:22Prince and the Revolution.
23:24Minnesota.
23:25We're focusing on bands here, and thankfully, Prince was gracious enough to credit the revolution on some of his most
23:32acclaimed work.
23:33Oh no, let's go, let's go crazy.
23:36During the period of time where this Minnesota legend could do no wrong, the revolution were almost always behind him.
23:43Decades later, you're not going to hear a song on the radio that sounds remotely like When Doves Cry or
23:49Raspberry Beret.
23:57The level of innovation on display from these geniuses influenced artists across multiple totally unrelated genres.
24:07Oh, and did we mention Purple Rain?
24:10We should probably mention Purple Rain.
24:12Purple Rain!
24:14Purple Rain!
24:18Yeah!
24:18Yeah!
24:18Yeah!
24:19Yeah!
24:19Yeah!
24:20Yeah!
24:25Three Doors Down!
24:26Mississippi!
24:28When the initial wave of American grunge music subsided, it paved the way for bands like Three Doors Down to
24:34step up to the plate.
24:35In the 2000s, their biggest hit, Kryptonite, was a huge mainstream success,
24:40opening the door for the band to engage in a truly packed touring schedule.
24:51These guys are another example of a band who were committed to giving back to the fans,
24:56and during their peak, they earned a reputation for their consistent touring.
25:06Songs like Be Like That and Here Without You only serve to further prove their dynamism
25:12and ability to nail that emotionally raw but powerful sound.
25:28The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Missouri.
25:32Ask any music fan in Missouri about the Ozark Mountain Daredevils,
25:36and you're sure to realize pretty quickly how iconic they are to those in the know.
25:48Despite limited success nationwide, hit singles like If You Want to Get to Heaven and Jackie Blue
25:53showcase their fun blend of country, folk, and rock.
26:05One of their best traits comes from their charm,
26:08and the fact that they don't seem to take themselves too seriously.
26:12It's infectious music delivered by seasoned pros,
26:15and so if you do ever find yourself in Missouri,
26:18don't be surprised if you hear their material on the radio.
26:26Thank you for listening to us!
26:33Mission Mountain Wood Band, Montana
26:37Big Sky Country hasn't built an especially big music scene
26:41since contributing to Americana as we know it.
26:44Then again, no group could capture its essence as excitingly as the Mission Mountain Wood Band.
26:50Oh, in the mountains there's a fountain of love named Sally.
26:53It's a full moon shining down a moonshine valley.
26:56The ensemble originated in Missoula,
26:58with a bluegrass-centric country rock that brought Montana's roots into the future in the 1970s.
27:04So, by the 1980s, they rebranded themselves the Montana Band.
27:09Their hot streak eventually ended,
27:11with the departure of frontman Rob Quist and a plane disaster that claimed 10 lives.
27:17They later reunited under their original name,
27:20but never rose much above a cult following.
27:22Sure be a sight, but you can heal me tonight!
27:29Of course, M2WB hangs high over Montana,
27:34and true connoisseurs of modern bluegrass.
27:42Bright Eyes, Nebraska
27:45During the quiet emergence of indie folk in the late 90s,
27:50Bright Eyes cranked things up.
27:52You just can't sustain the pressure where it's placed.
27:59Connor Oberst was already a star in Omaha's punk scene
28:03as the frontman of the emo act, Commander Venus.
28:06As Mike Mogus and Nate Walcott helped enrich that
28:09with the poetry of stripped-down Nebraska folk,
28:12Bright Eyes represented raw American indie in its truest form.
28:16Their limited commercial appeal was more than made up for
28:19with immense praise from critics and a lasting impact on their genre.
28:23Fence of jokes and cheap thrills cost a lot.
28:29Granted, that genre is hard to nail down.
28:32Even after the trio's nine-year hiatus and strong solo careers,
28:37what is certain is that Bright Eyes have done Nebraska proud.
28:47The Killers, Nevada
28:50Combining the folksy songwriting of the frontier
28:53with the glamour of Las Vegas,
28:55The Killers is the very sound of Nevada.
28:58Synth-pop-infused Heartland Rock
29:00actually barely describes the transatlantic jams
29:03that burst out of Sin City in 2001.
