Here is a list of bands that are on a need to know (for a few weeks) basis.

UNA THE TUNA
Freak-folk solo act, originally from Maryland, resides in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. This songstress (or songster, it’s gladly unclear) has a ton of reverb and delay coating the also phase-shifted vocals. You’ll be happy to know that an acoustic guitar is the only accompaniment and was recorded in a silo.

EDIT UNDO
Once a metal cover band, these 7 talented, bald gentlemen traded in their Avenge Sevenfold guitars, with their “death bat” knobs and inlays, for beards and samplers. They are a mix between Brian Wilson and TV on the Radio somehow. Check out the track titled “Camping underwater.”

THE ARCADE PARADE
This Canada/Philly based band is quirky and Motown-y. Where they lack in drums they make up in Fender Rhodes electric pianos. They have four. They continue to break the record of most Rhodes in a building at one time. The vocalist/tambourine-ist will remind you of Ringo Star just enough but not too much that you’re like “what is this Ringo Star and four Rhodes players!?”

CAN WE DO IT. YES, WE CAN?
Props to their name. The scene was missing a question with a period and a statement with a question mark-band name. Not sure what these guys sound like yet but they’re really good.

INTROSPECTOR GADGET
Post-hardcore ranchero collaboration based out of Cedar Rapids. Used to tour with a trained grizzly bear until pressure from the environmental lobby and the death of their accordion player forced them to replace it with a trained brown bear. Mostly known for their cover of the A-Team theme.

CTRL Z
If you really like Rage Against the Machine don’t listen to them. If you have never heard Rage Against the Machine listen to them. That being said: they sound like Steely Dan.

OIL BEATLES
nuff said. Wait, they all (including the drummer) wear rollerblades. nuff said.

ROY G. BIV
Awful band name but don’t let that stop you! They’re my favorite band right now and all of yesterday. They mix what you like about Italo-disko and what you love about Italian dance hall. They have 8 albums total and it’s almost impossible to find 2 of them. (DO NOT EXPECT ME TO SHARE, FELLOW TORRENT HUNTERS). I see big things for this band. Rumor is they’re scheduled to break up in 2009 and get back together in 2010! Can’t wait.

Well that’s the wrap up. I mean, don’t let me decide what you like. Get out there, hit up some other blogs and reviews. Really get to know what people are writing about the bands you hear about. That’s what music is all about.