Northwest

SILVERSUN PICKUPS
Heralded by Rolling Stone as one of the "Top 10 Bands to Watch" in 2007, L.A.- based alternative rockers Silversun Pickups have been delivering on that promise with their reverb-soaked guitars ever since. The band hails from the Silver Lake scene, which has been home to such modern rock talents as Elliott Smith, Rilo Kiley and Autolux. With a layered, eclectic guitar sound, Silversun Pickups have made a name for themselves opening for bands like Foo Fighters, Kaiser Chiefs and Wolfmother, and playing large music festivals like Coachella. Their debut LP, Carnavas, was released in 2006, on Dangerbird Records. —ET

PANIC AT THE DISCO
Panic at the Disco has caused quite a stir since being discovered by Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz in 2005. Forming the band when they were barely out of high school, the four Las Vegas rockers have wasted no time in gaining notoriety for their undeniably catchy tracks and offbeat yet enthralling live shows. Their debut album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen), produced by Matt Squire (Thrice, Northstar), brought the band critical praise and charttopping success, as well as touring gigs with the likes of The Academy Is…, OK Go, Fall Out Boy, and Jack's Mannequin. Panic's highly anticipated second album, Pretty. Odd, was written with a fresh approach. Instead of relying on computer software, the banded opted to use acoustic guitars during the writing process. The album was recorded live in the studio, and boasts horn and string arrangements. This time around, the guys cite inspiration from The Beach Boys, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles in contrast to their more glam-themed earlier work. —AM

COLD WAR KIDS
Fullerton, California's Cold War Kids generated noise in the blogs with the release of their 2005 EP, Mulberry Street (Monarchy Music), which was recorded and out within a year of the band forming. The four-piece, made up of Matt Aveiro (drums), Matt Maust (bass), Jonnie Russell (guitar/ vocals/percussion), and Nathan Willett (lead vocals/piano/guitar) cites both Billie Holiday and The Velvet Underground as influences, and their eclectic tastes show on their tracks. The Kids scored high profile tours with Tapes 'n' Tapes and Editors in 2006, and for the release of their first full-length, Robbers & Cowards, they inked a deal with Downtown Records. –LW

A FINE FRENZY
A Fine Frenzy mastermind Alison Sudol has had an interesting life. She spent her childhood with her mother, moving around Los Angeles. Sudol developed an early affinity for music and literature. After a chance to play at SXSW, an opening slot for Rufus Wainwright, and huge publicity from a variety of TV series, Sudol's feathery, enchanting sound has generated a lot of hype. Her debut album, One Cell in The Sea, was released in 2007 (Virgin). —ET

THE KILLERS
After winning countless awards, selling millions of albums, and continuing to revitalize rock sounds from the 1980s, Las Vegas natives The Killers are one of the most industrious, videogenic and successful rock bands around today. Quickly discovered after forming in 2001, they released their first album, 2004's Hot Fuss (Island), with its sexy new wave rock grooves, to great acclaim. Their second album, 2006's Sam's Town (Island), took on more of a classic rock sound and revealed the band to be a musically ambitious act with a playful knack for reinvention. —ET

REEVE CARNEY
With a wide range of unexpected inspirations, such as Screaming Jay Hawkins, Walt Disney and Texas swing, LA's Reeve Carney is not your typical artist. A child musical prodigy who has been playing, writing and performing for years (he's now 24), his music is smart and sophisticated, not to mention hypnotic and moody. Carney and his Revolving Band's sold-out shows at LA's Molly Malone's are known to be phenomenal. A double live CD/DVD called Live at Molly Malone's captures the magic of these incredible performances. His debut album on Interscope is coming in 2008. —EP

AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT
"Poetry you can dance to..." exclaimed the LA Times about this Los Feliz-based band. Borrowing their name from Don DeLillo's prophetic novel, White Noise, and drawing on such musical influences as the Cure and The Velvet Underground, Airborne Toxic Event have become West Coast radio darlings. They've shared the stage with Kaiser Chiefs, the Buzzcocks and others and their high-energy shows continue to build a rabid following. No wonder the LA Times named ATE as one of three best bands to watch in 2008. —EP