29:06By the end of 2003,
29:08the whole world was tearfully dancing
29:10to their debut single, Mr. Brightside.
29:12Open up my eager eyes
29:20The Killers have since won consistent acclaim
29:23as a new yet distinct form of Americana.
29:26They've even performed at the White House in 2010.
29:30Of course, high-profile gestures like the album Battle Born
29:33confirm that they're Nevada to the core.
29:36The critics, record sales, and Nevada's rock community
29:39would agree that The Killers have won that battle.
29:54The Shags, New Hampshire
29:57New Hampshire mill worker Austin Wiggin
30:00had big plans for his three daughters
30:03when he assembled a band
30:04with limited means and training.
30:06Let's hope The Shags' 1969 debut
30:09philosophy of the world was young rockers
30:12directly defying their parents.
30:19The album was an undeniable technical mess,
30:23but the thoughtful songwriting's mix of pop and proto-punk
30:26felt inspired.
30:28Their cult status heavily influenced artists like
30:30Carla Bley, Kurt Cobain, and Frank Zappa.
30:34The Shags' solo album was thus reissued in 1999
30:37as the once-dismissed act became celebrated
30:40as a precursor to the outsider music movement.
30:49The Wiggins sisters would be the first to admit
30:52that New Hampshire has produced much better musicians,
30:56but fewer better epitomized
30:58the Granite State's revolutionary grit.
31:06Bruce Springsteen and the East Street Band
31:09New Jersey
31:10The powerhouse poet Bruce Springsteen
31:13is considered a master impressionist
31:15of modern America.
31:16Never mind New Jersey.
31:26But it just wouldn't sound the same
31:28without the boss's board of energetic artists.
31:31The biggest among them
31:32have been the raucous rhythm guitarist
31:34Stephen Van Zandt
31:35and the late, great saxophonist
31:37Clarence Clemens.
31:39These roses of the Garden State
31:41have joined awesome talents
31:42from across the U.S.
31:43to enhance Springsteen's storytelling
31:45with equally epic musicianship.
31:55Certainly, the live shows
31:57have to be seen to be believed.
31:59For all as renowned
32:00as one of rock's great songwriters
32:03and frontmen,
32:04Springsteen credits the East Street Band
32:06with truly leading
32:07the New Jersey spirit's global conquest.
32:15The Shins, New Mexico
32:18James Mercer developed
32:20a rich artistic instinct
32:21growing up as a U.S. Air Force brat.
32:24He finally landed the band
32:25Flake Music
32:26in Albuquerque
32:27during the 90s
32:28before forming the Shins
32:30on the border between
32:31the energetic and ethereal extremes
32:33of indie pop rock.
32:40This made them one of the critical
32:42and commercial highlights
32:43of the budding movement
32:44going into the 2000s
32:46and they've remained indie leaders
32:48ever since.
32:49Despite Mercer parting ways
32:51with his original bandmates
32:52to focus on the creative redirection,
32:54thankfully, the Shins have never lost
32:56the adventurous
32:57and introspective songwriting
32:59that seemed to exemplify
33:01the alien personality
33:02of New Mexico.
33:17The Velvet Underground, New York
33:20New York's namesake city
33:22is unquestionably the center
33:24of the American melting pot.
33:26It wasn't until the mid-1960s
33:28that a band could capture
33:29the metropolis's distinct
33:31modern identity.
33:38The Velvet Underground emerged
33:40from the Warhol scene
33:41to speak vividly both
33:43of pop culture
33:43and the outsiders.
33:45Their groovy yet sardonic noise
33:47laid the foundation of punk rock
33:49as it would be realized
33:50by the Ramones.
33:52Talking heads would also
33:54cite the Velvet Underground
33:55as a catalyst
33:56for their spread of new wave.
33:58These three groups,
33:59are arguably the most
34:00responsible for turning
34:02NYC's underground rock
34:04into the mainstream.
34:11Of course, there's no fully
34:13replicating the sound
34:14or impact
34:15of the Velvet Underground.
34:23Ben Folds 5, North Carolina.
