I'll add a few to the list that I've been digging on this year; These United States - Everything Touches Everything The Heavy - The House that Dirt Built Langehorne Slim - Be Set Free Emmitt Nershi Band - New Country Blues Umphrey's McGee - Mantis mstrkrft - Fist of God I can't for the life of me get into the noise that is the Japandroids that you all seem to be raving about though.
Cosmic Granola have improved a lot and had a great groove going last night, I think they're missing either another guitar or a keys player to round them out though. The Strange Boys are goooooood. There was some major major sound issues with mic's and overall sound volume but the playing was excellent. They harmonize very well (wish I could have heard it better) and the banjo player can shred that thing. The double bass player is very well educated at his craft both with his fingers and the bow and the fiddle player seemed like he wanted to rock out but the sound issues weren't letting him. The mando and acoustic guitar player rounded their sound out nicely. I will definately check them out again and hopefully the crusty sound guy gets his shit together although he seemed to be blaming the band for the issues which I kind of find hard to believe. Check'em out if you can.