The 'Lectric Chairs

Though it had the distinct air of a basement band gone uncharted in the sea of rock & roll, L.A.'s 'Lectric Chairs finally made it official in late 2003, issuing the Sparkolounger EP through Dionysus. Vocalist/guitarist Marsh Gooch, lead guitarist Loren Molinare (ex-Dogs), bassist Jose Ferro, and drummer Bob Terry banged out a raucous and ragged sound on their debut, falling in line with such garage-y neo-traditionalists as the Oblivians and Red Planet. "Janet Weiss," their randy ode to the Sleater-Kinney drummer, was the EP highlight. ~ Johnny Loftus