34:26The Tar Heel State's culture
34:28may be too close to the middle
34:31of the U.S.
34:32to link to one style of music.
34:35Southern culture on the skids
34:36may come closest
34:38as Colt Southern rockers
34:40with a surf rock attitude.
34:41But the mainstream success
34:43and impact of Chapel Hill's
34:45Ben Folds 5
34:46can't be underestimated.
34:48We're thinking a lot today.
34:53We're thinking a lot today.
34:55They were actually a trio,
34:57but their pop energy
34:58and outsider themes
35:00were so resonant
35:01as to almost single-handedly
35:03turn the piano
35:04into a central instrument
35:05in alternative rock.
35:07One can actually hear
35:08more Ben Folds 5
35:10than Scott's
35:11in North Carolina
35:12alt-folk acts
35:13like the Avett Brothers.
35:14Of course,
35:16all of it deserves recognition
35:17for representing
35:18their state's
35:19versatile vibe.
35:21Sometimes I wish I was
35:23that way.
35:31Secret Cities, North Dakota.
35:35Solo singer-songwriters
35:36have always dominated
35:38the music scene
35:38of this state
35:39synonymous with
35:40rugged individualism.
35:49But Charles Gokey of Fargo
35:51and Marie Parker of Williston
35:53crossed the frontier
35:55to find North Dakota's
35:56eclectic sound.
35:58Drummer Alex Abnos
35:59rounded out Secret Cities
36:01as an indie folk gem
36:02with a lively,
36:03experimental atmosphere
36:04rooted in psychedelic pop.
36:06This remarkably cohesive
36:08and exciting mashup
36:09has been thrilling
36:10the Midwest
36:11since the 2000s,
36:12but has sadly
36:14seen little expansion
36:15beyond a cult following.
36:25This may be a reflection
36:27of North Dakota's
36:28obscurity in pop music,
36:29yet Secret Cities'
36:30prolific and acclaimed
36:32output prove
36:33that the Rough Rider State
36:34is really a hidden gem.
36:42The Isley Brothers, Ohio.
36:46Lovers of soul and funk
36:47may now take for granted
36:49the influence of the Buckeye State.
36:51In fact,
36:52the history of the genres
36:53can be heard
36:53in the Isley Brothers
36:55of Cincinnati.
37:04They started in the 50s
37:06as a vocal trio
37:07backed by the seminal
37:08session group
37:09The Wrecking Crew,
37:10with the addition
37:11of two more brothers
37:12on bass and drums
37:13giving them more control
37:14over their style.
37:15The Isley Brothers
37:16refined the juxtaposition
37:18of serene melody
37:19and thumping rhythm,
37:21and they've never
37:22stopped evolving
37:23throughout their
37:24amazingly prolific run
37:25across seven decades.
37:35There will never be
37:37another group
37:38like the Isley Brothers,
37:40though Ohio's place
37:41in the soul family
37:42is towering.
37:49The Flaming Lips,
37:51Oklahoma.
37:52The old ways
37:53have not been forgotten
37:55by these Oklahoma City pioneers
37:57in the psychedelic rock revival.
38:05Starting out in the 1980s,
38:08the Flaming Lips
38:08gradually distinguished themselves
38:10from the alternative
38:11and noise rock underground
38:13with the ethereal aesthetics
38:14of the 60s.
38:16This neo-psychedelia
38:18had achieved
38:19considerable acclaim
38:20and popularity
38:21by the 2000s,
38:23winning the group
38:23two Grammys.
38:25Even higher
38:25was the honor
38:26of Do You Realize,
38:28being named
38:28the official
38:29state rock song
38:30of Oklahoma
38:31in 2009.
38:40For all their
38:41spacey sensibilities,
38:43the Flaming Lips'
38:44long-term resilience
38:45and creativity
38:47live up to the state
38:48motto of
38:49Work Conquers All.
38:56The Decembrists,
38:58Oregon.
38:59The most populous city
39:01of Oregon
39:01is at least
39:02the capital
39:02of American indie music,
39:04and it doesn't get much more
39:06Portland than the Decembrists.
