After Happy Mondays disbanded in 1992, most observers would have guessed that the group's leader, vocalist Shaun Ryder, would succumb to the myriad of drug addictions that hastened the breakup of the group. Instead of dying, Ryder recouped his strengths and came back with a new band, Black Grape, in the summer of 1995. Black Grape were embraced... [+] Read More

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As one of the most traditional guitar bands to emerge during the Brit-pop era of the mid-'90s, Cast has weathered negative criticism from certain quarters of the media, who labeled them as mere revivalists. But the criticism didn't prevent Cast from becoming a very, very popular band within Britain following the success of Oasis and Blur. Led by... [+] Read More

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Elastica's brief, angular, and catchy punk rock became a hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1995. While the group reworked both the sound and the image of new wave and punk rockers like Adam & the Ants, Wire, the Buzzcocks, and Blondie, the band's songs are more pop-oriented and hook-driven than most of their influences, and Justine... [+] Read More

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Gene will forever be haunted by comparisons to the Smiths, especially since lead singer Martin Rossiter favors the same strangled croon and tortured loneliness of Morrissey. Nevertheless, under the direction of guitarist Steve Mason, Gene developed a tougher sound than the Smiths, drawing not only from the fey tradition of British indie-pop, but... [+] Read More

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Heavy Stereo was among a number of British guitar bands signed in the wake of Oasis' worldwide popularity in the mid-'90s; in fact, their only album, Deja Voodoo, was released on Creation Records, the label that discovered Oasis. What separated Heavy Stereo from their peers was their unapologetic affection for '70s glam rock; they were massively... [+] Read More

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Just as Nirvana inspired a legion of yelping, angry youths with loud, fuzzy guitars in America, Oasis' Beatles-like popularity in Britain unleashed a flock of imitators in the mid-'90s. Northern Uproar was among Oasis' spiritual offspring. Northern Uproar formed in Oasis' hometown of Manchester, England, in 1995. Featuring Leon Maya (vocals,... [+] Read More

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Orlando was the most successful and visibile band to emerge from the extremely brief romo movement of the mid-'90s. Led by songwriter/keyboardist Dickon Edwards, Orlando combined the stylish, synthesized dance-pop of early '80s with Pulp's sense of purpose, the Manic Street Preachers' sense of outrage, Morrissey's sense of humor, and a lyrical... [+] Read More

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The Bluetones filled the gap that the Stone Roses left behind, providing graceful but muscular guitar pop with slightly psychedelic overtones. The band appeared during the waning days of Brit-pop, which guaranteed them a considerable amount of press coverage that helped their debut album rocket to the top of the charts upon its release in early... [+] Read More

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