39:07This is why,
39:09why we fight,
39:12why we lie away.
39:15Their endlessly
39:16infectious blend
39:16of rock,
39:17pop,
39:18and folk
39:18placed them
39:19at the forefront
39:20of their movement's
39:21unlikely transition
39:22into the mainstream.
39:23All the while,
39:25Kellen Malloy's
39:25flair for mythical
39:26and expressive storytelling
39:28has helped to bring
39:29classical Americana
39:30into the New West.
39:38The band has topped
39:40the Billboard 200,
39:41earned Grammy attention,
39:42and consistently sold out
39:44live shows noted
39:45for interaction
39:46with passionate fans.
39:47Having never sold out
39:49their art, though,
39:50the Decembrists
39:51exemplify Oregon's
39:52independent spirit
39:53overall.
40:00Hall and Oates,
40:02Pennsylvania.
40:03One of America's
40:05most historically
40:06important cities
40:06has also contributed
40:08an important pair
40:09of names to pop music.
40:18Daryl Hall and
40:19John Oates' blend
40:20of soft rock,
40:21soul,
40:22and R&B
40:22perfected the Philly
40:23sound developed
40:24by the songwriting
40:25duo Gamble and Huff.
40:27Hall and Oates
40:27have been sticking
40:28in the whole world's
40:29head since the 1970s,
40:31scoring eight platinum
40:32albums and three
40:33American Music Awards.
40:41But after business
40:43conflicts came to a head
40:44in 2023,
40:46there's sadly
40:46no love lost
40:47between these two heroes
40:48of the city
40:49of brotherly love.
40:50Still,
40:51they'll always be
40:52the pride of
40:53Pennsylvania
40:53for fans
40:54of sincere
40:55and groovy
40:56music.
41:02John Cafferty
41:03and the Beaver
41:04Brown Band,
41:05Rhode Island.
41:07The questionable
41:08authority of
41:09classic rock radio
41:10would have you believe
41:11that John Cafferty
41:12and the Beaver
41:13Brown Band
41:13are a one-hit wonder.
41:22before contributing
41:23on the dark side
41:24and other songs
41:25to the film
41:26Eddie and the Cruisers,
41:27the Narragansett
41:28natives
41:29were legends
41:30in the New England
41:31bar scene.
41:31Their mix of old-school
41:33rock and roll
41:33and hot-blooded
41:34heartland
41:35could out-Springstein
41:36Springsteen.
41:37Unfortunately,
41:38the stylistic parallels
41:39limited Beaver Brown's
41:41commercial prospects
41:42until their big-screen
41:43breakout in 1983.
41:49Their global following
41:51since has been
41:52on the cult side,
41:53with 2005's
41:55Soundwaves
41:55being their first
41:56studio album
41:57in 36 years.
41:59The fact is
42:00that Beaver Brown's
42:01blue-collar mights
42:02and versatile spirit
42:04are doing Rhode Island
42:05proud to this day.
42:12The Marshall Tucker Band
42:14South Carolina
42:16American rock
42:18doesn't get much more
42:19Southern
42:19than the Marshall Tucker Band.
42:21In fact,
42:22they are credited
42:23with pioneering
42:23the Southern rock genre
42:25and the jam band scene.
42:32Founded in Spartanburg
42:34and named
42:34after a local piano player,
42:36their seamless fusion
42:37of blues,
42:38country,
42:38and jazz
42:39epitomized
42:40South Carolina's
42:41unique place
42:41in the landscape
42:42of Americana.
42:43It harmonized
42:44tradition
42:45and innovation
42:46with an extensive
42:47catalog that has been
42:48exuding culture
42:49and catchiness
42:50since the 70s.
42:58Of course,
43:00Doug Gray's
43:00rich vocal
43:01and writing style
43:02have maintained
43:03MTB's distinct identity
43:04at the center
43:05of a rotating roster
43:06of musical talents.
43:08And it's an identity
43:09that the Palmetto State
43:10is lucky
43:11to lay claim to.
43:18Indigenous
43:19South Dakota
43:21South Dakota's
43:22musical roots
43:23run deep
43:24with Indigenous.
43:25Now we don't
43:27want to go back
43:28to where we were.
43:31The three children
43:32of prominent
43:33activist
43:34Greg Zephyr,
43:35plus their cousin,
43:36formed the hard
43:37blues rock group
43:38in the 90s
43:39with an emphasis
43:39on their
43:40Nakoda nation culture.
43:41Despite multiple
43:43personnel changes
43:44through the years,
43:45the diverse array
43:46of powerhouse musicians
43:47are united
43:48by an expression
43:49of Native American
43:50heritage,
43:51its resilience,
43:52and its place
43:53in universal
43:54social issues.
43:56Mato Nanji's
43:57explosive guitar work
43:58is just a bonus.
44:08Indigenous'
44:09bold blend
44:09of eras
44:10and cultures
44:11with a timeless
44:11message commands
44:12a dedicated crowd
44:14across the nation.
44:15Their 2021 induction
44:17into the South Dakota
44:18Rock and Roll
44:18Music Association
44:19merely cemented
44:21their long-understood
44:22importance
44:23in their community.
44:30Booker T
44:31and the MGs
44:33Tennessee
44:34Tennessee surely boasts
44:37one of America's
44:38most eclectic
44:39and impactful music scenes
44:40if its capital
44:41is nicknamed
44:42Music City.
44:50Nashville distilled
44:51the state's
44:52influence on
44:53country music,
44:54though the
44:54Charlie Daniels Band
44:55is one of the few
44:56iconic local groups.
44:58Besides,
44:59real Tennesseans
45:00know that the heart
45:01of their art
45:02is Memphis,
45:03and that one band
45:04tells its story.
45:06Booker T
45:06and the MGs
45:07was one of America's
45:09first integrated pop bands.
45:11The black and white members
45:12balanced songwriting input
45:14distinguished their
45:15mostly instrumental R&B
45:17with elements of jazz and rock.
45:25They showed that a style
45:27this diverse
45:28can be commercially catchy.
45:30Many solo artists
45:31may represent
45:32the Tennessee country scene,
45:33but the MGs
45:34represent the state's soul.
45:43ZZ Top, Texas
45:46Since Houston
45:47at the turn
45:47of the 1970s,
45:49the blues rock
45:49three-piece
45:50ZZ Top
45:51have been grooving fans
45:52with funky rhythm
45:53and boldly
45:54suggestive lyrics.
45:59Their sharp-dressed wardrobe
46:01and long beards,
46:02save for the
46:03clean-shaven drummer
46:04Frank Beard,
46:05make them
46:05all the more iconic.
46:07But ZZ Top
46:08aren't just
46:09rock star sleaze
46:10at its finest.
46:11Their creative style
46:12and storytelling
46:13tap into the most
46:13esoteric yet
46:15definitive elements
46:16of Texas culture.
46:23The state's
46:24House of Representatives
46:25named them
46:26Official Heroes
46:26of Texas
46:27in 1986
46:28and Governor
46:29Ann Richards
46:30declared May 4th
46:31ZZ Top
46:32Day in 1991.
46:33With the additional
46:34honor of the
46:35Rock and Roll
46:35Hall of Fame,
46:36it's safe to say
46:37that this music
46:38has got legs.
46:45Neon Trees,
46:47Utah
46:48The Beehive State
46:50is arguably
46:51underappreciated
46:52for advancing
46:53the relationship
46:54between American
46:54pop and rock.
47:02It started with
47:04the Osmuts
47:04becoming one of
47:05the first modern
47:06mainstream family bands
47:07and the used
47:09was one of the
47:10leading emo acts
47:11of the 2000s.
47:12Finally,
47:13the Provo scene
47:14burst into the
47:15mainstream in the
47:152010s through
47:17Neon Trees.
47:18They essentially
47:19perfected a new
47:20kind of new wave
47:21that merged
47:22classic synth energy
47:23with indie
47:24expressiveness.
47:25Particularly
47:26captivating is
47:27Tyler Glenn's
47:28infectious vocals,
47:30dynamic stage
47:30presence,
47:31and LGBTQ
47:32plus activism.
47:41The band
47:42was even an
47:43influence on
47:44Imagine Dragons
47:44who ultimately
47:45broke out
47:46through their
47:46Nevada roots.
47:48Neon Trees,
47:48on the other hand,
47:49has gotten
47:50everybody talking
47:51about the Utah
47:52sound.
47:58Fish,
47:59Vermont.
48:01Back in the 80s,
48:03a new musical frontier
48:04in New England
48:05started at the
48:05University of
48:06Vermont.
48:07Prog,
48:08psychedelia,
48:09jazz,
48:09funk,
48:10and folk
48:10only began to
48:11describe the
48:12elaborate style
48:13that won
48:13fish a dedicated
48:15fanbase.
48:23And the way
48:24they succinctly
48:25combined these
48:26genres with
48:26virtuosic
48:27musicianship
48:28made them a
48:29global sensation
48:30that led the
48:31revival of the
48:31jam band movement.
48:32They even
48:34inspired so-called
48:35fish heads to
48:36build a traveling
48:36community on
48:37catching epic
48:38concerts that
48:39span hours on
48:40hypnotic
48:41improvisation.
48:42Fish are a
48:43phenomenon,
48:44a prolific and
48:45mega-talented
48:45cult favorite
48:46that has found
48:47almost incomparable
48:48success in the
48:49mainstream.
48:56The small
48:57state of
48:58Vermont just
48:58had the honor
48:59of bringing
49:00this huge
49:00achievement
49:01together.
49:07Dave Matthews
49:09band,
49:09Virginia.
49:11The South
49:12African-born
49:12Dave Matthews
49:13grew up around
49:14the world before
49:15realizing his
49:16love of music
49:16in Charlottesville,
49:18Virginia in the
49:1890s.
49:19There, he
49:20assembled a
49:20talented jazz
49:21and rock
49:22ensemble to
49:23complement his
49:23folksy songwriting.
49:24Yeah, it's
49:26crazy, I'm
49:27thinking, just
49:28knowing that
49:29the world is
49:31round.
49:31Matthews' poetry,
49:33charisma, and
49:33distinct vocal
49:34style would
49:35become an
49:36unlikely pop
49:36sensation,
49:37earning him a
49:38place in the
49:39Rock and Roll
49:39Hall of Fame.
49:40But the
49:40powerful musicianship
49:42of his backing
49:42band has won
49:44just as much
49:44acclaim.
49:45As a key name
49:46in the jam band
49:47revival, the
49:48group is
49:48particularly renowned
49:49sound for sprawling
49:50live performances
49:51with regular
49:52composition changes.
50:01Certainly, the
50:02Dave Matthews band
50:03shines a light on
50:04Virginia's versatile
50:05sound at its most
50:06cohesive and catchy.
50:14Nirvana, Washington.
50:17You can't literally
50:19say that Washington
50:20State quietly
50:21contributed a lot
50:22to the punk
50:23underground.
50:24The world didn't
50:25take notice until
50:26the Seattle sound
50:27was defined by
50:28alternative and
50:29grunge going into
50:30the 1990s.
50:40bands argue
50:41their favorite
50:41acts among the
50:42likes of Pearl
50:43Jam, Alice in
50:44Chains, and
50:45Soundgarden, but
50:46there's no arguing
50:47the unique rawness
50:48and success of
50:49Nirvana.
50:50Kurt Cobain
50:51brought philosophical
50:52songwriting and
50:53infectious guitar
50:54riffs to
50:55iconoclastic
50:56hardcore, without
50:57sacrificing its
50:58maverick mindset
50:59or intense
51:00concerts.
51:00Their popularity
51:01is typically
51:02cited as the
51:03moment when
51:04mainstream rock
51:05became truly
51:06dangerous again.
51:15Drummer Dave
51:16Grohl would
51:16reconcile that
51:17with old-school
51:18hard rock as
51:19the frontman
51:20for the equally
51:21enduring Foo
51:21Fighters.
51:22Still, modern
51:23alternative owes
51:24as much to
51:26Nirvana.
51:32Karma to
51:33Burn, West
51:34Virginia
51:35The liner
51:36notes for the
51:37Bob Dylan album
51:38Desire contain
51:39the passing
51:39line, I have
51:40a brother or
51:41two and a
51:42whole lot of
51:43karma to
51:44burn.
51:52That's how
51:53dedicated the
51:53band Karma to
51:54Burn is to
51:55West Virginia's
51:56passion for
51:57musical storytelling
51:58for their heavy
51:59desert rock to
52:00not have any
52:01words.
52:01The instrumentalists
52:02came down the
52:03Appalachian Mountains
52:04with a uniquely
52:05narrative structure
52:06to their knockout
52:07riffage and
52:08rhythm.
52:08Guitarist Will
52:09Mecham has been
52:10leading fans
52:11through this
52:12odyssey as the
52:12only consistent
52:13member in a
52:14three-piece
52:15format since
52:151993.
52:24His shocking
52:25death in
52:262021 thus
52:27marked the
52:28end of
52:29Karma to
52:29Burn, but
52:30their legacy
52:31in the
52:31mountain
52:31state's
52:32adventurous
52:32rock scene
52:33stands
52:34particularly
52:35tall.
52:41Violent Femmes
52:45Are folk
52:46and punk
52:46really that
52:47different in
52:48iconoclastic
52:49terms?
52:50Violent Femmes
52:51surely don't
52:52think so as
52:52they bridged
52:53the stylistic
52:54divide between
52:55these genres in
52:56the 1980s
52:56Milwaukee
52:57underground.
53:04They then
53:05quickly gained
53:06a cult following
53:07for grounding
53:08the intensity
53:08of punk
53:09with vivid
53:10nonconformist
53:11storytelling.
53:12This would
53:12be a crucial
53:13influence on
53:14the rise of
53:15grunge, pop,
53:16punk, and
53:17other alternative
53:17subgenres in
53:19the following
53:19decade.
53:20Their influence
53:21echoes all the
53:22way to indie
53:23acts like
53:23fellow Wisconsin
53:24icons Bon Iver.
53:26Of course,
53:27Violent Femmes
53:27have stayed
53:28one of a kind
53:29behind Gordon
53:30Gayno's
53:30idiosyncratic
53:31voice in
53:32lyrics, speaking
53:33to an outsider
53:34culture that
53:35was and
53:36continues to
53:37be on the
53:37rise.
53:38But what
53:39worries me
53:41than it's
53:42when I wake
53:42up, if it
53:43might be
53:44worse.
53:51Teenage
53:52Bottle
53:52Rocket,
53:53Wyoming.
53:55Somewhere
53:55between
53:56hardcore and
53:57pop-punk,
53:58Teenage
53:58Bottle
53:58Rocket pretty
53:59much exploded
53:59underground rock
54:00going into the
54:01new millennium.
54:06twin brothers
54:07Ray and
54:08Brandon
54:08Carlyle
54:09emerged from
54:10the humble
54:10town of
54:11Laramie,
54:11Wyoming with
54:12a subversive
54:13songwriting
54:14attitude and
54:14an upbeat
54:15twist.
54:16Fans note
54:16their exceedingly
54:17catchy styles
54:18roots all the
54:19way back to
54:19the early days
54:20of punk.
54:21Teenage
54:22Bottle
54:22Rocket's
54:22obvious love
54:23of the music
54:24and disdain
54:25for the status
54:25quo have
54:26long resonated
54:27beyond the
54:28angsty youths
54:29at skate
54:30parks in
54:30the 2000s.
54:37The group
54:38has also
54:38endured
54:39several
54:39personnel
54:40changes,
54:41with Brandon
54:41tragically
54:42passing away
54:43in 2015.
54:45Still,
54:45Ray and
54:46his comrades
54:46carry the
54:47torch of
54:48classic punk
54:48for Wyoming
54:49and anywhere
54:50else,
54:51represented by
54:52misfits.
54:53Did we
54:54miss a
54:54legendary band
54:55from your
54:55home state?
54:56Let us know
54:57about it
54:57in the
54:58comments.
55:00change
55:00.
55:00.
55:00.
55:00.
55:00.
55:01.
55:03.
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